Intel Matrix RAID - Possible to Create 2 Separate RAID 1 Arrays?

[kjv1611]

Intel Matrix RAID - Possible to Create 2 Separate RAID 1 Arrays?

I'm wanting to know really:
1. Is it possible?
2. Would it be worth it?

Here's what I'm thinking for a particular build. In order to keep some costs down in at least one area, we're going with standard hard drives - right now I'm leaning toward the Samsung F3 drives.

And reading about the usage of "short stroking" and RAID, I'm still not totally sure as to what's the best way to go. I've already created RAID arrays in the past, somewhat older hardware RAID PCI cards, and partitioned the raid arrays.

But what I'm thinking will give the best benefits, maybe, is to create separate "partitions" by using the Intel Matrix RAID to configure 2 separate RAID 1 partitions.

Basically, what I'm going for with this build is something that will be as self-sustaining as possible, while giving good performance. The reason is that I'm doing this with next to know technical understanding, and they live a LOOOOONG way away - long enough, that only travel even worth considering is via plane.

I'm also not terribly sure (yet) that I'll go with a RAID 1 configuration at all. In some ways, I think just sticking to a single hard drive for the system, and a single separate drive for data will be best. And then, with the price of the 500GB drives, if I used all 500GB drives, I could do one system, one data, and one sorta back-up system, where all they have to do is pull one drive out, and plug one drive in.... with my help via phone.

Any thoughts on this? I'm planning on playing around with the setup, trying different things, but I'd love to hear any other suggestions, and especially any personal experience with the Intel Matrix RAID controllers. I've got a board with it, but have yet to use it.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

Well, after doing some further reading and thinking... reading, and seeing the various issues some folks have seemed to have with Matrix RAID solutions, and thinking of the whole KISS methodology, I figure I'm going to just stick to single drives.

Of course, I'm still open to any discussion. I may still try to setup a Matrix RAID setup or two on my own system at home. I'm not so concerned about my own system with this, as I feel confident enough that I can fix it or work around it as needed, but for somebody several states away, I'm definitely going to be overly cautious with as much as possible.



--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

I'm still not 100% sure. I've not changed a thing, and I probably won't have time for at least 2 or 3 weeks right now, but if/when I do get time, I think I may try a setup like this:

1. Matrix RAID setup setting up a 100GB RAID 0 array on 2 Raptors, leaving the remainder unused.

2. Another Matrix RAID array with a RAID 0 and a RAID 1 on 2 larger disks - right now, I'm hoping to be able to use 2 Samsung F3s

3. Install a 3rd single Raptor solely to use as SWAP/Virtual memory, and temp files for any apps that need/request a separate drive/partition.

4. A separate drive for just "my documents", such as that..

The Raptor RAID array will be for system/prog files.
The 2nd RAID will be for audio editing, maybe video editing if I can ever get back to that..

The others are self-explanatory.

Well, we'll see if I get to this point. The F3s should give a pretty good performance increase over the WD Greens, and the WD Raptors in RAID 0, short-stroked to 100GB should perform better for the system. The reason I think I'll stick with the Raptors still is their seek times. I don't want to drop another $100+ to $200+ on Velociraptor, considering it's not quite the performance diff that the Raptor used to be over competition... and an SSD is way out of budget... besides, this way I'll use what I've got.

Alright, this is just Monday morning ramblings, I guess. We'll see what I do/don't end up messing with.. as much as a month down the road.. I've got a few pretty big projects that are just beginning, so I'll just have to use my current setup until I can manage some time in between or after the projects.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me