Trying to mirror hard drives

[kcmark]

I am preparing a server to receive a fairly high end software package specific to our industry. On all of our other servers we dual hard drives with 1 drive mirroring the other. We use Windows 2000 Server to achieve the mirror. I have never had any problems using the mirrors on the other servers.

Our software vendor is telling me that I cannot use a software based mirror (ie:W2K) for this software. He said that I can, however, use a hardware based mirror. I am not sure what he is referring to (and he was not much help either). Can anyone tell me what he is referring to and how to set one up?

Thanks!

 

[glister]

There are two types of hardware RAID implementations:
-Bus-based
-External controller based

Bus-based RAID can be defined as an array that is controlled by a host bus adapter, with built-in hardware that provides the RAID functionality, which is connected to the server's system bus.

A bus-based RAID array can add substantial performance and feature benefits over software RAID without greatly increasing the cost. In fact, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a bus-based array can be lower than that of a software-based implementation.

There are several advantages to a bus-based RAID array. The most obvious is that a bus-based RAID controller can have a processor embedded on the card. This embedded processor can manage some or all, of the RAID functions which leaves the host CPU free to handle processing or network functions. This type of controller is referred to as an intelligent disk array controller.

Another important advantage is that a bus-based array can support many of the high performance RAID features not available in a software-based configuration. These features include support for hot swap or hot spare drives, support for SAF-TE, array management utilities, and others.

An external controller based disk subsystem will have the RAID controller located in the external storage case with the disk drives. Most enclosures provide for redundant power supplies and cooling fans, SAF-TE monitoring, and hot swap capability all of which enhance the fault tolerance of the disk subsystem.

Let me know if I can help further. A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,CST,CFOT,CCNT,ACSP,ISA CCST3

 

[DJPhil]

Good info Glister.
I've a place I send friends(usually power gamers looking for speed) when they ask about RAID. It's a little more in depth and assumes less hardware knowledge.

Tom's Hardware Guide (

http://www.tomshardware.com)

has three related articles dealing with IDE technology, the last two dealing strictly with RAID. Those two are listed below with their corresponding links. . .

IDE Training Course, Part 2: Performance and Data Security with RAID

http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/02q3/020813/ide-raid-01.html

IDE Training Course, Part 3: Using RAID

http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/02q3/020830/index.html

Also, you didn't specify as to if you were using SCSI or IDE. I've no experience with SCSI RAID and just a basic understanding, but it doesn't seem necessary for your application. Assuming IDE and assuming you simply need to mirror one drive then you have three options (that I know of).
You can . . .
(1)Purchase a PCI RAID adapter card or
(2)Upgrade to a motherboard with onboard RAID
(These would be bus-based options as defined by Glister above)
(3)purchase an external RAID arrangement
(External controller-based as above).

Most controller card or motherboard based RAID setups support four devices for RAID types 0, 1, or 0+1. Shop about to learn more of the features and details. These setups are becoming more common even for home users, though they are rather costly.
The external cabinet option seems excessive for a two drive array to say the least, but it would provide for a lot of room to grow. Also, should you have an arrangement for your hardware that makes self installation and configuration a poor option (Warranty or service agreement considerations, etc.) then the external cabinet might be more friendly.

That should put you off to a good head start.
Questions, etc. always welcome.
Good luck, hope everything goes swimmingly.

DJP