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RAID-5 installation

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9 replies

by jeremy the it guy

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I want to set up a RAID-5 set. I know that there are two different types, software and hardware. Software is provided by Windows 2000 Server and the hardware I am unsure of. What do I need to make a RAID-5 set by using hardware? I know it's easier to use Windows 2000 Server but hardware is more fault tolerant and I just want to know what I need to have to accomplish this. Thanks, Jeremy

9 replies

by isys

For a server, enough drive trays to install your disks and a RAID card and the configuration utility.

by flyfshmn

you will need a min of 3 hard disks and a raid controller (r u using SCSI ?). After that its just using the MMC disk management consol to set up.

by jeremy the it guy

I am using SCSI but I want to set it up the "hardware" way. Windows 2000 Server is considered to be the "software" way. Thanks for the help though, Jeremy

by timwalsh

After your reply to answer 1, I'm not sure what you are looking for.
If you are looking for recommendations, you need to state that. If you are looking for step by step instructions, you need to state that also. If you are looking for instructions, be aware that they will very based on the manufacurer of whichever Raid controller you choose.
As to basic requirements for hardware for a RAID-5 system: a RAID controller card, minimum of 3 hard drives of roughly equal size (will help much if they are 3 of the same drive model).
If you need more specific info than this, you need to be more specific than asking for "what I need to to have to accomplish this"! Most people out here will not design your system for you.

by jeremy the it guy

Were you trying to help me because I didn't see that. Sorry for the confusion and like the guy answering after you said, I haven't dealt with RAID controllers or RAID and that's true. That's why I came here.

by curlergirl

I think maybe your confusion stems from not having worked with SCSI cards and/or RAID that much before?? Anyway - once you get a RAID-capable SCSI Controller, that controller will have built into its BIOS the ability to construct your RAID array. As the system boots up, you'll see a message from the SCSI BIOS similar to: "Press [key combo] to access SCSI Configuration Utility". Each mfr's. card has a slightly different configuration utility, but that is where you would initially construct your array. Then, most RAID card mfrs. also have a Windows utility that can be used to manage the array after it's in operation, doing such things as verifying the status of the array and rebuilding it if a hard drive fails. You do NOT use the Windows 2000 MMC Disk Management console to construct or manage a hardware RAID array. Hope this helps!

by jeremy the it guy

Besides starting it off like I was a dope, your answer gave me the help I needed. I use SCSI drives and controllers daily but I have never dealt with a RAID controller and that was what I wanted to know so you are right. I just didn't know the process it took to get a RAID set up and to do it with hardware, I was unaware that it came with a utility to help me out. Thanks for your help.

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