New to RAID setup looking for input.

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Stalwart385

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May 21, 2016
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I've never installed a raid system before but I've familiarized myself with the different setups. While reviewing my motherboard's BIOS I had some questions.

The software I am using recommended a Raid10 setup. I plan on putting the operating system on its own SSD and all other software/storage on the Raid10. Here are the parts I am using.

1 x ASRock EP2C602 SSI EEB Server Motherboard Dual LGA 2011 DDR3 1600/1333/1066
4 x WD Black 1TB Performance Desktop Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch - WD1003FZEX (Software and Storage)
1 x Intel DC S3510 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Enterprise Solid State Drive - OEM (OS Boot)

I haven't received all the parts for the build but I was reviewing the manual. I have 6 Intel ports (2 SATAIII and 4 SATAII) and I have 4 Marvel ports (All SATAIII). I can set the SATA mode for the Intel ports (IDE, RAID or AHCI). The Marvel port only show an enable/disable and a boot option. What SATA mode will the Marvel ports be in? What is the correct way to separate my SSD (OS boot) from my RAID, while leaving room for RAID expansion in the future? I also am not seeing an option to select the RAID mode I want, only RAID in general.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 
Solution
SoNic67
When you will install the Intel software (or straight form BIOS) you can create a RAID array the way you want. You can install the SSD on the Marvell chip and set it to be bootable, to separate it from the RAID.
However, in my experience, if the software application is CPU intensive, it will degrade the software RAID performance, because Intel RAID relies on the main CPU (and drivers) to work.
For a solution that is truly performant you need a RAID card that has it's own processor, so called "hardware" RAID. For example I have bought from eBay a LSI 3ware 9650SE SATA RAID Controller - they come in 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 channels. The processor on board is a Power PC 405CR and it has a cache memory of 256 or 512MB.
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SoNic67

SoNic67

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Jun 9, 2012
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When you will install the Intel software (or straight form BIOS) you can create a RAID array the way you want. You can install the SSD on the Marvell chip and set it to be bootable, to separate it from the RAID.
However, in my experience, if the software application is CPU intensive, it will degrade the software RAID performance, because Intel RAID relies on the main CPU (and drivers) to work.
For a solution that is truly performant you need a RAID card that has it's own processor, so called "hardware" RAID. For example I have bought from eBay a LSI 3ware 9650SE SATA RAID Controller - they come in 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 channels. The processor on board is a Power PC 405CR and it has a cache memory of 256 or 512MB.
 
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Solution
S

Stalwart385

Commendable
May 21, 2016
5
0
1,510
Thanks for the input. I hope setting up the raid is more clear once I sit down in front of it and have everything installed.

Since I already budgeted the system I think I will try the MB raid for now. I'll use the setup you mentioned. This server will be such a massive improvement over the current 32bit one, I doubt it will be an issue. When we upgrade to more drives in the future I'll recommend adding a Raid controller.

Thanks again.
 
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FireWire2

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Oct 30, 2006
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As SoNic67 post, hardware RAID is prefered always.

You can spend 100's to 1000's dollar for the RAID card. But READ/WRIRE speed are function of # of spindle, in your case only 4x 4TB HDD in RAID10 you are top out at 250MB/s you should look at
http://www.amazon.com/multiplier-hardware-RAID0-CLONE-Controller/dp/B004JPUZWU and PCI bracket to mount this thing
Look at the reviews, I have used many of this little controllers for my clients and LOVE IT, so simple to use (no drivers) and reliable
Since it's a drivers-less it also means there wont be compatible issue when the OS update its security or OS
 
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