I'm considering setting up a RAID0 array with my two 80GB SSDs. I have read the RAID FAQ on this forum and several others, but I'm not really feeling too confident yet.
I currently have my OS installed on another drive, my SSDs actually aren't even here yet. So I think that this - taken from the RAID FAQ - is the procedure I'm looking for:
So I have a few questions...
1) My OS is already installed on what is now becoming the "temporary drive". Is it okay to just enter the RAID controller BIOS, setup the RAID0 array, and then boot to my normal OS (Windows 7, by the way) and install the RAID drivers?
2) Stripesize, clustersize, wat? What should I set these to?
3) Yeah, I don't have a floppy drive. Is it okay to boot the OS from the installation CD, and when prompted press F6 and swap CDs? Heh.
4) Possible to clone the existing OS instead of reinstalling? Probably not going to do this either way, just curious.
Sorry for all the questions. I get a bit nervous before trying something new. Thanks for any help!
I currently have my OS installed on another drive, my SSDs actually aren't even here yet. So I think that this - taken from the RAID FAQ - is the procedure I'm looking for:
If you want to use NTFS, or do some benchmarks with different stripe and clustersize combinations the recommended method requires a third temporary drive:
1) Attach the drives to the RAID controller. Each drive should be master on its own channel (separate cable) for maximum performance.
2) Attach the temporary drive to the normal IDE controller.
3) Enter the RAID controller bios. Setup the RAID0 array with your preferred stripesize.
4) Install the OS on the temporary drive.
5) Boot on the temporary drive. When the OS is up and running, install the RAID drivers.
6) Partition and format the RAID array with the preferred clustersize. In Windows XP, Disk Management provides the means to partition drives and formatting with a custom clustersize.
7) Optionally perform benchmarks on the array. Reformat the drive with a different clustersize or rebuild the array with a different stripesize. When the array is partitioned and formatted, the temporary drive can be removed.
8) Make sure you have a floppy with the RAID drivers. Boot from the OS installation CD, and when prompted press 'F6' to install third party RAID or SCSI drivers. Insert the floppy.
9) Install the OS on the boot partition of the RAID array. Make sure you do not format the array during installation, since this will reset the clustersize to the default value.
So I have a few questions...
1) My OS is already installed on what is now becoming the "temporary drive". Is it okay to just enter the RAID controller BIOS, setup the RAID0 array, and then boot to my normal OS (Windows 7, by the way) and install the RAID drivers?
2) Stripesize, clustersize, wat? What should I set these to?
3) Yeah, I don't have a floppy drive. Is it okay to boot the OS from the installation CD, and when prompted press F6 and swap CDs? Heh.
4) Possible to clone the existing OS instead of reinstalling? Probably not going to do this either way, just curious.
Sorry for all the questions. I get a bit nervous before trying something new. Thanks for any help!