To RAID or not to RAID, backup advice.

[n9p]

I am trying to figure out the best solution for storage and backup. I am mostly dealing with document files, and short videos. This is going to be strictly as a file server in a mid-tower case, oh and it is going to run 24x7. The thing is, I need to figure out a data storage solution and a backup solution. This is what I had in mind:

OS
Samsung 840 128 GB as the OS and Programs drive (this will not have anything more than the OS, Microsoft Office, and backup software). http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188

Internal Data Storage & Access
2x WD Green 2TB SATA 3.0Gb/s http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136772 ( I am not certain this is the best option)

Backup for Data Storage Drives

Enclosure
VANTEC NexStar HX4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817392051

Backup Drives
X4 WD Red 2TB SATA 3.0Gb/s configured in RAID 5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236343 ( I am not certain this is the best option)


Thank you in advance.

 

[RealBeast]

Just a few thoughts.

If it is only used for one machine, the eSATA connection should be adequate (although requires a separate port multiplier) and it will work fine to backup your data from the internal storage drives, although I'm not sure how well that enclosure works for 24/7 use.

If you want to access it on a network, I would consider using a RAID adapter and putting the drives inside the same case or using an external device with an Ethernet port (although the cost will be quite a bit higher). Perhaps your motherboard has RAID capabilities and you would rather use the Green drives in an external enclosure for backup that is only on for updating the backup, and the Reds internal in RAID 5 off the motherboard??

For non-mission critical use (like a home media server), RAID 5 with the WD Reds is a pretty good fault tolerant storage solution -- but don't rely on RAID 5 for "protecting" real important data, a failure of a second drive or even some of its data on rebuild would leave you in trouble. Not sure that this Vantec supports RAID though, probably not at that price.

 

[n9p]

Just a few thoughts.

If it is only used for one machine, the eSATA connection should be adequate (although requires a separate port multiplier) and it will work fine to backup your data from the internal storage drives, although I'm not sure how well that enclosure works for 24/7 use.

If you want to access it on a network, I would consider using a RAID adapter and putting the drives inside the same case or using an external device with an Ethernet port (although the cost will be quite a bit higher). Perhaps your motherboard has RAID capabilities and you would rather use the Green drives in an external enclosure for backup that is only on for updating the backup, and the Reds internal in RAID 5 off the motherboard??

For non-mission critical use (like a home media server), RAID 5 with the WD Reds is a pretty good fault tolerant storage solution -- but don't rely on RAID 5 for "protecting" real important data, a failure of a second drive or even some of its data on rebuild would leave you in trouble. Not sure that this Vantec supports RAID though, probably not at that price.

Thanks Real Beast. This is not going to be for home use, it is for a small time newspaper, so file security is important, as well as budget. The motherboard is going to be ASRock Z77 Extreme4, http://www.microcenter.com/product/387554/Z77_Extreme4_LGA_1155_Z77_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

I referenced the wrong VANTEC. The correct is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817392056

The backup component (the VANTEC) does not need to be accessed over a network, and will be used only to backup the data storage drives, which will be accessed over a network. There is going to be only 1 machine that houses the data drives, and this machine, i.e. these drives, will be accessed over a network.

Do you suggest using WD Reds inside the main case over RAID 5, and using the WD Green in the VANTEC over RAID 1 maybe?

Thanks

 

[RealBeast]

Ok, that Vantec makes sense since it supports RAID 5, and both it and your motherboard support eSATA, which is more reliable IMO and certainly faster than USB 3.0.

Yes, I would use Reds and not Greens in the RAID, they are much more reliable for that use since they don't have the really frequent head parking issue that can be a problem in RAID with the Green drives.

 

[n9p]

Best answer selected by n9p.