Re: Storage server
On Sun, Sep 09, 2012 at 03:42:12AM -0500, Stan Hoeppner wrote:
> Stop here. Never use a production system as a test rig.
Noted.
> You can build a complete brand new AMD dedicated test machine with parts
> from Newegg for $238 USD, sans KB/mouse/monitor, which you already have.
> Boot it up then run it headless, use a KVM switch, etc.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186189
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103888
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121118
>
> If ~$250 stretches the wallet of your employer, it's time for a new job.
Not all of us have that kind of luxury to be that picky about our job,
but I get your point.
> Get yourself an Adaptec 8 port PCIe x8 RAID card kit for $250:
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816103231
>
> The Seagate ST3000DM001 is certified. It can't do RAID5 so you'll use
> RAID10, giving you 6TB of raw capacity, but much better write
> performance than RAID5. You can add 4 more of these drives, doubling
> capacity to 12TB. Comes with all cables, manuals, etc. Anyone who has
> tried to boot a server after the BIOS configured boot drive that is
> mdraid mirrored knows why $250 is far more than worth the money. A
> drive failure with a RAID card doesn't screw up your boot order. It
> just works.
I'm gonna try to persuade my boss to buy one and in case he agrees and
I'm not able to find that card here (and I haven't so far), can I have another one?
What about something like this:
http://ark.intel.com/products/35340/Intel-RAID-Controller-SASMF8I
If not, how to find appropriate one? One with 8 supported devices,
hardware RAID10? What else to look for?
> > In next few months it is expected that size of files on dedicated
> > servers will grow and it case that really happen I'd like to be able to
> > expand this system.
>
> See above.
>
> > And, of course, thanks for your time and valuable advices, Stan, I've read
> > some of your previous posts on this list and know you're storage guru.
>
> You're welcome. And thank you. ;) Recommending the above Adaptec card
> is the best advice you'll get. It'll make your life much easier, with
> better performance to boot.
>
> --
> Stan
There is something that is not clear to me. You recommended hardware
RAID as superior solution. I already knew that it is the case, but I
thought that linux software RAID is also some solution. What would be
drawbacks of using it? In case of one drive failure, it is possible that
it won't boot or it just won't boot? In case I don't get that card,
should I remove /boot from RAID1?
Regards,
Veljko
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