Creating RAID1 storage

[markblewis32177]

Using this procedure, Does creating RAID1 storage space delete all existing data? have Primary drive want to create RAID1 & retain existing data

 

[kanewolf]

Usually, yes. It depends on the RAID controller, but you should not expect to keep the data as-is.

 

[markblewis32177]

Usually, yes. It depends on the RAID controller, but you should not expect to keep the data as-is.

 

[markblewis32177]

Same true using Win10 Storage Pools?

 

[kanewolf]

I have never used storage pools for RAID. I do recommend that you get the necessary hardware (USB drives etc) to do a backup of the data. RAID1 only protects against hard drive failure, which is fairly rare. Corrupted files, accidentally deleted files, or other types of data loss is not protected by RAID1. Only backups protect against that type of problem.

I recommend these two articles on why RAID alone isn't sufficient
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-features/31745-data-recovery-tales-raid-is-not-backup
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-features/32168-data-recovery-tales-prepare-the-right-way-for-raid-failure

They are intended for NAS users but they are just as relevant for other direct connected RAID

 

[USAFRet]

Yep. RAID of any type is not a backup.
Even though I have a NAS box with 4 x 4TB drives in RAID 5, there is also a backup of that.

What is your purpose behind this RAID 1? As said above, that is only good for a physical drive fail.

 

[markblewis32177]

My purpose f/RAID1 home-use is protect against physical hard drive failure. Have had current HDD "not found" by BIOS, but then reappear. Figure living on borrowed time for that HDD.

WILL RAID1 support HDD partitioning? Partition before performing BIOS RAID1 or after performing BIOS RAID1?

 

[USAFRet]

My purpose f/RAID1 home-use is protect against physical hard drive failure. Have had current HDD "not found" by BIOS, but then reappear. Figure living on borrowed time for that HDD.

WILL RAID1 support HDD partitioning? Partition before performing BIOS RAID1 or after performing BIOS RAID1?

Yes, you can partition inside that RAID array, just like a single drive.
The OS mostly does not care, because it sees a single Volume/drive.

I must say though...hard drives are getting much more reliable. I've lost I think 2 drives this century. Out of probably 30+ here at the house.
1 3TB WD Green, died at the 5 week point. Replaced free.
1 160GB WD Blue, dropped on a cement floor. But it was already 8 years old at the time.


I'd be much more worried about all the other types of data loss, which a RAID 1 does nothing for.
Drives are cheap and easy to replace. Data, not so much.