Drive setup and configuration for Raid 1

[jensou]

Windows 7
Asus x99-A

Hi there,
I've never setup a raid before and would just like do a Raid 1 configuration. I don't know how to set this up properly with the number of available sata ports and the number of drives I already have.

The MB has 10 sata ports, 6 are raid capable and controlled by Controller 1, and 4 are not raid capable, and are controlled by Controller 2.

I have…
1SSD (boot)
2 3TB drives
1 1TB drive
1 DVD drive

… And I would like to add another 2 drives as a Raid 1. That means I'll have a total of 5 drives plus a DVD drive to figure out ports for.

If I set Controller 1 to RAID does this mean all of those 6 ports can only run a drive in a raid or can I setup the two drives as the raid 1 and still plug other drives (apart from, maybe, the boot drive) into the rest of the ports and run them as normal?

 

[Entomber]

What is the purpose of your RAID 1 volume? A RAID volume should not be used for backup, but in case of drive failure where you absolutely must have maximum uptime. Otherwise, just have a regular backup drive.

 

[jensou]

I do a lot of Photoshop and 3D work and felt like it was time to get serious about backup and thought setting up a Raid 1 and having a mirrored drive would be a good option.

 

[USAFRet]

as above, what are you planning to use this for?
With which drives?

 

[jensou]

I have two new 4TB HGST Deskstar NAS drives that I was planning to use for the raid.

 

[ronintexas]

My suggestion for simplicity - make the first 4TB HGST as the "primary data drive", and make the second 4TB HGST as the secondary drive. Use SyncBack Free (http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html) to copy the contents of the first drive to the second drive. If the either drive fails, simply replace it, and run a restore from one to the other. In a pinch, you can use the single drive configuration prior to the backup.

I utilize RAID at work - usually in RAID 5 or RAID 10 configurations, and usually with 10-20 drives....it works well for 100% up time. But at home, I never use RAID - simply use multiple hard drives with a backup.

 

[jensou]

Thanks, ronintexas. Reading more about it and what others are saying about a RAID 1 setup, Syncback does seem like a great solution. I will definitely check it out.

But, just so I also learn a bit about RAID and how it works on my motherboard, is it true that if I set the controller to raid then all the drives connected to those ports will have to be in a raid? Or, can I still run a drive as normal off of one of those raid ports?

 

[USAFRet]

1. RAID 1 is not a backup
2. It will actually slow down your workflow slightly.

It is great, if and only if you actually need full 24/7 operation in case of a drive fail. What you are wanting is simply a file copy to another drive, on a schedule. Once every 12 hours or so.
The above linked application will do that seamlessly.

 

[Entomber]

Thanks, ronintexas. Reading more about it and what others are saying about a RAID 1 setup, Syncback does seem like a great solution. I will definitely check it out.

But, just so I also learn a bit about RAID and how it works on my motherboard, is it true that if I set the controller to raid then all the drives connected to those ports will have to be in a raid? Or, can I still run a drive as normal off of one of those raid ports?

With your motherboard set to "RAID" you can still have single drives not part of any RAID volume.

 

[jensou]

Thanks for the answers! And for successfully convincing me to not do a RAID.