RAID 5 With Supermicro Motherboard

[Aedan929]

I am setting up a server for my friends company for the first time! I am new to RAID. They didnt want windows server so I had to do windows 7, and obviously you can't do RAID 5 (software) in windows 7. But I need to do RAID 5 for this system to work the way they specified. My motherboard is a supermicro X10SRL-F and I am using the integrated SATA ports. I am also new to Supermicro motherboards, I was actually suggested them by Newegg. So can someone please tell me how to get into the RAID menu on the motherboard and how to setup the drives for RAID 5? I already have my os drives in mirrior and I did that through disk management. I also have all intel drivers installed.

Thanks ~Aedan

 

[USAFRet]

1. What is the "requirement" for the RAID 5?
2. What backup plans will you have in pace?
3. Win 7 Home or Pro, or Enterprise?
4. What is the overall use for this thing?

 

[Aedan929]

1. What is the "requirement" for the RAID 5?
2. What backup plans will you have in pace?
3. Win 7 Home or Pro, or Enterprise?
4. What is the overall use for this thing?

1. the company wants RAID 5 for the safety of their data.
2. I am leaving the backup stuff up to them.
3. Windows 7 Pro.
4. This system will be used and a ip camera system for their business, the software we will be using is avigilon. They will be hooking up over 100 cameras and they need RAID 5 to keep the records safe for at least 2 months. And the reason why they are so strict about this whole RAID thing is that they are a branch of the national credit union.

Hope this answers your question thanks for the response.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

1. RAID is not about "safety of data", it's about maintaining uptime in the event of a drive failure, giving you time to replace the failed drive.
2. What are their plans?
4. See point #1. RAID is NOT a backup. Your friend needs a good backup strategy because drives will fail. Lose 2 drives in a RAID 5 setup and kiss the data goodbye.

 

[Aedan929]

1. RAID is not about "safety of data", it's about maintaining uptime in the event of a drive failure, giving you time to replace the failed drive.
2. What are their plans?
4. See point #1. RAID is NOT a backup. Your friend needs a good backup strategy because drives will fail. Lose 2 drives in a RAID 5 setup and kiss the data goodbye.

Alright sorry if I sounded like an idiot! I dont know much about RAID but the company probably doesnt either! Either way though I still want to configure RAID 5. But like I said im leaving them to do the backup stuff! Their plans are to just set it up as a camera system and when a drive goes bad I belive a sound goes off and they can easily replace the drive that broke. But other than that I think thats it.

 

[USAFRet]

Easy solution, one of these:
https://www.qnap.com/en-us/product/model.php?II=212
(or similar)

Seriously.
RAID, configurable camera interface, accessible from anywhere if you desire, etc, etc, etc.
Far less hands on needed vs something you try to wing with Win 7.

I'm in the middle of setting mine up right now.

 

[kanewolf]

100 cameras.... Somebody needs to do bandwidth calculations to determine how much you need. The NAS that @USAFRet linked to has 4 gigabit ports. That still puts 25 cameras / gigabit network. But you need more than just a server. You need a significant network and probably managed switches to implement this. AND considering this is a financial institution, do you REALLY want the responsibility when this system goes 'toes' up? I wouldn't touch this job without MEGA financial compensation. If they won't purchase Windows Server, for $1000, they shouldn't be doing this...

 

[USAFRet]

I am setting up a server for my friends company for the first time!

they are a branch of the national credit union

over 100 cameras

Sorry, but I think you (and they) are in way over your head.
They really, really, really need to hire a trusted, local network systems engineer.

You can't just wing stuff like this.

 

[RealBeast]

+ 1 to *all* of the above responses to the original poster.

Just wanted to throw in that IMO motherboard bios based RAID is pretty much the least reliable form of storage in existence, even worse than USB external without safe disconnects. Any bios update or hiccup and goodbye to everything.

 

[Aedan929]

I am setting up a server for my friends company for the first time!

they are a branch of the national credit union

over 100 cameras

Sorry, but I think you (and they) are in way over your head.
They really, really, really need to hire a trusted, local network systems engineer.

You can't just wing stuff like this.

Cool opinion bud! I actually am very experienced with this stuff and I got the server done in 2 hours I just didnt know how to do the RAID! All I asked was a question not some douchebag answer!

 

[Aedan929]

Easy solution, one of these:
https://www.qnap.com/en-us/product/model.php?II=212
(or similar)

Seriously.
RAID, configurable camera interface, accessible from anywhere if you desire, etc, etc, etc.
Far less hands on needed vs something you try to wing with Win 7.

I'm in the middle of setting mine up right now.

"Wing"? Really where in your mind did you get that I'm winging this!? Just cause I've never done RAID doesnt mean I dont know how to build a server! It's all a learning process bud! So just help me with my question and not give me <mod edit>

<Watch your language in these forums>

 

[Aedan929]

100 cameras.... Somebody needs to do bandwidth calculations to determine how much you need. The NAS that @USAFRet linked to has 4 gigabit ports. That still puts 25 cameras / gigabit network. But you need more than just a server. You need a significant network and probably managed switches to implement this. AND considering this is a financial institution, do you REALLY want the responsibility when this system goes 'toes' up? I wouldn't touch this job without MEGA financial compensation. If they won't purchase Windows Server, for $1000, they shouldn't be doing this...

I agree with you on what you said about the windows server thing! But 1st of all it's a business! You dont think they have a pretty good setup? Actually were replacing their old server so the network is just fine thats not the problem! They cant take anything out on me (I think), if anything they can go complain to the guy who asked me to build this.

 

[kanewolf]

I agree with you on what you said about the windows server thing! But 1st of all it's a business! You dont think they have a pretty good setup? Actually were replacing their old server so the network is just fine thats not the problem! They cant take anything out on me (I think), if anything they can go complain to the guy who asked me to build this.

I think they are nickel and dime cheapskates. You are significantly at legal risk if this "system" needs to be used for something and isn't up to it. I wouldn't touch it. They can ABSOLUTELY take legal actions against you if the system fails. You are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.