Two RAID set-up

[shep_downunder]

I'm in need of some advice (I'm using a Mac system).

I have a 20TB LaCie RAID, software controlled and a Promise 18TB RAID that has a hardware controller. I'll be using the RAID systems for photography. Most of my images are 150-180GB so transfer rates and protection of the files are my goals.

I think my best setup would be to use the Promise 18TB as my primary RAID as RAID 0 for speed and use the LaCie 20TB as a backup for the Promise RAID. The question is do I setup the LaCie RAID as a RAID1 for backup or is there some better strategy to set up these two RAIDS?

I think having both RAIDS setup as RAID0 is risky. I have additional storage devices laying around that are all 2T to 4T in size. It's my idea that the two RAIDS would work as my regular online system and I'd backup the finished images once a week to the smaller drives.

Anyway, as you can probably tell by my question, I have virtually no idea what would be best. I'm a photographer, not a computer expert. Thanks in advance for any constructive advice.

 

[Xyos]

Don't use software controlled RAID, RAID should always be done at the hardware/bios level.

A simple RAID 1 mirror between 2 drives is really all you need. You can keep the RAID 0 for your OS install and general programs, but also have a RAID-1 setup with 2 drives for ONLY storing crucial data.

 

[Entomber]

Why not use RAID 5?

 

[Calculagator]

Don't use software controlled RAID, RAID should always be done at the hardware/bios level.

I disagree with this: while hardware RAID is faster and will use less of your CPU, software RAID is much easier to deal with if something goes wrong with your RAID controller. There is also some pretty nice software now that can protect your data better than RAID (windows storage, zfs). If you are only doing photography, I doubt that you will much notice the difference in performance between hardware and software.

That said, I don't know what all is available for a Mac.

... and I just read your question again ... How in the world do you get a 150GB image? That's insane! You could make a 70 ft. print with that. If your images are really that large, you need a serious storage solution.

 

[jimpz]

Do NOT depend on RAID as your back up, RAID is meant for 'always' accessible data.
If your computer or Promise card fail, there is a good chance you can still lose all your data.

 

[popatim]

How are these two devices connected to the mac?

 

[shep_downunder]

Don't use software controlled RAID, RAID should always be done at the hardware/bios level.

I disagree with this: while hardware RAID is faster and will use less of your CPU, software RAID is much easier to deal with if something goes wrong with your RAID controller. There is also some pretty nice software now that can protect your data better than RAID (windows storage, zfs). If you are only doing photography, I doubt that you will much notice the difference in performance between hardware and software.

That said, I don't know what all is available for a Mac.

... and I just read your question again ... How in the world do you get a 150GB image? That's insane! You could make a 70 ft. print with that. If your images are really that large, you need a serious storage solution.

How are these two devices connected to the mac?

They are chained up via Thunderbolt cables to my computer. Both RAIDS also have USB 3.0 too.

 

[shep_downunder]

also, I tried to respond earlier, but couldn't post for some reason. I'm seriously jet lagged today- it's 150mb, not 150gb! Though still large for photo images, they aren't crazy bid.