Mirror RAID Synch. How often to schedule the Synch

[weegillis]

Clay raises an interesting point that more or less got swept under the rug: Having the OS in the RAID array. Clay mentions having it as standalone, not in the data array. If I read this as what he meant, then I would agree with that, over having everything, OS and data, in the same array.

[claybutler]

Just to clarify

OS and programs on RAID array = very good
Weekly backup of OS RAID on external drive = even better
Files on a different HD than OS and programs = a must

My experience is that an RAID 1 will perform slightly worse that a single drive, especial on the OS, but for me the lost boot performance is totally worth it. I probably only reboot a dozen time per year. If my computer gos down or I lose files I'm screwed big time. So RAID 1 is my choice and my weekly backup to an external allow me to easily roll back my OS to a different date if my computer should get infected or messed up with bad software.

RAID is not true backup because it writes a real time duplicate. So there is no way to restore to an old version. But it's excellent redundancy and that's what I think was most people really need - real time duplicates of all their important files.

Pretty much everyone I've known has lamented a fried HD and the lost files at one time in their life (I know i have). But I don't think I've ever heard someone get all that upset that they couldn't restore something to how it was a week ago.

[weegillis]

Just to clarify

OS and programs on RAID array = very good

My apologies. I stand corrected.

[alphaomega]

The Synchronizing schedule takes significant resources and slows down other multitasking tasks. There are two drives in the RAID (1TB each). The SW Synchronizing schedule defaults to once per day, which takes a few hours for the synch to finish and can be difficult to work while it is in progress. I've scheduled the synch for the evenings, but I sometimes work then too. The options are Daily, Weekly or Monthly. My question is, would a weekly synch be appropriate?

Mirror RAID is 2 hard disk drives which aromatically writes everything on both drives. No need to do anything, providing these drives are connected to your motherboard. Even if you have external RAID, the same principle applies, but you have to use software or remember to copy everything on it your self.
See article on RAID 1 (mirror) here: http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/RAID

[alphaomega]

If you want really secure RAID system, you would need to invest into RAID controller (which is a hardware card inserted into your PCI slot and have at least RAID 5. This involves larger number of disks. Any of them failing, you replace the drive and it will rebuild the data automatically. This is what is used on server technology, even web servers. RAID one is not as secure, because if both drives die, you up the creek with no paddle. So external backup DAILY is the way to go on top of the RAID one. Use software and check manually. Like claybuttler mentioned, without your files you fried. Disk failure will happen, just matter of time. Unless you willing to change the drives every two years. And even then, you still not immune. All security is expensive, the cheapest is diligence. Nothing beats that. Back up and back up. Every day. I have recovered data from clients machines many times and it cost a lot of money and is rarely perfect.

[LD]

My OS and programs are one array, and then my files are split among two more RAID arrays.

Since getting the second drive back in the box and having it rebuild itself, I got about a week operating the box without issue. However that recently installed drive has again failed. I can limp by with just one drive for the moment, but it negates the initial purpose of using RAID to swap out drives if one should ever fail! Ya, go figure as this is the 4 attempt at getting it right.

There apparently is a chip on the MB that facilitates the RAID - so now I'm thinking it's the MB, the chip on the MB or the OS. I'm running Win7, the hardware is about one year old or just less. I like Win7 as an OS, except for possibly of issues using an AMD Motherboard using AMD RaidXpert to manage the RAID config.

I think if I try a RAID card install, I might end up with the same issue. My tech guy is writing to MSI and AMD to get their input, but I may have to just run the two drives without RAID. One with the OS and apps - the other with data and source files. I don't know what to think about this anymore. It's been a pain in the ass from the beginning.

[speed]

Personally I'd invest in a 3ware RAID card, I use them on all my servers and I've never had any issues with them.

However the failures you're describing simply should not be happening, some other component is at fault, e.g. power supply, motherboard etc.

[LD]

I find it interesting that you mentioned power supply. I've read that somewhere too. Is that really a possible issue - not having a constant level of power? I only have two drives running, so the power drain shouldn't be an issue. I have replaced power supply's in the past, but they were instances of failure, not an intermittent or fluctuation issue.

[speed]

Yes a bad power supply or something could be the issue, if that many drives are physically breaking then you need to be swapping out the chassis as there's something wrong with it. Unless you're cooking the drives they simply don't fail as often as you're saying, I have multiple servers running 24x7 in RAID 1 or RAID 10, we maybe loose a single drive once every few years.

However if the drives are just falling out of RAID but the drives are physically fine then you need to swap out the RAID controller, cables etc as there's something wrong with the RAID controller.