Question regarding Raid use choice

[Ozzie]

   Hello, I currently have 2 LinkStation Quad 4.0 NAS. The first one contains movies pics and music configured for Raid 5. The second one I was planning on using as a back up. Directly copying everything from the first one. I am looking for suggestions on which Raid configuration to use for or both. I can reconfigure both as need be. Should I use Raid 0 on each, since they will be back up copies or should I split the data between the two and run Raid 5 on each? I am looking for the safest (I dont want to lose any data) and most practical use of these devices. At the same time, if a harddrive does fail, I would like to make recovery as simple as possible. Thanks in advance.

[rinthos]

   

Well here's the basics:

Raid 5: If 1 disk fails, you are still ok, so you can swap a spare etc. shouldn't have data loss.

Raid 0: if 1 disk fails, run away, look for a new job, etc. :)

Raid 1: If 1 disk fails, you are still ok, so you can swap a spare etc. shouldn't have data loss.

 

That said, if you've got 2 identical Linkstation Quads and just want one to be a backup for the other, but want the best balanace between reliability and performance I'd say...

Raid 5 on the primary system.

 

For the 'backup' system, assuming all it is is a backup for this system, I'd do the same, Raid 5.

 

While you could get more disk space (and possibly faster backups) by going to Raid 0, doesn't really buy you much as the space wouldn't matter (assuming a 1 to 1 ratio w/ the main system)...so i'd up the reliability and stick w/ Raid 5.  No point in adding the risk of Raid 0 if you're not requiring the performance or space additions it offers.

 

Hope this helps.

[Ozzie]

   Ok, Thank you!