RAID Trust Issues — Windows Or a Cheap Controller? 564
NicApicella writes "My new system has two sparklin' SATA drives which I would like to mirror. After having been burned by a not-so-cheap, dedicated RAID controller, I have been pointed to software RAID solutions. I now stand in front of two choices for setting up my RAID: a Windows 7 RC software RAID or a hardware RAID done by the cheap integrated RAID controller of my motherboard. Based on past experiences, I have decided that only my data is worth saving — that's why the RAID should mirror two disks (FAT32) that are not the boot disk (i.e. do not contain an OS or any fancy stuff). Of course, such a setup should secure my data; should a drive crash, I want the system up and running in no time. Even more importantly, I want any drive and its data to be as safe and portable as possible (that's the reason for choosing FAT32), even if the OS or the controller screw up big time. So, which should I choose? Who should I trust more, Microsoft's Windows 7 or possibly the cheapest RAID controller on the market? Are there other cheap solutions?"
Have some FUD with your RAID (Score:5, Funny)
Do you really want to trust Windows with your data?
Re:RAID is *NOT* backup! (Score:5, Funny)
Are you insane?
Kudos. (Score:5, Funny)
"Safe" FAT32, cheap RAID, RAID implied as backup, Microsoft.
Nice job, you successfully trolled the /. frontpage.
Are you crazy? (Score:5, Funny)
Do you work for one of these online backup places?
I would sooner trust a WD drive with my valuable data.
Re:Are you crazy? (Score:1, Funny)
But, would you trust a Maxtor?
Re:RAID is *NOT* backup! (Score:2, Funny)
"You sound like someone that need to be reminded that RAID IS NOT BACKUP! Google for that sentence."
I believed you until I actually did what you said.
Google hits:
Raid is NOT backup:
1.470 hits
Raid is backup:
41.700 hits
Apparently, according to Google RAID indeed a backup solution. I know what to do with my 4 harddrives now!
Re:Are you crazy? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:You are asking the wrong question. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Have some FUD with your RAID (Score:1, Funny)
You need to have backups, you ignorant slut.
Re:You are asking the wrong question. (Score:3, Funny)
This is why instead of a simple "name brand" PS, I have one that not only employs internal surge protection features, but they actually place an insurance guarantee against all the components connected to it internally, including data recovery(up to $10,000). It's conditional on you having a properly rated UPS attached (you even have to send a copy of the UPS receipt with the waranty registration card), and if it's a true electical failure, they expect the UPS company's insurance guarantee to kick in first, they just cover the gaps, but if it;s a hardware failure, and devices are damaged, they'll replace them with equal or better, up to and including replacing the entire machine. They'll also attempt first to have your data recoverd from backups, including professional services to do so, and if those fail they'll pay for data recovery (data recovery however is NOT covered if you can not produce backups. Your failure to make a best effort to protect your data is a waranty violation in their eyes, and mine too honestly)
Of course, I also planned the system well, so each of my 4 HDDs in my RAID 1/0 is actually on a seperate power lead.
If all else fails I added a rider policy on my homeowners insurance that covers up to 10,000 in computer electronics (which also covers them outside my home, and includes my camcorder, digital cameras, and even my iPhones) with only a $100 deductible. This is also a "full replacement cost" waranty, and includes up to $5000 extra for data recovery services. It cost $14 a year to add this to my policy. CHECK YOURS!!! if you're like me, and you ACTUALLY READ IT, you'll find out your homeowners policy likely only covers $10,000 in "electonics" likely NCLUDING your appliances, which may or may not also include your heat/AC system too... Others have a "personal belonging" or "house content" subsection, and electronics and computing devices (puters, tvs, stereos, and everything else) are sometimes limited to $5K per 100K of insurance. I didn't even have enough coverage for what was in my living room, let alone the rest of the house before I added the rider policy. Now the base policy only covers the appliances (and I had that raised to 20K considering the value of the 3 AC units the house has), and I have 10K in additional coverage (which we'll be raising to 15K later this year).