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Re: Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

 
Chris A.W.
New Member

Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

Hi,

I've inherited two ML110s that were configured with a Windows 2003 server software RAID 1 (two 80GB, SATA drives).

I'd like to switch this to use the available hardware RAID. Is this possible w/o a reinstall of the OS?

Thanks.
6 REPLIES 6
James ~ Happy Dude
Honored Contributor

Re: Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

Refer:
http://tim.mackey.ie/MigratingFromWindowsSoftwareRAIDToHardwareRAID.aspx

PS :I would Suggest a CLEAN Reinstall Of OS while migrating to H/w RAID.

Regards,
James.
James ~ Happy Dude
Honored Contributor

Re: Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

Chris,
You might Wanna Refer this one too :
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1147521

Regards,
James.
RufusG
Frequent Advisor

Re: Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

I would definitely re-build the OS, as perfomance of a new clean machine is so much better than an old one.

I installed a hardware RAID Controller and added 2 extra SATA disks into an ML110 G2 to create a RAID-1 store that is fail-safe. ( Today I would use the Promise TX2300 at about $70 ).

I only put the Operating System on to the original single disk.

I only put Data on to the RAID drive.

There are 4 advantages to this:

1. The hardware RAID drive starts the moment the power is on and is virtually independent of the rest of the computer. It has excellent RAID Array Manager software.

2. You could move the RAID disks and Controller card to another computer in minutes

3. The Windows Swap File and the Data are on 2 separate drives, so the overall system performance is improved.

4. You can rebuild and upgrade the Operating System or re-format the original single disk without disturbing your Data.

I keep working Data on my workstation and I have a backup utility to copy complete files and folders over to the RAID-1 drive on the server as they change.

- Belt & Braces
- LOCKS ( Lots of Copies Keep Safe )

This way I am storing personal Data and family photographs going back to 1984.

Not a very expensive solution and it is very very effective.

Hope that this helps you

Chris A.W.
New Member

Re: Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

I'd already upgraded the machine's memory (3GB). It's running some business software and an install of SQL 2005 Express. The LAN is gigabit. The server is only touched by a few clients and will service no more than 10 clients for the foreseeable future.

I'd been considering moving everything to SCSI disks in this machine. Do you think that the data throughput would be just as good if we offload the data files to another array in the way that you've described?

Great advice. Thanks to both of you.
RufusG
Frequent Advisor

Re: Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

How did you install 3GB ?

2 x 1GB
2 x 512K

If you installed matched pairs, that will be OK

But 3 x 1GB will reduce overall system performance. Please see the attachment in my previous message
Chris A.W.
New Member

Re: Need Advice on Changing Raid Config ML110

I understand what you are saying about the memory pairs. I'll confirm that I've got it set up properly.

Thanks for the feedback.

Chris