Ricky Beam wrote:
I supposed you've forgotten linux has software RAID capability. I assure you, no RAID card within your budget will outperform the system processors even under load. While I generally recommend the use of hardware RAID, you don't have one of those in hand. So, unless you're going to go buy one *right now*, software RAID will do. (you *are* making backups, right?)
O.k., that's a useful recommendation, even if I do feel like you're yelling at me. :-)
When I was at the colo this morning, I tried to setup the hardware RAID for safety, safety, safety as encouraged by everyone, but I failed. The LSI setup utility told me that the version of the firmware doesn't support RAID. Since the card itself is alleged (by the Internet) to support RAID, I'm guessing all I have to do is update the firmware, but I figured I'd come back home and research that since the machine is going to be running memtest86 overnight anyway.
RAID 5 via software RAID sounds better to me than straight mirroring using the hardware RAID, because 36GB isn't very joyful for us. 3 36GB drives will give us 72GB-ish logical space on a RAID 5 array, with safety as well.
I have not setup software RAID in some years, but presumably it isn't hard?
--Jimbo