RAID 5 Question...

[SloppyB]

Does anyone know if you can run RAID 5 on a Compaq 3200 controller (or any controller) with 2 18GB and 2 9GB drives? Do all the drives need to be the same size in RAID 5?

Thanks

 

[Magicthyse]

Perhaps you should go to the Compaq Website, as these are very basic RAID questions - and read the guides, including the SA3200 user manual. They may be more useful than asking each question as they emerge.

The SA3200 is designed specifically for RAID, including RAID 5. All the drives need to be the same size in RAID 5 - ideally also exactly matched (manufacturer, type) if you are putting them inside the same enclosure.

 

[Woodie]

No, the drives do not need to be identical in size. The maximum useable space will be: (Number_of_drives -1) x (smallest_drive_size).

So, if you mix the 18's and the 9's, you'll end up wasting 1/2 the space on each 18, but you will have RAID 5.

The rest of MagicThyse info is reasonable. Usually in a Compaq box, it wants to have Compaq cards, compaq system board, and compaq drives...they just work together better.

--Woodie