Adding to a raid array

Septh · 10 Jun 2006 at 09:13

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering if I have a Raid5 array of say 3 disks, can I add to that array another disk or 2 without losing any data?
I've been trying to find this out for ages but no guides seem to say if u can...
So is it just a matter of adding in the disks in the setup wen booting or does it lose all data as it has to stripe them all again (or *** eva it does lol).

Thanx,
Mac

Septh · 12 Jun 2006 at 17:42

Well I'd either be using the Nivida raid controller (nf4) or the silcon image (I think thats it) controller, which would b best?

Septh · 13 Jun 2006 at 08:24

Baiscly its just for a file server, I run outta space quick wen I'm at uni, cuz of the filesharing within the network.
I currently have a 200gb ide and a 300gb sata both maxed with documents and documents backups and media, and I'm getting annoyed with shifting it all between them all the time, so I wanted so sovle my problem and go raid5, cuz that has built in backups as well.

Would b getting 3 of these babies...
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA-II 16MB Cache Hard Drive

Then using my 300gb sata for windows etc etc (thats currently on a noisy, old 40gb drive) so the page file would be held on the boot drive (good plan? or not?) then the 200gb will b given to my gf I expect, unless I need it??

So people are saying to get a controller card... care to suggest one which will perform well? I have some pci-e *1 and *4 slots on my mobo I beleive (its a Asus K8N4-e deluxe, or something like that)

Cheers for all the help guys

Septh · 13 Jun 2006 at 13:40

Cheers for the reply, I'd be running all my games etc off the 300gb drive
So speed isnt really a massive issue to me, as long as it works, wen the hdd's break I don't lose my data and I can add to the array if I fill it (doubtful lol)

I'l probably use the onboard controllers then, would the sis one be best?

Septh · 13 Jun 2006 at 15:21

Motherboard is a Asus K8N4-e deluxe
and it has a Nvidia raid controller, nf4 and a Silicon Image raid controler on it, I'm guessing that the Silcon image one will be best as its dedicated?
I'm at work atm so I cant get you the proper model numbers of it