Creating a RAID 5 array - shoudl I reuse existing pc

[schford]

I want to build a RAID 5 array to securly store all my digital media.

I want at least 3 tb of useable storage and ideally 5tb.

I was thinking of using my main pc adding in 6 5tb drives and the internal RAID controller to make them RAID 5 - othe roptions ar ebuilding a dedicated box or purchasing a NAS.

What do you think is the best approach?

Thanks

Stuart

 

[schford]

What an helpfull and frankly stupid statement.

I am moving my collection of 600 DVDs onto the pc to use with my new htpc so we have an easy library....

 

[schford]

I had a 5tb array based on a 3ware 9500s 12 port raid controller with twelve attached 500Gb drives for all my tv shows, but to tell the truth it is still risky because of the likelyhood of 2 drive failures at the same time. Have you had a look at Windows Home Server, this is designed to provide the services that you are looking for, and uses cheap components to achive it. I based mine on a HP server (less that £200) which provided four hdd sata onboard and a silicon image sata card, providing four more, and have attached 7 x 750Gb WD drives. The 750Gb seem to be the best value right now, 500Gb being too small, and 1Tb too expensive. The Windows Home server uses a type of mirroring for important files that you do not want to risk to one drive, but also pioneers (for MS) Drive expansion, which means that you can add more drives to your storage "pool" at a later date, without additional drive letters, or raid rebuilds. It also supports adding USB2 storage which is handy if your case runs out of space. I have my server supporting five other media PCs (max 10) and three xbox extenders, with no problems. It is defineatly worthwhile in taking a look at it.

Thanks very much for the advice - the 750gb tip is worth knowing I will also go look up home server,