Dell PowerEdge 2950 - optimal RAID configuration for disk space?

FunkyT · 9 Apr 2010 at 15:02

I have 8 x 500GB SAS disks and am using a PERC 6/i SCSI controller.

What would be the optimum configuation to maximise disk space? I would to have redundancy but this is not essential (will be backing up to tape as well).

The above server will be used for file storage with limited client access.

Many thanks.

daz · 9 Apr 2010 at 15:08

To maximise disk space you're looking at RAID5. What I would tend to advise though would be RAID10 (for throughput and maximum IOPs).

iaind · 9 Apr 2010 at 15:31

Well, the most disk space would be JBOD or RAID0 but these are really not advisable as a single disk failure would destroy the whole array.

RAID and backups are not interchangable solutions - you need to rethink your priorities

paradigm · 9 Apr 2010 at 15:43

iaind said:
RAID and backups are not interchangable solutions - you need to rethink your priorities

This.

I'd be looking at RAID5 or (if supported) RAID6.

Yamahahahahaha · 9 Apr 2010 at 16:01

Well, RAID5 at a minimum.
RAID6 might be a happy compromise between space and redundancy (imo) and it's no extra sweat for the PERC6.

RAID10 wouldn't give enough storage space.

If it's the main file server, I would go with RAID6.

unclepablo · 11 Apr 2010 at 21:45

Yamahahahahaha said:
Well, RAID5 at a minimum.

If it's the main file server, I would go with RAID6.

+1

Stelly · 11 Apr 2010 at 23:31

definately RAID 6 if its a file server....

Stelly

FunkyT · 12 Apr 2010 at 09:59

Thanks for the useful tips people.

I'll be installing Windows Server 2008 Standard 64 bit. This will require a separate paritition and therefore limit the amount of disk space available.

What configuration would you suggest to maximise the amount of disk space available with 8 x 500GB SAS drives?