[TriLUG] Setting Up RAID-5

[Kevin Otte]

On Thu, Dec 07, 2006 at 10:51:50AM -0500, Brian Henning wrote:
>  - Is RAID-5 in software a bad idea?

This may be the next vi/emacs.  I prefer software RAID under Linux, and
here's why:

- Some hardware RAID cards are actually just interface cards with the actual
RAID code in the driver.  I like to call this WinRAID, an homage to the old
WinModems.  This one is fairly easily avoidable though by spending a little
more money and going with a known brand.

- Well known on-disk format.  I've heard too many horror stories about
people flashing the firmware on their RAID cards, only to have one of the
"upgrades" be a change of the disk format and trash the array.

- More bang for the buck.  CPU cycles are dirt cheap nowadays.  With the
screamin' mimi's being cranked out today, you'll barely notice the hit on
the checksumming.

There are some compelling reasons to go hardware.  I think Jason Tower has a
list in a thread a couple months ago (perhaps he'll repost).  Based on both
sides of the coin, I imagine you'll find the right solution for your
situation.

Good luck!

-- 
Kevin Otte, N8VNR
nivex at nivex.net
http://www.nivex.net/

-=-

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." 
-- George Santayana

"It seems no one reads Santayana anymore."
-- Cdr. Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5