[Mac Pro] RAID Configure Qs

[Abulia]

I've never done a RAID on OS X before so I apologize if these seem like noob questions.

Mostly, my question hinges on whether I can add/upgrade an array at a later date via Disk Utility.

For example, if I have 1 drive and add a second like-size drive at a later date, can I upgrade to a RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuration? I presume yes.

The other way around, if I have a RAID 1 array working, can I break the mirror and replace a drive and restore the array without data loss?

When installing OS X to a fresh machine, can you/do you setup the RAID from the configuration CD/Disk Utility pre-install?

 

[Terrabit]

OS X Raid Answers.

I've never done a RAID on OS X before so I apologize if these seem like noob questions.

Mostly, my question hinges on whether I can add/upgrade an array at a later date via Disk Utility.

For example, if I have 1 drive and add a second like-size drive at a later date, can I upgrade to a RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuration? I presume yes.

The other way around, if I have a RAID 1 array working, can I break the mirror and replace a drive and restore the array without data loss?

When installing OS X to a fresh machine, can you/do you setup the RAID from the configuration CD/Disk Utility pre-install?

Hey!

Unfortunately, while it is possible to upgrade a single-drive to RAID-1 (mirror) on Windows XP after-the-event, it is not possible to do so with OS-X's Disk Utility.. But yes, if you build a RAID-1, and then drop a drive, you should be able to insert one later

RAID-0 is stripeing, so if you have 2 drives, 50% of your data is stored on one or the other drive. So, you don't particularly want to lose one drive (Thus RAID-10).

And Yes, you definitely need to setup the RAID from the OS X install CD, using Disk Utility on the CD. (Use the menu bar during the installation to access Disk Utility)

Don't forget you can have RAID-0 and RAID-1 simultaneously on a two & four drive system, giving you the best of both worlds. http://macprojournal.com/partitions.html

Terrabit!

 

[nickgwyn]

Raid

I have never done a raid, and am buying a Mac Pro. I have heard that RAID is much safer and faster. True?

Aside from the aforementioned http://macprojournal.com/partitions.html, is there a good place to learn everything about RAID: which type is for me, doing it on a mac, etc.?

 

[Apple2Mac]

try searching these forums, there are some great older topics on RAID..
RAID can be faster, safer, or faster and safer depending on type of raid configured. Also look up RAID on wikipedia they have a good page on it..

 

[Abulia]

I ended up going with 2 500GB drives (WD5000YS) in a 1TB RAID 0 array.

Fault-tolerance isn't a concern for me, performance is, so this was an acceptable solution. It took some mucking about in Disk Utility from the install disc to set it up, but no problems. (Yes, I backup to an external device.)

I left my stock Seagate drive for Windows XP.