Raid Options

[GerrySly]

Hey,

I am looking at setting up a Raid 5 array. Only problem is I can't find any raid 5 controllers, all I can seem to find is raid 0 or 1. Also can I raid 2 hard drives that already have data on them or can I only raid new hdd's?

Cheers

[MrDerrick]

The cheapest card I would get is a Highpoint 2320, 8 port RAID5 card, though it is not true hardware RAID. Next one up is the Adaptec 5805.

If you on a budget then I suggest getting cheapo sata cards and run mdadm on linux.

[GerrySly]

The cheapest card I would get is a Highpoint 2320, 8 port RAID5 card, though it is not true hardware RAID. Next one up is the Adaptec 5805.

If you on a budget then I suggest getting cheapo sata cards and run mdadm on linux.

Ah ok, what about a 4 port RAID5 card? I saw this but it's a new avenue for me so I have no idea about it.

Also would I need to buy 3 new HDD's to RAID? I have 2 HDD's that have the data I want to RAID but I don't want to lose any of that data, does that mean new HDD's then transfer the data to the new RAID array or can I RAID old HDD's and not lose the data?

Thanks for all the help by the way

[oohms]

Ah ok, what about a 4 port RAID5 card? I saw this but it's a new avenue for me so I have no idea about it.

Also would I need to buy 3 new HDD's to RAID? I have 2 HDD's that have the data I want to RAID but I don't want to lose any of that data, does that mean new HDD's then transfer the data to the new RAID array or can I RAID old HDD's and not lose the data?

Thanks for all the help by the way

I don't think you should bother to be honest. Raid 5 requires 3 drives minimum, and unless you spend big on a proper controller ($500+), once you have an array, you won't be able to just add drives to it like that.