RE: I LOVE RAID 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check the archives at www.iiug.org for Art's discussion on why not to use RAID 5. It basically boils down to possibilities that data corruption may not be trapped by the RAID controller plus the risk that you would lose the entire RAID set if two disks go down simultaneously or within the recovery window of the first disk failure. IMO, RAID should be used if: - You'd like to keep protected data accessible when there's a disk fault. - You can't afford the recovery time for database restores when JBOD disk failure occurs. - You reason that the cost of investing in a RAID controller and extra disks is less than the cost of lost productivity/profit due to JBOD failure. In other words, while we can state the pros and cons, the final analysis lies with you and your team to determine if it's feasible. In my case, we use RAID 5 (I'm planning to change it efore the end of the year, so don't shoot me) and RAID 1. It has saved our skins at least once over the last year, and I definitely like the feeling of comfort every night that if a disk fails while I'm sleeping no-one would bug me (if two disks fail in my RAID 5 set... well there's room for improvement in my comfort level, huh?). Others may be able to add more reasons than those above, but you could also get it from any online search for RAID. Best regards, Edmund Nigel Gall <-- Making IT happen! --> Senior Information Systems Specialist Process Plant Services Limited Atlantic Avenue, Point Lisas Industrial Estate Point Lisas, Couva, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. Tel: (868) 636 2906 x 274 Fax: (868) 679 3770 -----Original Message----- From: malc_p@my-deja.com [mailto:malc_p@my-deja.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2000 6:37 AM To: informix-list@iiug.org Subject: I LOVE RAID 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL RIGHT. Now I've got your attention, please ignore the subject line. What I need to know (in order to overrule an IT manager who is determined to install a RAID setup and won't listen to any arguments against) is exactly WHAT the disadvantages / advantages are between using RAID and JBOD. I tried earlier but the only reply I got was from one Mr. O. Clown (thanx, btw). I think I need to push JBOD but there's a huge difference between gut feeling and reasoned debate. Exactly why does Art hate RAID 5 so much? He keeps saying NO RAID 5! NO RAID 5! etc. ad nauseam but WHY? TIA MAlc Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.