9100 RAID 5 ??

Question

I've got a 9100 with 2 160 GB SATA's. If I add 2 more 160 GB SATA's can I configure them as RAID 5??   DrD

ejn63 · Answer

No. The controller supports RAID 0, 1 or 0+1 only. No RAID 5 support. You can create another RAID0 array, and use it to mirror the first (0+1), at the cost of 2 drives.

TampaDrDon · Answer

EJN63 I found this while looking a bit deeper:   This is from the 'Help' section of the Intel Matrix software. A system scan reports: The controller is 'Intel 82801GR I/O controller hub (ICH7R), Intel 82801GH I/O controller hub (ICH7DH)'   Desktop Features On systems using RAID and the Intel ICH7 Controller, the Intel Matrix Storage Manager supports the following features: Matrix RAID Create, manage, and use two independent RAID volumes within a single array. Multiple Arrays Create two independent RAID arrays, each with two hard drives, on any of the four Serial ATA ports. Multi-Disk RAID 0 Create a RAID 0 volume containing a minimum of two hard drives and maximum of four hard drives.  RAID 5 Stripe data and parity across three or four hard drives. RAID 10 Create one two-drive RAID 0 array for performance benefits. Each of the drives in RAID 0 array are then mirrored to make a RAID1 component for fault tolerance.RAID Spare Mark one or more hard drives as the destination for automatic rebuilds. RAID Level Migration Migrate from RAID 0, 1, and 10 to RAID 5. Advanced Host ControllerInterface (AHCI) Use advanced Serial ATA features such as Native Command Queuing and Native Hot Plug. Write-Back Cache and Coalescer Groups multiple I/O requests from the host into fewer requests and writes from the cache to the volumes at defined intervals. This RAID 5 feature enhances the read and write latency of an array. So the 9100 'Should' do a RAID 5. Right, or is there something else I missed.

ejn63 · Answer

The chipset may support RAID 5 but I don't think the RAID BIOS on the board does - at least not on the 9100s I've seen.

I'd be very surprised to see Dell enable RAID5 on a desktop system - they have a server business to protect.

Go into your RAID BIOS at boot up - I'll be there's no option for RAID5.

goalie28 · Answer

The 9100 does NOT support RAID 5 - only RAID 0, 1 and 0+1 as previously mentioned.
The ICH7R has the ability to do RAID 5, but that option is not available in the RAID option ROM (control+I during boot) on the 9100. As was pointed out, get a sever if you need RAID 5.

-goalie28

TampaDrDon · Answer

How about I buy a contoller card 'goalie'. That might cost a bit less. Message Edited by TampaDrDon on 10-11-2005 09:16 PM

rogan2915 · Answer

Even if you could do a RAID 5, how do you plan to fit 4 hd's in a 9100?   -Rogan

goalie28 · Answer

TampaDrDon,

Well, I suppose if you want or need RAID 5 that much then you could do it. As pointed out though, the 9100 chassis is not intended to have 4 HDDs in it. It's amazing how hot some of the newer large capacity (> 250GB) drives can get.

If you want a 9100 and want respectable disk access and seek times but also need data redundancy, just set up a RAID 0+1 on two 500GB drives. Make the RAID 0, say, 180GB and the RAID 1 the remainder of available space.

I haven't checked prices on RAID 5 controllers, but I doubt they're cheap. It could be a push on price between a RAID 5 card and two 500GB drives.

-goalie28

RetiefAtTheCDT · Answer

There is room for 4 hard drives. And there are 4 SATA connectors. 2 go in the bottom and 2 can go in the 3.5' drive bays. The question is whether they will all be sufficiently powered and cooled. I'm not sure the power supply is enough for 4 hard drives, 2 optical drives, a couple of fans, a CPU and everything else that draws some power. It may just shorten the lifespan of the PS and cause some glitches as it gets hotter and output decreases. Anyone know?

TampaDrDon · Answer

The real trouble is that all critria for a RAID 5 is in place. But it seems to have been disabled through the BIOS or the controller ROM (this is where I think the RAID 5 has been taken away). I have been wondering if there is a way to Flash it (reprogram) or replace (don't think this is an option) it. I had checked the hardware before I bought the 9100 thinking I could just add the drives. I didn't get a floppy or the card reader knowing that is where my drives will be mounted. I guess I'll be satisfied with a RAID 10. I still think the 9100 gives a lot of BANG for my 1200 bucks. DrD

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9100 RAID 5 ??

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