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8334
October 10th, 2003 07:00
separate channels for best software RAID0 performance ?
I have a Dim8200 with the following setup:
IDE Channel 1, master = 80 GB original disk
IDE Channel 1, slave = 40 GB added disk
IDE Channel 2, master = DVD-ROM
IDE Channel 2, slave = CD-RW
both hard disks are maxtor 7200 RPM with very similar performance
also via an added firewire card, I have an external DVD+RW and a 200 GB external HDD.
Currently, my hard disks are configured as follows:
disk 1, partition 1 (40 GB): OS & apps
disk 1, partition 2 (40 GB): DV data, secondary storage
disk 2, partition 1 (40 GB): DV data, primary storage
I am considering slightly improving performance and unify DV storage space by doing as follows, without purchasing any additional hardware ("low hanging fruit"):
disk 1, part1 (40 GB): OS & apps (no change)
disk 1, part2 + disk 2 (40 + 40 GB) = 1 software stripe set (Windows XP Pro) (80 GB)
In order for the software stripe set to perform optimally, isn't it best then to move the 2nd HD to the IDE channel 2 (avoid the 2 HDs on the same channel, to improve the concurrent I/O) ?
But I read posts here and there recommending against mixing HDs and optical drives on the same channel ?
Burning CDs isn't what I want to optimize (I can still use the firewire DVD+RW drive for that), so I think the following config isn't bad:
IDE Channel 1, master = 80 GB original disk
IDE Channel 2, slave = DVD-ROM
IDE Channel 1, master = 40 GB added disk
IDE Channel 2, slave = CD-RW
I do understand RAID0 does not provide any protection against disk failures
Thanks for confirming my choice
MichaelCretired
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1.3K Posts
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October 10th, 2003 10:00
benoitm,
Thanks for using the Dell Community Forum.
Dell doesn't have any benchmark testing results on that configuration. I'll keep this here and hopefully somebody will come along with some information for you.
ronss
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2.1K Posts
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3 Points
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October 10th, 2003 11:00
to use raid 0, you need a raid controller card, the 8200 has no raid controller on motherboard or supported raid channels. usually got to have 2 indentical drives for raid 0, though being you have 2 drives manufacutered by the same company, may work together in a raid configuration.
not sure about 2 drives on same channel or separating them, do some experimenting, should not hurt anything. if it was me, proably would put the 2 drives on same channel, configured as master and slave.
benoitm
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165 Posts
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October 10th, 2003 14:00
Thanks ronss
Actually I used the term RAID0 in a misleading way: I really mean software raid0, i.e. volume striping (at OS level) - no need to have separate controllers
Benoit
henesseynalert
215 Posts
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October 11th, 2003 06:00
I think you need to have 2 hard drives with the same capacity. 80GB HD-80GB HD. RAID 0 configuration. I don't think his motherboard support raid control.
benoitm
2 Intern
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165 Posts
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December 11th, 2003 11:00
This is to let you know that I have successfully configured my disks as follows:
both disks are on the same IDE channel (UDMA Mode 5) of the built-in controller
I have successfully combined the disk0/40 GB + disk1/40 GB partitions into one single [software] stripe volume in Windows XP Pro.
Performance is excellent (significantly better than a single disk) - so much that I won't even attempt to put the disks on separate IDE channels (I would need to buy extra ribbon cables and I am too lazy for the little extra performance expected)
Thank you Windows XP !