separate channels for best software RAID0 performance ?

Question

I have a Dim8200 with the following setup: IDE Channel 1, master = 80 GB original diskIDE Channel 1, slave = 40 GB added diskIDE Channel 2, master = DVD-ROMIDE 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 & appsdisk 1, partition 2 (40 GB): DV data, secondary storagedisk 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 diskIDE Channel 2, slave = DVD-ROMIDE Channel 1, master = 40 GB added diskIDE Channel 2, slave = CD-RW I do understand RAID0 does not provide any protection against disk failures Thanks for confirming my choice

MichaelCretired · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

All,

This is to let you know that I have successfully configured my disks as follows:

disk 0 (80 GB Maxtor - dynamic disk): two partitions of 40 GB
disk 1 (40 GB Maxtor - dynamic disk): one partition of 40 GB

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 !

Storage, Drives & Media

Was this post helpful?