Logical Drives and RAID 5

[Guest rcir88]

I have a server running Windows 2003 Server Standard which currently uses a

RAID 1+0 array. I will be installing two more hard drives for a total of 4

physical drives and changing the array to a RAID 5 system. This will require

reinstalling everything. The question is should I create logical drives on

the array that match the logical drives I create on Windows or just creat one

logical drive on the array and create a different number of drives on

Windows? I need only two logical drives, one for the system and programs and

one for data. Is there any advantage of doing it one way or the other, or

doesn’t it matter?

[Guest Ryan Hanisco]

RE: Logical Drives and RAID 5

 

Hi Rcir88,

 

With a RAID-5 array, there isn't much of a benefit to partitioning the drive

as all reads and writes will be against the same spindle set. Since there

isn't any real performance impact, the partitioning that you'll do will be

for your own convenience.

 

With partitions you will be able to control Shadow copies and quotas so

there are some logical benefits. Some people will also use these as logical

boundaries to help keep track of function and to protect systems. (Your boot

partition will never fill up with some user's MP3s if it is defined as a

logical partition.)

 

As a rule of thumb, I would recommend that you have 20GB plus the expected

size of your swap for the boot partition to allow for growth. After that, it

is up to you.

 

Hope this helps.

--

Ryan Hanisco

MCSE, MCTS: SQL 2005, Project+

http://www.techsterity.com

Chicago, IL

 

Remember: Marking helpful answers helps everyone find the info they need

quickly.

 

 

"rcir88" wrote:

> I have a server running Windows 2003 Server Standard which currently uses a

> RAID 1+0 array. I will be installing two more hard drives for a total of 4

> physical drives and changing the array to a RAID 5 system. This will require

> reinstalling everything. The question is should I create logical drives on

> the array that match the logical drives I create on Windows or just create one

> logical drive on the array and create a different number of drives on

> Windows? I need only two logical drives, one for the system and programs and

> one for data. Is there any advantage of doing it one way or the other, or

> dosen't’t it matter?

>