Want to set up RAID 0 on existing XP installation

[lemondrop9344]

I have an application which is is very HDD read/write intensive. It has been suggested I create a RAID 0 array for this purpose (large file, will use large stripes).

Some information on my set up:

All OS & applications run from a WD 10,000 rpm sata drive. Data does not go on this disk.

I can create the RAID array on either the existing tower (not my preferred solution), or I can create the array on the external ICYDOCK case (preferred solution). Spec.'s on ICYDOCK case indicates it supports RAID arrays with the appropriate controller card on the motherboard (which I have installed, see below).

I have a Sonnet SATAIIE2P card installed on the MB which, according to what I've read, will support a variety of RAID arrays. I also have the current drivers. Not the best controller card in the world, but it should work for testing.

I have a variety of HDD's I can use to create the RAID and wasted space on the HDD is not an issue for me at this time. I'm primarily interested in improving the processing time due to the amount of read/write activity.

On the surface it would appear I can install the drivers for the Sonnet controller card directly from XP and the Sonnet driver software will recognize what is attached. I would then designate 2 of the 4 HDD's in the ICYDOCK case to compose the array. The remaining 2 HDD's in the RAID will continue to be utilized for storage and backup. This will also eliminate the need of opening up the tower to install the HDD's and messing with the onboard RAID controller and/or MB BIOS setting. To me, my preferred solution (if it works that way), seems the most practical and poses very little, if any, risk of corrupting the HDD with the operating system and applications already installed.

Has anyone on this forum performed an upgrade similar to this? If so, would you share with me your success/failure stories?

I am also open to suggestions, and solicit other opinions and/or suggestions.

Thank you,

George K.

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[lastcalaveras]

Judging by the card you have listed you're using an external sata card. Still probably recommended to have internal raid system as external sata enclosures can be flaky sometimes especially with the power units they come with. Also expect a maximum of a 250MB/s data throughput on the card.

 

[lemondrop9344]

Judging by the card you have listed you're using an external sata card. Still probably recommended to have internal raid system as external sata enclosures can be flaky sometimes especially with the power units they come with. Also expect a maximum of a 250MB/s data throughput on the card.

Thank you for your response........ It is indeed an external card. In the near future (when the pieces arrive) I will be building a workstation specifically for the application in question and will go with your recommendation to set up an internal RAID array. At any rate, I will still want my OS and applications on a dedicated HDD, seperate from this array.

In reading through the forum, it appears setting up the array on an existing XP machine is fraught with oportunities to create additional issues and until such time as the new PC exists, I think I will try this.

Again thank you for your suggestion.

 

[newtekie1]

How big is the files and how much total space do you need?

 

[lemondrop9344]

How big is the files and how much total space do you need?

Files could be as small as 512kb up to multiple gb or more. I have two WD 500gb Black drives I was planning on using if I can get the external closure working as a RAID 0. Right now, everything is sort of in the what if stage.

I like XP and I am familiar with it. I've held off upgrading to a new OS about as long as I think I can get by with it. Have built numerous PC's. This will be the 1st one utilizing a RAID array and it will be the 1st one I've built in a long time without XP. I want some familiarization with the RAID process before the new build.

 

[newtekie1]

For high read/write, you might be better off with a single SSD. RAID0 will improve throughput, but not latency, in fact sometime latency is even worse when using a cheap controller card. But even with RAID0, you aren't going to get anywhere near the throughput of an SSD.

 

[lemondrop9344]

For high read/write, you might be better off with a single SSD. RAID0 will improve throughput, but not latency, in fact sometime latency is even worse when using a cheap controller card. But even with RAID0, you aren't going to get anywhere near the throughput of an SSD.

See if this makes a difference............ I will reading from one source, most likey from a USB 2.0 maybe 3.0 connection. As the data is processed by the application it writes to the target (RAID 0). A lot of writing after processing. Yes, it would be nice to utilize SSD's and that may come in the future. Right now, it's a series of compromises influenced by out of pocket expens. I think what I'm trying to accomplish would be higher throughput with minimal impact due to latency.