Backup Server RAID Suggestions - Resend

[Les Mikesell]

Mike McMullen wrote:
> Thank you Gilboa and James!
> 
> Here's a little more information.
> 
> Someone gave me the de-branded HP Athlon 64 X2 PC. So I have a free PC
> I'd like to turn into a NAS server. This doesn't have to be pretty just
> functional and semi-cheap.
> 
> Since there isn't room in the PC case for the drives, let alone cooling
> and power, I figured some external case/RAID storage box might do the
> trick.
> 
> This thing doesn't need to be the fastest on the planet just reliable
> and as inexpensive as possible. I need the money for lenses for the
> cameras. ;o)
> 
> I've been looking at enclosures etc at www.pc-pitstop.com that use a
> port multiplier. 
> 
> These seem reasonable. Anyone know anything about port multipliers? Am I
> missing something big here? 
> 
> I'm definitely not an expert on raid storage.

I've always liked the simplicity of software RAID1.  You lose some disk 
capacity (pretty cheap these days) compared to RAID5 and if you use a 
simple scheme keeping the disks independent you will have to deal with 
multiple mount points.   In return, you get the ability to easily 
recover the data from any single disk and to make a backup by swapping 
out one of the mirrors and sync'ing to a new one.  Plus, you don't have 
to worry about matching up with the old controller if you want to move a 
disk or a set.

-- 
   Les Mikesell
     lesmikesell at gmail.com