Some questions about RAID arrays.

[Raz1r]

I'm kind of "upgrading" my Counter-Strike/Quake server (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8436), and I found some old hard drives I thought I could use. Right now I have a 10GB drive in it, but I found 3- 40GB Maxtor drives that seem to be in good working condition. I will be running a flavor of *nix. There's only one problem.

The Motherboard has but two IDE headers. My question is, can I run a RAID array of these three discs, along with a DVD-ROM drive and not have any problems? I figured that's what the extra port on these ribbon cables were for.

Am I going to have to buy a separate PCI card? I don't really have a problem with buying one, most seem inexpensive. However, I'm trying to save up for some lighting and a sound card so I'd like to do it without haveing to spend money.

[NuKS]

Yeah you are going to have to buy a RAID controller card. Here's (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815104214R) one for pretty cheap.
What type of RAID array were you planning on going with anyways?

[Raz1r]

Well, I don't know much about RAID. But I think I am going to use a RAID (0+1). That's the one with the backup and faster disc accessing right?

By the way, will that card you recommended work with Linux?

[OvRiDe]

Hey Raz1r,

Here is a thread that might explain the whole RAID thing a bit better. There are some links in there that are good reads.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7783

Hope this helps...

[Redundant]

Well, I don't know much about RAID. But I think I am going to use a RAID (0+1). That's the one with the backup and faster disc accessing right?
You'll need 4 HDDs to use 0+1. RAID 5 uses 3 disks though.

[Raz1r]

You'll need 4 HDDs to use 0+1. RAID 5 uses 3 disks though.

I do have 4 disks. It's just that one is a 10-gig. I have a feeling that I will be going for a Raid 1. The only prroblem I can't figure out is what the easiest way to get RAID going is on Linux. I can't figure out which distribution to use, I'm still kind of a noob with Linux.

[Luke122]

You would need all 4 disks the be the same size.

Ubuntu is probably the easiest Linux distro to play with.

Sabayon is prettier though.. but it doesnt like ATI cards much..

[OvRiDe]

You might check out this site..
http://www.howtoforge.com/linux_software_raid

Doesn't seem like alot of information there so I am not sure if it will help or not.. but there is a start..

Good luck!!