RAID 1 vs RAID 5 on a Server ...

[thecomputerguy]

I submitted a request for a quote from my Dell rep and he almost refused to set me up with a RAID1/RAID1

I told him I wanted about 1TB usable for storage and requested:

2x300GB 10k - 300GB 10k (OS) is the cheapest dell offers, next cheapest is the 200GB SSD

2x1TB Near Line SAS 7200RPM (DATA)

PERC H330 Raid Controller

After having a conversation with him explaining what I wanted he still sent me a quote for 4x 600GB 10k's. 3x in a RAID 5 for 1.2 Usable with an OS partition, and an extra 600GB 10k as a hot spare.

I personally prefer RAID1/RAID1 for recover-ability in the event that worst case I need to pull a drive and slave it to a test machine for recovery.

He was adamant that I should be a RAID 5 even after my requests. He eventually reluctantly sent me a quote per my request, which came out cheaper than his 4x600GB 10k's to boot.

Does anyone see anything wrong with staying in a RAID1/RAID1 for a basic file server/DC?

 

[freedomit]

Always prefer Raid1/Raid1 or Raid1/Raid10 over Raid5. Also if the raid gets corrupted or a drive fails then recovery is much easier.

 

[300DDR]

I use raid 1 personally for some things that are important, and I don't want to waste time getting back when I need them. Often, raid 1 is a good idea. He probably wanted to make more commission or doesn't understand raid 1.

 

[nlinecomputers]

What are you storing on it? What kind of files? I'd do Raid 10 like @freedomit suggests. Better protection and better performance

 

[thecomputerguy]

I prefer RAID 10 as well but I feel like if it is RAID 10 then the OS would be on a partition as opposed to a separate array if I did RAID1/RAID1.

Also if it is a RAID 10 then I'd want a hotspare (not sure why, just feel like I should) which would make it 5 drives. Then it would have to be 5x 1TB Near line SAS 7200rpm and then it starts to push the budget.

It's going to be a file server and it will also have a Worldox database (document management for a legal firm).

http://www.worldox.com/

 

[nlinecomputers]

For that kind of database, I certainly would want RAID 10. Couldn't you go with smaller drives? Raid 1 for boot and then a stripe as Raid 10 for the data?

 

[trevm999]

RAID5 shouldn't even be an option

 

[thecomputerguy]

For that kind of database, I certainly would want RAID 10. Couldn't you go with smaller drives? Raid 1 for boot and then a stripe as Raid 10 for the data?

What do you think, like 6x 1TB Near Line 7200rpm in a RAID1/RAID10?

 

[thecomputerguy]

What do you think, like 6x 1TB Near Line 7200rpm in a RAID1/RAID10?

@nlinecomputers

The RAID1/RAID10 option bumps up the price by about $500

They are currently operating on a junk server with 2x500GB SATA in a RAID 1 without any performance issues right now. So I'm just reluctant to take $500 out of my pocket for what may or may not make a difference.

 

[nlinecomputers]

What do you think, like 6x 1TB Near Line 7200rpm in a RAID1/RAID10?

I don't think you need 1tb drives for the OS volume. I would only do that if you plan on having a universal hot spare.

 

[thecomputerguy]

I don't think you need 1tb drives for the OS volume. I would only do that if you plan on having a universal hot spare.

The lowest option they offer the 1TB Near Line ... they wont let me mix in a 300GB 10k 2.5 with the 1TB 3.5

 

[nlinecomputers]

@nlinecomputers

The RAID1/RAID10 option bumps up the price by about $500

They are currently operating on a junk server with 2x500GB SATA in a RAID 1 without any performance issues right now. So I'm just reluctant to take $500 out of my pocket for what may or may not make a difference.

That is because they are use to it. SAS will be a night and day difference as will having the data on a stripe and not a single volume. Most lawyers scan large stacks of documents when they get a case. If they have a decent network setup then they will be amazed at how fast they can scan a case into the database. My lawyer charges $400 an hour. $500 is chump change.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The lowest option they offer the 1TB Near Line ... they wont let me mix in a 300GB 10k 2.5 with the 1TB 3.5

eh ok.

 

[seedubya]

The lowest option they offer the 1TB Near Line ... they wont let me mix in a 300GB 10k 2.5 with the 1TB 3.5

What's so great about Dell? Why not just buy a HP? Or a Fujitsu. Over here, at least, their service is just as good - assuming equivalent warranty.

 

[HankArnold]

For the OS, I definitely would go with RAID 1. For the database, I'd go for RAID 10. With the price of drives these days, why someone would recommend a RAID 5 w/hot spare over RAID 10 is beyond me.

 

[SAFCasper]

@nlinecomputers
The RAID1/RAID10 option bumps up the price by about $500

They are currently operating on a junk server with 2x500GB SATA in a RAID 1 without any performance issues right now. So I'm just reluctant to take $500 out of my pocket for what may or may not make a difference.

Rather than pitching it as a performance benefit, which they likely can't fully comprehend, you might have more luck on the longevity angle.

RAID1/RAID1 will be fine now... but how long do they plan on keeping this server? I'd guess at least 4-5 years.

With RAID1/RAID10 on good SAS drives they have the performance readily available for growth, increased staff members, new software etc. Over the course of 5 years I'd be confident it's going to save them far more than $500.


PS.
"..$500 out of my pocket.."
Why would it be coming out of your pocket? Have you already quoted a fixed price?

 

[thecomputerguy]

Rather than pitching it as a performance benefit, which they likely can't fully comprehend, you might have more luck on the longevity angle.

RAID1/RAID1 will be fine now... but how long do they plan on keeping this server? I'd guess at least 4-5 years.

With RAID1/RAID10 on good SAS drives they have the performance readily available for growth, increased staff members, new software etc. Over the course of 5 years I'd be confident it's going to save them far more than $500.


PS.
"..$500 out of my pocket.."
Why would it be coming out of your pocket? Have you already quoted a fixed price?

Yes I already quoted them a dollar amount based on the last server I sold. Problem is, since the last server I bought from Dell pricing has changed a lot. So any more money into this thing is out of pocket.

What about 4x1TB Near Line SAS 7200rpm in a RAID10 with a OS Partition?

 

[thecomputerguy]

For reference a 1TB Near Line SAS 7200RPM with a 5-Year Prosupport NBD warranty is about $250 per drive

 

[Markverhyden]

Yes I already quoted them a dollar amount based on the last server I sold. Problem is, since the last server I bought from Dell pricing has changed a lot. So any more money into this thing is out of pocket.

What about 4x1TB Near Line SAS 7200rpm in a RAID10 with a OS Partition?

I'm confused. You don't build a quote from scratch? I'll build it, send the link to the customer with a disclaimer "prices may vary". And I never reuse one. Now I may give a customer a ball park figure, but they know it's ball park.

 

[trevm999]

You could try to do an upsell. Let them decide if better performance is worth the extra money. Don't retract the other quote, but offer them another option.