Advice on building my first RAID

[Chris Jones]

I didn’t realize there was a price difference between RAID-0 and RAID-5

My main use for the RAID will be so that I can use DPX files in Resolve – I’d like to have the freedom to learn and be creative and push Resolve’s capabilities as far as I can.

I was less worried about back up since I was planning on backing up often.

My larger concerns have been the challenge figuring out what to buy, since all the hardware and terminology is new to me. Then being able to set it up – meaning whichever products I buy, have good tech support, so when I do inevitably run into a wall I have somewhere to call.

Also I like the idea of buying a solid card, so I have the option of expanding to a larger setup down the line.

Right now the ATTO R680 + ProAvio EditBOX Desktop 4-Drive Mini SAS ($395) + (4) 2TB 6 Gb/s Enterprise Drives seems like a good option – but there might be better options.

The bottom line is it’s just a new area for me. If I was building a new computer I’d know what parts I needed, how to figure out which parts were compatible, and where to buy the parts.

With the RAID, I’m not even sure what a multiplier does… or if I need one.

The 2722 Highpoint + Sans Digital 8 disk still sounds great to me, but I called Highpoint to ask a few questions and there is a major language issue there – so tech support might be difficult. ATTO on the other hand was able to answer my questions and I feel confident they would be able to help me set up if I needed it. The R680 manual looked pretty good too.

So that’s where I am. Thanks again for all the suggestions! I’m getting there, slowly but surely.

And if you have suggestions on setups I have not thought of that would be great!

[David Roth weiss]

[Chris Jones] “My main use for the RAID will be so that I can use DPX files in Resolve – I’d like to have the freedom to learn and be creative and push Resolve’s capabilities as far as I can.”

In that case, go with storage space and throughput, but leave the RAID-5 behind for later or next time.

RAID-5 via hardware is really the only way to fly, software RAID-5 is not nearly as reliable and thus makes it almost a total waste, as it will not deliver peace of mind.

RAID-5 done properly also takes you from the realm of $250 controller cards into the realm of $1000 to $1200 controller cards. So, if you are going to skimp anywhere, let it be on the false peace of mind of an inexpensive RAID-5, and put your $$$ where they count, in space and throughput, with RAID-0.

David Roth Weiss
ProMax Systems
Burbank
DRW@ProMax.com
http://www.ProMax.com
Sales | Integration | Support

David is a Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Apple Final Cut Pro forum.