How to pick a raid drive

[Alex Elkins]

There aren’t so much RAID ‘drives’ as RAID systems. That is to say that a single drive does not a RAID make. ‘RAID’ stands for redundant array of independent disks, which means that you have a number of disks working together. It will show up on your desktop as a single drive. The benefit of this is that your drive will run faster than a single drive, and [certain types] allow for failure of a drive without losing all your data.
I would suggest you speak to someone who sells RAID units, as they will explain everything to you and will be able to put together a really good system. Depending on budget though, you can always just buy three harddrives and install them into your Mac Pro. Then create the RAID set using Disk Utility, which is a free utility that comes with the Mac. Pretty simple to use, and plenty of info online.

Good luck,
Alex Elkins

[Carlos Castro]

Thanks Alex.

[Elijah Lynn]

If you want a raid card though DO NOT buy Apples, it sucks and costs more.

Get a CalDigit. I have a CalDigit running 4 – 1.5 TB seagates right now and it is an effective 4.2 TB’s and is only 30% full. I get about 300 MBps+ read and write in Raid 5.

Sweet setup!

Also, the Drobo looks cool but does not have eSata. Big marketing mistake.

[Carlos Castro]

Thanks Elijah.

Man it is really tuff making this desicion. I have never work for myself or had my own equipment until last spring. I started assembling gear little by little and taking on smaller projects, now that I feel I can start to move into better paying jobs or projects, I’m having a hell of a time putting quality gear together.

Not because its to expensive, although it is. LOL, but because theirs so many options and I have a small amount of tech background.

I can operate the equipment, putting it together thats always been maintenance’s problem, lol.

I will take a look at the drives you suggested, I’ve been looking into the G Spped Drives as well.

One more question.

I see almost all of these drives average approx. the same rpm 7200 or 10,000 and also the drive space, 1tb to 6tb or so. My question is does the raid 0, 0+1,5, settings etc… Is that something that is default when purchasing a model or is it adjustable and you can choose which way to use the drive?

Thanks for the input, I’m off to checkout the one you mentioned.

Hey can somebody call maintenace for me please!!
LOL, ahh the good ole days.

Thanks.

[Alex Elkins]

Hi Carlos,

[carlos castro] “Is that something that is default when purchasing a model or is it adjustable and you can choose which way to use the drive?”
This tends to be dependent on which RAID card you have installed. Or, if you have none installed, then the Mac can configure either RAID 0 or RAID 1. This takes a toll on your computer’s performance, which is why it is recommended that you get a card.

Best,
Alex Elkins