USING MY RAID

I just combined two identical 2TB drives for a striped RAID 0.
I'll definitely be capturing my footage onto it and editing from this RAID, but just wondering....should I output my files to a different drive?
Before the RAID, I would edit on one drive, export a reference file on that drive, bring that into Compressor, and output that end result onto a different drive. Try to separate the I/O.
Does this matter for a RAID? Could I or should I keep it all on the RAID?
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Thanks.

Striped RAID gets its speed by having one drive seeking (which cane take up to 10 to 20 milliseconds for each block) while the other drive is transferring data from the alternate stripe. ANYTHING that competes with that will move the drive arm away from the data area you are focused on, and slow down the entire process to "ordinary" speeds.
Moving System/Apps/Paging to its own drive (at any speed) speeds up everything by reducing the distracting seeks for Paging and loading additional bits of Applications. If that System drive is also a fast drive, it can speed up everything you do even more.
When you are trying to input a file at top speed, but the output or scratch file is also on the same drive, the drive arm is positioned first for reading, then for writing, and (depending on the exact order of things) an I/O-bound job can be slowed dramatically.
If the job is compute-bound, this is less important (but if the job is compute-bound, no substantial speedup would be seen from using RAID at all).

Similar Messages

Best use of RAID 0, for O/S or Video Editing data disk ?

I now have a RAID 0 setup of two 120GB discs (1 x P-ATA & 1 x S-ATA) as well as a S-ATA 160GB and a P-ATA 60GB.
Now what should I use the RAID disc for ?
My choices are:
P-ATA 60GB for operating system (current)
RAID 0 (220GB) for Video Editing Data
S-ATA 160GB for other data, swap file, My Documents and System Images.
Or
RAID 0 (220GB) for operating system (current) and swap file
S-ATA 160GB for Video Editing Data
P-ATA 60GB for other data, My Documents and System Images.
Or
S-ATA 160GB for operating system (current) and swap file
RAID 0 (220GB) for Video Editing Data
P-ATA 60GB for other data, My Documents and System Images.
Which will give me the best performance/balance for Games and Video Editing
Am I likely to hit any problems with using the SATA drive as the operating system drive, I thought I heard somewhere that XP wouldn't allow Drive C to be allocated to a SATA drive ?

If you do video editing, where speed pays, think that you should use Raid for this kind of work.

How do you update the Bios safely when using onboard RAID mirror? Z87-G45

How do you update the Bios safely when using onboard RAID with Z87-G45? I'm using a simple two drive, RAID 1 mirror setup.
I'm currently at bios 1.4, and want to move up. However, last time I upgraded the BIOS, the machine rebooted with improper settings for the RAID (they get hosed during BIOS flash) and Windows decided to auto-repair the only boot drive it could see, one half of the mirror, because it couldn't see the RAID array correctly and *POOF* bare-metal reinstall required.
My PC will not let me press the DEL key on bootup to access the bios, even with MSI Fast Boot not installed. It just ignores the DEL key and tries to load windows which, if that happens, will flame-out my RAID array after a bios flash if I can't catch it to enable the RAID first before windows loads.
I do not want to rebuild my PC again simply because I do a BIOS update.

FYI: BIOS 1.4 & 1.8 are using the same RAID version: 12.7.0.1936
based on this RAID surprise should not hapends.
But as pandaz says if you have no issues, leave bios update alone.
there are still risks something to messed up,
best do a backup of your data just in case if you want to try latest version

Two users (on the same Mac) using same RAID simultaneously?

O.K. I know you should never never ever connect two different Macs to the same RAID unless using Xsan. . .
How about connecting two users on the same Mac simultaneously?
In other words, can I have one user manipulating data on the RAID in the background while reading the data using a second user (on the same Mac)?
Thanks,
Ed

That depends on the application in question.
Since all the data requests are coming from the same Mac, you don't have the issues you would have if you had two different machines talking at the same time.
However, it now depends on whether the application(s) you're using supports file locks.
As long as the application that's manipulating the data properly locks the part of the file it's working on, and that the application you're using to read the file reads the locks and knows whether or not it's OK to use that part of the file, you should be OK.

Clarification on how to use Xserve Raid and Fibre Channel without xsan.

First let me apologize for not responding earlier to your response, I tend to get busy and then forget to check back here.
Tod, the answer to your question is No, only one computer is accessing the xserve raid files at any one time and that is via Fibre Channel. However I do have the xserve raids set up as share points via ethernet.
Maybe I should turn that off and only access the files with the one computer that can connect via fibre channel.
I never thought of that. I will try that while I await for your answer, thanks again.
Todd Buhmiller
I have the following setup:
Xserve: 2x2Ghz Dual Core Intel Xeon, 5Gb of Ram, Running 10.5.8 Leopard Server
Xserve Raid with firmware version 1.5.1/1.51c on both controllers, and
Qlogic Sanbox 5600
Apple Fibre Channel Cards in Xserve, and Mac Pro Tower; Apple 2 Port 4Gbs Fibre Channel Card
Mac Pro Tower-Quad Core Intel Xeon 2.8Ghz, 16Gb of Ram, Running Snow Leopard 10.6.4
Here is the problem.
The directory for the xserve raids keep getting corrup, and I use disc warrior to rebuild them. Is there a way to keep the directories from getting corrupt? I am a few pieces of equipment before I can build an Xsan as that is the ultimate goal, but until then, I just need to be able to have the raids funciton as storage without having to rebuild the directories all of the time.
Anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks
Todd Buhmiller
Widescreen Media
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Tod Kuykendall
Posts: 1,237
From: San Diego
Registered: Oct 11, 2000
Re: Xserve Raid Mounts, Corrupt Directory tired of rebuilding directory
Posted: Jun 27, 2010 1:25 PM in response to: Todd Buhmiller
Are multiple computers accessing the same data on the RAID at the same time?
If so then NO. This is the source of your data corruption and I'm surprised if you were able to get all your data back every time if this is how you've been running your system. Each fibre channel assumes it has full and sole control of every volume it has mounted, no data arbitration is practiced and data corruption will occur if this assumption is wrong.
The only way this set-up will work is to use partitions or LUN masks so the volumes are accessed by one computer at any time. As long as one computer relinquishes control before another mounts it you will dodge arbitration issues but this is a dangerous game. If you screw up and mount an already mounted volume - and there is no easy way to tell if a volume is mounted - corruption will then occur. Sharing data simultaneous at fibre speeds is what XSAN does and to do this you need it.
HTH,
=Tod
Intel Xserve, G5 XServes, XRAID, Promise

+The xserve raids will mount automatically to any computer that I connect the qlogic fc switch to+
This is source of the corruption to your data. Any computer that attaches to a drive/partition via fibre channel assumes that it alone is in control of the drive and data corruption is inevitable.
+Is that the issue, should I disconnect the xserve from the fc switch and leave it connected via ethernet?+
Short answer: YES. The ethernet connections are fine because the server is controlling the file arbitration through the sharing protocol. Fibre channel connections assumes complete control over the partition and no arbitration of the file access is performed. It's like two people independently driving trying to drive the same car to different locations.
Depending on your set-up it is possible for the two machines to see and use different parts of the Xserve RAID storage but they cannot access the same areas without SAN doing the arbitration.
Hope that's clear,
=Tod

Neo4 Plat SLI using SATA Raid cannot install WinXP 32

I recently purchased the neo4 platinum and was quite amazed what all comes with the board. However, I have spent quite a while trying unsuccessfully to get winxp installed. I was previously using a pci rocketraid card to run my 2 maxtor drives as a stripped raid.
Before doing the final shutdown and swap, I went into the rocketraid and deleted the array. Swapped boards (raid card did not follow), plugged in the 2 maxtors into sata ports 1 and 2. Configured nvidia raid bios settings to enable raid on sata ports 1 and 2. Entered nvidia raid bios, and created a stripped raid array with the 2 maxtors. Boot to winxp install, f6 and installed both drivers on included nvidia diskette. When I get to the partition selection, I have nothing but 'Unknown disk' listed several times. If I try to access one of these 'partitions' by either deleting or selecting, the system crashes (blue screen).
So, I deleted the nvidia array, the reinstalled my rocketraid card, and created an array on it. Went through the same install sequence, and am able to see the array as a selectable drive, and am able to install winxp on it. So, I am a bit lost on where to go from here.. I tried searching both here and google and I didnt see anyone with this particular problem. Id really love to get this bad boy running (a good upgrade for me), but it seems I am destined not to. Please, someone help!

Quote from: syar2003 on 09-July-05, 18:10:53
Inside the nvraid rom bios make sure to clear disk data and set raid bootable .
gah, sorry, I should have put that in my original post (did those).
So, a bit of an update... after a bit more futzing around, I have tried multiple times on deleting, recreating (and clearing data) arrays, trying with and without setting to boot. After the 2nd or so array creation, my problem has slightly changed. Now, windows install does not recognize any hdd's present and wont continue.
Out of curiosity, I blasted the array from the nvidia bios, then went into main bios, disabled nvidia raid, and enabled sil raid. Hooked up the drives to sil raid, and created an array. Windows install see's the array, and is currently installing to it. Now, while this may function as a work aorund (if it completes) I think I read somewhere the nvidia raid is not on the pci bus, but the sil raid is (which is why I want to use the nvraid). So, aside from any input or suggestions about resolving the problem I am having, any input on the differences between the two raid setups?
edit- windows successfully installed on the sil raid array, but I still would like a fix for the nvraid

HT1175 Using G-Raid to backup iMac and Mac Pro laptop

Has anyone atttempted to backup both machines to a Hitachi G-Raid with one partition? If they have, was it by direct USB 2.0 wire using AirPort Express for the Mac Pro and direct fire wire to the iMAC?
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Len

leonardfromoshawa wrote:
To backup in the future requires hooking up each machine individually and using TM.
To do it that way, yes, but that's not your best bet.
First, having both sets of backups made directly, in the same partition, may present problems later on. See Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #4 for details.
Second, the inconvenience of switching back and forth means both Macs won't get regular backups. If you do switch frequently, there's the risk of damaging a port or plug.
Your best bet is to partition the drive. Continue backing-up the iMac to one partition directly. Leave the drive connected to the iMac, and back the laptop up to the other partition via your network. See Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #33 for details, and #22 for setup instructions. That way, both will be backed-up hourly, as long as they're awake and the laptop is in range of your network.
Will my original question of using AirPort Express work
No. You cannot connect a drive to an Airport Express's USB port, only a printer.

802.11n Base using USB Raid Volumes?

Hi All,
Got the new Airport base station, pulled out the old one, factory defaulted my three other Airport Express base stations, and then joined them as WDS extenders. All is good. Won't be testing throughput yet all I am still all PPC.
Bought the new base station for the USB disk sharing as I have computers all over the home and this was going to be great to facilitate sharing!
Before it arrived, I purchased a new USB eBOX-U Eight (8) drive enclosure from Firewire Depot (as reviewed by AMUG).
Very nice box for $265. Loaded six new 400GB (newegg.com @ $105/ea.) and a couple of old misc. drives. Formated top two as raid 0, next two as raid 0 and then mirrored the two together (I just went through the worst hard disk crash I've ever had with a stripped 0 volume, I never want to go through this again - 100% data loss).
Anyways, last 2 400GB drives as mirrored raid.
Fire the puppy up and for an overnight backup device, it's perfect. I couldn't use it for encoding video but for going to bed and letting my computer backup cheaply and safely, I am delighted!
So now I'm ready for the new Airport base station, I can share these massive, safe drives over the wireless network and get all of my computers backed-up.
Nope.
The base station refuses to recognize the Macintosh-formated arrays, it only sees one drive and that unusable.
Any ideas? I can't find any prohibitions to such a configuration.
JP
G5 Quad Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Why doesn't the new base station support Mac software RAID volumes? I can't believe there aren't more people up in arms over this missing functionality. A Mac product not supporting a Mac software configuration? Seems downright silly.

Inexpensive, easy to use, reliable RAID USB/FW enclosure

Does anyone have any experience with RAID enclosures ?
For example, there is one by NewerTech that takes two drives and uses USB to connect to the Mac. The description claims it is compatible with OS X.
How do these things work with OS X Leopard ? Do I need to consider anything special ?
Thanks!
Oleg

You might have a look at http://www.galaxymetalgear.com/Products/3500MGBR.html for one possible solution - I have two of these in use on a couple of systems - they both work very well and are easy to set up, also have FW 400, 800 and USB.

How to copy and use the RAID files for ATI SB600 for a new build

WinXP Home
MSI K9A Platinum
AMD Athlon X2-3600+
2 x Seagate 250GB SATA2 3GB/s HHD
2 x HIS X1950Pro in Crossfire
2 x OCZ2A8002GK Crossfire certified modules
Enermax Galaxy 850
Hello, I plan on setting this new build up with SATA RAID 0. I tried to follow the ReadMe file in the RAID drivers download but think I am not fully understanding. The ReadMe says to copy all files to the media...it said floppy but I am going to use a flash drive. I did so but there were two folders, X64 and X86. Do I open those two folders and copy all the contents or do I just copy the two folders directly to the drive?
Thank you

Quote from: lewislink on 05-July-07, 02:13:43
Open the sub-folders and copy their contents, or copy the sub-folders, themselves?
What about BIOS update? Will it be necessary to use a floppy or can a flash drive function?
"What about BIOS update? Will it be necessary to use a floppy or can a flash drive function?"
don't update the BIOS when everythink is working...
"Open the sub-folders and copy their contents, or copy the sub-folders, themselves?"
copy them as is.. directly with sub-folders included.

In Design / Mac OS 10.8 / using External RAID / shortcuts disappear

Friends,
When I use In Design, the key to my success is using a whole bunch of shortcuts in my FINDER WINDOW:
But then, when I unplug my RAID external drive from my laptop, I lose all my shortcuts!!!!
Like this:
What can I do to fix this??

I have posted on the Mac forum and absolutely nobody has responded:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4898631

Potential Use of Raid - Is this Workable?

Hello,
I maintain two Macs for a community radio station. One is in the studio and used to create the programming and the other is used for transmitting the signal. The studio mac's hard drive is is the master and we copy it to a third disk every two weeks and then move it to the transmitting mac. The drive on the transmitting mac then becomes the spare.
Here is my question. Rather than copying from the studio mac drive to the spare drive (which takes several hours), could I set up a mirrored raid on the studio mac? When it's time to move a drive to the transmitting mac, could I dismount the raid, move the drive and then reconnect the spare and rebuild the mirrored raid?
Would this work? Anyone have other ideas that might work better?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Mark

So your cloning the entire studio Mac'c boot drive to a third drive, which then you replace the transmitting Mac's hard drive with it.
I guess the two Mac's are not close enough to use a network like Firewire or Ethernet right to use auto-folder sych software? The internet is most likely not a option due to slow up speeds and your large files right?
What you might want to do is use software that auto-clones/auto-backups. The software will reside on the studio Mac as a System Preference pane, working even when everyone is logged out.
This way you can leave the third drive to the studio Mac hooked up and it will do it's job when your not using the machine. (schedule at will). Since you have to clone the whole OS drive to make it bootable on the transmitting Mac. (both Mac's need to be the same type)
Mirroring is not advised except if your recording ET talking or something where a hard drive failure would be devastating.
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/systemdiskutilities/dejavu.html

Anybody using Apple RAID card in a Boot Camp system?

I can guess windows would not see/be able to use any disks/volumes controlled by the array, but I wondered if somebody had a system with :
1 - Mac Pro w/ 4 HDDs
2 - 1st drive with SL and Boot Camp 64 bit Windows (Vista or 7)
3 - Apple Mac Pro RAID card
4 - other 3 HDDs in a RAID 5 or 0
Is this possible? Is this just crazy (I do need Windows for some stuff).
If any experience can you also tell me what happens to the array when you went from 10.5 to 10.6 or Vista to Win 7?

Hi CC,
Even though it's not the answer I wanted thanks for finalizing it for me. I think I'll give SoftRAID my 1st shot because they say it will let me do separate dual-boot disk.
Contrary to public opinion, not everything is possible with computers. They to have their limits.
One thing I hate about Apple's website is when I do not feel I got the definitive answer with a responder's first answer and then their next shot solves it for me, but I cannot seem to give them a solved credit.
You should have the possibilities to 'mark as helpful' and 'mark as solved' and also to mark the whole thread as 'solved'.
See the section *What are question answers?* in the TOU http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa
But that is not mandatory
Thanks again Stefan
You're welcome anytime.
Glad to be of 'no-help'...
Stefan

Using xserve raid with Linux

I have an Apple Xserve raid that I connected to a Dell PowerEdge 1950 using a QLogic Sanblade QLE2460 card. I currently have 7x750GB drives installed in the raid that yields around 4TB of usable capacity. I am running Red Hat 4 AS and created an ext3 file system. I have unfortunately had two occasions where the file system has gotten corrupted somehow. The file system seems fine until I shutdown cleanly and reboot. After booting, the partition table appears corrupt showing the file system is 4GB put the drive is much smaller. Is there a better file system type that is known to work with the xserve raid? Could this be a driver or kernel issue? Thanks!

Hello RandyMartin and welcome to the Apple boards,
I don't know how many people here are running your set-up, but hopefully someone will chime in with some ideas.
The general clearinghouse for all things Xserve RAID attached to non-Apple machines is: http://alienraid.org/
Good luck,
=Tod
G5/2.0x2, Dual XServes x2, XRAID, beige G3 501Mhz

Using a RAID as a CS3 beta scratch disk

I recently set up a RAID in my Mac Pro, creating it with the OSX Disk Utility. It functions fine as a faster, larger storage space. But when I try to select it in CS3 beta as my Photoshop scratch disk, it does not appear in the list of drives available.
CS2 does use it as a scratch disk, but the beta appears stuck in using the system disk.

I don't know of any reason wh the CS3 besta won't select your RAID set as a scratch drive so, I would suggest you contact Adobe through their bug reporting system and see what happens.
FWIW, given my boot drive is a RAID set CS3 beta does seem to work with it without issue.

USING MY RAID

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