Two RAID 1 pairs with X58A-UD3R ?

[KatManDEW]

I have the X58A-UD3R with one pair of RAID 1 drives that I boot from. Can I add a second RAID 1 pair?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

I am a little unsure as to what you want to do here. Do you want to create a whole new RAID1 array as well as the existing one or do you just want to increase the size of the existing array that you have for booting from ?

[KatManDEW]

Hi and welcome.

I am a little unsure as to what you want to do here. Do you want to create a whole new RAID1 array as well as the existing one or do you just want to increase the size of the existing array that you have for booting from ?

Thanks for the response.

I should have been more clear. I want to create a whole new RAID1 array (I think). I have a matched pair of drives that I would like to add to the system. Either by increasing the size of the existing array that I am booting from (I didn't know thayt was an option), or by adding them as a seperate drive pair. Which ever is easier or more sensible. I just need to add more storage space.

Thanks again.

[F5BJR]

*
Yes you can add / create a second Raid  1 with 2 * new disks 

For extend capacity solution is to create RAID 10 with your 4 * disks and reinstall your OS ...

no problem ...

Pierre

[KatManDEW]

*
Yes you can add / create a second Raid  1 with 2 * new disks 

For extend capacity solution is to create RAID 10 with your 4 * disks and reinstall your OS ...

no problem ...

Pierre

I don't want to reinstall the OS so I guess I want to create a second Raid  1 with 2 * new disks. What connectors do I use on the motherboard, and what do I need to setup in the BIOS settings?

I've been reading this info but it seems to be addressing creation of the first RIAD1 pair.

http://download.gigabyte.ru/manual/mb_manual_ga-x58a-ud3r_v2.0_e.pdf

Thanks!

[Aussie Allan]

   Welcome KatManDEW

  It sounds like you just want an extra (safe) storage raid1 set for the obvious redundancy........the ICH10R allows up to 2 raid sets to run concurrently off the ICH10R controller......Just add the two new disks to the system and boot.....when the option becomes available , hit "Ctrl-I" to get into the Intel raid configuration window and configure the second new set off the intel ports/drives you just added......it will be the same procedure you used to setup the original drives for the OS.....when finished and back into windows you will have to initialize them to what ever drive letter you want to call your new drive....."P"......."H"........"Z"

  Aussie Allan

[KatManDEW]

Thanks to all for the replies!

Which connectors do I use on the motoherboard? My first two, 0 & 1, are used for my two existing HD's. The third connector, #3, is used for my CD ROM. And #5 is connected to the media bay in my case.

The drives I want to add are Seagate ST3750640AS Barracuda 750 GB SATA 3.0GB/s Internal SATA II.

Thanks again.

[Dark Mantis]

I would suggest using the Marvell chip controller for your optical drive and put the new drives on your Intel ICH10R (Southbridge) controlled ports alongside your originals. Any other drives you can put on the GSATA ports.

[KatManDEW]

I would suggest using the Marvell chip controller for your optical drive and put the new drives on your Intel ICH10R (Southbridge) controlled ports alongside your originals. Any other drives you can put on the GSATA ports.

Thanks for the info! The GSATA ports use the Marvel controller?

[Dark Mantis]

GSATA3_6 & 7 are controlled by the Marvell 9128 chip and are fine for single drives but they can't be pushed  for RAID or SSDs etc. They just didn't make the grade. The Intel ICH10R are the fastest ports on the motherboard and are SATA2_0 to SATA2_5.  The other two ports are controlled by the JMicron chip and are ok but not as fast as the Intel.

[KatManDEW]

GSATA3_6 & 7 are controlled by the Marvell 9128 chip and are fine for single drives but they can't be pushed  for RAID or SSDs etc. They just didn't make the grade. The Intel ICH10R are the fastest ports on the motherboard and are SATA2_0 to SATA2_5.  The other two ports are controlled by the JMicron chip and are ok but not as fast as the Intel.

Great info. Thanks!

I moved my CD-DVD and media bay over to GSATA 6&7 and now the boot screen says the status of my original RAID1 pair is "Degraged". The next line confirms that they are still a RAID pair, and the system still boots and everything appears to be OK.

I haven't connected any new drives yet. Just moved my CD-DVD and media bay over to GSATA 6&.

[KatManDEW]

GSATA3_6 & 7 are controlled by the Marvell 9128 chip and are fine for single drives but they can't be pushed  for RAID or SSDs etc. They just didn't make the grade. The Intel ICH10R are the fastest ports on the motherboard and are SATA2_0 to SATA2_5.  The other two ports are controlled by the JMicron chip and are ok but not as fast as the Intel.

Great info. Thanks!

I moved my CD-DVD and media bay over to GSATA 6&7 and now the boot screen says the status of my original RAID1 pair is "Degraged". The next line confirms that they are still a RAID pair, and the system still boots and everything appears to be OK.

I haven't connected any new drives yet. Just moved my CD-DVD and media bay over to GSATA 6&.

Power connector on one of my original RAID drives got disconnected... Will that rebuild while Windows is running, or do I need to do it fro the BIOS? My old computer would do it either way, but this boot screen didn't shot me the option.

[KatManDEW]

I used Ctri-I during boot and it said the original RAID pair will rebuild within the operating system.

How will I know when that is complete?

Thanks.

[F5BJR]

*
start OS and look intel storage manager ( if installed )

Pierre

[Aussie Allan]

          "  How will I know when that is complete? " ..... depends on how much storage it has to crunch through.....it is slow and will impact system performance till it's done..........Disable go to sleep and hibernate features temperately.......monitor sleep is OK.

  I had a 2.5TB photo library a while back at about 40% capacity ......it would take most of the night to get through it

  Aussie Allan