Re-mirror raid1 setup after format?

[jackhandsome]

I have a probably pretty simple question. My current setup is a 1TB sata drive for my OS. It is running Win 7 Pro. I then have 2 - 3TB drives in a Raid1 (mirror) drive setup. The Raid1 setup is ran through the Win 7 built-in Raid software. I now have to reformat the OS drive and put Win 7 back on. After I do that do I simply go in Disk Management and tell the 2 drives to mirror again? Is it that easy? Thank you in advance.

 

[jackhandsome]

Since I didn't get an answer I will reply so it might help someone in the future. I went ahead with the reformat and re-installation of Win7. I unplugged all drives internal and external except for the os drive. Reformatted the os drive as you normally would. shut down and plugged everything back in and it automatically recognized the mirror raid with no issues. I assume this went so smoothly due to it being driven by the Win7software raid.

 

[Digerati]

Since I didn't get an answer

You posted late in the evening on a weekend night for most of us in the western hemisphere so I hope you are not upset no one replied now. Plus, not many use RAID anymore - especially RAID1 because (1) it is costly, (2) any performance advantage is negligible at best for most users, (3) backups are easier these days so the redundancy (except for 24/7 servers) is not needed and (4), drives are much more reliable than in the past. So not many of us have RAID experience anymore.

That said, thanks for posting your followup! I appreciate you coming back and pointing out that Windows 7 seems to be pretty smart and figured it out. :)

 

[jackhandsome]

Not upset at all. Sorry if I gave that impression. I just wanted to make sure someone with the same question could find the answer easier if need be. Thank you for your response.

 

[Digerati]

Sounds good. Thanks.

 

[jackhandsome]

Sorry but I feel that I needed to respond again to your previous post regarding reasons for not using Raid1. Just to give you a background on my setup. It is a business server that serves files for 2 adjoining businesses. Both businesses are using it roughly 12-15 hours per day 5 days per week. I am always looking for different ways of doing things and maybe I can learn something. Can you tell me how you would do that setup differently not using raid1 and have a redundant real time backup? Raid1 to me is cheap due to only buying 1 more like drive as a 3TB drive is roughly $130. Regarding the negligible speed difference. To me Raid1 isn't used for a speed increase and purely for backup. What type of backup would be easier than putting in 2 like drives and telling Win7 to mirror each other? It is true that drives are more reliable but they do still fail. I am admittedly probably a bit paranoid of losing data because in addition to the raid setup I also have a 6TB external usb 3.0 drive hooked to the server running a real time backup as well. I also have an offsite backup that I bring in monthly as well. I also have an offsite backup that I bring in monthly as well. Don't take all of this long-winded typing as a slam of any type as I am always trying to learn how to make things better but in this case I don't see a better option.

 

[Digerati]

Don't take all of this long-winded typing as a slam

I don't at all - so no worries there. And please note, I did say, except for 24/7 servers.

Can you tell me how you would do that setup differently not using raid1 and have a redundant real time backup?
To me Raid1 isn't used for a speed increase and purely for backup.

The problem with RAID1 is it provides redundancy ONLY in the event one of the drives fails. And by the way, ideally you should have a 3rd, identical drive on the shelf, ready to swap in. This is because not all RAID controllers are capable of establishing an array if the drives are not identical. Dedicated RAID Controller Cards are better for that, but come with a price. Finding an identical drive years after the first two were purchased can be a real challenge.

RAID1 does NOTHING to protect you in the event your data is corrupted or accidently deleted. RAID1 provides no protection from malware, nor will it save you if a badguy breaks into the business and steals the computer, or the facility is wiped out by flood or fire, or the computer takes a direct lightning strike (I hope this server is run for a "good" UPS). Even a failure in the RAID controller can corrupt both drives.

I am admittedly probably a bit paranoid of losing data because in addition to the raid setup I also have a 6TB external usb 3.0 drive hooked to the server running a real time backup as well. I also have an offsite backup that I bring in monthly as well.

When it comes to data security, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of paranoia. I would say the external drive and the offsite backups are being prudent. The RAID is where a little bit of paranoia maybe coming in. I am NOT saying the RAID is going overboard because drives do fail. And certainly, if any server downtime is too much and unacceptable, then a mirrored array is a good thing. But drives are pretty reliable these days, especially if these are "enterprise class" drives - designed and intended for servers and 24/7/365 operation. So RAID provides protection for only a limited circumstance.

If me, and if "current" data is "mission essential" I would increase the frequency of the off-site backups. And I would attempt to locate that external drive to a hidden location in a different room (and on a different power circuit) so [hopefully] badguys don't see it, or a localized "server room" fire does not take it out too. This likely will require changing to a NAS instead of using direct connected USB. The NAS device can be physically located anywhere on your network (or even off-site). I say different power circuit because an extreme power surge (or catastrophic power supply failure) that takes out the server might also take out direct connected USB devices too. That may be extreme, but like I said, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of paranoia.

Can this business (and your reputation) afford to lose the last 30 days of data?

 

[jackhandsome]

I appreciate your response which makes a lot of sense. I had not considered keeping a 3rd on the shelf identical drive. Also, I was considering making the offsite backup more frequently. Thank you again for your insight.