[mdlug] External HDs - Any with RAID 1 Support?

[Aaron Kulkis]

Dan Pritts wrote:
> RAID is useful but is not a replacement for backups.

Absolutely correct.

RAID is for reducing the problems caused by hardware failure
so as to give extended system uptime.

Raid will NOT bring back your mistakenly-deleted file,
because when you delete it on the primary image, it
gets deleted out of the mirror and/or parity bits, too.

If you have to chose ONLY ONE (due to budgetary concerns),
your number one priority should be system backups.

Now note... you can USE RAID software (partition mirroring)
as a METHOD of accomplishing a backup on a live system
1. attach backup disk
2. enable mirror & start synchronization process
3. If any database (or similar app which requires a
   set of files to be mutually consistent) is running,
	shut it down
4. disable mirror (OS will perform a filesystem sync
	so that the mirror is in a consistent state
	before taking it offline.)
5. Restart databases and other apps.
> 
> I'd recommend two separate drives and some sort of automated backup software.
> 

Sounds good to me.  Tapes are getting ridiculously expensive
these days.

> On Mar 14, 2011, at 1:13 PM, Robert Adkins II wrote:
> 
>> I have a friend looking to store a shedload of MP3s and he is concerned with
>> keeping his data without making tape backups.
>>
>> I would like to suggest a RAID 1 setup in an external drive kit. Is there
>> anything like this available on the market? Preferably with a USB
>> connection?
>