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|
I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have
several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to get
another.
1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned several
times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the 64 bit os
will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server 2008 and as best
I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are the articles I've read
incorrect?
2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt,
convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror...
3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's the
same model?
4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain
controller and is running Exchange 2007.
Thanks a lot,
Jerry
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Jerry Hoffmeister wrote:
[Quoted Text] >I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have
>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to
>get another.
>
>1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned
>several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the 64
>bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server 2008 and
>as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are the articles
>I've read incorrect?
You're reading material that is talking about the _other_ 64-bit
architecture, IA64, used by Intel's Itanium chips. Those do only boot from
GPT disks, but you're unlikely to ever see an IA64 machine (unless you
work in a high-performance computing or mainframe-style environment).
>2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt,
>convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror...
That's the basics for software mirroring, yes. This does impose some
overhead on the CPU and disk I/O channels. It's also worth noting that
most disk management utilities (eg partitioning tools and the like) won't
touch dynamic disks.
The other option is a hardware RAID controller to do the work - these do
the work "behind the scenes" as far as the OS is concerned, presenting the
array drives to the OS as a single logical drive.
>3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's the
>same model?
For software mirroring done by Windows, the only requirement is that there
be enough space on the additional disks for each volume (partition) that
you want to mirror.
For hardware mirroring, identical drives are usually recommended.
>4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain
>controller and is running Exchange 2007.
Yes.
--
Steve Foster [SBS MVP]
---------------------------------------
MVPs do not work for Microsoft. Please reply only to the newsgroups.
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Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. Using
software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically possible,
but it does have some issues, especially around disaster recovery. For a
real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID instead. There are
excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will give you a better
disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. And not require you to
convert your disks to dynamic.
--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
"Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message
news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] >I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have
>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to get
>another.
>
> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned
> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the 64
> bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server 2008 and
> as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are the articles
> I've read incorrect?
>
> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt,
> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror...
>
> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's the
> same model?
>
> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain
> controller and is running Exchange 2007.
>
> Thanks a lot,
> Jerry
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Thank you! Off to buy a second disk :)
"Steve Foster [SBS MVP]" <steve.foster[ at ]picamar.co.uk> wrote in message
news:xn0fxs4krcgxc4g001[ at ]msnews.microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Jerry Hoffmeister wrote:
>
>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have
>>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to
>>get another.
>>
>>1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned
>>several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the 64
>>bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server 2008 and
>>as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are the articles
>>I've read incorrect?
>
> You're reading material that is talking about the _other_ 64-bit
> architecture, IA64, used by Intel's Itanium chips. Those do only boot from
> GPT disks, but you're unlikely to ever see an IA64 machine (unless you
> work in a high-performance computing or mainframe-style environment).
>
>>2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt,
>>convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror...
>
> That's the basics for software mirroring, yes. This does impose some
> overhead on the CPU and disk I/O channels. It's also worth noting that
> most disk management utilities (eg partitioning tools and the like) won't
> touch dynamic disks.
>
> The other option is a hardware RAID controller to do the work - these do
> the work "behind the scenes" as far as the OS is concerned, presenting the
> array drives to the OS as a single logical drive.
>
>>3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's the
>>same model?
>
> For software mirroring done by Windows, the only requirement is that there
> be enough space on the additional disks for each volume (partition) that
> you want to mirror.
>
> For hardware mirroring, identical drives are usually recommended.
>
>>4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain
>>controller and is running Exchange 2007.
>
> Yes.
>
> --
> Steve Foster [SBS MVP]
> ---------------------------------------
> MVPs do not work for Microsoft. Please reply only to the newsgroups.
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so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one of
the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where I can
read about it on the web?
And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a card
that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the server or
can I start with the currently running drive I have?
And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks?
Thanks...
Jerry
"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message
news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. Using > software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically possible, > but it does have some issues, especially around disaster recovery. For a > real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID instead. There are > excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will give you a better > disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. And not require you to > convert your disks to dynamic. > > -- > Charlie. > http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel> > "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message > news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have >>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to >>get another. >> >> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the >> 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server 2008 >> and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are the >> articles I've read incorrect? >> >> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt, >> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >> >> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's the >> same model? >> >> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain >> controller and is running Exchange 2007. >> >> Thanks a lot, >> Jerry >
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and hopefully one last question - any recommendations for an expensive RAID
controller that supports server 2008? I see a bunch that support 2003 -
will they work?
"Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message
news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one of > the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where I can > read about it on the web? > > And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a card > that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the server > or can I start with the currently running drive I have? > > And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? > > Thanks... > Jerry > > "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message > news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. Using >> software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically possible, >> but it does have some issues, especially around disaster recovery. For a >> real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID instead. There are >> excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will give you a better >> disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. And not require you >> to convert your disks to dynamic. >> >> -- >> Charlie. >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>> >> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have >>>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to >>>get another. >>> >>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >>> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the >>> 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server >>> 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are >>> the articles I've read incorrect? >>> >>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt, >>> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>> >>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's the >>> same model? >>> >>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain >>> controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>> >>> Thanks a lot, >>> Jerry >> >
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DR issues:
* Most DR disk recovery tools don't understand or support dynamic disks.
* Depending on which half of the software mirror fails, you can be
unable to boot unless you've created a boot floppy with appropriate boot.ini
information
*. No hot swap support, so no way to recover on the fly
There are some other things that make me dislike dynamic disks, and I always
dislike any solution that makes my OS do the work in preference to
offloading it to a specialized processor. Less of an issue for mirroring,
but a serious issue for RAID-5.
--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
"Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message
news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one of > the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where I can > read about it on the web? > > And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a card > that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the server > or can I start with the currently running drive I have? > > And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? > > Thanks... > Jerry > > "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message > news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. Using >> software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically possible, >> but it does have some issues, especially around disaster recovery. For a >> real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID instead. There are >> excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will give you a better >> disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. And not require you >> to convert your disks to dynamic. >> >> -- >> Charlie. >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>> >> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have >>>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to >>>get another. >>> >>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >>> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the >>> 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server >>> 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are >>> the articles I've read incorrect? >>> >>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt, >>> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>> >>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's the >>> same model? >>> >>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain >>> controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>> >>> Thanks a lot, >>> Jerry >> >
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I'm guessing you meant "inexpensive"?
I've heard a lot of good things about 3ware controllers. I've had personal
good luck with Highpoint, but I've heard some horror stories from others.
LSI has a good reputation, but tends to be a bit pricier. Built in Promise
controllers are junk, and I wouldn't use them under any circumstances, but
their standalone are reputed to be better. Doesn't matter, given my
experience with their built in ones, they'll never get my money.
As for supporting Server 2k8? Check the company's web site. If there are
drivers, you're good. Or the drivers may be built in - but then they should
have a clear statement of support.
--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
"Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message
news:%23wnnJTVSJHA.5904[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > and hopefully one last question - any recommendations for an expensive > RAID controller that supports server 2008? I see a bunch that support > 2003 - will they work? > > "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message > news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one of >> the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where I can >> read about it on the web? >> >> And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a >> card that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the >> server or can I start with the currently running drive I have? >> >> And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? >> >> Thanks... >> Jerry >> >> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message >> news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. Using >>> software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically >>> possible, but it does have some issues, especially around disaster >>> recovery. For a real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID >>> instead. There are excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will >>> give you a better disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. >>> And not require you to convert your disks to dynamic. >>> >>> -- >>> Charlie. >>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>> >>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have >>>>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to >>>>get another. >>>> >>>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >>>> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the >>>> 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server >>>> 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are >>>> the articles I've read incorrect? >>>> >>>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt, >>>> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>>> >>>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's >>>> the same model? >>>> >>>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain >>>> controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>>> >>>> Thanks a lot, >>>> Jerry >>> >> >
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|
Thanks a lot for your help and of course a couple more questions...
First, should I be able to implement either software or hardware RAID
without reinstalling the OS? Pretty sure the answer is yes for software but
for hardware, maybe not? It's a Dell box so I asked their support folks and
they said I'd have to reinstall which kinda surprises me.
Turns out I think my motherboard has a builtin RAID controller - an Intel
ICH9R SATA storage controller but it's just not enabled in the BIOS. I have
two hosts that are the same - one running 64 bit server 2008 and the other
Vista 64. I tried just enabling the RAID controller on the Vista 64 box and
when I rebooted, it blue screened and rebooted... I'm sure I have to do
some configuring, etc but should I be able to eventually configure RAID 1
without reinstalling?
Thanks again,
Jerry
"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message
news:uF1TTCcSJHA.4084[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > DR issues: > * Most DR disk recovery tools don't understand or support dynamic > disks. > * Depending on which half of the software mirror fails, you can be > unable to boot unless you've created a boot floppy with appropriate > boot.ini information > *. No hot swap support, so no way to recover on the fly > > There are some other things that make me dislike dynamic disks, and I > always dislike any solution that makes my OS do the work in preference to > offloading it to a specialized processor. Less of an issue for mirroring, > but a serious issue for RAID-5. > > -- > Charlie. > http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel> > "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message > news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one of >> the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where I can >> read about it on the web? >> >> And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a >> card that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the >> server or can I start with the currently running drive I have? >> >> And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? >> >> Thanks... >> Jerry >> >> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message >> news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. Using >>> software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically >>> possible, but it does have some issues, especially around disaster >>> recovery. For a real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID >>> instead. There are excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will >>> give you a better disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. >>> And not require you to convert your disks to dynamic. >>> >>> -- >>> Charlie. >>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>> >>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and have >>>>several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I need to >>>>get another. >>>> >>>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >>>> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and the >>>> 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit server >>>> 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. So are >>>> the articles I've read incorrect? >>>> >>>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt, >>>> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>>> >>>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's >>>> the same model? >>>> >>>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a domain >>>> controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>>> >>>> Thanks a lot, >>>> Jerry >>> >> >
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1) Depends on the RAID controller and implementation. Most will accept an
existing disk as a master and build the mirror off of it. Some won't. If
Dell says theirs won't, then I'd believe Dell. But then, I never buy Dell...
2.) I don't know the capabilities of the Intel ICH RAID controller. But if
you're trying to boot off it, you'll need to get the drivers on the OS
before you can make it a RAID controller and boot off it.
--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
"Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message
news:C6A2D32A-C169-4731-908A-94672CAA3306[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Thanks a lot for your help and of course a couple more questions... > > First, should I be able to implement either software or hardware RAID > without reinstalling the OS? Pretty sure the answer is yes for software > but for hardware, maybe not? It's a Dell box so I asked their support > folks and they said I'd have to reinstall which kinda surprises me. > > Turns out I think my motherboard has a builtin RAID controller - an Intel > ICH9R SATA storage controller but it's just not enabled in the BIOS. I > have two hosts that are the same - one running 64 bit server 2008 and the > other Vista 64. I tried just enabling the RAID controller on the Vista 64 > box and when I rebooted, it blue screened and rebooted... I'm sure I have > to do some configuring, etc but should I be able to eventually configure > RAID 1 without reinstalling? > > Thanks again, > Jerry > > "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message > news:uF1TTCcSJHA.4084[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> DR issues: >> * Most DR disk recovery tools don't understand or support dynamic >> disks. >> * Depending on which half of the software mirror fails, you can be >> unable to boot unless you've created a boot floppy with appropriate >> boot.ini information >> *. No hot swap support, so no way to recover on the fly >> >> There are some other things that make me dislike dynamic disks, and I >> always dislike any solution that makes my OS do the work in preference to >> offloading it to a specialized processor. Less of an issue for mirroring, >> but a serious issue for RAID-5. >> >> -- >> Charlie. >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>> >> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >> news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>> so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one >>> of the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where I >>> can read about it on the web? >>> >>> And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a >>> card that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the >>> server or can I start with the currently running drive I have? >>> >>> And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? >>> >>> Thanks... >>> Jerry >>> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in >>> message news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. >>>> Using software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically >>>> possible, but it does have some issues, especially around disaster >>>> recovery. For a real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID >>>> instead. There are excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will >>>> give you a better disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. >>>> And not require you to convert your disks to dynamic. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Charlie. >>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>>> >>>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>>> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and >>>>>have several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I >>>>>need to get another. >>>>> >>>>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >>>>> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and >>>>> the 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit >>>>> server 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. >>>>> So are the articles I've read incorrect? >>>>> >>>>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt, >>>>> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>>>> >>>>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's >>>>> the same model? >>>>> >>>>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a >>>>> domain controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks a lot, >>>>> Jerry >>>> >>> >> >
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That makes sense... I got a pretty good response from someon on the dell
forums:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19243110/19375017.aspx#19375017
and at least in theory, according to the Dell docs (and the Intel website) I
should be able to do it. The person replying in the forum has significantly
better English language skills than the person from Dell Support who was
writing to me...
So the problem appears to be that to enable RAID in the bios and boot from
my current disk, I need the driver installed in the OS but the driver
refuses to install because I'm not in RAID mode... but I'm sure there's a
solution, I just haven't found it yet and I'm again up too late...
Thanks for your help.
Jerry
"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message
news:OEajpNpSJHA.6000[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > 1) Depends on the RAID controller and implementation. Most will accept an > existing disk as a master and build the mirror off of it. Some won't. If > Dell says theirs won't, then I'd believe Dell. But then, I never buy > Dell... > > 2.) I don't know the capabilities of the Intel ICH RAID controller. But if > you're trying to boot off it, you'll need to get the drivers on the OS > before you can make it a RAID controller and boot off it. > > -- > Charlie. > http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel> > "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message > news:C6A2D32A-C169-4731-908A-94672CAA3306[ at ]microsoft.com... >> Thanks a lot for your help and of course a couple more questions... >> >> First, should I be able to implement either software or hardware RAID >> without reinstalling the OS? Pretty sure the answer is yes for software >> but for hardware, maybe not? It's a Dell box so I asked their support >> folks and they said I'd have to reinstall which kinda surprises me. >> >> Turns out I think my motherboard has a builtin RAID controller - an Intel >> ICH9R SATA storage controller but it's just not enabled in the BIOS. I >> have two hosts that are the same - one running 64 bit server 2008 and the >> other Vista 64. I tried just enabling the RAID controller on the Vista >> 64 box and when I rebooted, it blue screened and rebooted... I'm sure I >> have to do some configuring, etc but should I be able to eventually >> configure RAID 1 without reinstalling? >> >> Thanks again, >> Jerry >> >> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message >> news:uF1TTCcSJHA.4084[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>> DR issues: >>> * Most DR disk recovery tools don't understand or support dynamic >>> disks. >>> * Depending on which half of the software mirror fails, you can be >>> unable to boot unless you've created a boot floppy with appropriate >>> boot.ini information >>> *. No hot swap support, so no way to recover on the fly >>> >>> There are some other things that make me dislike dynamic disks, and I >>> always dislike any solution that makes my OS do the work in preference >>> to offloading it to a specialized processor. Less of an issue for >>> mirroring, but a serious issue for RAID-5. >>> >>> -- >>> Charlie. >>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>> >>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>> news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>> so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one >>>> of the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where >>>> I can read about it on the web? >>>> >>>> And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a >>>> card that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the >>>> server or can I start with the currently running drive I have? >>>> >>>> And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? >>>> >>>> Thanks... >>>> Jerry >>>> >>>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in >>>> message news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. >>>>> Using software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically >>>>> possible, but it does have some issues, especially around disaster >>>>> recovery. For a real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID >>>>> instead. There are excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will >>>>> give you a better disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. >>>>> And not require you to convert your disks to dynamic. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Charlie. >>>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>>>> >>>>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>>>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and >>>>>>have several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I >>>>>>need to get another. >>>>>> >>>>>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >>>>>> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and >>>>>> the 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit >>>>>> server 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. >>>>>> So are the articles I've read incorrect? >>>>>> >>>>>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk mgmt, >>>>>> convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>>>>> >>>>>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's >>>>>> the same model? >>>>>> >>>>>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a >>>>>> domain controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks a lot, >>>>>> Jerry >>>>> >>>> >>> >> >
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1 way - switch to RAID mode, then do a "repair install" and press F6 during
the initial stage of it to get asked to load a driver.
--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
"Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message
news:220A3BDB-45A5-4DDC-9581-D1042CA476E9[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > That makes sense... I got a pretty good response from someon on the dell > forums: > > http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19243110/19375017.aspx#19375017> > and at least in theory, according to the Dell docs (and the Intel website) > I should be able to do it. The person replying in the forum has > significantly better English language skills than the person from Dell > Support who was writing to me... > > So the problem appears to be that to enable RAID in the bios and boot from > my current disk, I need the driver installed in the OS but the driver > refuses to install because I'm not in RAID mode... but I'm sure there's a > solution, I just haven't found it yet and I'm again up too late... > > Thanks for your help. > Jerry > > "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message > news:OEajpNpSJHA.6000[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> 1) Depends on the RAID controller and implementation. Most will accept an >> existing disk as a master and build the mirror off of it. Some won't. If >> Dell says theirs won't, then I'd believe Dell. But then, I never buy >> Dell... >> >> 2.) I don't know the capabilities of the Intel ICH RAID controller. But >> if you're trying to boot off it, you'll need to get the drivers on the OS >> before you can make it a RAID controller and boot off it. >> >> -- >> Charlie. >> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>> >> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >> news:C6A2D32A-C169-4731-908A-94672CAA3306[ at ]microsoft.com... >>> Thanks a lot for your help and of course a couple more questions... >>> >>> First, should I be able to implement either software or hardware RAID >>> without reinstalling the OS? Pretty sure the answer is yes for software >>> but for hardware, maybe not? It's a Dell box so I asked their support >>> folks and they said I'd have to reinstall which kinda surprises me. >>> >>> Turns out I think my motherboard has a builtin RAID controller - an >>> Intel ICH9R SATA storage controller but it's just not enabled in the >>> BIOS. I have two hosts that are the same - one running 64 bit server >>> 2008 and the other Vista 64. I tried just enabling the RAID controller >>> on the Vista 64 box and when I rebooted, it blue screened and >>> rebooted... I'm sure I have to do some configuring, etc but should I be >>> able to eventually configure RAID 1 without reinstalling? >>> >>> Thanks again, >>> Jerry >>> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in >>> message news:uF1TTCcSJHA.4084[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>> DR issues: >>>> * Most DR disk recovery tools don't understand or support dynamic >>>> disks. >>>> * Depending on which half of the software mirror fails, you can be >>>> unable to boot unless you've created a boot floppy with appropriate >>>> boot.ini information >>>> *. No hot swap support, so no way to recover on the fly >>>> >>>> There are some other things that make me dislike dynamic disks, and I >>>> always dislike any solution that makes my OS do the work in preference >>>> to offloading it to a specialized processor. Less of an issue for >>>> mirroring, but a serious issue for RAID-5. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Charlie. >>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>>> >>>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>>> news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>> so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of one >>>>> of the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to where >>>>> I can read about it on the web? >>>>> >>>>> And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a >>>>> card that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild the >>>>> server or can I start with the currently running drive I have? >>>>> >>>>> And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? >>>>> >>>>> Thanks... >>>>> Jerry >>>>> >>>>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in >>>>> message news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. >>>>>> Using software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, technically >>>>>> possible, but it does have some issues, especially around disaster >>>>>> recovery. For a real server, I would strongly suggest hardware RAID >>>>>> instead. There are excellent, inexpensive, RAID controllers that will >>>>>> give you a better disaster recovery scenario than software mirroring. >>>>>> And not require you to convert your disks to dynamic. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Charlie. >>>>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>>>>> >>>>>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and >>>>>>>have several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I >>>>>>>need to get another. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it mentioned >>>>>>> several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a MBR disk and >>>>>>> the 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm running 64 bit >>>>>>> server 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, not a GPT disk. >>>>>>> So are the articles I've read incorrect? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk >>>>>>> mgmt, convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if it's >>>>>>> the same model? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a >>>>>>> domain controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks a lot, >>>>>>> Jerry >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >> >
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I worked it out - started with a post to the dell forums:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19243110/19376015.aspx#19376015
"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message
news:uyo1gFySJHA.5200[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] >1 way - switch to RAID mode, then do a "repair install" and press F6 during >the initial stage of it to get asked to load a driver. > > -- > Charlie. > http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel> > "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message > news:220A3BDB-45A5-4DDC-9581-D1042CA476E9[ at ]microsoft.com... >> That makes sense... I got a pretty good response from someon on the dell >> forums: >> >> http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19243110/19375017.aspx#19375017>> >> and at least in theory, according to the Dell docs (and the Intel >> website) I should be able to do it. The person replying in the forum has >> significantly better English language skills than the person from Dell >> Support who was writing to me... >> >> So the problem appears to be that to enable RAID in the bios and boot >> from my current disk, I need the driver installed in the OS but the >> driver refuses to install because I'm not in RAID mode... but I'm sure >> there's a solution, I just haven't found it yet and I'm again up too >> late... >> >> Thanks for your help. >> Jerry >> >> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message >> news:OEajpNpSJHA.6000[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>> 1) Depends on the RAID controller and implementation. Most will accept >>> an existing disk as a master and build the mirror off of it. Some won't. >>> If Dell says theirs won't, then I'd believe Dell. But then, I never buy >>> Dell... >>> >>> 2.) I don't know the capabilities of the Intel ICH RAID controller. But >>> if you're trying to boot off it, you'll need to get the drivers on the >>> OS before you can make it a RAID controller and boot off it. >>> >>> -- >>> Charlie. >>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>> >>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>> news:C6A2D32A-C169-4731-908A-94672CAA3306[ at ]microsoft.com... >>>> Thanks a lot for your help and of course a couple more questions... >>>> >>>> First, should I be able to implement either software or hardware RAID >>>> without reinstalling the OS? Pretty sure the answer is yes for >>>> software but for hardware, maybe not? It's a Dell box so I asked their >>>> support folks and they said I'd have to reinstall which kinda surprises >>>> me. >>>> >>>> Turns out I think my motherboard has a builtin RAID controller - an >>>> Intel ICH9R SATA storage controller but it's just not enabled in the >>>> BIOS. I have two hosts that are the same - one running 64 bit server >>>> 2008 and the other Vista 64. I tried just enabling the RAID controller >>>> on the Vista 64 box and when I rebooted, it blue screened and >>>> rebooted... I'm sure I have to do some configuring, etc but should I >>>> be able to eventually configure RAID 1 without reinstalling? >>>> >>>> Thanks again, >>>> Jerry >>>> >>>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in >>>> message news:uF1TTCcSJHA.4084[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>> DR issues: >>>>> * Most DR disk recovery tools don't understand or support dynamic >>>>> disks. >>>>> * Depending on which half of the software mirror fails, you can be >>>>> unable to boot unless you've created a boot floppy with appropriate >>>>> boot.ini information >>>>> *. No hot swap support, so no way to recover on the fly >>>>> >>>>> There are some other things that make me dislike dynamic disks, and I >>>>> always dislike any solution that makes my OS do the work in preference >>>>> to offloading it to a specialized processor. Less of an issue for >>>>> mirroring, but a serious issue for RAID-5. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Charlie. >>>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>>>> >>>>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:uZmangUSJHA.4372[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>>> so the whole point of doing this is for disaster recovery (loss of >>>>>> one of the disks) - can you either explain the issues or point me to >>>>>> where I can read about it on the web? >>>>>> >>>>>> And if I were to buy a hardware raid controller (I assume I can buy a >>>>>> card that I then plug my SATA drives into?) will I need to rebuild >>>>>> the server or can I start with the currently running drive I have? >>>>>> >>>>>> And is there an issue with converting to dynamic disks? >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks... >>>>>> Jerry >>>>>> >>>>>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie[ at ]mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in >>>>>> message news:OAxszCMSJHA.6060[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>>>>>> Let me add to Steve's excellent and accurate answer with a caveat. >>>>>>> Using software mirroring for the boot disk is, certainly, >>>>>>> technically possible, but it does have some issues, especially >>>>>>> around disaster recovery. For a real server, I would strongly >>>>>>> suggest hardware RAID instead. There are excellent, inexpensive, >>>>>>> RAID controllers that will give you a better disaster recovery >>>>>>> scenario than software mirroring. And not require you to convert >>>>>>> your disks to dynamic. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> Charlie. >>>>>>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64>>>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel>>>>>>> >>>>>>> "Jerry Hoffmeister" <jerry[ at ]hoffmeisters.com> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:eo4PgMJSJHA.1484[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>I have a 64 bit windows 2008 server and want to setup mirroring and >>>>>>>>have several questions. I currently have 1 500gb disk. Obviously I >>>>>>>>need to get another. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 1) I've read about how to setup the mirroring and found it >>>>>>>> mentioned several times that the 32 bit os will only boot from a >>>>>>>> MBR disk and the 64 bit os will only boot from a GPT disk. I'm >>>>>>>> running 64 bit server 2008 and as best I can tell, have a MBR disk, >>>>>>>> not a GPT disk. So are the articles I've read incorrect? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 2) Looks like all I have to do is add a second disk, using disk >>>>>>>> mgmt, convert the original disk to dynamic then do add mirror... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 3) I assume I need the same size or bigger disk - is it best if >>>>>>>> it's the same model? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 4) My current disk is SATA - I assume that's fine? Also, it's a >>>>>>>> domain controller and is running Exchange 2007. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks a lot, >>>>>>>> Jerry >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >> >
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