Re: [ARSCLIST] File Storage Servers

[David Seubert <seubert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andy,

I don't know enough to recommend specific products, but here is
something to keep in mind. In a RAID 5 system, there are a certain
number of drives that can fail before you need to restore the system
from your tape backup (and you will have tape backup, right?).
Typically, one drive can fail before you have to restore from tape. Go
with more. Two drives can easily fail at the same time as the drives all
probably came from the same manufacturer and were made on the same date
etc. We had one 1.5TB server that was prone to failure and the IT guys
switched it so three drives had to fail before restoring from tape. It
failed anyway (and is restoring again from tape this weekend to a new
server), but it was a well-intended decision.

David Seubert
UCSB

andy kolovos wrote:

> Folks,
>
> The boss has approved the purchase of a file storage server and I'm
> looking for recommendations.  Don't want to build it so much as buy it
> from a manufacturer (e.g. Dell).  It's for storage of (rather than
> access to) audio and image files.
>
> Last time I asked this question of the list I was trying to assemble
> something using chewing gum, twine and soda cans, now I'm allowed to get
> the big-kid version.
>
> Requirements:
>
> Hardware RAID 5, no less than 2 TB total storage capacity (ideally with
> room for further growth), non-proprietary drives (SATA just fine).
> FireWire input would be nice, but not necessary.
>
> Will be stored in a air conditioned room that has been turned over for
> this purpose, so noise isn't an issue.  Files will be accessed via
> network.  Right now thinking Windows 2003 Server, although Linux is an
> option too.
>
> Looking at a max of probably $7,000, although should this turn out to be
> impossible that figure can possibly increase.
>
> Dell? EMC? Other thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
>
> andy
>
> --
> *********************************
> Andy Kolovos
> Archivist/Folklorist
> Vermont Folklife Center
> P.O. Box 442
> Middlebury, VT 05753
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> akolovos @ vermontfolklifecenter.org
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