[ale] Questions on Linux software RAID

[Greg Freemyer]

On Mon, 2004-02-02 at 18:50, Greg wrote:
> I am somewhat confused about Linux software RAID.  Suppose I have 2 disks in
> a RAID 1 (mirrored) setup.  hda and hdb are the disks.  hda dies and I need
> to get to the data on disk hdb.  Is the following true ?
> 
> 1. I can still get to the data on hdb, even though the raid array is broken
> (a status of _ for hda and U for hdb in /proc/mdstat).  My research leads me
> to believe this is true.
> 
> 2. If I break the array, I cannot get to the data on hdb, since the
> partition table is written to show hdb as part of an array.
> 
> 3. Can I re-do the partition table of hdb to make it a single disk (no RAID)
> that has the data on it still?
> 
> 
> Now for 3 questions:
> 
> 1. Is there anything besides constant checking /proc/mdstat that would tell
> someone that the array is broken ???
> 
> 2. Would rsync on an hourly basis be better ?
> 
> 3. Would rsync on an hourly basis be better ?
> 
> 
> I am trying to use Linux software raid for a friends pc.  They want to be
> able to take one of the disks away when they leave so if the house burns
> down, they won't lose all of their data.
> 
> 
> TIA for any pointers and tips.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Greg
> 
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If the software approach does not work:

A 3-ware 2-disk hardware raid controller will definately handle the
above and is only in the $100 range.  Then add a Icy-Dock carrier ($35)
to make the disk removal easy.

Be sure to quiese your data before pulling the drive.  (or just
power-down).

Greg
-- 
Greg Freemyer