RAID of any level is NOT to be considered a 'backup' method. There are no assurances built into raid for data reliability. (ie. A program which writes corrupted data, a user who types an rm -rf command in a wrong directory), et al. RAID only protects you against a disk failure. Nothing more. Tape backup is needed in ADDITION to RAID for better solution. Steve -----Original Message----- From: Hardware Stuff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, October 15, 1998 3:41 AM Subject: RAIT > >I've enjoyed reading the rapid pace of RAID advancement in this list. >I recently nearly convinced a client to utilize a RAID5 setup for a >backup system (rather than a multi-tape system or a $$$$ bigger >tape). I nearly had it in, until the question of fire survivability >came up.... > >I dislike tape drives, they never seem to match hard drive capacity at >reasonable pricing. I can setup a RAID5 for fewer dollars, including >a spare drive, for a typical networked SOHO with around 13 Gig of >on-line workstation storage. Tape drives deal with fires, combined >with an insurance company. The downside of tape is well known... > >I recall some amazing things that the gods of RAID development have >accomplished and have a few thoughts... Given that the RAID code can >handle a meta-device composed of IDE, SCSI, and apparently, other >meta-devices, it would seem that the basis of the code is distinct >from the drivers. > >So...can I make a RAID0-linear of tape drives? Older, lower capacity >drives abound. Onsale has 2 Gig drives for $40. An 8 Gig tape >compatible with Linux is $800. I can buy alot of pizza with the >difference. Getting a busy small office staff to feed a single tape >drive is tough, a single staff operation (i.e. put in all the tapes) >is alot more likely to occur. > >It would seem that an intermediate layer to hide the character nature >of tape drives inside a software block device might allow something to >be produced. It doesn't need to be fast, backups can take all night >for an office. > >I can do more than ask questions, I have 3 identical tape drives to >offer for development. > >Comments? >
