Re: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager 7.0 - why should I want this thing?

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Not sure how your hardware is set up, but what you may want with that
controller is the JBOD function -- Just a Bunch of Disks -- not really RAID,
even if on a RAID controller.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"xylophone" <m-rharrison@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ekVGZ1M2HHA.4004@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Many thanks, Gary.

What you say about personal usage I can see makes sense. So I will
abandon thoughts of RAID.

"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
news:%23PUa3qE2HHA.4584@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sorry, I haven't read up on the technology, personally. I just found the
article for you using Google.

When it comes to RAID, the benefits are speed and/or redundancy and you
aren't likely to notice much difference in normal personal usage. And by
definition, a single drive isn't RAID, even if it's attached to a RAID
controller. From personal experience, I can tell you one thing: If the
motherboard goes bad and needs reconstruction, rebuilding a RAID array is
a lot more difficult than just plopping in a hard drive. I used to use
RAID, but found that the drawbacks greatly outweigh the benefits on a
personal computer. IMO, it's better to use single drive(s) and a decent
backup scheme.

Anyway, if you want to get into a detailed discussion of the technology,
I'm not the one to do it. Perhaps someone else will come along who's
interested in the discussion, or if this thread seems moribund after
another day, consider starting again with more specific questions about
the technology and how it might decently be applied to your own needs.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"xylophone" <m-rharrison@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eCRj4hA2HHA.3760@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks, Gary. This is the most consumer friendly best explanation of
what RAID is about I have yet seen. It appears that as I have lots of
digital photos and videos, and even with my single hard drive at
present, RAID would provide benefits, although I am not sure what these
are. Were I then to upgrade to a second, external hard drive, there
would be clear and major performance and loss of data benefits.

I would be grateful if you would explain the first scenario, with a
single hard drive, a little further, to make those benefits clear.

"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
news:%23389Mz31HHA.5772@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Here's the write-up. Respectfully suggest you read it and ask for any
further clarifications once you've digested what you can.
http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/matrixstorage_sb.htm

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"xylophone" <m-rharrison@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23fe1Van1HHA.5772@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have just set up a new Dell Dimension E520 (recently discontinued) XP
SP2 (by choice). It comes with this Storage Manager, presumably for a
reason. Darn if I can figure out that reason. Why should I wish to use
this thing? What benefits or advantages would it bring? (the Manual is
strictly for techies). Many thanks











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