Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
Nico raises an important point here that I had alluded to earlier: RAID
alone is not the answer. RAID can protect you against certain problems, such
as breakdown of a hard disk, etc. But even the best RAID system cannot
protect you against a fire in the server room. If you want highest data
security, you need to have a backup strategy for your RAID system. You can
put it on DVDs, a tape, or have a mirror system at a different site, but
it's something you need to think about.
Administration: Yes, whatever system you choose, some administration needs
to be done. However, we are using a NAS (Network Attached Storage) system
here, and it has been running without problems for years. It does not have
any CDs or monitors or other cards, and it is administered through a web
interface, so software upgrades are not really necessary. We have a DELL,
but there are others available. Once you have it up correctly, you can
probably get by without too much administration. I would guess this is
different if you set up a PC with RAID storage. You have to worry about OS,
drivers, Raid configuration, etc.
mike
Michael Bode, Ph.D.
Soft Imaging System Corp.
12596 West Bayaud Avenue
Suite 300
Lakewood, CO 80228
===================================
phone: (888) FIND SIS
(303) 234-9270
fax: (303) 234-9271
email: mailto:[log in to unmask]
web: http://www.soft-imaging.com
===================================
-----Original Message-----
From: Nico Stuurman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2002 10:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DVD data storage and turnkey RAIDs
Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
Nice to read that so many of us see the advantages of using a RAID
array for data storage.
As for the build-it-yourself versus turnkey question, this is not a
matter of programming versus buying a working system. The real
question (with both types of systems) is how you are going to do your
system management. A pre-build 'do-it-yourself' 1.5 Tb RAID system can
be bought for $6.5k, and just as with turnkey systems, you will need to
administer it. You will need to configure who can access the machine,
using which protocols, you will need to update the software running on
the machine regularly to deal with emerging security risks, the
machine needs some kind of firewall and intrusion detection system and
if the data on it have any value, you will need to make some kind of
off-site backup (even on a RAID5, losing more than one disk means
complete data loss).
If you don't feel up to these tasks, it should be easy to find a
student who can take care of it all!
Best,
Nico
On Thursday, October 24, 2002, at 11:14 AM, Glen MacDonald wrote:
> Search the CONFOCAL archive at
> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
> Hello All,
> A question for those of you utilizing RAID arrays. Are you using off
> the shelf software and components, such as LaCie RAID systems, or are
> you buying enclosures and drives, writing software in-house to build
> your own systems? Another group in our core built their own terabyte
> array and are encouraging us to do the same, but I'm leery of spending
> money on a programmer just to replicate turn-key systems.
>
> Thanks,
> Glen
>
> Patty Jansma wrote:
>>
>> Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>>
>> Hi, all,
>>
>> We have also just switched to an RAID system for our multi-user
>> facility.
>> It is a great addition to the use of removable hard drives and CD's.
>>
>> Patty Jansma
>> ARL Division of Neurobiology
>> University of AZ
>> Tucson, AZ
>> At 06:51 PM 10/24/02 +1000, Stephen Cody wrote:
>>> Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>>> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>>>
>>> G'day Martin,
>>>
>>> I'm happy to say that we are spoilt at our institute and have a large
>>> RAID at our disposal (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks).
>>>
>>> This is an equipment rack with rows and rows of standard hardisks. It
>>> has two independent power supplies, and backs up data automatically
>>> on
>>> other hard drives within the unit. As harddisks become larger and
>>> cheaper, slightly smaller disks than the largest currently available
>>> can
>>> be added at little cost! Bottomless disk storage they suggest! And it
>>> seems to work very well in the time we've had it (I think about three
>>> years). The whole institute (180 people) use the raid for everything,
>>> including all digital images. I have generated 1 gig data sets (4D
>>> confocal) and just save it to the network. After three years I've
>>> never
>>> been asked to move my data or any of our microscope users data to
>>> another storage device. They just buy more cheap and bigger disk, and
>>> remove some of the older smaller ones. As every bit of data is on two
>>> separate disks, a disk can be removed at any time and replaced with a
>>> larger one.
>>>
>>> It certainly is a labour saving alternative (labour saving for me
>>> anyway). Despite every single bit of data being backed up on a
>>> separate
>>> hard disk within the RAID, every night data backups are conducted to
>>> tape. In addition most users eventually write their own CD's as well
>>> for
>>> convenience.
>>>
>>> I suppose this sort of unit suits an institute such as ours where
>>> there
>>> is a large number of people and the investment in the infrastructure
>>> is
>>> cost effective. But well networked universities would also benefit.
>>>
>>> I'm also a bit worried by the differing DVD data storage formats. I
>>> wish
>>> they'd get their act together.
>>>
>>> Stephen H. Cody,
>>>
>>> Microscopy Manager,
>>> Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research,
>>> Post Office Royal Melbourne Hospital,
>>> Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
>>>
>>> Tel: +61 3 9341 3155 (BH)
>>> +61 3 9341 3158 (@work AH)
>>> Fax: +61 3 9341 3104
>>> email: [log in to unmask]
>>> http://www.ludwig.edu.au/labs/confocal.html
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Martin Wessendorf [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> Sent: Thursday, 24 October 2002 12:29 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: DVD data storage
>>>
>>> Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>>> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>>>
>>> Is anyone out there using large networked RAID arrays for data
>>> storage?
>>> If so, what do you see as their advantages and disadvantages? From
>>> what
>>> little I know, it sounds as if the data is backed up and (given the
>>> right networking) is accessible to any OS that can hook onto the
>>> net. I
>>> think the cost per gigabyte is probably higher--$8/GB is what sticks
>>> in
>>> my mind--but reliability should be excellent.
>>>
>>> Anyone out there whose actually tried it??
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Martin Wessendorf
>>> --
>>> Martin Wessendorf, Ph.D. office: (612) 626
>>> 0145
>>> Assoc Prof, Dept Neuroscience lab: (612) 624
>>> 2991
>>> University of Minnesota Preferred FAX: (612) 624
>>> 8118
>>> 6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE Dept FAX: (612) 626
>>> 5009
>>> Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
>>> [log in to unmask]
>
> --
> Glen MacDonald
> Microscopy and Imaging Facility
> University of Washington Core for Communication Research
> Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center
> Box 357923
> University of Washington
> Seattle, WA 98195-7923
> [log in to unmask]
> (206) 616-4156 (206) 616-1828 fax
> ***********************************************************************
> ***
> C:>The box said "Requires Windows95 or better". So I bought a
> Macintosh.
> ***********************************************************************
> ***
>
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