RAID 1 and MS Licenses

EJizzel

After reading about RAID from various online sources, I started wondering about RAID 1 and the issue with Microsoft OS licenses. If Im correct when implementing RAID 1 data is written to 2 disk simultaneously. Does the OS also install on both HDD's would you need 2 licenses to install lets say Server 2008 or any Microsoft OS

If this is possible what are the benefits of implementing RAID 1 over a secondary redundant server.

royal

You absolutely do not need 2 licenses.

dynamik

EJizzel wrote:

If this is possible what are the benefits of implementing RAID 1 over a secondary redundant server.

You'd have redundancy for a disk failure for only the price of another disk. A second server will require purchasing another license as well as the rest of the hardware. However, RAID won't protect you against other hardware failure, theft, or damage from things like fires or floods. Having a second server in a different location would prevent downtime from things like that. A redundant server is nice if you can afford it, but you'd be foolish not to run RAID, regardless of whether you have another server.

binarysoul

Generally speaking, RAID 5 is preferred than RAID 1, if you can afford 3 instead of 2 drives.

HeroPsycho

binarysoul wrote:

Generally speaking, RAID 5 is preferred than RAID 1, if you can afford 3 instead of 2 drives.

Depends upon the application and load.

Things like transaction logs and swap files are not well suited for RAID5 due to its write penalty. Sometimes it's acceptable to put that data on RAID5 as a cost savings measure, but generally speaking you would try to avoid that if possible.

Also, if you don't need the storage or read performance enhancements of RAID5 over RAID1, a 3 drive solution of RAID1 with a hot spare would be a better solution than RAID5 due to better redundancy.

hypnotoad

The only time you'll need an additional license for a RAID 1 will be when you ask your sit-in consultant, whose own company just happens to sell Microsoft licenses.