I have used software raid and it wasn't that good, it seemed slow and laggy at times, it also can be CPU intensive when copying lots of files, I wouldn't personally recommend it.

Hardware is by far the better options IMHO

If you want the raid to backup your files there is another option, you could just use a backup software like Data Replicator 3 (Freddy put me on to that).

If you are looking for speed and better performance out of a raid, you would be better off getting a single SSD, they are so much faster than a pair of HDD in a raid.

But I think that maybe you are after the raid for the server reliability. 

Some of my customers didn't want to pay top money for HHD so they went for SSD, this has left me with a few HDD to get rid of.

HDD anyone?


[attachment deleted by admin]

Wowowow. Lovely modern ribbon cable stuff. 

The best thing you can do with them is...

1)   hi tech door stops.
2)   display art. open 'em up to show the platters and heads in a display case.

Datahopa thanks for the tips about raid controllers 

QuoteBut I think that maybe you are after the raid for the server reliability.

I'm after two things actually. You are correct about server reliability, but I also want fairly decent speeds.

this is what I will be using the server for:
1st and most important Data back up and storage / data loss prevention, reason to use a raid controller
   size of ssd are to small for this atm, for I need TB's of space. I will probably start of with 2TB's x 2 or 3 depending on raid setup.
2nd is to host temp websites while building, fixing, and or testing. not to sure this is good for SSD for constant re-wrights
3rd streaming music  SSD would be great for this part though