Anyone Built a Firewire RAID 5 setup for iTunes

Jdtwyo · Jan 20, 2013, 10:51 PM

I have my Itunes library on an external hard dive and I am running out of space. I would like "Drobo" like option without the drobo price tag. Anyone ever built a firewire "Drobo" like machine, and care to share how?

Garsun · Jan 21, 2013, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdtwyo

I have my Itunes library on an external hard dive and I am running out of space. I would like "Drobo" like option without the drobo price tag. Anyone ever built a firewire "Drobo" like machine, and care to share how?

For RAID 0 and RAID 1 you can try the built-in raid configured by application disk utility found in the applications/utilities folder.

I have not looked for any software RAID for last several years for OS X. However you can Google "Software RAID five OS X" and see what you get.

In any case I am not sure I would trust firewire to maintain any RAID system reliably.

davids8477 · Jan 21, 2013, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garsun

For RAID 0 and RAID 1 you can try the built-in raid configured by application disk utility found in the applications/utilities folder.

I have not looked for any software RAID for last several years for OS X. However you can Google "Software RAID five OS X" and see what you get.

In any case I am not sure I would trust firewire to maintain any RAID system reliably.

Not sure what you mean by Firewire reliability. I have used one of the following for several years - attached to my IMAC - for Itunes library (music and movies) as well as my iPhoto library. I have it configured as Raid 5 and keep a new drive handy in case - not needed it yet.

It serves music and HD movies to 3 ATV's with any "choking".
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...g/MEQX2KIT0GB/

Garsun · Jan 21, 2013, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davids8477

Not sure what you mean by Firewire reliability. I have used one of the following for several years - attached to my IMAC - for Itunes library (music and movies) as well as my iPhoto library. I have it configured as Raid 5 and keep a new drive handy in case - not needed it yet.

It serves music and HD movies to 3 ATV's with any "choking".
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...g/MEQX2KIT0GB/

I may have misunderstood the question

I thought what he was asking about was attaching several individual FireWire drives and then configuring them into a raid system.

I completely agree with your use of external FireWire Hardware raid Systems and I myself have three of the systems you listed and they work very well.

Otherworld computing also has Duel drive raid 0/raid 1 systems available For what I consider reasonable prices.

Another way to read his questions would be that he wants to create a standalone Drobo type raid system that will connect to his computer using FireWire.
I would not have any idea how to go about doing that. Buying a FireWire hardware raid enclosurer would be just so much easier

MagicBoy · Jan 21, 2013, 03:50 AM

Not firewire - I'm using a NAS.

Was using Firewire RAID 1 until recently, then the PSU failed on the enclosure (again!).

Cinephi1e · Jan 21, 2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davids8477

I have used one of the following for several years - attached to my IMAC - for Itunes library (music and movies) as well as my iPhoto library. I have it configured as Raid 5 and keep a new drive handy in case - not needed it yet.

It serves music and HD movies to 3 ATV's with any "choking".
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...g/MEQX2KIT0GB/

I have the same system for many years now. It is attached to a Mac Mini that serves iTunes to all devices. I cannot recommend it enough.

SandboxGeneral · Jan 21, 2013, 10:16 AM

I'm actually in the middle of transferring my iTunes library right now. I'm using a NewerTech Guardian MAXimus 3.0TB "Quad Interface" Hardware RAID-1 (Mirrored) Data Redundant Solution that I bought from OWC.

It's 3TB and I figure it's going to take me a long time to fill it up. I'm using FW800 since my iMac doesn't have TB or USB3. This product is a RAID 1 setup instead of RAID 5.

OmegaRed1723 · Jan 21, 2013, 11:21 AM

You're unlikely to find a RAID enclosure with FireWire for less money than a Drobo 4-bay. Most enclosures eschew FW400/800 in favor of USB3 or eSATA. If FW is necessary, I'd look for a used Drobo--they can be had for under $200 (sans drives) if you look around.

davids8477 · Jan 21, 2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRed1723

You're unlikely to find a RAID enclosure with FireWire for less money than a Drobo 4-bay. Most enclosures eschew FW400/800 in favor of USB3 or eSATA. If FW is necessary, I'd look for a used Drobo--they can be had for under $200 (sans drives) if you look around.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...g/MEQX2KIT0GB/
$259

OmegaRed1723 · Jan 21, 2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davids8477

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...g/MEQX2KIT0GB/
$259

Link is dead, but I assume you're pointing to the Mercury Elite Pro Qx2. That's actually a great option if you can't find a used Drobo. It is hot-swappable, though all the drives must be identical. With the Drobo, identical drives are not necessary. Other than that, it's a great enclosure.

Jdtwyo · Jan 21, 2013, 09:12 PM

Thanks,

the mercury is exactly what I was looking for. I was kind of hoping that I could make one since I have an old pc case and some mismatched drives laying around but this looks like a cheaper option.

ChefJayPeek · Jan 22, 2013, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdtwyo

Thanks,

the mercury is exactly what I was looking for. I was kind of hoping that I could make one since I have an old pc case and some mismatched drives laying around but this looks like a cheaper option.

Does your old PC case have a mobo and processor in it? IE a working computer? If so, google unraid and see if that may work for you. It is dang easy to setup and works great to store large iTunes libraries on.

Chef Jay

HobeSoundDarryl · Jan 22, 2013, 08:23 AM

If you have old hardware and drives of various sizes (and are tech minded), another option is UNRAID: http://lime-technology.com/home/87-for-system-builders It's not "plug and play" but it's also not too much of a bear to set up. Some people swear by it- and others swear at it- but isn't that just about always the case with just about all tech. The former (group) seems to outnumber the latter.

I own one of the OWC 4-bays myself and it is great. But, all capped capacity devices fill up over time. Solutions like UNRAID and Synology DS2413+ have a lot of upside capacity scale (and both can make use of hard drives of various sizes).

Jdtwyo · Jan 22, 2013, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the info. After looking at the unRaid, it looks like a good option, but maybe a tad more work than I really want to put in right now. After looking through the forum it appears that most in my situation have moved to a NAS. Now most people look as if they use synology, What about Drobo? it appears you can pick up Drobos on craigslist and ebay fairly cheaply. Any thoughts? Sorry kinda a noob on NAS/Server/Raid thing.

WRP · Jan 22, 2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdtwyo

Thanks for the info. After looking at the unRaid, it looks like a good option, but maybe a tad more work than I really want to put in right now. After looking through the forum it appears that most in my situation have moved to a NAS. Now most people look as if they use synology, What about Drobo? it appears you can pick up Drobos on craigslist and ebay fairly cheaply. Any thoughts? Sorry kinda a noob on NAS/Server/Raid thing.

There's a reason everyone gets rid of their drobos.

Jan 20, 2013, 10:51 PM	#1
Jdtwyo macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2008	Anyone Built a Firewire RAID 5 setup for iTunes I have my Itunes library on an external hard dive and I am running out of space. I would like "Drobo" like option without the drobo price tag. Anyone ever built a firewire "Drobo" like machine, and care to share how?
	0

Jan 21, 2013, 03:50 AM	#5
MagicBoy macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manchester, UK	Not firewire - I'm using a NAS. Was using Firewire RAID 1 until recently, then the PSU failed on the enclosure (again!). __________________ Late 2011 15" MacBook Pro 2.2GHz HR-AG 512GB Crucial M4 ; Mac mini (2009) 2GHz ; iPhone 4 32GB ; iPad 16GB Wi-Fi
	0

Jan 21, 2013, 10:16 AM	#7
SandboxGeneral Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The New World	I'm actually in the middle of transferring my iTunes library right now. I'm using a NewerTech Guardian MAXimus 3.0TB "Quad Interface" Hardware RAID-1 (Mirrored) Data Redundant Solution that I bought from OWC. It's 3TB and I figure it's going to take me a long time to fill it up. I'm using FW800 since my iMac doesn't have TB or USB3. This product is a RAID 1 setup instead of RAID 5. __________________ Twitter \| Website \| ♫ Free iTunes Music ♫ *Random Access Memories* ~ daft punk
	0

Jan 21, 2013, 11:21 AM	#8
OmegaRed1723 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Waste	You're unlikely to find a RAID enclosure with FireWire for less money than a Drobo 4-bay. Most enclosures eschew FW400/800 in favor of USB3 or eSATA. If FW is necessary, I'd look for a used Drobo--they can be had for under $200 (sans drives) if you look around. __________________ Macs Old & New \| iPad 3 \| iPhone 5 \| 240GB iPod 5G \| Crystalbuntu TV1 TV2 w/ Plex \| 24TB of Drobo Storage \| Airport Base Stations Abound
	0

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Jan 21, 2013, 09:12 PM	#11
Jdtwyo Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2008	Thanks, the mercury is exactly what I was looking for. I was kind of hoping that I could make one since I have an old pc case and some mismatched drives laying around but this looks like a cheaper option.
	0

Jan 22, 2013, 08:23 AM	#13
HobeSoundDarryl macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hobe Sound, FL (20 miles north of Palm Beach)	If you have old hardware and drives of various sizes (and are tech minded), another option is UNRAID: http://lime-technology.com/home/87-for-system-builders It's not "plug and play" but it's also not too much of a bear to set up. Some people swear by it- and others swear at it- but isn't that just about always the case with just about all tech. The former (group) seems to outnumber the latter. I own one of the OWC 4-bays myself and it is great. But, all capped capacity devices fill up over time. Solutions like UNRAID and Synology DS2413+ have a lot of upside capacity scale (and both can make use of hard drives of various sizes).
	0

Jan 22, 2013, 09:14 AM	#14
Jdtwyo Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2008	Thanks for the info. After looking at the unRaid, it looks like a good option, but maybe a tad more work than I really want to put in right now. After looking through the forum it appears that most in my situation have moved to a NAS. Now most people look as if they use synology, What about Drobo? it appears you can pick up Drobos on craigslist and ebay fairly cheaply. Any thoughts? Sorry kinda a noob on NAS/Server/Raid thing.
	0


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