1. If someone is going to setup a RAID 5 array, they are buying extra hardware and will need to educate themselves to some degree. Assuming the hardware is able to boot from the RAID 5 array, this "education" could include learning how to setup a RAID 5 array with the OS and applications. It's not that hard.
1.
IF the card can boot. Given $$$ constraints, this may not be possible, as not everyone is capable of that level of expenditure. I know, this seems like a nit pick, but cost is not secondary. Personally, I really like cards that can boot, and I take advantage of it. Separate arrays as well.
But only because I know how to take advantage of it, and am willing to spend the necessary cash to get it.
2. I thought as you do at one time about if they buy it, they will learn. Unfortunately, my experience has taught me otherwise.
People forget. Maybe they can't wrap their heads around it. Ultimately, you can't assume they will obtain the necessary knowledge. It doesn't always happen, so this individual needs a solution tailored to their abilities.
Ideally, they will learn, and have the features available to them with what ever hardware they purchased, and can then take advantage of it. Not always possible though, and is usually budget related.
2. A single 4 or 5 disk RAID 5 array system is MUCH less prone to failure than a 1 disk OS and application + 4 disk RAID 5 array system. Two different disk subsystems, one with zero protection from failure, are much more prone to failure. At least twice as likely.
I do understand the specifics, including the statistics.
But how do you know they're capable of understanding this, or can master the skill level required to deal with it?
Here's an example. Say the everything is on the array. Great. Now something does go wrong. Then to discover, even if they have the skills, they don''t have the needed clone to reinstall the OS.
Simple, but it happens. Now imagine they don't actually understand the details of what's needed to recover the system. Disaster. Hours to be spent on the phone or worse, e-mail communication to an overseas based manufacturer.
Oh, wait. Their computer's DOA, and they can't even e-mail, as they don't have another system readily available. Now compound this with the user being self employed video editor. It can get ugly. Fast.
3. If someone loses their RAID 5 array that includes the OS and applications, how much harder is that to recover from than losing all of ones data on a RAID 5 array with a separate OS and application drive? Losing the OS and applications is such a small problem compared to losing ones data.
For someone who truly understands RAID, and how to recover, not that much.
And
yes, the
data is far more important. Hence the separate drive. It at least takes that into consideration.
But for someone who hasn't learned, is un-inclined, or is incapable, it's another story. This situation
is where the single OS drive can make sense. This individual can understand it, as they should have the skills to place an OS on a single drive. (This is where I draw my minimum skills level). From there, either the system is repaired, or at least can then go recover the array.
As far as I am concerned, if you build a RAID 5 array, you need to keep one spare drive on hand for that array in case you lose a disk. Either that or put an extra drive in the system as a hot spare.
In an ideal world, yes. And large enterprises, or people who know this (whether by training or learned "the hard way"), would.
But when thinking in terms of an individual, this may in fact, not be the case. Either they don't understand the need, don't care, or can't afford it at the time. Then, eventually, the s*** hits the fan. In the case of spare parts, from drives and cables, to a simple OS clone, there's not much that can be done. Either they have them, or they don't. At least the clone is somewhat easier to convince someone to have available, as it's cheap.
No matter what, I think it is ludicrous to build a system with RAID (>0) where the OS and application drive is not at least mirrored....
S-
Unfortunately, not everyone would agree with this, particularly if they can't understand it. Some will reason it out, and compromise. Data safety taking precedent, while OS/apps are far down on the list of considerations.
From what I've seen, graphics/video editing seems to follow this particular logic, and it's typically due to cost from the information I've been given by multiple individuals. As it happens, they like Mac Pros for some reason.
Ultimately, I've learned not to ignore the human element, and the budget limitations experienced by individuals.
This seems to be the sticking point of our differences.
