Basic RAID concerns and Linux OS 719

For reliability, hbuttle-free operation and a relatively long period of support on a given release you might consider CentOS as well. An enterprise-type Linux, freeware. No bleeding edge stuff there. It's not as lovey as the popular distros that have updates on a very regular and frequent basis, but it does the job.

RAID-10 is disk-expensive. RAID6 has the same fault tolerance at lower costs. And it does not elminate the need for good backups. Fire, flooding, theft, power spikes, they tend not to limit themselves to a max of two disks in any array. If the data is critical for business operation, off-site storage of backups or data-mirroring may even be a requirement.

A good backup scheme, executed as intended and periodically tested is still a proven method of keeping your business running after a 'disaster' of many kinds.

And, as stated by others, a properly dimensioned UPS for all your mission-critical equipment is a wise investment. Data consistency is important, and sudden power-outs can wreak havoc on your disk contents. Can, it doesn't always have to be that way. Graceful shutdowns are a bliss, that extra half hour or so the UPS buys you can save big bucks.

I've had measurements done in my previous company, we had our power lines monitored for a three-week period continuously and we were a bit in shock after seeing the reports. The number of (brief, admittedly) but HIGH voltage spikes during that period made one thing very clear: we needed a good UPS for all our servers and networking equipment. And, as expected, the number of unknown-origin serice failures suddenly dropped steeply. That was in the Netherlands, where power reliability and quality is said to be very high.

Since then, I have a UPS at home as well. It's an old one, and by no means hi-tech, it weighs well over 100kgs and it's huge, noisy, and ugly, but I am glad I have it. I admit, I got this one for free from a former employer. Modern ones come in far smaller housings, are quiet, easier to operate and integrate better with your gear. And cost a fraction of what your stuff's worth, let alone your data.

For disk reliability in operating conditions I'd still recommend SCSI-based storage over IDE anytime. Yes, much more expensive, and much more reliable too. Plus it leans much less on the cpu in the server. Especially with multi-client networks to me nothing beats SCSI.

HTH,

Sh.