I have a client with a small server running Server 2019 that needs replacing. They're set on going with Server 2025 Standard and prefer not to use cloud solutions. I'm looking for advice on their hard drive configuration. They need about 1-2TB of storage and would like some fault tolerance. What's the best setup I should consider these days?
5 Answers
RAID can offer great fault tolerance, but keep in mind that it's not a substitute for backups. Be clear with your client that while RAID protects against drive failures, it doesn't prevent data loss from other issues like user error or viruses.
Just go with something like a small Dell server and slap in SSDs configured in RAID 5. If you need to cut costs, you can consider spinning HDDs too, but SSDs will give better performance. Always keep backups in mind though!
What model of RAID controller would you recommend for that setup?
I've found that RAID 6 is another solid option. Some even argue that RAID 5 could work too, but I'd avoid that unless you're prepared for potential issues with disk size and complexity as the server grows.
Actually, RAID 5 can still be fine for smaller setups like this one, but it’s definitely crucial to have the right backup strategy.
For solid performance and redundancy, RAID 10 across four drives is a great choice. It's widely regarded for its balance of fault tolerance and speed. If hardware RAID isn’t an option, you can also go with storage spaces for a similar setup. Just make sure you also have a backup plan in place!
Have you had good experiences with storage spaces? I had some stability issues using parity drives in the past, but mirrors worked much better for me.
Totally agree! RAID 10 is the way to go. It offers excellent redundancy!
What kind of files and workload are you dealing with? Knowing the demands will help narrow down the best hardware recommendations. You need to consider growth as well. Just random components might not suit the client’s needs.
You don’t have to get super detailed for an entry-level server, keeping it simple should work here.
What RAID components are you suggesting? Like, specific manufacturers or models?