Software RAID on ALPHA

1stBoomer · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:33 pm Post subject: Software RAID on ALPHA

Hi,

at work we have an older Alpha workstation (uname -> alpha EV56). It works as router and monitoring system. Until summer last year it booted a SuSE Linux, but then we installed a Gentoo and I'm happy with this.

Because data safety I'm thinking about a software raid with two 36 GB SCSI disks, at home my (x86) Gentoo server works fine with this. Are there any problems I should know, is it possible at all? The first problem I see, is the partition type, because on x86 I had to change it to "fd" for Linux RAID Autodetect. On the Alpha there is no partition type "fd", what I have to do now?

Is there something more different on Alpha then in the "typical" "Software RAID on Linux" manuals?

Thanx
1stBoomer

Sorry for my bad english :wink:

_________________
I have not lost my mind - It's backed up on disk somewhere

1stBoomer · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:18 am Post subject:

Really no one?! :roll:

1stBoomer
_________________
I have not lost my mind - It's backed up on disk somewhere

airbatica · n00b Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Irving, TX

It all depends on the firmware and boot loader you're using. AlphaBIOS + MILO should work for root raid, SRM and ABOOT is more problematic because of BSD Disklables. I ran across a post that claims if you change the partition type to 8H it might work, but don't blame me if it eats your data. I've never tested it myself. I do however use software raid for a 3 disk RAID5 array that serves up my media needs at home. I've had more issues with the file system used and the disks, than the RAID code eating my data.

Good luck!