Setting up a RAID 5 on a new Server - newbie to Server RAID
 

I have been using linux (Fedora and now Ubuntu) on my desktop/laptops for a couple years but have never set up a server in linux. I am planning on installing Ubuntu Server Edition 7.04 and setting up a RAID 5.

After some research it seems I would install Ubuntu on one of the hard drive and use either mdadm or raidtools after the install to set up the RAID. Also it seems mdadm is the way to go. Am I just looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any help.

Are you setting up hardware or software raid?

Regards,

Alunduil

Assuming you're doing a clean install, it's pretty easy to use the installer's partitioner to set up a RAID (assuming you want mdadm software RAID). But depending on exactly what you intend to use this server for, RAID5 or even RAID at all may not be the best of ideas.

IMHO, RAID5 only makes sense for situations where maximum storage/dollar is the priority. If performance, or reliability, or ease of maintenance are higher priorities, then I feel other options usually make more sense.

RAID5 was more important in the past, when it was often the only practical option for acheiving the required storage capacities. However, nowadays you can get a 500gig drive for $100.

Setting up a RAID 5 on a new Server - newbie to Server RAID
 

If I could I would like to set up a hardware RAID. It's a LSI logic PERC 3 controller. Is there a linux driver and support for that controller? Thanks again.