RAID-0 multi-boot
 

I´m about to upgrade my PC (need also new Mobo). So i thought to finally get a HARDWARE RAID card.

I need: To couple 2-4 HDDs into a RAID-0 array for maximum speed (read/write) (I do a lot of video editing and also 3D stuff). I also need to be able to multi-boot different OS´s independent of any drivers (from basic windows/linux dual-boot to more complex combinations). Everything from that single array.

I´ve been looking at: Areca ARC-1200 or ARC-1210 and 3ware 9650SE-2LP (or 9650SE-4LPML). That 4-port 3ware would be slightly above what I can afford right now (meaning thats about the highest price I would pay).

I would like to know:
-Are these cards really Hardware raid? Do I need to worry about driver support for the OS I´m about to install? Why do I need to install drivers anyway?
-If I can later combine two 2-port cards in one PC to create 4HDD RAID-0?(or 2-port with a 4-port to create 6hdd raid-0 setup?) Or is it wiser to get some 4port card right-on? Is the two card solution any slower than the single card?
-Is it even possible to achieve what I demand? (Well I heard about ´transparent´ RAID invisible to any OS and thought that Hardware RAID is just that)

I´ll appreciate any help, suggestions or explanations.

Thank you

RE: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...i-boot-641965/

OK, I´m guilty, I deserve it for double posting. Interesting thing is, that even after 89 views (combined from BOTH threads) ALL I got was a kind report of a double post and a notice from a moderator that it is not nice to do so...

I´m under very strong impression, that 8 out of 10 people haven´t even read this post. Want to know why I double posted? If you look at my nick you´ll see "Registered: Jan 2006". Yes its over two years. I´ve been at LQ around for answers even before that. And no, I do not ask first and seek later (hence "Posts: 13"). And you know what? Every time I post I´m like ignored or something. Sure, I found some clues the other day but when I´m desperate enough to bother someone for advice, believe me I AM desperate. And even if people might not know the answer it is quite discouraging. So thats why...

And I thought here be professionals.... bah!

p.s. Oh and thanks for the help! Now I don´t know sh*t about that RAID stuff but will remember not to double post for sure! ;P

Now you've gone & removed your thread from the 0-replies list, where it gets automatically bumped.

As I tried to politely suggest
at your closed duplicate post, give us some links to the h/w you are considering. I am more than glad to follow them, read them, & comment on them, I am not going to do your Googling or whatever for you to track them down. Presumably you already have info on the items you are considering, so please post it. I am just asking you to be considerate & not expect each of us who considers trying to help you to duplicate work that you have already done.

If you need background on RAID, especially "true" h/w RAID vs. "fake" RAID, I suggest the Wikipedia, or a search of LQ, particularly my own posts on it in the last 3 or 6 months.