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I have heard that large hardisk >= 1TB are not recommended on the server because they can cause synching issues if one fails + their chances of failure is greater over a longer period of time as the hard disk get fuller. Is that assumption correct?

I am specifically asking about RAID 1 configuration (hard disk mirroring) where the same data is written to two hard disks. Is a way I am asking is 300GB better suited than a 2TB from stability and maintenance point of view?

Extra Info

We will using it as our server for website and the databases. Our database size is only 1GB rights and will likely not sky rocket any time soon. We are not using it as file server and no body has access to this server.

My argument for large hard drive is, we will be running daily backup so we can just store it on the same hard drive and not worry about an external hard drive. Also if if there is ever a need for more space, we will have it without any problem.

My college view is external USB drive is much better for daily backup and does not fail easily + large hard drive can cause issues after 6 months or so when hard disk become fuller.

So what is recommended size of hard disk for server so the server remains stable and fast?

TheTechGuy
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3 Answers3

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What you have probably heard is that for RAID5 configurations using large disks problems can arise under some circumstances. These problems are not an issue for RAID 1 as the rebuild I/O is less than that of RAID5.

What's the recommended size? - that which will do the job with some elbow room for expansion.

we will be running daily backup so we can just store it on the same hard drive and not worry

Don't do that it's a terrible idea. RAID is for availability not backups. People who rely on RAID as their sole backup regularly lose all their data. You should have some external and preferably offsite backup.

Community
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user9517
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it is not good idea to store your backup data on the same disk, because if the disk fails someday, you will lost the data. I will suggest you to keep your backups on the separate disk, cloud or tape solution. This way you will prevent lost important data.

As for the disk, I will suggest you to calculate how much disk space you will need with eventual growth of the data and buy something will meet this requirements. There is no point to get 2TB disk, if you plan to use around 500GB and you expect growing around 100-200GB in following year.

Lyubomir
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Why do you want to put one pair of huge disks in there, when you have a server running a database?

If you want to look at performance, try putting your database on different disks than your OS / web application. Databases are often bottle-necked on I/O.
In stead of purchasing 2x 2TB disks, you could buy 2x 320GB disks for the OS / web app, and 2x 128GB SSD for the database.

And I don't think it needs much repeating but backups are important! Don't put them on the same disk as your database etc.

Reaces
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