Hello everybody!
In today’s video, I’ll show you how to create a software RAID in Windows Server.
In our previous videos, we explored what is RAID, how to build a computer for RAID systems,
and how to create such a system using the BIOS features integrated into your motherboard.
And today you’ll see how to create a software RAID in Windows Server operating system with
a graphical interface.
So, let’s begin....
Creating a RAID array in Windows Server It is very easy to create a software RAID
array in Windows Server.
First of all, you should decide what RAID type you want and make sure you have the sufficient
number of disks to use with that type.
Once you’ve settled this issue, start configuring the RAID system.
I’ll show you how to create a RAID 5 array, but setting up other RAID types is very similar
except for certain architectural differences, so this example is quite versatile.
Open Disk Management by right-clicking on the Strat button and choosing this line from
the list.
With built-in operating system tools, you can create a RAID 0 (striped volume), RAID
1 (mirrored volume), RAID 5 and JBOD (spanned volume) array.
To create the RAID type you want in Disk Management, right-click on one of the unallocated disks
and choose the type you prefer.
Click Next, add all necessary disks and click Next again.
Assign a drive letter to the new volume and format it.
Ready.
When the New Volume wizard closes, there will be a message saying that disks need to be
converted, which will erase all data irreversibly.
As the disks used in our example are empty, click Yes.
If you have any important or necessary data on your disks, save it elsewhere before you
proceed.
After the disks are converted and RAID 5 is created, the resynching process starts.
It can be quite long and the actual time needed to complete all operations depends largely
on disk capacity.
When resynching is finally over, your RAID system is ready to use.
Such method for creating a RAID array is also available in Windows 10, and an alternative
solution could be using the feature known as Storage Spaces.
Visit our YouTube channel for another video on creating a software RAID system in Windows
10 - check the link below.
How to create a system with the help of Intel Rapid Storage Technology
Also, there are special utilities to help you create and maintain a RAID array.
For example, Intel Rapid Storage Technology.
I’ll give the link to this utility in the description below this video.
Download, install and start the application.
You can see several tabs there.
The «Status» menu displays the condition of the system and your disks.
The «Create» menu lets you set up a RAID system consisting of your disks.
Hit Create, select the RAID type (you are free to choose between flexible data protection,
RAID 1, 0, 5 and 10) - in case you have any doubts, there’s a brief description for
every type.
Select the one you prefer and click Next.
Give the volume name and select the disks that will make up your RAID.
Select the one you prefer and click Next.
Configure advanced settings if necessary.
I leave default settings for Volume Size and Array allocation.
You will see the warning that “This action will permanently delete existing data on the
following disks…”
If you have any important data there, save it to another location before you move on.
Check the option «Proceed with deleting data» and click Create Volume.
The volume is created.
However, the utility informs you that before adding any data there it’s necessary to
partition the new volume with Disk Management.
That is why you need to open it.
Immediately, you are informed that the disk must be initialized for Logical Disk Manager
to access it.
Select partition style and click OK.
Right-click on the disk and select “New Simple Volume.”
Follow the wizard directions.
Now your RAID system is ready to use.
When you open Windows Explorer, you can see the new disk.
The utility shows that the disk is still being initialized - the duration of this process
depends on disk capacity.
Using this tool makes it much easier to monitor your RAID status, and should any of the disks
within this system fail, you will notice it at once.
This utility lets you see which particular disk has failed by using its serial number.
On every disk, there is a sticker with that number.
In the Settings tab, you can configure notifications in case of any problems and even specify an
email address to send notifications automatically, and set up automatic rebuild for cases when
you need to replace a faulty disk, or schedule automatic verify and repair operations.
Other settings let you decide on cleaning cache and use of caching options, verifying
and checking any data inconsistencies, and more.
This is how you can create any of the available software RAID types in Windows Server operating
system, in an easy and effortless way.
That is all for now!
Hopefully, this video was useful.
Remember to click the Like button and subscribe to our channel.
Hit the bell button to receive notifications and never miss new videos.
Leave comments to ask questions.
Thank you for watching.
Good luck.