best Mac Mini server sub forum?

[carboncow]

Hello,

I'd like to know more about Mac Mini servers. We purchases a i7 2.0gh, 16GB Ram and mirror RAID setup. I'd like to learn more about how the RAID5 setup but not really seeing much out there on the net.

Is there a forum somewhere that is devoted to the world of Mac Mini Server, especially Lion? Am I in the right place but wrong sub forum?

Thanks.
Shawn

[Grasshopper]

I see no problems with posting it here.

I have a couple Mac mini servers now. What are you looking to do?

A basic primer about RAID 5 can be found here.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/sata/RAID_Guide/Learn_About_RAID_5
_________________
2011 Mac mini with 8GB of RAM
2012 Mac mini Server with 16GB of RAM
46" Sony TV
24" HP LCD
Apple wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse
2 x 1TB MiniStacks
1TB MiniStack Max

[carboncow]

Thanks for our time. I understand the concept of RAID in detail working with Dell Poweredges for some time in many different arrangements.

My concern comes with understanding how a Mac Mini will work if one of the mirrors fails.

How will I know...there appears to be notification in the Admin system? Will Disk Utility give me the answer?

There seems to be speculation on the net that if one fails then the system will lock up but upon reboot run off the one disk...but this seems counter intuitive to importance of a mirror continuing to work even if one fails.

What understanding, resources or experience are you aware of to tell me what to be prepared for the the event of a failure?

We run two Windows Servers in VMware Fusion on this system along with iTunes running looping playlists for about 9 AppleTVs at our small business.

Thanks.

[Grasshopper]

I assume that you are using an external hardware-based box that supports RAID 5. Did it come with motoring software for OS X? You will most likely need it because I believe the RAID Utility in OS X Server only supports the AppleRAID card. And Disk Utility is really limited. RAID Monitor might be another option to look at, but I have no experience with the product.

http://www.squashedsoftware.com/products-raid-monitor.php

A standard RAID (like 1 or 0) setup with the two internals or something setup through Disk Utility will be will be supported though.
_________________
2011 Mac mini with 8GB of RAM
2012 Mac mini Server with 16GB of RAM
46" Sony TV
24" HP LCD
Apple wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse
2 x 1TB MiniStacks
1TB MiniStack Max

[carboncow]

Why are you assuming I'm using external and R5? I stated I was mirror and the Mac Mini Servers come with dual HDs!

There is no monitoring software I am aware of in the server management system.

I'll check out the software you referenced...at only $30 that worth a look.

Now you see why I'm looking for a Mac Mini Server based forum...there are lots of people willing to help out there but I'm just not finding people that know this "for sure"!

[Grasshopper]

[carboncow]

haha! I had to go back to my first post to see I did put Raid5 in there and then kept mentioning "mirroring"...sorry about the confusion!