[olug] To RAID or not to RAID

[Obi-Wan]

On 09/22/2014 06:01 PM, Christopher R. White wrote:
> For the moment, the best I have is a fireproof safe to store the drives
> in.  This is upstairs in the closet, bolted to the wall and shelf, so
> barring a flood that doesn't cover the house, we're good, lol.

Does this safe specifically say that it's rated for electronics? Most 
fireproof safes are fireproof for paper, which combusts at 400F.  
Exposing a hard drive to 400F (204C) temps for more than a couple 
minutes will destroy it.  You're far better off finding an off-site 
location where you can store your backup drive.

Oh, and don't forget about tornadoes.  You may never find that safe 
again if one hits your house.

> As for the drive sled, its transparent to the OS and it doesn't use a
> caddy, the drive sits behind a door and just slides in.

So at least you can install the drive inside another computer, then, 
right?  That's good.

> I've looked at online backup solutions but can't afford them at this time.

Thanks to my home upload speed and volume of data, online solutions are 
impractical for me.  That's why I just keep USB drives at my office.  
Two of them live there, and I alternate which one I bring home every 
night to sync up.  Barring a nuclear blast that takes out the entire 
city (and probably my entire family, too), I should never lose more than 
72 hours worth of data.  And yes, the drives are encrypted, because I 
don't trust my co-workers quite that much.

-- 
*Ben "Obi-Wan" Hollingsworth* obiwan at jedi.com <mailto:obiwan at jedi.com> 
www.Jedi.com <http://www.jedi.com>
The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the
Giver of all good things, so if I stand, let me stand on the
promise that You will pull me through. /-- Rich Mullins/