I need some suggestions on file storage scheme:

[sk66]

I am upgrading my MacbookPro to have 2x 1tb drives in a Raid 1 (mirrored) scheme.

However, since much of my system I don't feel needs mirrored, I'm wondering if I might be better off partitioning the drives and only mirroring the partition with my images....Would I then be able to use the un-mirrored partitions as raid 0 for more space? (I don't "think" so).

Or should I just mirror the entire base drive? With 1tb I think I can afford it.

I use time machine and chrono-sync to backup everything to an external networked drive regularly as well. I know I'm still short of "a good backup plan" as I don't have the "off site" backup. (other than images uploaded to Flickr)

Any help is appreciated...

[helloGreenStar]

For offsite, have you thought about buying a domain and hosting account and using the website storage to have all of your files uploaded? I thought about doing this since I already have a few domains and some hosting. Obviously not having the files live for people to view, but in an inner folder. Just an idea for another option for an "off site" option.

As for the partitioning, I am not sure what type of advice I could give as I am in the same boat trying to figure it out myself

[sk66]

I already own two domains w/ plenty of storage....
Just too lazy to sort all of my images and then FTP them all

[helloGreenStar]

haha yeah, I know what you mean. I'm just starting with photography, so I think it's easier for me since I only have 1 or 2 shots from each set of photos that I feel are keepers, so I upload them right away and since I have filezilla open pretty much all day, it's not too hard.

[Murtasma]

I would get yourself and external enclosure that does RAID 1 instead and use that. That way you can easily move your files around (take drive to another machine) and if you have a fire safe you can place it in there when not in use like I do (what if your house catches on fire? Are you going to run out the door with your computer case?).

Also will this be software RAID or Hardware RAID?

I run RAID 0 (hardware) on my computer but that's because I edit video sometimes and wanted the increase in I/O speed that comes with RAID 0. I then bought an Icy Dock that does RAID 1 and stuck 2 2 terabyte disks in there configured for RAID 1. When I'm not backing up photos the enclosure is in a fireproof safe in my house (rated to protect hard drives and DVDs).


The icy dock and 2 drives cost me about 300 - 350. I could give you the links to the procuts I bought if you're intrested.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

I would get yourself and external enclosure that does RAID 1 instead and use that. That way you can easily move your files around (take drive to another machine) and if you have a fire safe you can place it in there when not in use like I do (what if your house catches on fire? Are you going to run out the door with your computer case?).

Also will this be software RAID or Hardware RAID?

I run RAID 0 (hardware) on my computer but that's because I edit video sometimes and wanted the increase in I/O speed that comes with RAID 0. I then bought an Icy Dock that does RAID 1 and stuck 2 2 terabyte disks in there configured for RAID 1. When I'm not backing up photos the enclosure is in a fireproof safe in my house (rated to protect hard drives and DVDs).


The icy dock and 2 drives cost me about 300 - 350. I could give you the links to the procuts I bought if you're intrested.

The issue, for me, is storage capacity....I am tired of always carrying around an external drive for primary work copy AND backing that up... My current system is current couple shoots on laptop (any more than that and the drive gets too full and speed slows down significantly) move files to external when done with them (edited files and keepers) to make space for new files...backup of files on laptop (via time machine) backup external (via chrono sync)...1 copy of each...."old" files unavailable (other than thumbnail) unless external is present.
New scheme will be internal mirror af files with room for all, and backup of internal. (2 backups instead of 1) I may consider putting the network drive into fire safe...eventually...problem there is frequency of backups vs consistency of security. There are options to address this I know...
I bought a monster Macbook Pro and do not have another system (this may change eventually, but I don't see the "need")....

This will be hardware raid and completely portable (internal) to the MacBook Pro.

[BigFuzzy]

Not sure that I see anything wrong with how you're doing things but I noticed one thing I do that you don't and don't know if it's a conscious decision.

On-line back up.

Lost a drive a couple of years ago with pretty much all of my 2006 imagery.
After that, I vowed to never lose another photo.
Now, I have this: two external 2tb drives mirrored. One internal where I temporarily hold the images while processing them. And TWO (yes, I'm paranoid now) on-line back-up services (Mozy, and LiveDrive).
This way, I'm 99% sure I'll never lose another image.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Not sure that I see anything wrong with how you're doing things but I noticed one thing I do that you don't and don't know if it's a conscious decision.

On-line back up.

Lost a drive a couple of years ago with pretty much all of my 2006 imagery.
After that, I vowed to never lose another photo.
Now, I have this: two external 2tb drives mirrored. One internal where I temporarily hold the images while processing them. And TWO (yes, I'm paranoid now) on-line back-up services (Mozy, and LiveDrive).
This way, I'm 99% sure I'll never lose another image.

It's not a "conscious decision" as much as it is laziness....
I have plenty of space online to put the images, just too many to go back thru. At least most of my best shots get loaded to Flickr since I opened that account. (but that might be 1 image from a series of keepers)