I am new to Windows Server 2003. I will be connecting to a Domain, only as a member server. I have two controllers on the HP Server. One for Raid 1 for OS (with the Backup Tape connected) and Second as Raid 5 for Data. For the Raid 1 OS, I have two hard drives and Raid 5, 8 hard drives. Question – should I configure the Raid 1 from HP controller software (BIOS) or wait until I install the OS and Raid 1 (mirror) it from Disk Management of Windows Server 2003? What advantage of configuring from HP controller software has over Disk Management? Thanks,

Whenever you can do a hardware RAID, DO IT. Hardware RAIDs generally have better performance because there is dedicated hardware in place to handle the instructions for writing to the drives. A software RAID would steal CPU cycles to handle that. In other words, YES, DEFINITELY use the HP BIOS to configure the RAIDs.

Your tape backup unit will not work correctly connected to the raid controller. It needs to be on its own controller via an addin card. FYI Imagine the power of knowing how to internet search http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Teachin...