Is it possible to create a bootable software RAID0, RAID 5, or JBOD?
The answer is "no". It is impossible to start an operating system off a software RAID0, RAID 5, or JBOD.
A hardware controller is required to be able to to make a RAID bootable. You cannot start an operating system from the software RAID because the RAID is not readable until the operating system is done loading, and the operating system itself is on the RAID.
Your only option is to start an operating system using a software RAID 1. To boot from a "second" drive of a software RAID1, one may need to copy the master boot record first, because typically the master boot record would not be subjected to mirroring.
Showing posts with label boot software RAID. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boot software RAID. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, March 28, 2011
Make a software RAID bootable?
Can one create a bootable software RAID0, RAID5, or JBOD containing a Windows installation?
The answer is No. One cannot run an operating system from a software RAID0, RAID 5, or spanned volume.
A hardware RAID controller is required to be able to make a RAID bootable.
It is not possible to boot off the software RAID because the RAID is not readable until the operating system is fully loaded, and the OS itself is on the RAID.
One can only start an OS from a software RAID1, and even that is not trivial. To boot from a "second" hard drive of a software RAID1, you probably need to manually copy the MBR first.
The answer is No. One cannot run an operating system from a software RAID0, RAID 5, or spanned volume.
A hardware RAID controller is required to be able to make a RAID bootable.
It is not possible to boot off the software RAID because the RAID is not readable until the operating system is fully loaded, and the OS itself is on the RAID.
One can only start an OS from a software RAID1, and even that is not trivial. To boot from a "second" hard drive of a software RAID1, you probably need to manually copy the MBR first.
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