LaCie RAID to SoftRAID

The LaCie enclosures are using a hardware RAID controller to create hardware RAID volumes. The hardware RAID chipset "hides" the drives from OS X, so SoftRAID cannot see the disks. SoftRAID could manage the resulting LUN (Logical Unit) as it is called, but will not see the disks.

What you have to do to allow SoftRAID to manage the disks is change the LaCie configuration to what is called JBOD, or individual disk mode. Then all the disks will show up in the SoftRAID disks column and you will be able to create a RAID volume with SoftRAID.

The advantage of this is SoftRAID can track each disk for disk errors, check them for signs of future failure, etc.

Note: if you change the RAID mode to JBOD, you will lose all data on the volume, as the volume will be deleted when the configuration changes.

To your other questions:
LaCie RAID Manager only manages the hardware RAID configuration. that is the tool you will use to change your hardware RAID to "JBOD" mode. It does not manage the disks when they are in normal use, so there is no compatibility problem.

SoftRAID fully supports SSD drives. Yes we recommend using RAID with SSD drives. SSD's have a different failure method than normal drives, so while we can usually spot a disk that is going to fail soon, this is not possible currently with SSD's. They are generally reliable, but literally can fail at any time. This makes RAID a valuable tool when using SSD's.

SoftRAID supports any disks that work reliably with OS X. If any new drive appears on the market, and it works with the normal OS X, then SoftRAID can use it. So there are no problems with larger drives. (SoftRAID can support disks up to 4,000 TB in size, the drive manufacturers are a long way from reaching that size!)

The LaCie enclosures are using a hardware RAID controller to create hardware RAID volumes. The hardware RAID chipset "hides" the drives from OS X, so SoftRAID cannot see the disks. SoftRAID could manage the resulting LUN (Logical Unit) as it is called, but will not see the disks.

What you have to do to allow SoftRAID to manage the disks is change the LaCie configuration to what is called JBOD, or individual disk mode. Then all the disks will show up in the SoftRAID disks column and you will be able to create a RAID volume with SoftRAID.

The advantage of this is SoftRAID can track each disk for disk errors, check them for signs of future failure, etc.

Note: if you change the RAID mode to JBOD, you will lose all data on the volume, as the volume will be deleted when the configuration changes.

To your other questions:
LaCie RAID Manager only manages the hardware RAID configuration. that is the tool you will use to change your hardware RAID to "JBOD" mode. It does not manage the disks when they are in normal use, so there is no compatibility problem.

SoftRAID fully supports SSD drives. Yes we recommend using RAID with SSD drives. SSD's have a different failure method than normal drives, so while we can usually spot a disk that is going to fail soon, this is not possible currently with SSD's. They are generally reliable, but literally can fail at any time. This makes RAID a valuable tool when using SSD's.

SoftRAID supports any disks that work reliably with OS X. If any new drive appears on the market, and it works with the normal OS X, then SoftRAID can use it. So there are no problems with larger drives. (SoftRAID can support disks up to 4,000 TB in size, the drive manufacturers are a long way from reaching that size!)

Hi Again,

Thanks for a quick and detailed reply. Following your reply I would like to please ask you:

1. So basiclly I would need to JBOD with LRM and than create a RAID 0 via SoftRAID? If yes, will SoftRAID than will be able to track each disk for disk errors (in RAID 0)?

2. Assuming that I can successfully RAID 0 with SoftRAID - Do I need to uninstall the “LaCie RAID Manager” software for good?

Also, if yes - do I still need to regularly update the 'RAID FIRMWARE' or it's no longer necessary since we are not using the 'LaCie hardware RAID' anymore?

3. Will SoftRAID than see Discs in the new configured RAID 0

4. I would like to "clarify" the discs via SoftRAID. Should I do that after I JBOD with LRM or after i RAID 0 with SoftRAID?

Awaiting your reply,
Thnaks/

Anyone???

1. So basically I would need to JBOD with LRM and than create a RAID 0 via SoftRAID? If yes, will SoftRAID than will be able to track each disk for disk errors (in RAID 0)?

Once you set the LaCie into JBOD, then OS X will see each disk, as will SoftRAID. Then you can create a RAID 0 volume.

2. Assuming that I can successfully RAID 0 with SoftRAID - Do I need to uninstall the “LaCie RAID Manager” software for good?

It is not a driver, it is just a configuration app, so there is no need to uninstall it, as far as I know.

Also, if yes - do I still need to regularly update the 'RAID FIRMWARE' or it's no longer necessary since we are not using the 'LaCie hardware RAID' anymore?

Updating the firmware should not be necessary, as you are not directly using it any longer.

3. Will SoftRAID than see Discs in the new configured RAID 0

Yes.

4. I would like to "clarify" the discs via SoftRAID. Should I do that after I JBOD with LRM or after i RAID 0 with SoftRAID?

I think you mean "Certify". Do this after you put the disks into JBOD mode. It wil take a few days, but you can certify all at the same time.