[NTLUG:Discuss] Raid drive failed, do I need to match it?

[Chris Cox]

Neil Aggarwal wrote:
> Hello:
> 
> I have a server running software RAID1.
> 
> One of the drives failed.  It is an IBM 36GB 10k RPM SCSI drive.
> 
> I see that Maxtor is offering a very good price on a 15k RPM
> 36GB SCSI drive.
> 
> Will it be a problem to use a different brand and drive speed
> for the replacement drive for my array?

Different brand might not matter,  Just as long as it is as
big or slightly bigger.  You'll have to be careful if you're
using the entire disk because the sizes to differ a bit even
within the same brand and even within the same brand's
generation of that particular drive.

Speed is probably a bigger issue... I've always been told
that it's best to match speed.

I'm not loving Maxtor right now... I think they have my
vote currently for least reliable (that's my way of saying
there are 4 Maxtors on my desk ready for RMA right now).
At least they all pretty much all have 5 year warranties
on SCSI drives.