Hi Guys,

I was wondering what do you think about wich would be the best way to configure a server with two Intel SRCS28X Raid controllers (8 ports each) and 16x 500GB drives, which will be running Open-e on top.

Storage capacity in not that important to me as anything over 2TB will be more than enough, the idea of having so many drives is to improve performance without compromising redundancy...

Notes:
- The SRCS28X cards have a 2TB limit per each logical drive.
- I have 2x spare drives on my desk so having hot spares is not that important.

These are the options:
1 - 1x RAID 50 on each controler made of 2x 3 drive RAID 5 and a RAID 0 on top, plus two hot spares (this is due to the 2TB limit, 4 drive RAID 5s would be too big). Then RAID 0 on top of the two RAID 50 using Open-e Software RAID.

2- 1x RAID 10 on each controller made of 4x 2 drive RAID 1 and a RAID 0 on top. Then RAID 0 on top of the two RAID 10 using Open-e Software RAID.

3- 4x RAID 1 on each controller made of 2 drive each. Then RAID 0 on top of the eight RAID 1 using Open-e Software RAID.

All 3 conf end with 4TB usable space and are more less very redundant and fast... but which one would be better?, in case of going with RAID 10, do you think there will be an advantage of the intermedium hardware level on conf 2 over conf 3, or will it cause trouble instead?

Bu the way, this is to hold 10 servers with Virtual Iron with different functions with FC.

Thanks in advance!