Integrated RAID chip : disc spindown

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   Hi everyone,
I'm planning to build a 4-HDD array (consisting of 4 WD Green Desktop 4TB) that I would use as a backup of a RAID5 array (consisting of 6 different drives connected to an Adaptec 6805 controller). The machine runs Windows 10 Pro and the motherboard is ASRock Z97M OC Formula.

As W10 Storage Space does not seem to support configurable (and even non-configurable) disc spindown and as I would use these 4 drives only once or twice a week (thus not needing/wanting to have them running 24/7 for noise/consumption purposes), I'm wondering if using the RAID chip integrated to the motherboard would do a better job from that perspective. In other words : could I configure a JBOD array that would spindown the discs automatically when not in use (e.g. after 30 minutes of inactivity or 1 hour)

As an auxiliary question, I'd also like to know if it is possible to back-up the data from the RAID controller embedded in the motherboard to save the array in case of board/chip failure?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Sincerely,

Antoine

PS: I posted the same topic in an other forum section (media & user review) that is probably not appropriate.

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Antoine Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 2015 Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote Antoine Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Integrated RAID chip : disc spindown Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 9:10pm
	Hi everyone, I'm planning to build a 4-HDD array (consisting of 4 WD Green Desktop 4TB) that I would use as a backup of a RAID5 array (consisting of 6 different drives connected to an Adaptec 6805 controller). The machine runs Windows 10 Pro and the motherboard is ASRock Z97M OC Formula. As W10 Storage Space does not seem to support configurable (and even non-configurable) disc spindown and as I would use these 4 drives only once or twice a week (thus not needing/wanting to have them running 24/7 for noise/consumption purposes), I'm wondering if using the RAID chip integrated to the motherboard would do a better job from that perspective. In other words : could I configure a JBOD array that would spindown the discs automatically when not in use (e.g. after 30 minutes of inactivity or 1 hour) As an auxiliary question, I'd also like to know if it is possible to back-up the data from the RAID controller embedded in the motherboard to save the array in case of board/chip failure? Thanks in advance for your help! Sincerely, Antoine PS: I posted the same topic in an other forum section (media & user review) that is probably not appropriate.

parsec Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996	Post Options Post Reply Quote parsec Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 2:23pm
	The Intel Z97 (and Z87) chipset's RAID implementation and the IRST software has a new power saving feature not found on earlier Intel platforms, as well as others found on the earlier platforms. It first one I mentioned isn't what you are referring to as a "disk spindown" feature. Intel calls it "gear ratios", or levels of performance. Actually it is a feature that can turn off the CPU C State power saving options, depending upon the configuration. That can be done manually or automatically by the IRST software. The IRST software on this platform supports link state power management, and DIPM, Device Initiated Power Management. That may be what you are referring to. Win 10 still allows you to configure turning drives "off" via the Windows Power Plan advanced options, after a selected period of time. The disks are "off" only until accessed by the user. I would think this feature would work with Win 10 Storage Spaces, but I'm not very familiar with that feature. Unfortunately, your Z97 board does not seem to have the ASRock HDD Saver feature. HDD Saver uses a special header on the board and a supplied cable with two SATA power connectors. An option in the UEFI/BIOS allows you to either turn on or turn off the drives connected to the board's header and cable via an option in the UEFI. When off the drives will not appear in Windows. Your four drive RAID 5 array would likely draw to much power from the HDD Saver header, which is about the size of a PC fan header. You would need to use two SATA power splitter cables to convert the HDD Saver cable from two to four connectors. Your question about backing up the data from an Intel RAID array confused me. To quote you: "... if it is possible to back-up the data from the RAID controller embedded in the motherboard to save the array in case of board/chip failure?" The "data from the RAID controller" is what I don't understand. You can back up the user data or copy it from the RAID array to another drive or RAID array just fine. I've cloned Windows installations from RAID arrays to single drives or another RAID array, or from a single drive to a RAID array. The RAID metadata (data about the RAID array itself) is stored on the RAID array in a non-user accessible area. Intel's RAID on PCs is a software RAID with support from the chipset. The closest thing to a RAID controller is the chipset itself, working with the CPU. An Intel RAID array can be moved from one compatible chipset PC to another and work fine. Nothing about an Intel RAID array is stored anywhere else besides the RAID array itself. You cannot back up the RAID metadata on an Intel RAID array to use to create a new RAID array. If a drive in an Intel RAID array fails, and you have a back up of the data, you simply create a new, empty RAID array with spare drives, and copy the data from the back up to the new RAID array.