[plug] Hardware question - slightly Linux related :)

[Phillip Bennett]

Hi guys,

I am looking at replacing one of my Linux servers here at the moment and 
wanted to ask people about their experiences with hardware configuration..

Basically, it's a fileserver and will have about a terrabyte or so of space 
available in the form of a RAID array, (probably RAID5) and I was wondering 
if anyone would be able to tell me the pros/cons of having all this 
available in just ONE array, as opposed to having two or more smaller 
arrays.  Are there performance advantages that people know about?  I 
realiase that with two smaller arrays, there is less risk to data, but more 
cost for disks, but could this be offset by buying larger (750G) drives?

I'd be interested to know what people think and why.

For those wondering, it'll be a PowerEdge 2950 with all disks internal, as 
opposed to an external array.  Would this make a difference?

Thanks in advance,
Phil.