Time Machine or RAID set?

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Time Machine or RAID set?

Recently, when my system disk began to fail, I purchased two 1TB hard drives to replace it. I then configured both drives as one RAID set so that any data on my system disk would automatically be written on the second disk as a backup. But now I'm wondering whether it would have been better to have designated the second drive as a Time Machine backup drive? For one thing, if I accidentally erased a file, I could retrieve it if the second disk was a Time Machine backup disk, but I think it'd be gone forever with a RAID set. Also, Lion's Disk Utility does not repair permissions on a RAID set (without resorting to terminal commands).

Any input on which method of backing up I should choose?

Posted on Jan 9, 2012 5:51 PM

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Answer 1

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Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jan 9, 2012 6:47 PM in response to Raymond Fox

Raymond Fox wrote:

. . .

But now I'm wondering whether it would have been better to have designated the second drive as a Time Machine backup drive?

Yes, in several ways.

For one thing, if I accidentally erased a file, I could retrieve it if the second disk was a Time Machine backup disk, but I think it'd be gone forever with a RAID set.

That's correct.

Also, Lion won't put a Recovery HD on a RAID set (just why isn't clear).

If you're thinking of using FileVault2, it won't do that, either.

Any input on which method of backing up I should choose?

Time Machine is the easiest and simplest. You might want to review the Time Machine Tutorial, and perhaps browse Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.

If you're unsure about different types of backups, see Time Machine vs. Clones and Archives.

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