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I want to learn how to use Software Raid 10, is it possible to use VirtualBox by adding four storage images?

This is my plan:

  • 4x 100mb partitions (1 on each drive) configured as a raid 1 for /boot in ext3.
  • Then with the remaining space on each drive, setup a software raid partition and configure it to to LVM and raid 10.
  • In the LVM, set up a 4gb swap partition and the remaining space as the root partition ( / ) as ext3.
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2 Answers 2

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Yes, this will work. Of course, don't expect to get any performance gain as the underlying disks are on the same device, but it's a great way to learn how to set it up in a safe environment.

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    It took me a while to come up with an answer better than "Yes."
    – Kyle Smith
    Apr 1, 2012 at 15:03
  • Haha thanks. Will LVM reduce the performance of O/I?
    – I'll-Be-Back
    Apr 1, 2012 at 18:19
  • @Black addressed this point perfectly.
    – Kyle Smith
    Apr 2, 2012 at 13:26
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As Kyle said, this will work. The setup and administration tasks will be identical to a physical system. As additional benefit, You can simulate the removal and replacement of a disk without fiddling with five disks.

However:

  • There won't be any redundancy. Therefore, Your raid is as vulnerable as the host file system.
  • I/O performance will be very low. Every write access results in two physical writes on two different parts of the same physical disc on the host system.
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  • Define 'host system' ?
    – I'll-Be-Back
    Apr 2, 2012 at 22:29
  • 'host system' means the physical system that runs VirtualBox.
    – Black
    Apr 3, 2012 at 10:58

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