RAID 5 with different size disks

[Matt Morgan]

On 2/2/06, Fajar Priyanto <fajarpri at cbn.net.id> wrote:
> Hi all,
> Is it possible to setup a RAID 5 array using different size disks? Such as hda
> 9GB, hdb 36GB, hdc 40GB, hdd 80GB, hde 80GB.
> What are the impact and consequences?
> Thank you very much,

If you are experimenting with software RAID, you can make a 9Gb
partition on each of the drives, and add them to a RAID 5 array. Then
use the remaining space on the drives however you see fit (like
mirroring the remainder of the 80GB drives, and perhaps the 36 and
some of the 40).

That would be unsustainably complicated for a production system, in my
opinion. Drives are pretty cheap--just buy two 250GB drives and mirror
them, or buy two more 80GB drives and get rid of the 9, 36, and 40.