>>> Based on input from everyone here I am thinking of an alternate setup. >>> Single small inexpensive 64GB SSD used as /boot, / and swap. Putting >>> /vz on software RAID1 array on the two 4TB drives. I can likely just >>> zip tie the SSD in the 1u case somewhere since I have no more drive >>> bays. Does this seem like a better layout? >> >> As long as you have duplicate SSD as backup and regularly backup /boot >> to that other SSD, it should be OK. Loosing SSD and /boot with new >> kernels would be a mayor problem for you, you would need to recreate them. > > I am thinking I will not have much I/O traffic on the SSD hopefully > extending its lifespan. If it dies I will just need to reinstall > Centos on a replacement SSD. My critical files will be in /vz that I > need backup on and I think RAID1 will give me double read speed on > that array. Trying to balance cost/performance/redundancy here. If I am putting both 4TB drives in a single RAID1 array for /vz would there be any advantage to using LVM on it?