Update README.md

README.md

@@ -32,4 +32,33 @@ RAID controller / array is managed from within the Linux OS utilizing MegaCLI
 - 2x Mini-SAS 26 pin to 4X SATA 7 pin breakout cable
 - 2x ATX PSU 6 pin to 4X SATA 15 pin power cable
 - 1x 40mm 5v USB fan
-- 1x 3.5 inch HDD enclosure holding 8 drives
+- 1x 3.5 inch HDD enclosure holding 8 drives
+
+## Raid Array Configuration
+- Controller: LSI MegaRAID SAS 9286-8e
+- RAID Level: RAID 6 (dual parity)
+- Total storage: 32TB raw, 24TB usable
+
+I chose RAID 6 as the drives which I am using within the array were sourced 2nd hand, I am willing to sacrifice storage for the safety and redundancy dual parity provides with these riskier drives.
+
+## Useful Aliases
+
+Within my .bashrc file I created a few useful quick hand aliases as I find MegaCLI's syntax to be rather obtuse and non-standard.
+
+```
+alias raidtemp="sudo megacli -AdpAllInfo -aAll | grep -i 'roc'"
+```
+
+This lists the current temperature of the RAID card's controller. It's something I wanted to monitor, as initially, when I first plugged the card into my SFF PC it was reaching temperatures above 90 degrees. This is due to the fact these cards are typically created with the intention of being placed in extremelly well cooled servers not a SFF PC from 2012. After binding a 40mm USB fan with silicone adhesive directly onto the card's heatsink its operating temperatures became much more acceptable sitting around 60 degrees or so. 
+
+```  
+alias raidls="sudo megacli -PDList -aALL | grep -E 'Slot Number|Firmware state|S.M.A.R.T|Temperature'"
+```
+This condenses MegaCLI's default detailed information about drives within the array to just the relevant information I am interested in monitoring, namely the drive's number, if it's online, if it has any S.M.A.R.T warnings and it's temperature.
+
+
+```
+alias raidinfo="sudo megacli -LDInfo -Lall -aALL"
+```
+
+This provides information about the array itself including the array's usable size, parity size, sector size, state and encryption type.