AppAssure deployment support and tales of woe

Hey guys,

I would like to know what others have done for raid stripe size and NTFS block size when setting up a new large AppAssure server. The server itself has 64 GB of RAM, Server 2012 R2, 24 DAS for a total of about 20 TB, and 8 NIC ports. AppAssure version 5.3.6.125.

Additionally, I am curious if people are using NIC Teaming.

I ask because AppAssure support is driving me nuts. When I ask about the raid stripe size and NTFS block size, I am told (twice), "RAID 5". Ok, A) that has nothing to do with what I am asking and B) RAID 5 is bad advice anyway (RAID 6 is a much better choice). I keep trying to explain this is the equivalent of my asking, "what's the best sports car?" and being told "Red." They just don't get it ...

Additionally, I have been told (twice) they don't support NIC teaming, despite the fact their sizing maxtrix says it is required (http://www.appassure.com/support/KB/sizing-appassure-5-deployments/#Sizing_Matrix) .

Thanks guys - I suspect I will get much more clear-headed answers here than from their support from what I have experienced so far ...

--Andrew