Just a couple of RAID 1 questions:

a)If I set up a RAID 1 system with two hard disks, what is possible in terms
of swap partitions? It seems that I kind of need a third disk ...

Can swap partitions be RAID as well?

The reason I'm asking is that if a hard drive containing a swap partition
dies, the system is pretty well dead as well. With only two hard disks, it
isn't clear the best arrangement.

b)I've noticed that on Dell's web page, if one configures a server for RAID
1, it typically requires a separate disk controller. Why is this? Does
RAID 1 require special hardware support?

Thanks, Dave A.