I'm new to Unity and I'm on a new Unity too.  When should I optimize workspaces, and when should I synchronize workspaces?  My understanding is that it's best to always use protected/mirrored workspaces and that protected workspaces don't require optimization.  I have less crucial workspaces on my systems that contain example projects and practise media for new editors, etc that I'm running without protection.  My understanding is also that unprotected workspaces take up less space that protected ones, so when I'm pushed for space I'll take off the protection on less crucial workspaces to free up some GBs.  Is this approach correct or not?  Any comments and advice will be most welcome. 

Unity 5.0.1, 3x fibre connected XP clients (MC v3.0 and v2.7) see specs

You need to optimized when you add new Drives into an Existing Allocation Group, this will cause the files to be broken down to muliple chucks and store across multiple drives within the Allocation Group.

You Syncronize when you Enable "Mirroring" to an Existing Partition and vise versa. It basically syncronize the virtual backup partition of the specified partition.

NOTE: its also a good idea to "Optimize" Partition from time to time, especially if you delete/add considerable amount of files.

True that mirroring uses twice space compaired to "non-protected" but as the term says "Non-protected" is not appealling at all, (Drives are getting cheaper now), might wanna do the math, and not only that. Mirroring gives you more "Read" bandwidth.

If a chuck of file needs to be access from a "Busy Drive", the Server is smart enough to locate the "Clone" chuck from the Mirror. thus giving you an extra power when you need it.

briMestone:

....Mirroring gives you more "Read" bandwidth.

If a chuck of file needs to be access from a "Busy Drive", the Server is smart enough to locate the "Clone" chuck from the Mirror. thus giving you an extra power when you need it.

 It this documented anywhere?

And how does one drive become more busy than another one in the same allocation group?

CorneScheepers:

When should I optimize workspaces

When the difference in drive usage between the emptiest and the fullest drive exceeds 0.2%

Theres a LOT of things thats totally un-documented.