Re: SCSI vs SATA

On Apr 5, 2007, at 4:09 AM, Ron wrote:

> BE VERY WARY OF USING AN ADAPTEC RAID CONTROLLER!

Thanks - I received similar private emails with the same advice. I
will change the controller to a LSI MegaRAID SAS 8408E -- any
feedback on this one?

>
> IME, they are usually the worst of the commodity RAID controllers
> available.
> I've often seen SW RAID outperform them.
>
> If you are going to use this config, Tyan's n3600M (AKA S2932) MB
> has a variant that comes with 8 SAS + 6 SATA II connectors.
> The SKU is S2932WG2NR.
> http://www.tyan.us/product_board_detail.aspx?pid=453

I plan on leveraging the battery backed module so onboard sas isn't a
priority for me.

> I'm using this beast (Dual Socket F, AMD Barcelona ready, 16 DIMMS
> supporting up to 64GB of ECC RAM, 2 PCI-Ex16 slots w/ PCI-Ex8
> signalling, etc:
> ~$450 US w/o SAS, ~$500 US w/ SAS) for my most recent pg 8.2.3
> build on top of XFS.

I'm curious to know why you're on xfs (i've been too chicken to stray
from ext3).

> If the on board RAID is or becomes inadequate to your needs, I'd
> strongly suggest either 3ware or Areca RAID controllers.

I don't know why, but my last attempt at using an areca 1120 w/ linux
on amd64 (and > 4gb ram) was disastrous - i will never use them
again. 3ware's been rock solid for us.

>
> Side Note:
> What kind of HDs are the 8*73GB ones? If they are the new 2.5"
> Savvio 15Ks, be =VERY= careful about having proper power and
> cooling for them.
> 14 HD's in one case are going to have a serious transient load on
> system start up and (especially with those SAS HDs) can generate a
> great deal of heat.

I went w/ Fujitsu. Fortunately these servers are hosted in a very
well ventilated area so i am not that concerned with heat issues.

>
> What 16bay 3U server are you using?

supermicro sc836tq-r800
http://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/3U/836/SC836TQ-R800V.cfm

Thanks for all the help!