Re: SATA RAID: Promise vs. 3ware

On 3/20/07, Ireneusz Pluta <ipluta(at)wp(dot)pl> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I sent a similar post to a FreeBSD group, but thought I'd might try here too.
>
> I am completing a box for PostgreSQL server on FreeBSD. Selecting a RAID controller I decided to go
> with 3ware SE9650-16, following good opinions about 3ware controllers found on FreeBSD and
> PostgreSQL groups.
>
> However my dealer suggest me not to go with 3ware, and take Promise SuperTrak EX16350, instead. This
> suggestion does not have any technical background and it comes generally from the fact of limited
> availability of 16x 3ware controllers on the local market and immediate availability of Promise.
>
> Is this technically a good idea to take Promise instead of 3ware or rather I definitely should
> insist on 3ware and wait for it?

Promise raid controllers are famous for being software based with all
the real work being done in the driver. Without doing the research
this may or may not be the case with this particular controller.
Another issue with cheap RAID controllers is the performance may not
be as good as software raid...in fact it may be worse. Look for
benchmarks on the web and be skeptical.

merlin