Question

Can anyone recommend a cost-effective SATA RAID controller?

Asked by: vancetech

I am planning on installing freebsd 5.4 with a RAID 1 configuration for a fileserver.  According to the hardware compatability list the RAID controller cards I am looking at may not be supported.

HighPoint Rocket RAID 1520 SATA Controller
Promise FastTrak TX4200
Adaptec Serial ATA RAID 1210SA

Can anyone recommend a 2 channel SATA RAID card that they know works with FreeBSD 5.4?

Thanks!

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Asked On
2005-09-19 at 12:34:40ID21566703
Tags

freebsd

,

1210sa

,

raid

,

sata

Topic

FreeBSD

Participating Experts
4
Points
100
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: gheistPosted on 2005-09-19 at 12:49:39ID: 14915126

man 8 gmirror
man 8 gstripe

HighPoint works as RAID
Promise works at least as disk, and most controllers as RAID
Adaptec is shady. Some are fake RAID (i.e all done in software), Some do not have normal drivers etc.
Onboard RAID is unlikely to work.

If device works as disk controller it can be used as mirror if attached disk support extra sectors for provider's data (about half support that, others do not-you have to check it before you buy)
References:
http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=ata
http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=gmirror
http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=gstripe

 

by: jrssystemsnetPosted on 2005-09-20 at 11:33:59ID: 14922751

I will second gheist's recommendation that you use gmirror.  It works excellently, and due to the resultant complete lack of dependency on hard-to-find hardware, I actually prefer it over hardware RAID.  See article here:

http://www.freebsdwiki.net/index.php/RAID1%2C_Software%2C_How_to_setup

 

by: NelliosPosted on 2005-09-22 at 00:26:06ID: 14934665

Adaptec Serial ATA RAID 1210SA is a very nice choice. I've used this controller under Linux and I am pretty satisfied. You will need that latest kernel modules in order to get ti working !!!

 

by: NelliosPosted on 2005-09-22 at 00:27:45ID: 14934673

Something more: I said it is test it with linux. But since it works with linux it will prolly work with freebsd too. The modules I used in linux were aacraid and aic97xxx. If you can find something like this under freebsd then you will have no problem

 

by: gheistPosted on 2005-09-22 at 07:11:18ID: 14936829

WTF binary modules.
When it is "compatible" it means it works with included drivers not with custom modules.

Besides all said adaptec is twice as expensive as closest competitors....

 

by: NelliosPosted on 2005-09-22 at 07:15:08ID: 14936870

From those I've worked with so far it was the best solution. If you have something btter in mind go ahead ...

 

by: gheistPosted on 2005-09-22 at 07:26:04ID: 14936981

I'd prefer one of supported SATA controllers, not some prehistoric raid rewired from scsi to sata ....

 

by: SirParadoxPosted on 2005-12-14 at 10:43:48ID: 15484483

3ware 8006-2. We've used their 7000 series since FreeBSD 4.5 or so, drive will work for both. If you're using Linux, they'll work as well.

 

by: gheistPosted on 2005-12-14 at 12:07:29ID: 15485306

One thing is cheap cards, where you can use kernel mirror drivers for pairs of disks.
Another are things like 3ware which can do more complicated setups, and are well supported too.

All you have to do is asses how much reliable diskspace you need and whether you put extra buck in extra disks or extra functionality of controller.
It will work great either way.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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