which should I go for - PERC 6i or SAS 6/iR
Hi, I'm configuring a server build and Dell give the option of PERC 6i or SAS 6/iR RAID cards.
I'm looking to have RAID 1 for OS ( 2 x 73GB SAS HDs) and RAID 1 for data ( 2 x 300GB 10k SAS HDs).
Whats difference between cards? Which should I choose and why? Thanks!
I'm looking to have RAID 1 for OS ( 2 x 73GB SAS HDs) and RAID 1 for data ( 2 x 300GB 10k SAS HDs).
Whats difference between cards? Which should I choose and why? Thanks!
ASKER
Hi Big,
A nice summary, but I would appreciate knowing just what the difference is between them. Any ideas?
A nice summary, but I would appreciate knowing just what the difference is between them. Any ideas?
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ASKER
Thanks for that. I'd been looking for some docs on the SAS 6/iR for a while but not found it.
The main thing seems to be that the PERC allows more Virtual Drives. Not needed to start with but it allows me to add more Virtaul drives later on and that's important to the Client.
Many thanks
J
The main thing seems to be that the PERC allows more Virtual Drives. Not needed to start with but it allows me to add more Virtaul drives later on and that's important to the Client.
Many thanks
J
Hi
Ok, as an employee of Dell, here are the diffrences
1. PERC 6i are for Meduim to large Servers which need high performance and redundancy. It supports RAID0,1,5 and 6 as well as JBOD. It has cache of 256MB or 512MB and a BBU (battery backup Unit) and supports 8 disks via 2 x 4 port cables
2. SAS 6 i/R is an entry level "RAID Controller" that supports RAID 0, 1 and JBOD. It has a discrete cache of 32MB - 64MB, no BBU and supports 8 disks via 2 x 4 port cables (Older SAS 5 i/R only supported 4 disk, so be careful when buying)
For what you want the SAS 6 i/R is more than sufficent. The PERC 6i in my IMHO is overkill for anything below a highly utilized file server. Let me know if you want any more details.
Ok, as an employee of Dell, here are the diffrences
1. PERC 6i are for Meduim to large Servers which need high performance and redundancy. It supports RAID0,1,5 and 6 as well as JBOD. It has cache of 256MB or 512MB and a BBU (battery backup Unit) and supports 8 disks via 2 x 4 port cables
2. SAS 6 i/R is an entry level "RAID Controller" that supports RAID 0, 1 and JBOD. It has a discrete cache of 32MB - 64MB, no BBU and supports 8 disks via 2 x 4 port cables (Older SAS 5 i/R only supported 4 disk, so be careful when buying)
For what you want the SAS 6 i/R is more than sufficent. The PERC 6i in my IMHO is overkill for anything below a highly utilized file server. Let me know if you want any more details.
ASKER
Many thanks for the extra info Dell100.
The information provided above is partially incorrect. The 6i/R is not always an integrated chip directly on the board. It can be a PCI Card format.
The Dell SAS 6/iR family comprises five different form
factors to support different platforms: the SAS 6/iR
adapter controller (a PCI card), the SAS 6/iR integrated
controller with sled (used with internalstorage
PCI 3.0 connections in PowerEdge rack
servers), the SAS 6/iR integrated controller without
sled (used with internal-storage PCIe connections in
PowerEdge tower servers), the SAS 6/iR integrated
blade controller, and the SAS 6/iR integrated workstation
controller.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/power/ps2q08-20080312-Dixit.pdf
The Dell SAS 6/iR family comprises five different form
factors to support different platforms: the SAS 6/iR
adapter controller (a PCI card), the SAS 6/iR integrated
controller with sled (used with internalstorage
PCI 3.0 connections in PowerEdge rack
servers), the SAS 6/iR integrated controller without
sled (used with internal-storage PCIe connections in
PowerEdge tower servers), the SAS 6/iR integrated
blade controller, and the SAS 6/iR integrated workstation
controller.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/power/ps2q08-20080312-Dixit.pdf
I will conclude : the cheapest one is the best one.