raid ssd
do i need a special controller to raid ssd or can i just use a standard raid controller? if so, what is the reason for it and what kind of benefits can i expect?
joelsplace
Yes if you want to keep TRIM available. If the drives have good garbage collection it isn't that much of a problem (supposedly). Without TRIM your drives will slow down a lot over time.
RAID controllers that support SSDs with TRIM are very expensive. Thousands of dollars, and they also require certain SSDS, which make them even higher.
If you have low budget then just use a downtime window to remove the SSDs, do a secure erase or manual trim when attached to a native SATA or SAS connector, then restore, and you are good to go. Enterprise class SSDs have 20+% free space for housekeeping and the necessity of doing the TRIM isn't nearly what it was even 2 years ago.
If you have low budget then just use a downtime window to remove the SSDs, do a secure erase or manual trim when attached to a native SATA or SAS connector, then restore, and you are good to go. Enterprise class SSDs have 20+% free space for housekeeping and the necessity of doing the TRIM isn't nearly what it was even 2 years ago.
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Many software RAID drivers do not support TRIM. You need to make sure it does when you choose one.
ASKER
ok what if is use windows 8 or windows server 2012 for example the os is able to trim the ssd but im not sure if raided ssd's are supported.
The LSI Megaraid 9266 is a great controller that could meet your needs. It has full Windows support, works with SSDs without bottlenecks, and supports TRIM.
However, you do have the option of using Software RAID as well under Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012, which would give you higher throughput than what you would see with the LSI and still support TRIM.
All comes down to where you want to put your trust: On windows or on a hardware controller.
However, you do have the option of using Software RAID as well under Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012, which would give you higher throughput than what you would see with the LSI and still support TRIM.
All comes down to where you want to put your trust: On windows or on a hardware controller.
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The megaraid only works with TRIM on a short list of rather expensive (but quality server-class SSDs).
Don't worry about TRIM and get enterprise class SSDs with long usage. You can do a TRIM yourself by erasing them and restoring the data during a downtime window every 6-months to a year depending on usage patterns.
Don't worry about TRIM and get enterprise class SSDs with long usage. You can do a TRIM yourself by erasing them and restoring the data during a downtime window every 6-months to a year depending on usage patterns.