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Date: Fri, 30 May 2014 10:39:35 -0600 (MDT)
From: Warren Block <wblock@wonkity.com>
To: Alejandro Imass <aimass@yabarana.com>
Subject: Re: ZFS Recommendations for a new server
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On Fri, 30 May 2014, Alejandro Imass wrote:

> I am setting up a new server and would like to migrate to FBSD 10 and ZFS.
> I have no experience with either so asking for some guidance. Our
> experience has been mostly on FBSD 8 and 9 on UFS.
>
> The new server has a 2 x 1TB RE4 3ware 9650SE RAID and I have friends that
> tell me is actually better to use ZFS RAID instead of HW RAID1. Is this
> true? Why so?

First, because it makes the array hardware-independent, capable of being 
moved to a completely different controller without any difficulties like 
controller-specific metadata on the disks.  This can be important when 
there is a hardware failure and no easy access to an identical 
controller.

Second, because it allows ZFS to deal directly with the disks.  If the 
disks are hidden under a hardware RAID system, it can keep ZFS from 
seeing problems when they first begin.