From owner-freebsd-hardware@FreeBSD.ORG Thu Jul 17 18:25:20 2003 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-hardware@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 9AF1537B401 for ; Thu, 17 Jul 2003 18:25:20 -0700 (PDT) Received: from wrongcrowd.com (dsl231-036-178.sea1.dsl.speakeasy.net [216.231.36.178]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id EBB4143F3F for ; Thu, 17 Jul 2003 18:25:19 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from matt@wrongcrowd.com) Received: from [192.168.1.99] (helo=thunderbird.wrongcrowd.com) by wrongcrowd.com with esmtp (Exim 3.34 #1) id 19dJzm-0006c5-00 for freebsd-hardware@freebsd.org; Thu, 17 Jul 2003 18:25:14 -0700 Message-Id: <5.2.0.9.2.20030717175850.034b56c0@mail.speakeasy.net> X-Sender: matt@192.168.1.1 X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.2.0.9 Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 18:25:23 -0700 To: freebsd-hardware@freebsd.org From: Matt Staroscik Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Subject: P-ATA RAID: 3Ware 7000-2 or Promise SX6000? X-BeenThere: freebsd-hardware@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: General discussion of FreeBSD hardware List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:25:20 -0000 I have posted recently about my fight with an Adaptec 2400A. Short version: I am losing! It's time to consider plan B, so I am researching other RAID hardware choices. I am looking for a bootable, true hardware P-ATA RAID controller that will let me create a RAID-1 mirror to safeguard my boot volume. This will be for my home web/email/file server, so I do not require blistering speed. I also do not require the ability to rebuild the array while the system is up -- using the card's BIOS will be fine, I can take the downtime. In fact I PREFER to do all RAID management in the BIOS. I do require compatibility with Maxtor DiamondPlus 9 160GB drives (6Y160P0), because I already have them. I also need a FreeBSD command-line tool to tell me how healthy the RAID is. Ideally I would get a card with support for more than 2 drives so I can add more mirrored storage down the road. Cost is always a concern, of course, but reliability and ease of use are more important. While the Adaptec 2400A caused me all kinds of problems under load, it otherwise had great features. The BIOS utility was easy to use, FreeBSD was able to boot from it, and there were FreeBSD tools to check the RAID status. It worked great, except for those kernel panics. ;) I have narrowed it down to 2 choices. (if I am overlooking anything, please LMK!) 3ware 7000-2 Pros: Less expensive, twe driver in GENERIC kernel. Cons: Supports 2 drives only so I have to buy another one if I want to add more RAID-1 storage; no option to add hefty cache Open issues: I have read a lot of posts hinting at incompatibilities with some HDs, and problems rebuilding arrays. What's the deal? And is it bootable? Haven't seem explicit verification of that. Does the BIOS let you do complete RAID management? Promise SX6000 Pros: Much more capable with support for 6 drives and loads of cache RAM. Cons: Expensive Open Issues: FreeBSD bootable? Does the BIOS let you do complete RAID management? which driver and are there known issues? Currently I am leaning towards the 7000-2, but MANY thanks for your input on this matter! Best, Matt