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Linux - Raid5 solution

T

Terr1

n00b
Joined
May 24, 2010
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Hello, I've been searching around on the forum and found much information..

I want to keep running linux (debian) and replace my current LVM2 solution with 5 TB data.. I have had this solution running for years.. (simple LVM2 of 8 diffrent hdd's).

However I want the extra security of data by running raid 5, I prefer a hardware based raid system, I don't want to spend time maintaining a software solution.

Because of this I don't want to use ZFS or UnRAID solutions (software based).

My budget for a raid card is MAX 1000$. It is going to be used as media server for my private dvd/bluray backups (so semi-large files).

I need 8 internal SATA II ports, I have no idea what controller card to throw my money on thats suited for my usage.

I will be buying WD's 2TB RE4 disks for the controller.

Been looking at Adaptec 5805 card, but some reviews says its slow with larger files?

Can anyone recommend a good linux Raid 5 - SATA II hardware controller for under 1000$, that's good for media server usage (Few writes, lots of reads)
 
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Well this isn't answering your question, but...you would be much better off using software raid, I think its silly not to.

Not only is Linux software raid more reliable, IMO (even when I had a 24 port 3ware card I just exported individual drives and ran software raid under Linux), but with the money you save you can buy a bunch of 2TB Samsung drives ($99/pop) and keep backups of your array. You'd end up with a ridiculously more reliable setup. It's just silly IMO to spend $1000 on a hardware raid controller under Linux... spend $100 on cheap SAS HBA and use software raid.

Also... you mention performance as well as storing blurays... if you're just storing movies and crap performance doesn't matter at all. I'd be much more concerned about driver quality and wantnot. Buy a 40GB Intel SSD for the OS if you want a snappy system, use the array for just storage.
 
I'm just storing them and steaming 1080p.. so I don't really need performance other than the ability of 1080p I guess.. Kinda stupid to invest in high performance when I only need to stream 1080p material, I see that..

The server has an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU.. I guess it can handle it..

So you would just use mdadm software raid 5?

If so, can you recommend a good Non-Raid SATA II HBA for more SATA II ports? only got 6 onboard (ich8r controller)
 
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You can look at Areca ARC1222, here is a benchmark of RAID5 with 8 WD RE4 2TB drives running AJA benchmark (good benchmark for your video simulation)

raid52048x155610bitrgb1.png



With 8 drive using software RAID and HBA, you will never achieve this kind of performance. All SATA II HBA now still only run on PCIe x4, which translate to 1000MB/s under 'ideal' scenario. Assuming you get maximum bandwidth (~20% performance loss due to overhead), you'd be lucky to get 800MB/s....

There is a reason hardware RAID controller exist.
 
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Well this isn't answering your question, but...you would be much better off using software raid, I think its silly not to.
Click to expand...
Hardware raid is slightly more convenient. It all depends on how much your time is worth - if I was making a couple hundred an hour, I wouldn't think twice about plopping in a hardware controller to save a little fuss.
 
@OP

If you want to go down the software RAID route, I suggest the Areca ARC-1300ix-16, or the LSI 9201-16i SAS HBAs.

If you want to go down the hardware RAID route, I think the best option is the Dell PERC 5/i or PERC 6/i. There are so many of these cards about that they can be found for around $200 or less on eBay or at Dell refurbishers, and their ubiquity makes them almost as portable as software RAID. They are bloody fast. too.

Either option can be combined with LVM to create a managable storage pool. The PERC 6/i can probably be found for much less than the SAS HBAs, ironically.
 
The Adaptec 5805 has really matured since its release a couple years ago. The card is very fast and stable. At work, I have several in different servers and we've been very pleased. The Perc6/i is another good choice, although I don't know if it is as fast as the 5805.

I would run RAID 6 instead of RAID 5. There won't be much difference performance wise and its a lot more secure.
 
Well the hazzle of maintaining a software solution is the reason I'm looking to change.. I don't need top notch performance..I need okay performance to stream 1080p..

I have heard mentioned the following.. I however have zero idea which is better..

I have been looking at the PERC 6/i from DELL with 256MB DDR2 RAM and connector cables for 440$ (from dell)..

The Areca 1222 622$ - from UK (Areca impossible to get in my country)

The Adaptec 5805 700$ - locally <-- This only support the HP SAS Extender (if you want to expand later, using SATA I.. kinda sux).

I have no idea what the difference is between them, performance wise.. If they can deliver stability and decent performance.. It must be usable in linux however with good drivers..
 
There's many diffrent versions of the PERC 6/i (Part numbers).. T774H, H736F,YW946 and H726F.. Dosent matter which version you pick up?

Do anyone have any RAID-5 benchmarking results on the PERC 6/i?
 
Those numbers might be revisions; I'm not familiar with them; it might represent a firmware revision, or perhaps whether it's a standard PCIe card (i.e. with bracket) or mounted on tray. As for performance figures, look here.
 
Thanks I ended up with 6x WD RE4 and 1x Adaptec 5805 (I know its overkill, but I want it :) ).. Hope it performs okay on linux..

Heard that Adaptec has some pretty good monitoring tools..

Can I get some feedback on RAID 5 chunck size? (Mediaserver, My Bluray/dvd backups) Hurray no disc handling!

I Should enable TLER on this setup right? Even thou I use linux?

(mostly 4-10GB files, some 600MB).. I guess large chunk size since its going to be sequential read?
 
True, but he has RE drives... thought those already had TLER set up properly on them.
 
I thought about that when I posted. I assume TLER is default enabled on RE drives but can be disabled?
 
ah ok I did not know that.. Thx for the confirmation that its needed thou! (havent recieved the hardware yet, just ordered it, else I would have checked of cause).
 
I have recieved my adaptec 5805 and 6x 2TB WD RE4 drives (RAID-5)

Now I'm looking for a good strip size.. File server with mostly dvd/bluray backups (250MB-14GB files), and a few smaller files not many thou..

What Strip/Chunk size should I use? 128KB/256KB?
 
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