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Need storage server advice (raid/controller)

W

WesM63

2[H]4U
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
3,266
As the title says. I finally gave in and decided to build a new storage server, however i'm completely lost when it comes to raid cards and all that stuff.

Current specs:
Norco 4220
Gigabyte 970A-UD3
AMD FX-8120
16GB DDR3

Ideally I plan on going 20x 2TB in Raid 6 when the prices get reasonable again. In the mean time, I want to migrate my existing JBOD of 5 drives over with the SAT2-MV8. (and eventually build out the 20x 2TB array)

So, what's the most effective way to do this? 4/8port raid controller with HP SAS expander? Something like an 1280ML? or is there something i'm missing entirely.

I also plan on using 2x 146GB 15K SAS drives for the OS. I have no idea what OS i'm going to use at the moment. I wouldn't mind trying esxi pass through if any of the stuff supports if, if not i have a copy of server 2k8.
 
If Windows, people seem to like Areca.
I like 3ware but if performance is critical you may need to look at Areca, or LSI's cards (non 3ware).

I use a 9750-24i4e with 6 multilane cables to the backplanes for 60TB RAID-6 (3TB x 24).
No issues.
 
Hmm, thanks for the input.

So, what's the point in buying a ~$1k raid card when you can do the same for 1/2 the price with a 4port raid card and sas expander?

I have no idea, that's the reason for this post.
 
No real reason to buy a 24 port card over an 8 port card along with a SAS expander unless you are short on space or need extra RAM that is available with a larger card. If you think an Areca 1880i would fit your needs, send me a PM as I have a spare sitting around.
 
Agree w/ Blue Box, in my case I had been using SW RAID and various setups for years prior; I just wanted something that would fit into a 3U case and to be done with it, e.g. to have something stable that worked.

The SAS expander modules will work as well, that may be a little slower than directly connecting the drives to backplanes (4/backplane) but not by much.
 
war9200 said:
Agree w/ Blue Box, in my case I had been using SW RAID and various setups for years prior; I just wanted something that would fit into a 3U case and to be done with it, e.g. to have something stable that worked.

The SAS expander modules will work as well, that may be a little slower than directly connecting the drives to backplanes (4/backplane) but not by much.
Click to expand...
It isn't any slower. Any SAS HBA with more than 8 ports is going to have a SAS expander integrated into the board and will have identical performance as having a separate one. Any other HBA with more than 8 ports (SATA) is going to be slower due to age.
 
I am not sure on this but I was also under the impression that the HP SAS expander wont allow for staggered spin up of the attached drives. This might be an issue for you (I am worried about it hitting the UPS too hard).
 
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