Re: SATA controller

>> I have to build a linux box (TSL2.2) with 24 750G hdd's (sata) for a
>> someone who needs lots of space. (app. 16 Tb raid-5 with hot-spare).
>> This box has to act as a nas server for a win2003 box.
>>
>> I normally use onboard sata ports and sometimes a 4 port sata
>> controller (fakeraid), all combined to make a raid-5 md device.
>>
> I´ve heard about controllers with 16 ports from Adaptec and Promise but
> I don´t know if they have any (stable) working drivers for linux,
> especially for kernel 2.4.x.
> But with such a lot of disks I wouldn´t give any thought to such a
> controller. Think how much the server case will cost for such a
> monstrum, think about the cost for assembling this thing, the power
> supplies... Internal controller with external disks? Mh, don´t know if
> this will work better. An all in one Raid box is the better sollution
> for your needs because it´s a lot more stable and you can blame someone
> if the box doesn´t work. On the other hand, I didn´t know any any box
> with more than 16 bays for sata, which may lead you into some new
> trouble. Maybe you can get 2 boxes, use them as "jbod" and work with an
> internal scsi controller to build your raid system.

Number of disks and power supply/case is no problem, I use this case:
http://usa.chenbro.com/corporatesite/products_01features.php?serno=43
with sata backplanes, works good. I use the 8 and 12 disk cases of  
chenbro very often, very good product. The problem is like I said the  
controller(s).

>> Does anyone know there are controllers with more sata ports or is it
>> wise to use (very expensive) real raid controllers in this case?
>>
> At all, in a production environment I would feel much more comfortable
> with the external boxes. Out of the box you have a more fault tolerant
> system making anoying noises when something went wrong. To set up such a
> system in a single case server will also take lots of planing, doing and
> leaves you with this uncomfortable feeling if the warning system works
> after the next patches / updates you apply to the system...
> Whatever you do I would be very interrested in your solution.

It has to be a linux box for several reasons (one is my own curiosity).

I've heard about SATA-II multipliers, anyone has used this before? It  
allows me to use 5 disks on one SATA-II port, so I can use 8x4 drives...

Arien.