Hi,
On Tue, 25 May 1999, Bobby Hitt wrote:
> Hello all:
>
> I'm looking for a Linux HARDWARE RAID solution that supports booting from
> the RAID. The hardware I know about that supports this:
> DPT
> ICP Vortex
And as people have noted, Mylex. I had to recommend one for a
customer recently, and as is actual No-Thanks server is going to be a
Linux+samba one as soon as I feel confortable with Samba PDC capabilities
for NT clients, I looked closely to these three controllers.
> I just returned an DPT 2044UW controller and caching module, performance was
> AWFUL. Before I buy a ICP Vortex controller, I wanted to see if anyone knows
> about any other alternatives.
I didn't consider low-end solutions like that or the megaraid, or
models like that within these three brands.
My criteria was simple:
1.- Level/quality of 'raw' support by the Linux Kernel
2.- Level/quality of utilities (for configuring, monitoring and
such)
3.- Price/performance
This is the conclusion I reach with
DPT:
1: Seems to be well supported, drivers included in the kernel.
2: There are no linux native utilities AFAIK, you must boot dos to
configure the controller also.
3: It seems to me this brand is like Adaptec: Much hype, but
performance/quality/price doesn't match.
Mylex (DACPGM):
1: Drivers are beta patches (by Leonard Zubkoff, the same guy who
made the Buslogic ones). I don't have nothing against beta as I stated
recently about 'alpha' regarding to sw raid to a list mate, But a customer
that spend $600-$800+ on a hw raid solution may think differently. Even
myself.
2: No Linux native utilities. You must boot dos to configure the
controller.
Also, I can't see why Mylex can't pay/support to produce it's own
production drivers, I don't know with kind of relationship Leonard has
with Mylex and former Buslogic, but I guess if enough money were deployed,
he'll have the time. And from my point of view, Hardware makers that want
to support Linux must hire/pay someone to produce its production drivers.
3: Uses to be cheaper than DPT, so performance and price goes
along.
ICP Vortex:
1: They provide production-quality drivers.
2: They have linux native utilities. (The least one expects when
one buys a medium/high end piece of hardware! Don't know if they're more
useful than direct /proc/ cat'ing though...)
3: I Haven't tried performance, but it seems is good (VA
choosed them for iys 8way xeon monster).
So my choice will be ICP Vortex...
greetings,
*****---(*)---**********************************************---------->
Francisco J. Montilla Systems & Network administrator
[EMAIL PROTECTED] irc: pukka Seville Spain
INSFLUG (LiNUX) Coordinator. www.insflug.org - ftp.insflug.org
