Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
We have a production 4.1.1 box that is acting as a mail server. We are wanting to beef this box up a bit for a little more survivability. 1) If we put in a newer hardware raid card does the os/kernel still need a driver to see it? Or does a hardware raid solution eliminate the need for any drivers. We are just a bit concerned due to our OS being a bit behind and thinking that our raid options might be limited or very antiquated. I realize that the original poster said that "Yes, the RAIDing is completely transparent to the OS.", which confusing me as to why there is a supported raid card list. The kernel still needs to support the RAID card. I think the original poster refered to the RAID file system to be completely transparent to the OS contrary to software RAID where the kernel needs to handle all RAID functionality. When using a RAID card the card handles everything related to the RAID array (reading, syncin, rebuilding a replaced drive etc...). 2) Can a mirror be made out of an existing drive. I have heard the that the Adaptec 2100A can make a mirror off of existing data, but alas this is not supported by FreeBSD as they recommend the 2400A. Yes, that's true. At least my cheap FastTrak TX2 offers the option of creating a RAID1 array using an existing disk. Unfurtunetly I don't have experience in how realible this rebuild is if the disk are completely different for example. -Bob -- Johan ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
RE: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
Getting in on this one late, saved the emails for a rainy day which is ironically right now. A few questions: We have a production 4.1.1 box that is acting as a mail server. We are wanting to beef this box up a bit for a little more survivability. 1) If we put in a newer hardware raid card does the os/kernel still need a driver to see it? Or does a hardware raid solution eliminate the need for any drivers. We are just a bit concerned due to our OS being a bit behind and thinking that our raid options might be limited or very antiquated. I realize that the original poster said that "Yes, the RAIDing is completely transparent to the OS.", which confusing me as to why there is a supported raid card list. 2) Can a mirror be made out of an existing drive. I have heard the that the Adaptec 2100A can make a mirror off of existing data, but alas this is not supported by FreeBSD as they recommend the 2400A. Any insight would be great... -Bob > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Chad Leigh -- > Shire.Net LLC > Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 1:05 PM > To: Micheal Patterson > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD > > > > On Thursday, Jul 3, 2003, at 09:44 US/Mountain, Micheal Patterson wrote: > > > > As I recall, that particular system is running an Adaptec 2100S under > > FreeBSD 4.8. I've not found any software that can access that > > particular > > raid directly for configuration from within the running OS. > > Actually Adaptec has FreeBSD management software for the 2100S. I > had/have two machines running 2100S and FreeBSD 4.7 and on one of them > I can get the management software to run and on one of them I can't. > There is no difference in the machines themselves. But you can > download and try the software from the adaptec website. > > Chad > > > > The only way to > > access it that I'm aware of is with the standard Control A at system > > startup > > to access the on board settings of the card. Here, the raid type can be > > configured. I will say that I've had a drive failure on this system > > with > > little effect on the normal operation of the OS. However, since there > > aren't > > any hot swappable bays in this particular system (company didn't want > > to > > spend for them), the system has to be shut down to replace the failed > > drive. > > However, the system will still boot in diminished mode and continue > > this way > > until the new drive has been restored. > > > > -- > > > > Micheal Patterson > > TSG Network Administration > > 405-917-0600 > > > > ___ > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list > > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > > To unsubscribe, send any mail to > > "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" > > ___ > [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to > "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" > ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
On Thursday, Jul 3, 2003, at 09:44 US/Mountain, Micheal Patterson wrote: As I recall, that particular system is running an Adaptec 2100S under FreeBSD 4.8. I've not found any software that can access that particular raid directly for configuration from within the running OS. Actually Adaptec has FreeBSD management software for the 2100S. I had/have two machines running 2100S and FreeBSD 4.7 and on one of them I can get the management software to run and on one of them I can't. There is no difference in the machines themselves. But you can download and try the software from the adaptec website. Chad The only way to access it that I'm aware of is with the standard Control A at system startup to access the on board settings of the card. Here, the raid type can be configured. I will say that I've had a drive failure on this system with little effect on the normal operation of the OS. However, since there aren't any hot swappable bays in this particular system (company didn't want to spend for them), the system has to be shut down to replace the failed drive. However, the system will still boot in diminished mode and continue this way until the new drive has been restored. -- Micheal Patterson TSG Network Administration 405-917-0600 ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
- Original Message - From: "Alexander Haderer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Micheal Patterson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2003 12:54 PM Subject: Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD > At 12:39 02.07.2003 -0500, Micheal Patterson wrote: > > >[...] > >It works equally well with Adaptec hardware raid with 5 SCSI drives in a > >Raid 5 configuration. Gotta love FreeBSD. Although, not everyone needs raid > >5, but it's nice to know that it works and works well. > > hello Michael, > > please could you tell us which Adaptec hardware you are using at which > FreeBSD version. > > How do you manage the raid on the running system? Is there a console > application to do things like configuration, drive-shutdown etc... > > with best regards, > > Alexander > As I recall, that particular system is running an Adaptec 2100S under FreeBSD 4.8. I've not found any software that can access that particular raid directly for configuration from within the running OS. The only way to access it that I'm aware of is with the standard Control A at system startup to access the on board settings of the card. Here, the raid type can be configured. I will say that I've had a drive failure on this system with little effect on the normal operation of the OS. However, since there aren't any hot swappable bays in this particular system (company didn't want to spend for them), the system has to be shut down to replace the failed drive. However, the system will still boot in diminished mode and continue this way until the new drive has been restored. -- Micheal Patterson TSG Network Administration 405-917-0600 ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
RE: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Subject: Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD > > > At 12:39 02.07.2003 -0500, Micheal Patterson wrote: > >> [...] >> It works equally well with Adaptec hardware raid with 5 SCSI drives >> in a Raid 5 configuration. Gotta love FreeBSD. Although, not >> everyone needs raid 5, but it's nice to know that it works and works >> well. > > hello Michael, > > please could you tell us which Adaptec hardware you are using at which > FreeBSD version. Just for information! For simple RAID0 or RAID1 purposes with very low budget I can highly recommend the Dawicontrol DC-100 (HPT372 chip, ~45?) and the DC-133 (SiliconImage 0680 Chipset, ~55?). They both work like a charm. I just installed 5.1-release on both without any problem (ar0!) I can remember some c't (famous german computer magazine) tests where the adaptec controller were much weaker that e.g. the Dawicontrols. Best regards, -Harry > > How do you manage the raid on the running system? Is there a console > application to do things like configuration, drive-shutdown etc... > > with best regards, > > Alexander ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
At 12:39 02.07.2003 -0500, Micheal Patterson wrote: [...] It works equally well with Adaptec hardware raid with 5 SCSI drives in a Raid 5 configuration. Gotta love FreeBSD. Although, not everyone needs raid 5, but it's nice to know that it works and works well. hello Michael, please could you tell us which Adaptec hardware you are using at which FreeBSD version. How do you manage the raid on the running system? Is there a console application to do things like configuration, drive-shutdown etc... with best regards, Alexander -- Alexander Haderer Charite Berlin - Germany ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
- Original Message - From: "Johan Paul" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2003 12:17 PM Subject: Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD > > Yes, the RAIDing is completely transparent to the OS. You don't even > > have to reboot the machine if the disks are hot-swappable. Just pull the > > dead one out, install the new one, and the controller will bring it up > > to speed. RAID-1 is much faster to rebuild than RAID-5 (just a casual > > observation; I'm not sure if that's a hard-and-fast rule). > > I just wanted to let you all know that I succesfully installed FreeBSD > 4.8R with Promise FastTrak TX2 on a RAID1 using two IDE drives. Works > like a charm all the way from installation! FreeBSD sees the RAID1 > arrays as "ar0" and tells me that the two disks are 'READY' :) > > It's so nice to know that it actually works and one can be much more > safe now than with software RAID... And the card wasn't even expensive. > I just have to say that I had my doubts in the beginning, but luckely > they were in vain! It works equally well with Adaptec hardware raid with 5 SCSI drives in a Raid 5 configuration. Gotta love FreeBSD. Although, not everyone needs raid 5, but it's nice to know that it works and works well. -- Micheal Patterson TSG Network Administration 405-917-0600 ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
Yes, the RAIDing is completely transparent to the OS. You don't even have to reboot the machine if the disks are hot-swappable. Just pull the dead one out, install the new one, and the controller will bring it up to speed. RAID-1 is much faster to rebuild than RAID-5 (just a casual observation; I'm not sure if that's a hard-and-fast rule). I just wanted to let you all know that I succesfully installed FreeBSD 4.8R with Promise FastTrak TX2 on a RAID1 using two IDE drives. Works like a charm all the way from installation! FreeBSD sees the RAID1 arrays as "ar0" and tells me that the two disks are 'READY' :) It's so nice to know that it actually works and one can be much more safe now than with software RAID... And the card wasn't even expensive. I just have to say that I had my doubts in the beginning, but luckely they were in vain! -- Johan ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Using a RAID-card with FreeBSD
Johan Paul wrote: Hi all, This might be kind of a newbie question - I apologize for that. This is my first time I use a hardware RAID card on a server. I was wondering if there are any issues with FreeBSD (4.8R) regarding these cards? Will FreeBSD see the RAID1 as a single hard drive that I just need to partition and label? And if I need to replace a failed hard Yes, it just sees a single ordinary drive. drive in the RAID array I assume the card will do the rebuilding of the array while FreeBSD will function as normal even when I need to reboot the machine? Yes, the RAIDing is completely transparent to the OS. You don't even have to reboot the machine if the disks are hot-swappable. Just pull the dead one out, install the new one, and the controller will bring it up to speed. RAID-1 is much faster to rebuild than RAID-5 (just a casual observation; I'm not sure if that's a hard-and-fast rule). I checked that the card I intended to use (Promise FastTrak TX2) is supported by FreeBSD so I don't assume any problems installing FreeBSD either. Thanks for any answers :-) you're welcome. David ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
