[ale] raid with linux

[Jeff Layton]

   I'm probably jumping in here late as usual. You say the box is
supposed to  just serve out files. Are there any requirements on
read or write speeds? How about hot-swap of disks? Do you
also need auto rebuild in the background in the event of a failed
disk? How about a hot-spare? Are you limited to a current case
or can you buy a new case?
   Based on these answers, I can share with you my experience
with hardware and software RAID under Linux. I don't have
any experience with the 3ware cards, but I've heard some really
great things about them from people I respect.

Jeff


Christopher Bergeron wrote:

> Ok... So are there any recommendations?  I agree that hardware raid is
> better than software (hence my lean towards a controller card).   I'm
> going to be mirroring the drives (no RAID 5 or anything [yet]).  The
> configuration is going to be as follows:
>
> (I'm building a SAN/fileserver and I'd like the best "value"
> [price/perfomance ratio].)  I'm essentially aiming for the apex of the
> cost/benefit curve (isn't everyone?!).
>
> 2 x 180GB IDE drives
> 2 x 80GB IDE drives
> 1 x whatever minimal system drive
>
> As such, I was thinking about using a 20GB or whatever drive for the
> OS/system and a promise controller (or other brand - recommendations are
> welcomed) for the IDE drives.  I have 0 (pronounced: zero) experience
> configuring RAID under linux and as such I'm looking for the most
> painless way to proceed.  This is a fraction of the project that I'm
> working on, and as such I don't want to spend too much time
> tweaking/installing this setup.
>
> Since the mobo can only handle 4 ide (2 pairs); I know that I'll have to
> use a raid controller (I'm dismissing the raid motherboards that I've
> seen at Ginstar and others).  I'm _very_ familiar with redhat and
> Gentoo...  I'd like to make this a Gentoo box; but at this point the
> distro isn't really relevant.  The box sits on the inside of our
> network, and as such kernel versions and package versions can remain
> static (if it works; why upgrade it [security aside]).  I won't be
> upgrading the packages/kernel unless something comes up.  This machine
> is intended to be a headless server.  As long as it works and serves
> files, that's all I care about.
>
> Your guys'es thoughts/recommendations?
>
> Thanks again,
> -CB
>
> Zack Link wrote:
>
> > Might be limited to one distro (red hat for instance), and a certain
> > kernel version for drivers for hardware raid.  I have an onboard RAID
> > controller on a PC, and I am stuck with RH AND a certain kernel
> > version.  No upgrading the kernel etc.  Maybe there is a way around
> > it, but in the short time I worked on it, that was the only way I
> > could get it to work.  This is pretty much because of closed source
> > binary drivers I think.
> >
> > Anyway, something to be aware of when shopping for a hardware RAID
> > controller.  Make sure there are available open source drivers.
> >
> > But, I always prefer hardware RAID to software RAID.
> >
> > ZL
> >
> >
> >
> > At 04:13 PM 11/13/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >
> >> I need to setup a raid fileserver.  Here's what I'm wondering...
> >> Should I get one of those Promise Raid controllers (IDE) or should I
> >> do the raid with linux?  The machine will run linux and samba.  I'd
> >> like to use the hardware solution, but I'm wondering if there are any
> >> caveats that I should know about.  Anyone have any suggestions or
> >> insights?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> -CB
> >>
> >>
> >>
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> >
> >
>
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--

Jeff Layton
Senior Engineer
Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical Company - Marietta
Aerodynamics & CFD

"Is it possible to overclock a cattle prod?" - Irv Mullins

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