experiences with RAID 6

[dughutch]

One advantage of hardware RAID solutions is that they are transparent to
the OS, meaning no matter which disk dies, if the system is capable of
transmitting data you can still boot.  (Easy explaination, please don't
take to task for it, you know what I mean).  If you go with software
RAID and you lose the first disk on the bus, IF I remember right, you
have to manually redirect the boot to the next disk, etc.  



As for hardware solutions, many are getting very inexpensive.  



First, unless you get the higher end Promise cards, they are not true
raid but softwrae raid - buyer beware!



Second, 3ware has been very friendly with the FOSS community and their
drivers are open from what I understand.  (Their drivers are included
in the base installation of many distros) I've been using their gear
for four years now, from the 7000 series up through the 9500 series and
I'm a very satisfied customer.  The cards may not have the best
throughput in the world, but they have been solid and very reliable for
me.  I would not hesistate to continue using them and recommending them.
(Obligatory "I have no affiliation with 3ware, just a happy customer"
statement.)



As for RAID 6 and "real" enterprise use, yes, its out there and
actaully very much used.  LSI has it as an option on some of their gear
and HP has it on thieir top end RAID controllers, although HP calls it
ADG - Advance Data Guard.  They use it on their SAN's as well.



Hope this helps!


-- 
dughutch