SATA controllers

[Tom H]

>>> I'm speccing a new machine and as part of it I'd like to have a
>>> linux-controlled 4-disk RAID 6 array using SATA 3 Gbps disks (aka STA 2).

>>> Can anybody point me to lists and/or reviews of recommended 4-port
>>> controller cards please?

>> http://www.tomshardware.com/

>> The CentOS, Debian, and Red Hat lists.

> /me rotfl. I definitely do not remember ever reading about or discussing
> reviews of sata controllers on the Centos list.

I have; in interminable threads about RAID controllers and SASvSATAvSCSI.


>> If you are looking for hardware RAID, go for 3ware or LSI.

> They are now the same company.

Just in case the OP buys a used one.


>> If you are looking for software (mdadm) RAID, make sure that you do
>> not buy a FakeRAID card.

> It would be a bit hard to find a 4 port non-raid sata controller. After
> all, they get to charge a premium for a slightly modified bios. At least
> here in Hong Kong anyway.

Probably true. I have never considered buying such a card.

I made that point because Karmic will try quite aggressively dmraid,
as we have seen in a previous thread.