Which IBM Serveraid SCSI adapter to pick?

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:23 pm

I just picked up an IBM x232 server, with a single p3 1.13ghz CPU, 2x256mb ECC, 4x18.2gb 10k HD's (total of 6 hot swap bays), dual redundant hotswap PS's. I'll very likely grab another identical unit, since I can get them for $130cad after coupon, and make it a dual CPU, 4x256mb, 6x18.2gb 10k, triple redundant PS's.... and have a spare case+MB+chassis+PS+2xHD's in trays for future breakdowns.

Anyhow, my point is that I want to buy a SCSI raid controller, and I'm leaning towards IBM Serveraid cards because of the nice support from IBM for them, in terms of drivers, firmware, etc.

Really, the SCSI drives will host the OS and the web-server functionality, while IDE or SATA drives I will add-on later will act as file storage... for local file hosting, and possible FTP/DC

serving abilities.
Read/access time need to be VERY good, write performance should be good as well though.
I imagine myself running something like a Raid 10 setup, for simplicities sake.

Now here's my question, it looks like the Serveraid 4H card has a 266mhz Power PC processor along with 128mb cache, whereas the other 4* series cards have a 100mhz IBM SCSI processor with 16mb or 64mb cache... is the 266mhz Power PC processor that much better, and worth the extra $50-$75 cost for my purposes?
What drives my question is the fact that the processor(s) in the server isn't very fast.

Thanks for any help guys

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:33 pm

Anybody have any experience with these cards?

smb · Post by **smb** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:49 pm

unless your going to be running a SQL server, I would save the money. you not going to be able to tell the difference.

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:33 pm

Originally posted by smb
unless your going to be running a SQL server, I would save the money. you not going to be able to tell the difference.

Thanks, that was the type of response I was looking for

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:47 pm

One more question: What does the battery backup on the RAID card do? Does it store power for the RAID card's cache incase the power goes out completely?

smb · Post by **smb** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 1:49 pm

Yes, it's a cache backup for power failure.

But, if your running a mission critical server, it's suppose to be on an UPS.

I personally replaced one in a netfinity sever at a previous place of employment.

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:06 pm

Originally posted by smb
Yes, it's a cache backup for power failure.

But, if your running a mission critical server, it's suppose to be on an UPS.

I personally replaced one in a netfinity sever at a previous place of employment.

It's just a server for my home, but it will have some critical data on it, and I will have a small UPS running it (350va likely)... battery backup for the cache sounds like a good idea, I'll just look for a cheap card that has a battery on it.