[CentOS] SCSI controller suggestions for a 5.x server?

Thu Dec 6 05:14:50 UTC 2007
Ross S. W. Walker <rwalker at medallion.com>

John R Pierce wrote:
> 
> Rob Lines wrote:
> > We are preparing for a new file server (Dell 2970) with an external 
> > disk array with integrated RAID (raidking.com 
> <http://raidking.com>).  
> > The array presents via Ultra 320 SCSI.  We are looking for 
> anyone that 
> > has had experience or opinions on SCSI cards without RAID 
> that have a 
> > good performance working under CentOS 5.x.  Any 
> suggestions/comments 
> > on the controllers with large storage especially at or 
> above 2tb would 
> > be appreciated.
> 
> the dell 2850's I've been bringing up have a dual channel LSI Logic 
> ultra320 scsi controller built in, these work quite well.     I don't 
> know offhand if they have an external scsi connector, however.   I'd 
> suggest the equivalent LSI Logic SCSI card, I believe its the 53C10xx 
> series, in PCI-X or PCI Express X4, whichever your server has...
> 
> someone else said PERC, those are Dell's raid controllers, 
> obviously not 
> what you want with an external SCSI RAID

Well Dell doesn't make RAID controllers ;-), they're always rebranded,
the high-end ones are always LSI megaraid. The Dell PERC 4/DC is the
LSI megaraid 320e (PCIe). Hell even Dell's external storage enclosures
are rebranded LSI storage enclosures and the new line of Dell PV 3000
embedded RAID enclosures, you guessed it LSI storage enclosures. LSI
and Dell are best buddies.

I had a pair of iSCSI servers setup with these hooked into 2 PV 20x
external enclosures and the performance was decent.

> I'm curious why you chose SCSI instead of SAS at this point in time?  
> External SCSI cabling is expensive and trouble-prone.   _ALWAYS_ make 
> sure _EVERYTHING_ is shut off completely before touching 
> those external 
> cables.     Don't cheap out on the cables, either.

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