>If you really want to go with a HW controller, try Areca or the high- >end 3Ware models. Well, for non Solaris/non file servers, hardware raid is easiest. I am hesitant to go with Areca (looks like cheap tw stuff). I have always used LSI stuff but found them slow as hell, I am pretty sure the hp sa's are LSI chips... Wonder what's in store for 3ware now that LSI owns them... Someone in the vSphere forums did a comparison between an LSI and Adaptec and showed good numbers for an Adaptec SAS controller. I had horrible luck years ago with Adaptec SATA and never went back. Oh well... Might try Adaptec or 3Ware next... jlc