>> Which is funny because Intel's SASUC8i (rebranded LSI3082E-R) is true >> hardware RAID which I recently picked up*new* for $150. They don't do >> RAID-5/6 or have a BBU but IMO you don't need a BBU for RAID-0/1/10. > > you want BBU (or flash-backed cache) if you want write-back cache, and > not mandate write-through. This is quite independent of the RAID type. > It greatly speeds up 'committed' random writes such as are generated by > a transactional database. I stand corrected in that area. Tho, even upgrading to a LSI MegaRAID 9260 w/ BBU only brings you into the $1000 price range so unless you're buying $1000 pizza boxes from Supermicro (not knocking the brand, I use their kit at home ) that's still not even close to the price of a decently spec'd IBM or HP server. Of course our spec comes in around $6k per box. ;-) -- Drew "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." --Marie Curie "This started out as a hobby and spun horribly out of control." -Unknown MGen Dorlan Kwase UFPSFMC Deputy Judge Advocate General 9th MARDIV Commander, Ret. Obsidian Fleet