I need an IDE RAID card that will do RAID-5 for <$200 USD

[Quaggoth]

What are my options? I don't care about speed, just data integrity. In this case the bottleneck will be the network. I am going to make a 320Gb (240 useable) array for an image server. I would like to stick with a known brand though. I don't care if it is hardware or software based.

 

[SCSIRAID]

Thats a tall order..... How many drives are you talking about? Is RAID 1 mirroring acceptable?

Adaptec has two HW RAID controllers that support RAID 5. The AAA-UDMA is old but you still might find one. THe 2400A is a 960 based product and should be available. The cost is likely to be higher than your 200 target. I dont know of any Software RAID 5 solutions.

 

[Barrak]

well if you have 2000 pro you can run a software raid. I do not know of any that are 200 or lower.

 

[SCSIRAID]

If you use the 2K RAID 5 capability I dont believe you can boot from it.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Well, the answer is certainly 3ware. Check out X-bit Labs just to be sure.

Too bad you won't find *ANY* RAID5 card under $200.

-SUO

Hehe, you said $200, not $300.

 

[Pariah]

Win2k pro does not have RAID 5, you need the server versions. IDE RAID 5 is not worth the hassle or the money.

 

[rmblam]

Over $300 eh?

http://www.hypermicro.com/store/index.htm

For Intel PC or equivalent]
3WARE Escalade 6200, two channel Ultra ATA, DiskSwitch/AccelerATA chipset , Half-length 32-bit PCI PnP, busmastering transfer protocol, up to 2 targets.
RAID levels 0, 1, JBOD, hot-swap and remote managemet
internal connectors: two IDC 40(M) Ultra ATA 33/66


Retail kit includes: two 2-position 80 conductor Ultra ATA PVC insulated flat ribbon cables, Y-split power extension cable, manuals, driver diskettes &amp; management software, 3-year warranty.

$119.00 <--------

3 lb
Item: 3W-6200/KIT (in stock)
Qty.:


No RAID 5 eh?

http://www.3ware.com/products/escalade6000.shtml

RAID 5 is now available on Escalade 6000

And I quote &quot;To maximize volume efficiency and offer the best combination of capacity, performance and economy, Escalade controllers support RAID 5.&quot;


Edit:

If you want 4 channels it is still under $300....

3WARE Escalade 6410, four channel Ultra ATA, DiskSwitch/AccelerATA chipset , Half-length 32-bit PCI PnP, busmastering transfer protocol, up to 4 targets.
RAID levels 0, 1, 10, JBOD, 5 w/ parity, hot-swap, hot-spare and remote managemet
internal connectors: four IDC 40(M) Ultra ATA 33/66


Retail kit includes: four 2-position 80 conductor Ultra ATA PVC insulated flat ribbon cables, two Y-split power extension cables, manuals, driver diskettes &amp; management software, 3-year warranty.
$239.00
3 lb

 

[SUOrangeman]

StorageReview will hopefully be publishing their 3ware Escalade 7410 (ATA-100, 4-drive) controller this week.

-SUO

 

[Quaggoth]

Thankyou rmblam, I think we will be going for an Escalade 6410. Thanks for all the input.