Is *hardware* ATA RAID (Adaptec 2400A) any better than software raid?

[snow]

Just thinking about purchasing the Adaptec 2400A Raid controller. Saw software controllers on mobos and was not particularly impressed. Any advantages an IDE RAID hardware controller with a 32MB cache would have? Also any improvement if I were to upgrade the cache to 128MB?

Thanks for any help.

 

[eZEKIEL]

In the case of this adapter, the answer is yes. The RISC processors and onboard memory is something that cannot be augmented in software. Although win2k's (i assume you are speaking of win2k) software raid is really good, a card such as this type would definitely out perform it, you get what you pay for. Now in my experiences with low cost solutions, such as the fasttrack 100 and hot rod 100 pro, they can be a little better that the windows software raid, but it depends on the benchmark. So as you can see, the decision is up to you, i would recommend a hardware solution, even though speed wise(again, i'm assuming you want speed)the software can be on par, some of the hassel is not worth the fuss, as a hardware solution is usually much easier to work with...

 

[TheHorta]

I've run a myriad of RAID setups over the years. In fact, I haven't had a system where I wasn't running a RAID array for over four (4) years now. With the exception of my servers, where I only run RAID 1 (or "Mirroring&quot because of the nature of an SQL server, I have always run RAID-0 (or "Striping&quot for speed.

Contrary to some opinions, software RAID is a joke. Sure, there are some extremely old or ultra low-end solutions that may not perform any better, but that's extremely rare. Software RAID is a last resort solution because of poor performance and zero-reliability, unless running RAID-1, but I'm assuming you're looking for enhanced performance and storage.

There are a number of considerations when deploying a RAID array, even if it is in your home PC. First, all of the drives in the array should be identical makes and models. Mixing and matching creates problems and hinders performance, in which case you're better off just spanning. Second, you cannot RAID your system drive if you're using software RAID. WinNT/2K will only allow you to RAID non-system drives/partitions because the OS has to be available to implement SW RAID first, which means it has to be installed on a normal drive/partition. Third, if you're running SCSI, almost all of the off-board controllers come with secondary RAM caches so the larger the better. I am running both SCSI and IDE RAID (in two different systems). The computer I use most has IDE RAID-0 using a cacheless Promise FastTrak 100TX with four (4) IBM 40GB 60GXP 7200RPM drives which performs exceptionally well. There is no better cost/performance solution than four fast drives like the 60GXPs or the new Western Digital WD800BBs and the FastTrak 100. You will max out your practical PCI Bus throughput with this configuration. Do NOT get the cached or "Pro" version of the FastTrak 100 as the RAM cache actually hinders throughput and makes it perform worse than its cacheless sybling.

If you're running SCSI, the RAID controllers are substantially more expensive. I have a Mylex AcceleRAID 352 dual channel U160 SCSI RAID controller in one of my other workstations with eight (8) 36.4GB 10K RPM Seagate Cheetahs and the thing flies. The system is a dual PIII 1GHz system with 64-bit 66MHz PCI slots that double the PCI Bus throughput from 133mB/sec to 266mB/sec (theorhetically) and I can just about max out that bus with a burts transfer over a 1000SX fiber connection.

 

[snow]

Thanks guys. Anyone else?

 

[SUOrangeman]

FYI, those Adaptec IDE RAID controllers use the HPT370 chip (two of them) if I read yesterday's article on Storage Review correctly. I have an HPT366 (non-RAID, ATA-66), but I can't comment on the HPT370.

I'm waiting for 3ware's Escalade 7410 card. Full ATA-100 in an improved RAID-5 setup should be hella sweet.

-SUO

 

[snow]

What's so special about the 3ware card. The Adaptec already does RAID 5 if I remember correctly.

 

[SUOrangeman]

That SR comparison used the ATA-66 3ware card and the Adaptec only got in a few shots. The ATA-100 version from 3ware could be the true performer and will likely cost less than the Adaptec.

Check out HyperMicro for some existing prices.

-SUO

 

[snow]

When is going to hit the street?

 

[Apex]

In terms of SCSI, here's an interesting comparison:

ATTO ExpressPCI UL3D (dual channel u160s, though only 1 used in this review) Software RAID
Adaptec 2100S (single channel u160s) Hardware RAID
Mylex AccelRAID 2000 (dual channel u160s)

http://www.amdmb.com/article-display.php?ArticleID=54

It's actually a very good article, and though it doesn't deal with IDE software vs hardware RAID, it does deal with the issue from the SCSI side. It may be applicable.