SCSI hdd and Parity Checking Question

[Salvador]

Hi,

I just inherited a couple of scsi hdd's and I'm going to install them in a desktop system. I have a question about Parity enabling though. These drives came out of a server that was using Parity RAM and I'm going to be putting the drives into a system without Parity. The drives have the Parity enabled right now, but I'm wondering if I should disable the parity checking since I won't be using it. Or at least I don't think I'm using it?

Should I have Parity disabled or enabled if I'm running these drives in a system without Parity or ECC RAM? Is Parity different on hdd's?

TIA,

Sal

 

[Salvador]

Just wanted to add something. After reading a bit on scsi parity, I'm thinking that it's different than parity with RAM.

Bottom line.. Do I need Parity with scsi drives? Is it something that I want?

Thanks again,

Sal

 

[tlemmon]

I run SCSI and I have parity checking enabled. It just adds a little bit to the end of the data for error checking. If it finds an error it re-transmits the data. It allows for higher data integrity across the bus. It _might_ cause a miniscule slowdown, but I doubt you will know it. Parity with SCSI has nothing to do with RAM parity, although they work similarly.


-t

 

[bozo1]

SCSI parity has nothing to do with your system RAM. You can turn it off or on. On may help a little with data integrity but is normally not needed and will give you a slight performance penalty. (similar to non-ECC RAM vs. ECC RAM) If you are using a decent host adapter and decent cables, I would leave it off. If using 'cheap' SCSI cables, do yourself a favor and turn it on.