SCSI RAID DOUBT

[Alex]

Here is a SCSI RAID controller i found at the mylex website.
Unfortunately i have no idea what this means.

Mylex AcceleRAID 170


<< The AcceleRAID 170 is a single channel Ultra 160 SCSI RAID controller featuring a 100MHz i960 processor and up to 64MB SDRAM ECC cache memory. Ideal for high-density rackmount Internet servers, the AcceleRAID 170 delivers performance of more than 4000 IOPs and sustained data transfer rates of about 100MB/s. >>



Ok whats this about RAM, processors etc? All i want is 2 devices in raid 0 and 3 other devices not in raid.

Will this do the job for me? Is it too much for what i need?

Thx for any help!!

 

[Oyeve]

All raid controllers have memory for caching and a processor. It appears this vendor is hyping the card up with its claim but like I said, all raid cards have memory and some sort of processor. As far as it being too much for what you need depends on how much the card costs and how much you need it. I dont know if it will act as a standard scsi card for you 3 other devices. Are the 3 devices HDs? Most scsi raid cards will only want HDs connected. Dont quote me though!

 

[Adul]

mylax makes a very nice raid card. The memory is for disk caching to improve performance of the array. The processor will handle all the raid functions and not leave any of it to the CPU. (unlike most IDE raid solutions). Making this a true hardware raid card.

 

[Alex]

nice!

btw the 3 devices are 1 hd, 1 cdrw and 1 dvd+rw.... and the cdrw is narrow not wide so i dont think itll work...

 

[pm]

How can you use 1 HD in a RAID array? Why would you buy a RAID card if you don't want to create an array.

I have the Mylex AcceleRAID 150. It has a EDO slot that take standard EDO SIMMs. I upgraded the memory from 4MB (factory) to 16MB to improve performance. The memory, as mentioned above, is used as a disk cache. The CPU is used to offload the RAID functions to just the card itself, to leave the main CPU of the computer to more general purpose tasks. The 150 that I have has one U2W 68-pin connector that can take up 7 drives (or 15 UW drives). My 150 is a nice card w/ an easy menu driven program to set up the array. It's way over the top for what I use it for, but I like it.

 

[Alex]

pm, ya misunderstood me!

There will be 2 hard drives in raid 0.

And another one not in raid with the burners....

 

[ChrisIsBored]

sustained data transfer rate of 100MB's.. not the best out but should do...

Not sure if you'll have any problems with adding other items to it.. although you do realize that it only has one 68pin chain correct? Just about every cd-rom drive has 50pin, so I don't know if a scsi dvd or cdrw is any different but you'll need adapters for them if they're 50pin as well..

 

[Alex]

i think its 56 pin but still need adapter

ah heck

 

[Zach]

<< i think its 56 pin but still need adapter

ah heck >>



FYI it's 25, 50 and 68 pin. Most CDROM's are 50 pin, external zips and slow things are 25, CDROM's that don't need it and HD's are 68pin.

Just get an adapter for the CDROM, and don't let it terminate. Best is always to use an active terminator plugged into the end of the cable (if it doesn't have one), but you may handicap your HD's. I can't remember, but I'm thinking you can't mix SE and LVD devices. Anything 50pin is SE, HD's now are U160 or U2 LVD thingers. You will still be fine with a 40MB/s limit though....

And, chrisisbored, you think 100MB/s is a problem? What is your throughput? You get 100MB/s on your ATA100 based system or something?

 

[Alex]

lol not sure what it is then....

 

[Jhereg]

The Card is a one channel card , so putting non HD devices on the channel where you want to have an array is not a great idea, and I doubt it is even supported. If you have a dual channel you might be able to get away with the RAID array on one channel with CD drives on the other ( with 50-68 pin adapters).
FYI the card does not support 95/98/ME