SCSI raid question

[mcveigh]

I'm looking at building a scsi raid 1 system. I want to put a cdrw in also.
Do I need to buy a second SCSI controller for the cdrw? (i.e. on a raid controller can you only put the hard drives)

I was going to go IDE for the burner but thought I could get better performance w/ a SCSI.
will I, also do I need to put the burner on another channel than the hard drive like on ide? I would assume that doesn't apply to SCSI since it can access drives at the same time.

much thanks to everyone!
Seth

edit: can anyone reccomend a raid controller other than adaptec? Or should I stick with them?

thanks

 

[Robor]

I think it depends on your RAID controller. I don't have one myself but you'll probably have more than one SCSI channel available. Put your HD's on one channel and your CD Burner on the other.

Rob

 

[mcveigh]

bump

 

[KampKounslr]

My understanding of SCSI is that you can chain up to 15 devices with no problem, and I'm pretty sure that this goes for RAID setups as well. Especially since the CDR can't do raid

And I would go with Adaptec if you have the cash. They are #1 in quality, but the cost reflects it

 

[Dug]

I would do your research first for scsi raid. Just be sure to use Win2k and stay away from Adaptec. Go over to Storagereview and look through the threads on scsi raid. You will be suprised. The current scsi raid cards have many incompatibilities with scsi drives.

 

[seewhy]

I've been search for the answer to the same question as well. But seems like people who have the money to get scsi raid card usually have the extra money to get a cheap SCSI controller for the CDRom, so no one really actually use the SCSI raid card for cdrom. But my problem is I don't have an extra slot. My guess is, if the raid card has more than two channel, it should be ok, or even if the raid card is ultra3, it should be able to manage the different speed on the same channel. But since raid card is so expansive, it would be nice if I can confirm that with someone who actually done it before I buy the card.

Mcveigh: If you just want to run scsi raid 1, you may want to consider software raid (under win2k) if your setup is not too complex. Adaptec's card is ok, they are supported by many platform, their new 2100s, 3200s and 3400s are all pretty good.