Desktop

Ask something
Discussion Locked

SCSI Array

0 helpful
6 replies

by switchoff_b

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
Ok, here's the deal. I've never had to mess with SCSI devices, but now we've just built a new machine to handle our media (broadcast video). We have an Adaptec 19160 Ultra160 controller card and three 18GB Maxtor 10,000RPM SCSI hard drives for it. Question is, how do I put these things into an array for performance? Is it handled on the card or through Windows DiskAdmin? They are LVD drives and if I remember correctly I don't have to worry about terminating them since the cable does it. Also SCSI ID numbers? I remember that 7, I think, is always the controller card? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

6 replies

by timwalsh

Since the SCSI controller you have is not a RAID controller, you will have to rely on Windows (NT/2000/XP) to provide any fault tolerance. Windows NT Workstation, 2000/XP Pro only provide the capability of mirroring (RAID 1) or simple striping (RAID 0). For RAID 5, you must have the server versions of NT4 or 2000.

The RAID capability built into Windows only works on volumes (partitions), not entire disks (unless the disk is a single partition.

Your boot disk usually must be set for SCSI ID 0. SCSI ID 7 is assigned to the SCSI controller. Other SCSI devices can be any other SCSI ID.

Make sure you follow the instructions that came with your drives/controller as far as termination requirements.

Hope this answers your questions.

by lordinfidel

The 19160 is not a raid controller. It is a simple scsi controller.

Never use Software Raid! NEver NEver NEver NEver!

Always spend the extra cash for a Hardware Based raid Controller.

You want the 2100s. Also order yourself up 1- 256 megs pc133 ECC memory. That is for the Cache on the controller. The more cache the better and memory is cheap.

There are othe adaptec cards that have higher performance. You basically want a LVD SCSI Raid controller that supports raid 0,1 & 5.For performance you would use Raid-0. Which is just striping without parity and makes 1 large set out of the 3 drives. It is faster then raid 5 but offers no fault tolerance.

Raid-1 is not applicable.

Raid-5 will only give you 36 gigs of storage space but will also give you fault tolerance. You do take a performance hit, but add the 256 megs of cache and it won't be that great.

by switchoff_b

I have no choice, my company is damn cheap I have to re-use those parts...no new SCSI RAID controller... :(

by lordinfidel

They get no Raid.

You can't make a pet rock into a performing monkey.

It's just not possible.

Same thing with the 19160, it does not do Raid.

Using software based raid is archaic.

And since a 2100s is only $400. There is not reason not to purchase it.

But tell your mgmt that the controller you have is not appropiate for the job.

by switchoff_b

they don't care. when i accepted this job i thought the previous admin knew what he was doing...HA! turns out he was an engineer (broadcast) and had a computer at home so management thought he was right for the job. most of our servers are p2 desktop machines with ide drives, no backups, and running on a wing and a prayer. anyways, thanks, i appreciate the help and i will continue my battle for an IT budget.

This discussion is closed to new replies.