FreeBSD & Serial ATA

[Scott Long]

O'Reilly, Stuart wrote:
> Hi guys,
> 
> Firstly, please go easy, i'm new to the list.
> 
> I'm in the process of building / upgrading a server and have chosen 
> FreeBSD to run it. One requirement is the ability to support RAID 1.  I 
> am looking at adding a Serial ATA PCI card but i'm unsure which is best. 
> The motherboard itself doesn't support Serial ATA and I don't want to 
> change it since it's a decent P4 motherboard and at the moment it's an 
> unncessary expense.
> 
> I've looked in the archives and seen the name 3ware comes as a 
> recommendation. Does anyone know where I can get hold of one these in 
> the UK. The ususal e-stores don't seem to stock them.
> 
> Failing that, I've been looking at Adaptec and the 1210AS has taken my 
> eye. Anyone have any experience of this card.
> 
> The system is a P4 1.8Ghz system with 512MB RAM and 2 x 80GB drives 
> running in RAID 1. The system will be co-lo'd so something reliable is 
> required.
> 
> Many thanks.
> 

There are a number of high quality SATA RAID cards on the market.  If
you have the money, I'd highly suggest getting one that has a real RAID
co-processor on it.  The MegaRAID line from LSI is good, as are the new
cards from Areca.

Scott