The Mechanizer > Controllers

CONTROLLER - HARD DRIVES

Adaptec 2120S Ultra 320 SCSI RAID Controller

A Note on SCSI: we all know that IDE has been around for a long time and has basically taken over the average consumer desktop. Personally I have never liked IDE for a variety of reasons but of course I have used it for years and continue to do so. Then SATA came along and a new twist was thrown into the mix. There is MUCH debate on the web in regards to SATA 150 vs. SCSI 320, most of it stems from misunderstandings in the two technologies. While I do see a future for SATA it may be a long time before it is fully embraced by the enterprise and or back office (if ever) for a variety of reasons.

SCSI has major advantages over SATA such as: multi threading, command queuing, lower CPU usage, backwards compatibility, more robust drives, higher spindle speeds, much longer cable lengths (up to 25M vs 1M), better I\O performance, number of devices, etc. Of course SCSI is expensive but so are Rolls Royce's and you get what you pay for. If your data CAN NOT afford to be lost, and you need the aforementioned items, go SCSI. If you change hardware a lot and aren't concerned about drive failure and are on a budget, go SATA. Currently I am running both SCSI 320 and Ultra ATA 100 standards, and may add some SATA devices if needed. Serial Attached SCSI is already here and when the controllers get affordable I will most likely make the switch.

The Adaptec 2120S supports a range of operating systems (Windows® XP/NT/2000, Linux, NetWare, and Caldera) and RAID configurations (0, 1, 10, 5, 50, and JBOD). The Ultra320 SCSI RAID card features a low-profile MD2 form factor, and accommodates an optionally available battery backup module (ABM-300) for 72-hour cache memory protection. Single Channel. Intel 80302 (66 MHz) microprocessor, 64 Megs onboard RAM. Low-profile MD2 form factor for high-density servers. Optional Lithium ION battery backup module.

For single-channel RAID control in high-density servers and workstations, both conventional and rackmount, the Adaptec 2120S is an excellent choice. All Adaptec low-profile RAID controllers have a full-size bracket installed on the card. The kits contain a low-profile bracket for use in 1U systems.

Has ability to do multiple independant RAID configurations onthe same drives, example: 2 146G drives sharing RAID 0 for the Operating System and RAID 1 for the data.

Optimized Disk Utilization
RAID Level Migration
Online capacity expansion
Background initialization (for immediate RAID availability)
S.M.A.R.T. and SAF-TE support
Hot-swap disk drive support for easy replacement
Hot-spare disk support with automatic rebuild
Supports bootable arrays

Integrated VIA IDE RAID Controller & Intel SATA RAID Controller

The VIA IDE-RAID controller supports two-channel ATA 133, enabling users to build Maximum 4 ATA-133 hard disk as an RAID0, 1 , 0+1 , JBOD array. And the graphical user interface provides an easy way to configure and manage disk drives or disk arrays connected. Intel SATA Controller supports up to 2 SATA drives in RAID 0 array. Hey, free controllers on MBs, I will take that any day!!

Seagate Cheetah 15K.3 Ultra 320 SCSI 36G Hard Drive Model # ST318453LW, 8 Meg Cache Buffer. 12.5Gigs@RAID0 with Cheetah 10K, 23.5G@RAID1 with Cheetah 10K.

From Tom's Harware Guide: Seagate, as mentioned, produced the best I/O performance averages and is thus highly suited for server and database applications - even if there are differences according to use, access mode (sequential or random) and block size that should be taken into account before a purchase.

From StorageReview.Com: Though primarily intended for enterprise-level server markets, the 15K.3 will undoubtedly find its way into many a power-user's workstation and desktop machine. In the StorageReview.com Office Drivemark 2002, the Cheetah delivers an astonishing 578 IO/s per second. The 15K.3 improves upon its predecessor by a very significant 19%.

In the SR High-End DriveMark 2002, a mix of applications that emphasize writes and sequential transfers, the 15K.3 maintains its impressive showing, once again improving upon the X15-36LP by nearly 20%.

Windows XP in conjunction with its built-in defragmenter attempts to optimize the OS bootup process. Heavier queue depths emerge as a result. In the SR Bootup DriveMark 2002, the 15K.3 slips ever so slightly, besting its predecessor by "just" 17%.

Finally, for those willing to spring for ultra-high end enterprise-class drives for their gaming pleasure, Seagate's latest won't disappoint. In the SR Gaming DriveMark 2002, the Cheetah again tops all comers by at least 19%.

Seagate Cheetah 10,000K Ultra 320 SCSI 36G Hard Drive Model # ST336607LW, 8 Meg Cache Buffer. 12.5Gigs@RAID0 with Cheetah 15K, 23.5G@RAID1 with Cheetah 15K.

Capacity: 37 GB Speed:10000 rpm Seek time:4.7 ms avg Interface:Ultra320 SCSI The Cheetah 10K.6 is Seagate's sixth-generation 10K RPM high performance, high capacity disc drive. With the fastest interfaces, the highest reliability and the most mature product design, the Cheetah 10K.6 enables the lowest ownership cost. In data intensive environments, increasing the capacity per disc drive lowers ownership costs by deploying fewer systems that use less cubic feet of space requiring less infrastructure such as cabinets, HBAs and less wattage of power.

Features Benefits The Fastest 10K Cheetah ever! 25% improved Data Transfer Rate and nearly a 10% improvement in Seek Times over the prior generation Cheetah 73LP. Several Millennia of Engineering & Manufacturing Experience Seagate is a dependable, consistent partner offering the best technology manufactured in a highly automated factory assuring unmatched reliability. Highest Reliability Most Mature Product Design Data integrity assured 10,000 RPM spindle speed Fast access to a variety of storage applications The Most Advanced Interfaces Ultra320 SCSI & 2Gbit/sec Fibre Channel interfaces allow the fast operation of more drives than ever at the highest speeds possible.

Low Ownership Cost 36 Gbytes of capacity enables greater storage per cubic foot meaning that fewer systems are deployed, less space is utilized and operating costs are lowered. Distinctions The Highest Reliability Rating in the Disc Drive Industry Consistently High Investment in Research & Development Creates the Highest Technology Products Unmatched Design and Manufacturing Experience The Seagate Exclusive Design Service Center (DSC) Can Lower the Cost of Deploying Storage Systems The Lowest Cost of Ownership 10K Storage Solution The Cheetah Brand of Disc Drives are the Preferred Disc Drive for Storage Area Networks (SAN)

Seagate Barracuda 120G Ultra ATA IDE Hard Disk Drive 8 Meg Cache Buffer @ Backup Drive.

ULTRA ATA/100 interface for ultra-fast desktop performance . A proven rugged design for increased reliability. The industry's only sixth-generation FDB motor
3D Defense System for comprehensive protection against handling damage and data loss. Inaudible acoustics with sound barrier technology (SBT), including the Seagate® exclusive SoftSonic motor .

Product Specifications:
Best Acoustics - the world's quietest 7200 RPM drive with the most advanced FDB moto
Data Defense - maximum protection against data loss while maintaining data integrity
SeaTools - fast, easy-to-use diagnostic software, even monitors itself
Manufacturer - Seagate
Manufacturer Model - ST3120026A-RK
Drive Capacity - 120 GB
Rotation Speed - 7200 RPM
Data Transfer Rate – Up to 100MB/sec
Average Seek Time - Up to 8.5ms
Cache Buffer Size - 8MB
350 Gs nonoperating shock resistance
Less than 2.5 bels acoustics
Interface - EIDE
Compatibility - PC/MAC

Seagate Barracuda 120G Ultra ATA IDE Hard Disk Drive 2 Meg Cache Buffer, X 2 @ RAID1.

Product Specifications:
Best Acoustics - the world's quietest 7200 RPM drive with the most advanced FDB moto
Data Defense - maximum protection against data loss while maintaining data integrity
SeaTools - fast, easy-to-use diagnostic software, even monitors itself
Manufacturer - Seagate
Drive Capacity - 120 GB
Rotation Speed - 7200 RPM
Data Transfer Rate – Up to 100MB/sec
Average Seek Time - Up to 8.5ms
Cache Buffer Size - 2MB
350 Gs nonoperating shock resistance
Less than 2.5 bels acoustics
Interface - EIDE
Compatibility - PC/MAC