[H-GEN] Linux file server

[Menno Smits]

> Hi All,
> I want to build a cost effective Linux file server. My thoughts were to 
> run an ATA raid system with Samba and use a writable DVD for backup.
> 
> I know there a people who would suggest run SCSI drives and DAT backup 
> but I believe cost will prohibit this option.
> 
> I have easy access to both Promise and Adpatec controllers.
> and
> Sony,LG,Mitsubishi DVDs.
> 
> I would like peoples input on what ATA raid hardware (PATA or SATA) and 
> DVD writer is the best way to go. Any experiences on what makes and 
> models have worked, or not worked, would be appreciated.

Stay away from Promise and Adaptec ATA RAID gear. It's not true hardware 
RAID. The drivers do a lot of the work in software imposing a 
performance hit and making things far less reliable. I had a bunch of 
problems (mostly driver related) trying to get a Promise card working 
reliably and ended up ditching it.

Have a look at 3Ware instead (http://www.3ware.com/). Proper hardware 
ATA RAID and rock solid. I've used these several times on busy 
production servers without a hitch. Well supported under recent kernels 
and distros. Fedora Core 1 will install straight on to it with no extra 
work on your part. Well worth the extra money.

If you must you a Promise or Adaptec card, just use it as a multi-port 
IDE card (JBOD) and use Linux software RAID to handle redundancy. It's 
more complicated to set up and you'll still lose performance, but at 
least Linux's software RAID is reliable.

Good luck,
Menno