[KLUG Hardware] Re: SCSI card recommendation

[Bryan J. Smith]

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On Mon, 2002-11-04 at 22:19, Bruce Smith wrote:
> I've had good luck with Adaptec 2940 cards on recent RH releases.
> I see they are around $20 on pricewatch.
> If you want to hook a HDD to the controller someday, a 2940UW ($40)
> (ultra wide) has the 68 pin connection in addition to the 50 pin.

I haven't had issues with Fast/Narrow Adaptec products, but any Ultra,
Wide, LVD or multi-channel products have given me, among others, fits.

Then add in the endless OEM variants out there, like many you'll find on
PriceWatch.COM, and I've gone bonkers.  Pretty much make sure you get a
_retail_ board, otherwise the Linux drivers are going to make it hell if
you end up with a customized OEM solution.

And then you've got the continued, non-support from Adaptec for Linux.=20
Because they don't license to 3rd parties, and are 100% retail focused,
this is because of all the IP issues with their technology.  Promise has
the same issue in the ATA world, because they too don't license to 3rd
parties.

Both Adaptec and Promise hope you continue to buy out of brand name.=20
But I know several people here at the Orlando support facility who admit
they don't support Linux, and definitely say "forget it" if you have one
of their OEM variants (which are most of the Adaptec products in
systems! ;-).

Which is why I prefer vendors like Symbios Logic (now owned by LSI),
which are OEM-focused and don't sell their own retail cards, just like
HPT in the ATA world.  The technical information for their products is
freely available, because of this OEM-focus, which results in solid
Linux drivers for every product.

TekRam's DC-390U2 and U3 series are dual-channel Ultra80 and 160
products, respectively, that are a good $100 cheaper than Adaptec's and
based on Symbios Logic chips.  Most benchmarks regularly liken to the
Symbios solutions, and they always have seemed to erked out a 10-20%
boost over Adaptec.

If you need a lower-end product, the SIIG AP-40 Pro is an ~$50 UltraWide
based on the Advansys 390UW.  Advansys was the first vendor, retail
focused surprisingly, to fully support Linux circa 1994.  I distinctly
remember having to yank one 2940UW out of a production system after a
kernel upgrade, running down to my local CompUSA and replacing it with
one of those AP-40 Pro UW cards.  Surprisingly, got a big performance
with the Mammoth-2 drive connected to it too.

--=20
Bryan J. Smith, E.I.            Contact Info:  http://thebs.org
A+/i-Net+/Linux+/Network+/Server+ CCNA CIWA CNA SCSA/SCWSE/SCNA
---------------------------------------------------------------
The more government chooses for you, the less freedom you have.

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