CentOS - Jun 2005 - Re: New Server Recommendation -- Hot-Swap SATA enclosure ...

[ Yes, SP^M'n the list with follow-ups to myself ;-]

From: Bryan J. Smith
> If you are building a new system with such storage requirements,
> I would really push you towards a 3Ware Escalade 8006-2 or 8506-4.
When cost is supreme, then just a Escalade 7006-2 or 8006-2 with
(2) [P]ATA or [S]ATA drives is what you want.  It only adds ~$125
to system cost.

When you want to minimize cost, but also minimize troubles, I
recommend an Escalade 8506-4LP with an EN-8721A02 (Beige)
or EN-8721B02 (Black) 5.25" x 3U (3xHH) internal enclosure.
SATA was explicitly designed for hot-swap with fixed, SCA-like,
staggered, fixed-position connectors with _no_ extra interconnect
(i.e., like SCA SCSI drives, SATA drives _should_ connect _directly_
to the backplane, and the "can" is just a frame/handle), so
_avoid_ doing such with [P]ATA which is only asking for issues.

The EN-8721x02 will only set you back $150, so it's well worth it
(especially when you're already spending $300 for the Escalade
8506-4LP, it's only 50% more).  It's also nice to have an "extra
can"
for either holding a spare, or mounting a replacement without
having to take one of the existing drives out before it is replaced.

Enlight EN-8721:  
http://us.enlightcorp.com/products/server/detel.php?serial=42  

Enlight EN-8721_SATA (x02) Guide:  
http://us.enlightcorp.com/products/server/pdf_files/EN-8721_SATA.pdf  


--
Bryan J. Smith   mailto:b.j.smith at ieee.org