Scott Marlowe wrote: > On 9/6/07, Harsh Azad <harsh.azad@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > >> Hi, >> >> How about the Dell Perc 5/i card, 512MB battery backed cache or IBM >> ServeRAID-8k Adapter? >> > > All Dell Percs have so far been based on either adaptec or LSI > controllers, and have ranged from really bad to fairly decent > performers. There were some recent posts on this list where someone > was benchmarking one, I believe. searching the list archives might > prove useful. > > I am not at all familiar with IBM's ServeRAID controllers. > > Do either of these come with or have the option for battery back > module for the cache? > > >> I hope I am sending relevant information here, I am not too well versed with >> RAID controllers. >> > > Yep. Def look for a chance to evaluate whichever ones you're > considering. The Areca's are in the same price range as the IBM > controller you're considering, maybe a few hundred dollars more. See > if you can get one for review while looking at these other > controllers. > > I'd recommend against Dell unless you're at a company that orders > computers by the hundred lot. My experience with Dell has been that > unless you are a big customer you're just another number (a small one > at that) on a spreadsheet. > If you do go with Dell get connected with an account manager instead of ordering online. You work with the same people every time you have an order and in my experience they can noticeably beat the best prices I can find. This is definitely the way to go if you don't want to get lost in the volume. The group I have worked with for the past ~2 years is very responsive, remembers me and my company across the 3 - 6 month gaps between purchases, and the server/storage person in the group is reasonably knowledgeable and helpful. This is for small lots of machines, our first order was just 2 boxes and i've only placed 4 orders total in the past 2 years. Just my personal experience, i'd be happy to pass along the account manager's information if anyone is interested. > ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- > TIP 1: if posting/reading through Usenet, please send an appropriate > subscribe-nomail command to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx so that your > message can get through to the mailing list cleanly > Joe Uhl joeuhl@xxxxxxxxx ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 1: if posting/reading through Usenet, please send an appropriate subscribe-nomail command to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx so that your message can get through to the mailing list cleanly