On 2009-08-19, Jeff Ross <jr...@openvistas.net> wrote: > Marco Peereboom wrote: >> ZCR is marketing fluff. It ads nothing. >> >> On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 04:42:10PM -0600, Jeff Ross wrote: >>> Hi, >>> >>> I'm due to take delivery tomorrow of a new-to-me SuperMicro 2U server >>> with the X5DPA-8GG motherboard. Onboard is an Adaptec AIC-7902 U320 SCSI >>> controller but it also has a ZCR slot. I'd intended to just use the >>> disks as sd0 - sd5, but now I also see on the fleabay that I can get an >>> LSI MegaRAID SCSI 320-0X card for $40. >>> >>> Is there a huge downside to the ZCR card? Docs say that it adds RAID to >>> the motherboard based SCSI, and that card is listed under the ami group. >>> However, the LSI docs also say it adds RAID to "a system motherboard >>> that has the LSI Logic 53C1020 or 53C1030 SCSI chip." and I see no >>> mention of those chips in the SuperMicro motherboard manual. >> >> Yeah, it doesn't work for starters. It basically is software raid so >> you need driver assist. Don't fall in this marketing trap. >> >>> Anybody know if this will work? Even if it does work, is the ZCR raid >>> worth having? Based on my previous experience with MegaRAID cards, I >>> know I'll need a BBU to get any performance at all so the card isn't >>> really $40 but it is still within budget. >> >> The LSI U320 card beats the pants of Adaptec but not when used in zero >> channel. >> >>> Thanks as always, >>> >>> Jeff >> >> >> !DSPAM:4a8c85c2233201476412727! >> > > > Thanks, Marco! > > As always, exactly what I needed to hear. I've seen some real LSI U320 cards > on the fleabay at around $100 so I'll just hold out for the real deal.
look carefully at the orientation of the scsi connectors. there are 320-1 and 320-1LP. both of these are low-profile form factor, but 320-1 has scsi connectors pointing upwards, 320-1LP has them at 90 degrees. some if not all of the 2U supermicro chassis need that one. also you probably need to replace the cable. (/me imagines marco is now wincing at the mention of cables for internal connectors...)
