Quoting Nick Holland <n...@holland-consulting.net>:
OpenBSD wrote:
Hello,
I'm trying to replace the Adaptec RAID card inside the Dell PE 1650
with a supported card like an LSI. It seems raid cards like PERC
3/SC and DC are PCI, while 1650 has a ROMB - Raid On Motherboard.
I don't see anything inside the server (a scsi connector) to where
to connect the PCI raid controller to with a scsi cable. How do
people go about this, is there a way to use another raid card in
this server?
Thanks.
Use another RAID card? sure. Plug it in the PCI slot.
Your actual question is more likely, "How do I get the existing
hot-swap drive bays attached to my add-on PCI card". That's a trick,
'specially in a 1U box. I don't have a 1650 handy, it is entirely
possible there is no cable, and even if there was, you would need a
longer one to reach all the way to the PCI slots (MOST Dells do have a
cable between the SCSI back plane and the controller, but it is
possible a 1650 is an exception)
Yes, there seems to be no SCSI connector in this one, the ROMB looks
like a zero-raid type card that plugs into the MB via its own
connector. So there is no way to connect the PCI card with the drives.
That thing is an old, power-hungry pig, and I think a much better plan
would be to unplug the ROMB do-hicky and use it as a standard Adaptec
SCSI adapter (which it will be, if my memory serves me correctly). Use
softraid if you need it, or just periodically sync the data between
disks.
I think your memory is correct, it looks like the usual Adaptec SCSI
adapter. This is what I will probably end up doing, mostly wanted the
RAID to use all three drives for a larger disk space. I will also try
actually using the Adaptec RAID, believe it or not, it might work well
enough. :)
If you are going to invest the money on a RAID controller, I'd suggest
investing the money on new hardware all around, you will be much
happier with the results. Hey, I am a world champ at reusing old crap
for new apps (and I've used a recycled, RAID-less 1650 before -- it was
an old, slow, power-hungry pig three years ago when I did that!), but
the point is to do it without investing more money in the old pigs.
Use the pigs as they are (or strip them down), don't add perfume. :)
I very much agree with you, but as you know we live in the real world.
:) This server is here and either I use it or I don't. I'm just
trying to make the best of it. The PERC 3/SC/DC is cheap on Ebay but
I agree, lets not feed the old pig.
Thanks Nick, appreciate your thoughts and advice.
--
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