Since we're talking about an old PCI slot here, I'd say there's really
two good options:
A SiliconImage Sil3114-based card, which is a 32-bit/66Mhz card, with 4
SATA-1 ports, usually for $25
A Supermicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 card, which is a 64-bit/100Mhz PCI-X card (but
will fit and run just fine in a 32-bit PCI slot). it has 8 SATA-2
ports, and runs $125.
I've had no problems with either card, and run both for quite awhile.
Even though the 3114 is a SATA-1 card, you should be OK, since it's more
than fast enough to keep up with the PCI bus with 4 HDs attached. Really
the two "issues" with this card are that it should NEVER be used for an
SSD (it's way to slow), and that it doesn't really support Hot-Swap of
SATA drives well. Theoretically, using a SATA-1 HBA will limit your
burst throughput to the drives, but the 3114 handles sustained I/O at
about the PCI bus' maximum limit, so I wouldn't worry.
The Supermicro is better in that it takes up a single slot, uses SATA2,
and does support hotswap very well, but once again, don't even think
about using SSD, as the PCI bus gets overwhelmed well before you notice
any performance increase.
There's also the Sil3124 (the SATA-2 version of the 3114), but IIRC,
that card is less stable under OpenSolaris, and, given the limitations
of the PCI bus, I wouldn't bother.
Bottom line: if you can live without true hot-swap capability (i.e.
shutdown the machine to change a drive), then save yourself $75 and go
with 2 3114 cards.
--
Erik Trimble
Java System Support
Mailstop: usca22-123
Phone: x17195
Santa Clara, CA
Timezone: US/Pacific (GMT-0800)
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