Low cost RAID controller for TLS workstation

[Jason Warren]

Hi,
I'm looking at advancing the storage capabilities of a 64bit Windows 7 workstation that processes TLS data. So far the Intel RAID Controller SASWT4I looks to be a good cost effective offering. I would be interested to know any user experiences with RAID controllers for workstations

Intel® RAID Controller SASWT4I

Overview

RAID_SASWT4I_lg.jpg

The economical Intel® RAID Controller SASWT4I offers exceptional entry-level hardware SAS/SATA RAID and non-RAID data off-load for server systems and workstations. This RAID controller allows for point-to-point connections with a SAS universal interconnect interface allowing for 1.5 and 3 Gb/s SATA hard disk drives along with logical SCSI compatibility for the extra reliability and manageability that SAS drives provide.
The SASWT4I leverages the LSI SAS1064E ASIC’s advanced LSI Fusion-MPT* architecture to provide entry-level hardware RAID. While other SAS controllers drive large RAID software stacks between the host CPU and controller, this RAID controller utilizes the embedded CPU in the LSI SAS1064E ASIC to perform integrated RAID 0, 1, and 1E/10E operations. By avoiding the PCI bus traffic and reducing RAID code overhead, the SASWT4I delivers world-class READ/WRITE operations.
Product information
Download product brief
http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/prodbri ... dbrief.pdf
File Type/Size: PDF 148KB

Features and benefits
Cost effective data protection Provides a low-cost RAID 0, 1, and 1E/10E solution for entry-level server and workstation environments where high-performance and reliable data protection are required.
SAS or SATA storage Connect SAS or SATA devices within the array. Use SAS drives for speed, reliability and scalability; use high-capacity SATA drives for budget-friendly storage.
Scalability Supports up to 122 physical devices in SAS mode which is ideal for employing JBODs (Just a Bunch Of Disks) or up to 14 devices in RAID 0, 1, 1E/10E mode through direct connect device attachment or through expander backplane support.
Ultra thin driver LSI Fusion-MPT architecture provides over 140,000 I/Os per second while communicating over the PCI Express* 4-lane Host Bus.
Increased IT productivity Includes a suite of tools that are common across all Intel® SAS/SATA RAID solutions, for easy installation and advanced management

cheers

[rlasater]

LSI makes our server HP Smart Array card and its great, but not cheap. We have rocket raid 16OO series cards in the workstations, they are cheap and fast, but have failed on more than one occasion.

Less expensive controllers can really let you down sometimes. Remember you get what you pay for! Buy quality and you only cry once.

Are you raiding primarily for performance, capacity or fault tolerance?

[Jason Warren]

Hello Richard,
I am looking to increase workstation performace and I will take a look at RocketRaid cards, as its not a brand I am familiar with.

Cheers,

[pburrows145]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Drobo-Bay-FW800 ... 77&sr=8-16

Completely unrelated to this post, well maybe not completely, but several of my customers use these... they seem really good. Worth taking a look at anyway. Stick some ultra-fast HD's in there and create a mirrored array with very little capital.

[Jason Warren]

Looks interesting, I will wait to see if they bring out a USB 3 device