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l008com · May 28, 2002, 09:05 PM

I'm wondering how the XServe's IDE storage system stands up compared to most rack server's SCSI systems. Steve made it sound like IDE is now as good as SCSI. I'm sure that is much an over statement, but how much? And also, does Xserve use hardware or software raid, and if software, where can I download it for my PowerMac ;-) But those are all secondary questions to my main one.

Scotttheking · May 28, 2002, 09:35 PM

try the Xserve forum.
oh, and read your computer's help, software raid is in disk utility.

l008com · May 28, 2002, 09:48 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Scotttheking:
try the Xserve forum.
oh, and read your computer's help, software raid is in disk utility.<hr /></blockquote>Silly me I was looking for an Xserve forum, but I was looking in the hardware section, not the OS X section. I swear Xserve is a piece of hardware, not software. Anyway. The Software RAID built into OS X is insufficient for my needs. My raid is going to be my ONLY volume, and the built in RAID is not bootable. Also, from what I read, SoftRAID's disk drivers make their RAIDs much faster than anything on the market. And they seem pretty reliable as well.

hmurchison2001 · May 29, 2002, 06:04 PM

Sounds like you might need to wait for the Xserve RAID box coming out late this year or add a SCSI card and external RAID.

l008com · May 29, 2002, 06:33 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by hmurchison2001:
Sounds like you might need to wait for the Xserve RAID box coming out late this year or add a SCSI card and external RAID.<hr /></blockquote>Well my questions is how do these compare?

akebono · May 29, 2002, 10:27 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by l008com:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by hmurchison2001:
Sounds like you might need to wait for the Xserve RAID box coming out late this year or add a SCSI card and external RAID.<hr /></blockquote>Well my questions is how do these compare?<hr /></blockquote>The best that I can tell, the xserve uses a bootable software raid (0 or 1) for the built in drives. I'm not sure what your needs are, but I think this will be more than adequate (from the SW SCSI vs SW IDE RAID 0 or 1 point of view). Time and benchmarks will tell. I believe the xserve RAID unit has 2 raid controllers and an IDE controller for each drive, so theoretically, one would suspect this device is capable of RAID levels > 1. I have not seen any specifics specs stating this.

So, if I get your jist, you are looking for a mirrored raid on the built-in drives and an external raid 5 (10?) on the xserve raid? I bet this will give comparable results to a SCSI solution, but, of course, this is a bit controversial. Personally, I think it will be adequate and would be glad to see IDE drives move into the server space.

It will be a thorn in the side of Apple for sysadmins that do not want to take the chance on what they perceive to be an inferior technology.

l008com · May 29, 2002, 11:00 PM

My needs are i want a single bootable fast raid volume, no mirroring.
But thats all in another thread, here i jsut wanted peoples take on teh two and what others thing about the speed/performance. Has IDE really "caught up" or does apple just not want thier servers to cost another $3000 to be filled with SCSI drives

Maneki Neko · May 30, 2002, 02:44 AM

I'd be happier with the IDE drives on the XServe if they had onboard IDE hardware RAID5 (with some cache, 64-128MB maybe). Hell, even an add in card would be fine. I don't know of any raid5 ide cards that have OS X drivers though. (that said, I don't know of too many raid5 ide cards)

Chaaaosss · May 30, 2002, 11:57 PM

I just think it's funny how you'd need to buy at least 240 GB worth of drive space just so the system doesn't look ugly. Steve Jobs admitted during Q&A that the Xserves don't come with empty drive modules. The drive bay is just empty. I suppose you could buy two so it's at least symmetrical somehow...

funny stuff.

l008com · May 31, 2002, 12:05 AM

It doesn't come with empty drive moduals, but I'm sure it comes with COVERS!

Maneki Neko · May 31, 2002, 03:18 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by l008com:
It doesn't come with empty drive moduals, but I'm sure it comes with COVERS!

<hr /></blockquote>Agreed. A company run by a man with a hard on for good design wouldn't let that slide.