Scott Marlowe wrote:
> On 9/6/07, Harsh Azad <harsh.azad@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> How about the Dell Perc 5/i card, 512MB battery backed cache or IBM
>> ServeRAID-8k Adapter?
>>
>
> All Dell Percs have so far been based on either adaptec or LSI
> controllers, and have ranged from really bad to fairly decent
> performers. There were some recent posts on this list where someone
> was benchmarking one, I believe. searching the list archives might
> prove useful.
>
> I am not at all familiar with IBM's ServeRAID controllers.
>
> Do either of these come with or have the option for battery back
> module for the cache?
>
>
>> I hope I am sending relevant information here, I am not too well versed with
>> RAID controllers.
>>
>
> Yep. Def look for a chance to evaluate whichever ones you're
> considering. The Areca's are in the same price range as the IBM
> controller you're considering, maybe a few hundred dollars more. See
> if you can get one for review while looking at these other
> controllers.
>
> I'd recommend against Dell unless you're at a company that orders
> computers by the hundred lot. My experience with Dell has been that
> unless you are a big customer you're just another number (a small one
> at that) on a spreadsheet.
>
If you do go with Dell get connected with an account manager instead of
ordering online. You work with the same people every time you have an
order and in my experience they can noticeably beat the best prices I
can find. This is definitely the way to go if you don't want to get
lost in the volume. The group I have worked with for the past ~2 years
is very responsive, remembers me and my company across the 3 - 6 month
gaps between purchases, and the server/storage person in the group is
reasonably knowledgeable and helpful. This is for small lots of
machines, our first order was just 2 boxes and i've only placed 4 orders
total in the past 2 years.
Just my personal experience, i'd be happy to pass along the account
manager's information if anyone is interested.
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Joe Uhl
joeuhl@gmail.com