SAS Vs Ultra SCSI

[BliarOut]

Looking at the new HP G5 servers and they all seem to be migrating towards SAS.

Simple question, features/benefits of going Serial Attached SCSI? I've got to spec some servers for the US and I'm always nervous of speccing something new when I can't physically touch it first.

As it's going to be a few thousand miles away it's got to be as reliable as the standard RAID5 I'm used to (despite the relatively high number of HP disk failures I've witnessed over the years, it just keeps running.)

I'm inclined to spec some DL360's if I can just get over my fear of change

[JamieBeeston]

using SAS here.

benefits are 'upto 3Gbit/sec bandwidth' more devices per chain, smaller physical interface size (so they can now offer 2.5" drives alongside 3.5" drives) uniform standardisation (SATA drives alongside SCSI Drives)

it's the way of the future maaaaan

[BliarOut]

Must. Learn. To. Embrace. Change

Cheers Jamie, bullet about to be bitten then

[JamieBeeston]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_A

A bit more

J

[BliarOut]

Nice link Jamie, so a SAS controller can also support SATA drives?

[JamieBeeston]

BliarOut said:

Nice link Jamie, so a SAS controller can also support SATA drives?

Yup

SAS is Serial Attached SCSI

SATA is Serial Attached ATA

[roadsweeper]

We're recommended SAS for all our new customers' servers. Jamie has already hte major benefits - I like being able to get more drives into 1U chassis with the 2.5" form factor and of course the higher bandwidth achievable.

[agent006]

JamieBeeston said:

smaller physical interface size (so they can now offer 2.5" drives alongside 3.5" drives)

Ahhh, so THAT's how they can fit 4 drives in a 360.

[JamieBeeston]

agent006 said:

JamieBeeston said:

smaller physical interface size (so they can now offer 2.5" drives alongside 3.5" drives)

Ahhh, so THAT's how they can fit 4 drives in a 360.

Dell are offering 8 drives in a 2u 2950 now (4 in a 1u 1950)

Both Dual Dual Core Machines.

iirc the 2.5" drives are limited to 73gb tho (dont think anyone MAKES any larger 2.5" drives in the mainstream yet!)

Edited by JamieBeeston on Thursday 3rd August 20:22

[roadsweeper]

JamieBeeston said:

Dell are offering 8 drives in a 2u 2850 now (4 in a 1u 1950)

Do you mean the new 2950 in the latter case Jamie?

[roadsweeper]

Incidentally, assuming there us a 6950 to replace the 6850 I can't wait to see how many drives it can take!

[JamieBeeston]

roadsweeper said:

JamieBeeston said:

Dell are offering 8 drives in a 2u 2850 now (4 in a 1u 1950)

Do you mean the new 2950 in the latter case Jamie?

damn it, I even checked to make sure i'd not done that

[roadsweeper]

JamieBeeston said:

roadsweeper said:

JamieBeeston said:

Dell are offering 8 drives in a 2u 2850 now (4 in a 1u 1950)

Do you mean the new 2950 in the latter case Jamie?

damn it, I even checked to make sure i'd not done that

Don't worry, I invoiced a client yesterday for a 1950 instead of the 2950 they (and I) had actually ordered!

[maddog-uk]

They are lovely! Go for it...