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Thoughts on xServe RAID replacement?
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Sorry, should have been more detailed in my original post
Very familiar with FC on Macs and PCs, and iSCSI on PCs. Other than Drobos haven’t setup any iSCSI on Macs. Very interested in mini-sas.
Looking really for product recommendations.
Thans.
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I’d love pricing. I am looking to buy ASAP and have a set budget. Alex, can I email you directly?
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Alex, I was doing some googling and came across this.
https://www.enhance-tech.com/products/diskarrays/R8MS.html#Tab1
Looks like it is very similar to the S8. Could you tell me the difference? Also would love to know which controller you recommend.
Thank you so much. I think I am almost there!!!!
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[Craig Wolf] “I’d love pricing. I am looking to buy ASAP and have a set budget. Alex, can I email you directly?”
Working on pricing; of course: my first and last name initials – at dv411 dot com.
Alex Gerulaitis
Systems Integrator
DV411 – Los Angeles, CA -
[Craig Wolf] “https://www.enhance-tech.com/products/diskarrays/R8MS.html#Tab1
Looks like it is very similar to the S8. Could you tell me the difference? Also would love to know which controller you recommend. “
The same thing; ProAvio S8 is optimized and supported for A/V applications rather than general IT ones with R8MS.
Neither box is an “expander” type – i.e. can’t daisy-chain / attach additional storage units to it. Also, I don’t see a version supporting 6Gbs SAS line speeds, a must these days.
Generally if you must go with an 8-bay rack box rather than 12-16 (more efficient in space utilization and cost efficiency; after 16 bays it evens out), I’d much recommend getting an industry standard “expander” type with a 6Gbs SAS good quality backplane. Those are generally in the $1500 – $2500 range depending on features, build quality, brand. Before you add drives of course. Non-expander 8-bay ones – about $800 less.
I’ll check with ProAvio and will have more info shortly.
Controller: ATTO R680 or Areca 1882x. For server apps (which is what you intend to use it for), probably ATTO.
Alex Gerulaitis
Systems Integrator
DV411 – Los Angeles, CA -
ProAvio / Enhance Tech 16-bay 3U 6Gbs SAS expander:
– $6,036 SRP with 16TB (16x 1TB SATA),
– $6,804 32TB (16x 2TB),
– $9,851 48TB (16x 3TB).ProAvio S8MS StudioRack 2U RM 8-bay 3Gbs non-expander: $558, no drives.
Enhance Tech UltraStor RS 2U RM 8 Bay 3Gbs non-expander (same as StudioRack S8MS):
– $4,968 with 16TB (8x2TB SATA) (PN: RS8SS-F16T)The extra $1100 for the 16TB version (or $1900 for twice as much) – includes much greater expandability, redundant power supplies.
All racks include fixed rails (non-sliding). Sliding rails optional.
RAID controllers: about $1500 extra from ProAvio when bundled together with the solution (Areca 1882x); about $1000 purchased separately (not from ProAvio).
The StudioRack, due to its non-expander nature, can be used with a less expensive RAID controller, e.g. Areca 1320-8X for around $400 (or less).
Hope this helps and please let me know if you need any additional info.
Alex Gerulaitis
Systems Integrator
DV411 – Los Angeles, CA -
Sorry, I was thinking both you and Stephen worked for Enhance Tech/ProAVio.
Hmm, at that price point, the client may just go with the Promise solution, as they are very comfortable with FC.
I wish I could test this out before I make the purchase. Client needs it purchased today.
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First, thanks so much for all the advice.
Second, and totally your perspective, but if you have to get a general IT DAS and used mini-SAS, what would you get?
Third, I know this isn’t related to A/V, so thanks so much EVERYONE for taking the time to answer my questions.
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[Craig Wolf] “Sorry, I was thinking both you and Stephen worked for Enhance Tech/ProAVio. “
DV411 is an independent VAR and systems integrator. ProAvio/Enhance is one of our storage vendors, and is of Creative Cow sponsors with strong (as you noticed) presence here which may give an indication of the strength of their support.
[Craig Wolf] “Hmm, at that price point, the client may just go with the Promise solution, as they are very comfortable with FC.”
$600 StudioRack, $400 RAID controller, plus drives (about $1600 for eight Hitachi HDS 2TB drives) – there just isn’t anything much cheaper than that.
Going up from that, it’s a $2500 16-bay SAS expander, plus a $1K RAID controller, plus drives – and that may indeed be closer to an FC solution especially that you already have an FC card in your XServe.
The prices I gave you were all MSRPs; depending on the model, you can expect actual prices to be 10-15% lower.
[Craig Wolf] “I wish I could test this out before I make the purchase. Client needs it purchased today.”
In it has to be today – then FC. Testing a DAS like this may take a day or two – installing and configuring the controller, plus array initialization may take some time. FC is more of a plug-n-play thing.
Here is alternative from ET:
UltraStor RS System: 3U RM 16 Bay 16TB (16x1TB SATA) 2-port 4G Fibre Channel 3YR w/ 1YR ARP – $6400. Is it cost-effective vs. Promise VTrak E-Class?
Which Promise model are you considering? E.g. PROMISE VTrak Ex30f 8Gbps FC, is $9.5K just for the box (before adding drives).
Alex Gerulaitis
Systems Integrator
DV411 – Los Angeles, CA -
UltraStor RS System: 2U RM 8 Bay 8TB (8x1TB SATA) 2-port 4G Fibre Channel 3YR w/ 1YR ARP [RS8FS-F8T] – $4,206 SRP.
One of the most cost effective 4Gb Fibre systems I’ve seen.
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