fast pci-e direct connect external enclosures

[N_Villers]

Have been looking at this enclosure

--->http://www.istarusa.com/storage/pcie/mage212u40pcie.aspx

anyone have any experience with istarusa enclosures? Quite reasonably priced and have a range of different options. I am thinking of pairing an enclosure with an areca 1231ml

--->http://www.areca.com.tw/products/pcie341.htm

to get a raid 50 that will give me a very fast 12 drive with around 600MB/s.

As these are definitely on the cheaper end, costing together around 4k with drives, I'm worried about their quality. On the other hand they seem to have a record of quality oem parts in the past. Anyone have any experience with them?

regards,

noel

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

With that enclosure, you don't need the Areca card. The enclosure includes their own proprietary card, which looks like dual-channel SAS, possibly infiniband.

I have never used iStar products so can't comment on reliability, support or performance.

 

[N_Villers]

I'm puzzled because it was my understanding that with this enclosure you install the card of your choice directly into the enclosure. The internal pci-e x8 is in effect extended. I'm not sure if this really adds any real benefit as the transition from the SAS/SATA controller card happens whether internal or external. An alternative would be the dAGE412U20 which would operate from the internal card through 3 mini-sas connectors.

Ciprico offers a similar type of enclosure with their own raid card MediaVault 5108/5116 for considerably more money.

Does anyone know of the advantages of pci-e connect over other multilane/SAS enclosures.

thnx again,

noel

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

OK...

Interesting... Yeah, after I took a better look at it, that is what's happening. They're providing a proprietary interface from a PCI-e x8 slot to the internal PCI-e host bus on this RAID enclosure. You use install your RAID controller inside the enclosure. I guess I'm trying to figure out how this actually provides any real benefits over having the RAID controller right inside your system.

Interesting option though and the price is pretty reasonable.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Have been looking at this enclosure

--->http://www.istarusa.com/storage/pcie/mage212u40pcie.aspx

anyone have any experience with istarusa enclosures? Quite reasonably priced and have a range of different options. I am thinking of pairing an enclosure with an areca 1231ml

--->http://www.areca.com.tw/products/pcie341.htm

to get a raid 50 that will give me a very fast 12 drive with around 600MB/s.

As these are definitely on the cheaper end, costing together around 4k with drives, I'm worried about their quality. On the other hand they seem to have a record of quality oem parts in the past. Anyone have any experience with them?

regards,

noel

I think istarusa stuff is great.

 

[Shane Betts]

Both CalDigit and Dulce Sysems http://dulcesystems.com/html/pro_rx.htmloffer similar products, albeit without the feature/need to install a host card in the enclosure.

I guess it means the reliability of the RAID is up to you and the RAID card you choose.

I love this external PCI-e technology. Somebody has got to use this stuff soon to make a R3D debayer box.

 

[N_Villers]

I think istarusa stuff is great.

Certainly a recommendation that carries weight with me : ) thnx Mark.

Still trying to figure out the advantages of external pci-e in this specific application beyond eliminating 2 cables.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Certainly a recommendation that carries weight with me : ) thnx Mark.

Still trying to figure out the advantages of external pci-e in this specific application beyond eliminating 2 cables.

If you can drag your heels a bit - we are testing a PCI-e direct attached storage solution that seems to have everyone licked - can't discuss yet - not done testing - but VERY soon -

 

[Evin Grant]

Tease.

I'm more interested in a Mini SAS 8-Bay system, 550MB/s in RAID 5 and just over $2K for 8TB.