Message-ID: <4BB23254.2040109@2ndquadrant.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:18:12 -0400
From: Greg Smith <greg@2ndquadrant.com>
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To: Ireneusz Pluta <ipluta@wp.pl>
CC: pgsql-performance@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: 3ware vs. MegaRAID
References: <4BB1FAAF.7050406@wp.pl>
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Ireneusz Pluta wrote:
> I am waiting for an ordered machine dedicated to PostgresSQL. It was 
> expected to have 3ware 9650SE 16 port controller. However, the vendor 
> wants to replace this controller with MegaRAID SAS 84016E, because, as 
> they say, they have it on stock, while 3ware would be available in a 
> few weeks.
>
> Is this a good replace, generally?
> Will it run on FreeBSD, specifically?

The MFI driver needed to support that MegaRAID card has been around 
since FreeBSD 6.1:  http://oldschoolpunx.net/phpMan.php/man/mfi/4

The MegaRAID SAS 84* cards have worked extremely well for me in terms of 
performance and features for all the systems I've seen them installed 
in.  I'd consider it a modest upgrade from that 3ware card, speed wise.  
The main issue with the MegaRAID cards is that you will have to write a 
lot of your own custom scripts to monitor for failures using their 
painful MegaCLI utility, and under FreeBSD that also requires using 
their Linux utility via emulation:  
http://www.freebsdsoftware.org/sysutils/linux-megacli.html

-- 
Greg Smith  2ndQuadrant US  Baltimore, MD
PostgreSQL Training, Services and Support
greg@2ndQuadrant.com   www.2ndQuadrant.us