SATA/SAS/RAID Configuration

Question

Is it possible to setup 1 SATA boot drive for to store applications and 2 SAS drives in a RAID 1 configuration for data storage/security on a Workstation 690? I have (2) 146GB SAS drives and (1) 160 GB SATA drive. I've never worked with SAS drives before.

tphillips63 · Answer

Yes the SATA must be on the Intel 3 channel controller since you cannot mix SAS/SATA on the four channel controller. You need to get any firmware updates for it though since most people have posted here and I have witnessed myself terrible performance with the built in RAID controller. I and many others have added the add in PERC 5i hardware RAID card to the 690 for better performance and mine came with a battery to protect write back information. SAS drives are serial SCSI with point to point connections so if you've worked with SCSI they are very similar.

BIPD · Answer

Thanks very much for the info. I think I'll look to invest in the PERC 5i controller as well since system performance is of great importance to me. BIPD

JeffreySweeney · Answer

I've run both SAS and SATA on the four channel on board SAS controler with no drive conflicts/problems.   I have since however updated to the PERC controller and have 4 SAS drives in a RAID 10.

Storage, Drives & Media

SATA/SAS/RAID Configuration

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