[KLUG Members] New or Used SCSI Boards

[Bryan J. Smith]

Dirk Bartley wrote:
> I have this 315U and it does work.  The 3*5 models with the 1040
> chip were not supported as of 2.4.5 in the mainstream kernel.
> You can get the source for it but it is not labeled as stable yet
> and was not an easy patch to install for me.

Which is why I'd use the 315U as a basic, $20 peripherial controller
at this point.  Don't bother with the more pricey 395U/395UW
versions for booting disks -- go with the 390-series instead (for
just a few bucks more).

> The 3*0 with a different chip are probably a much safer bet.

Which are powered by Symbios Logic chips, which are cheaper, faster
and better supported in the stock kernels than Adaptec.  The
395U2/U3 products are quite low-cost, but massive
"bang-for-the-buck."

After almost 8 years of Linux and Adaptec, I have had more than my
share of "frustrations."  I've had a handful of Advansys cards,
never an issue (from 3940UWs to the 3940U on the IOMega Buz), and
even more Symbios cards (from Intraserver, DiamondMM, TekRam,
etc...), also never an issue.

In addition ...

For ATA RAID -- 3Ware microcontroller-FPGA driven cards are
_well_worth_ the "premium" in both compatibility (drivers in stock
kernel 2.2.15+) and performance (RAID-0, 1 and 0+1 at least). 
http://www.3ware.com

For SCSI RAID -- Mylex's StrongARM-powered eXtremeRAID is the
performance champ.  http://www.mylex.com

-- TheBS

-- 
Bryan "TheBS" Smith  mailto:b.j.smith@ieee.org  chat:thebs413
SmithConcepts, Inc.              http://www.SmithConcepts.com
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