Re: spec-ing/dimensioning a server?

[Dave Watkins <debianisp@snorks.dyndns.org>]

Mark Ferlatte wrote:

> Dave Watkins said on Wed, Nov 26, 2003 at 06:38:39PM +1300:
>
> > Mark Ferlatte wrote:
> >
> > > Which lists?  I've had a hell of a time with SCSI SCA connected disks; a
> > > single bad SCSI disk can wipe out the whole chain, whereas with SATA that
> > > seems to be less likely.  I'd be interested in hearing about SATA ickyness,
> > > though; from what I've seen, it seems like a good thing.
> >
> > SCA connected disks run through a backplane which should prevent this
> > happening. I would have also suggested SCSI but it seemed price was an issue
> > and this would have certainly been expensive when coupled with a RAID card
>
>  
> I can say from experience that this is not guaranteed.  I've had an SCA system
> explode from inserting a faulty replacement disk just recently.  It sucked.
>
> I am still curious to know of places where people talk about this sort of
> thing; though.  At this point, SATA seems like the best option.

If you've got them in an Intel Server Chassis try firmware updates to 
the HS backplane and perhaps RAID card

> > > Not if you get a real server board; the newer Intel based ones have BIOS
> > > access via the serial console.  :)
> >
> > Actually they also have BIOS access via LAN. :-)
>
>
> Really?  Mine don't, but that doesn't suprise me.  How does it work?

Depend on the board and the version of ISM (al 5.x.x version support it 
from memory) installed but it's a component in ISM. It's also worth 
mentioning that only the first LAN port can support it and if you have 
that teamed then it won't work. The only problem I've seen is that there 
is a noticable delay and if you're trying to get into the BIOS you need 
to be pressing F2 before you even see the screen come up but thats easy 
to work around :-)

Dave