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Date:      Sun, 16 Nov 2014 19:49:55 -0500
From:      Mike Tancsa <mike@sentex.net>
To:        FreeBSD Hackers <freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org>
Subject:   Re: OT-ish SATA port replicators vs. SAS "expanders"
Message-ID:  <54694633.7000906@sentex.net>
In-Reply-To: <CAJm4238NDHV_uzertrrcce9kwFwyKoYY6pO5E58s-2DoZkwm-w@mail.gmail.com>
References:  <CACpH0Me7Y%2Bm6cENsg2otcP9agDp%2BwKPGnPxDafFfySPNkhsKBA@mail.gmail.com> <CAJm423_%2B5wL4G48ftVOmmkyyjSpekS3=sv801pyquRkqcz=fTQ@mail.gmail.com> <CACpH0MdfzpTXceHnRkAo60ztu4Bo%2BbKSpOYZJyV6goY0Q0TbUg@mail.gmail.com> <54693866.9040009@sentex.net> <CAJm4238NDHV_uzertrrcce9kwFwyKoYY6pO5E58s-2DoZkwm-w@mail.gmail.com>

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On 11/16/2014 7:26 PM, Brandon Vincent wrote:
> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 4:51 PM, Mike Tancsa <mike@sentex.net> wrote:
>> I don think a port multiplier is the same as a SAS expander and a SAS/SATA
>> controller does not necessarily support port multipliers.
>
> You're absolutely correct. The SATA specifications if I recall
> correctly, outline that providing support for port multipliers is
> optional. Not to mention, the vast majority of chipsets that do have
> support for port multipliers only provide the slower command-based
> switching method [1], The LSI SAS 2008 chipset is not what you
> typically find on the cheap consumer "fake RAID" cards which most
> people have [2].
>
> Most people who purchase this card are purchasing it for SAS, true
> RAID, performance, and reliability. Thus, LSI is only going to provide
> support for the far superior SAS expander technology.


We also got rid of all those external 4 port PMs and replaced it with one
NORCO RPC-4220
The pricing is quite reasonable and less expensive then using PMs and so 
far MUCH more reliable.

	---Mike



-- 
-------------------
Mike Tancsa, tel +1 519 651 3400
Sentex Communications, mike@sentex.net
Providing Internet services since 1994 www.sentex.net
Cambridge, Ontario Canada   http://www.tancsa.com/



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