Sata & Raid

[oobsniper2000]

Can someone please point me to introductory material on RAID using SATA? Specifically, how port-replication fits into the picture? I'm familiar enough with RAID and need info specific to SATA.

I'm trying to setup a home file server using an eSATA raid box (ezRAID3 (http://www.datoptic.com/cgi-bin/web.cgi?product=ezRAID3&detail=yes)) connected to the mobo SATA controller on an MSI motherboard (http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=P6NGM-FIH&class=mb). I thought I had done enough research on the subject but now I'm suspecting that I goofed up, aside from the fact that the ezRAID3 may simply be a huge POS.

[tiro_uspsss]

read the sticky.. there is nothing special/particular to SATA when in RAID that I can think of :shrug:

as for SATA port multipliers (?) - I have looked a lil into it myself.. what I'm not too certain about is whether the 'host' SATA controller is by 'default' compatible with whatever SATA multiplier.. example: I have a mobo with Silicon Image 3132 - this is SATA port multiplier compatible (3132 would be the 'host').. *but* it *may* be only compatible with the Silicon Image 3726 (http://www.siliconimage.com/products/product.aspx?id=26) (product implementation: http://www.addonics.com/products/host_controller/ad5sapm.asp)

iirc, alot of new-ish socket 775 mobos have the JMicron 363 (?) which is apparently is also SATA port multiplier compatible.. tho I have never seen a product with a JMicron SATA PM card thingy (like the one above with the SI3726) & as stated above, I have no idea if a JM363 host will take on a SI3726 :shrug: - they could work, they might not! :(

hope that helps! :up:

[oobsniper2000]

There's a blurb in the "manual" for ezRAID3 that says my host SATA controller needs to support port replication. I contacted datoptic and they said it needs port replication for JBOD but not for RAID 1. I don't understand why, so I'd like to first understand SATA port replication so I'll know why it may (or may not) be relevant to RAID.

I've done some googlin' but can't seem to find solid info on the topic. I'm probably just going to buy the SATA-IO spec since its cheap.