Update on my File Server / RAID

[sixdoubleo]

OK, I got my file server up and running and let me say it kicks a$$! Much thanks to mdmint, stanger, and others for the advice and recommendations. Granted I did not follow them initially, what with my brief foray with the Highpoint 454...however, after seeing how truly crappy this card was, I instantly ordered the Escalade.

Just so I'm clear, this server is NOT a Sage Server...it's a file server that stores my video library (recorded shows) ripped DVD's, music and other media. The Sage Server itself (which I'll be rebuilding shortly) has its own local 300GB storage.

Here are the specs of the server:

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition
ECS K75SA Motherboard
AMD Duron 1300Mhz
256MB PC2700 RAM
Sony 52x CD-RW
Panasonic 1.44MB Floppy
80GB Seagate ATA-100 (for system drive)
Netgear GA311 Gigabit NIC
ATI GII-460 8MB AGP Video

Coolermaster CM Stacker 11-bay case w/3 fans. (Dual P/S capable)
Coolermaster 4-in-3 drive cages.
Thermaltake 420 Watt Power Supply

3Ware Escalade 7506-8 RAID Controller
6 Maxtor DiamondMax ATA-133 250GB Drives


I must say that the Escalade RAID card TRULY impressed me. It is VERY fast. First of all it built my 1.2TB arrary in about 40 minutes. Compare this to 5 HOURS with the Highpoint card. Not only that, with 3 clients copying files to the server at once, the server laughs at it....maintaining a very idle 4% CPU utilization.

Here are pictures of the server build itself....
http://www.akinstech.com/display.asp...atacenterbuild

Once I get my Sage Server rebuilt and get everything in place, I'll give another mini-report...(in case anybody cares. )

[SHS]

That becuase your working REAL hardware card unlike other out there.