the_beast

I believe the 'e' versions will work with a DIMM in place of the TBBU, but I wouldn't run it like that if using write-back cache for the reasons outlined above.

I think the memory is required even if running with write-through cache, so these DIMMs could be useful for that if your current RAM is bad. A PERC 5/e with a standard DIMM running write-through & drive cache off will be secure and may even still outperform onboard fakeRAID5 solutions. A TBBU would make using the PERC much more worthfile though.

BLinux

honestly, based on years of experience in server environments, the scenario where you've completely lost power and the server dies or the RAID card dies and you have to transport the cache and disks to another machine is VERY, VERY RARE. (Or, any other scenario that would result in the same requirement) In 10+ years and working around data centers with 1000-10000 servers, I've never seen it. Keep in mind, in server environments, we're usually talking about redundant power supplies, UPSes, transactional applications, transactional databases, and journaling file systems, etc.

the only compelling reason that most servers get ordered with a BBU is because we want to use write-back cache and some controllers don't allow it without BBU. but, if you can force write-back cache, then it doesn't really matter.

also, regarding disk cache, there is no BBU that is going to help protect the data in disk cache, that is lost when the drives lose power. however, in most cases, disk cache is for reads, and their consistency is validated with what's actually recorded to disk; aka, it doesn't matter if you lose the data in disk cache.

but anyway, i'm not here to debate the BBU vs no-BBU issue... people should do what they feel is necessary to protect their data. i'm just sharing my experiences.

ShadowFox19

Question:
- If I get a new motherboard, as long as I keep the BBU hooked up to my PERC 6i, I shouldn't lose any data, should I?

BLinux

How do you think you're going to lose data? The BBU is there to preserve cached data on the controller in the event that power is completely lost. If you're swapping out motherboards, I'm assuming you're going to properly shutdown the machine or are you just going to yank the power cord? If you're properly shutting down, the cache will get flushed and the BBU doesn't even come into play.

Tator Tot

Exactly as this man says.

All the data will stay on your drives. The BBU is only for random crashes/power failures.

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excalibur1982

Is there anybody who installed an Perc 5/i on an Foxconn Blackops X48 mobo in combination with an HD4870x2?

It does work with an Pci-E 7300GT but not with one or two HD4870x2's....

I already used the P5 and 6 mod...

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BLinux

It could be that the HD4870 cards have a resource conflict with the PERC5/I. Usually, on modern busses, resources are automatically negotiated, but if that isn't working, try and see if your BIOS has an option to manually assign resources and make sure they are not conflicting.

paule123

Has anyone attempted adding on an alarm buzzer to a PERC 6/i ?

ShadowFox19

Gotcha, thanks guys!

DuckieHo

What's the LSI equivalent firmware for the PERC 6/i?

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