Managing RAID on Linux

Adaptec

Adaptec has two RAID controller product lines based on different processors and technologies. This dichotomy stems from Adaptec’s history with RAID controllers. In 1999, Adaptec, Inc. acquired Distributed Processing Technology (DPT), a manufacturer of, among other storage products, SCSI RAID controllers. At that time, Linux support for DPT controllers was provided in the form of a GPL kernel patch. Since the acquisition, Adaptec has continued to support Linux in its RAID product line by continuing driver development for controllers based on the original DPT architecture.

After the acquisition, Adaptec began to develop a new product line aimed at OEM controllers. These controllers were featured in server-class systems available from Dell Computer and Hewlett-Packard. Many users will know these controllers as the Poweredge Expandable RAID Controller (PERC). Since the new controllers had a different architecture, a new Linux driver was needed. Eventually, Adaptec released several boxed controllers based on this new architecture. So today, the new driver is used for OEM controllers, as well as some newer boxed products.

Tip

If you have a Dell system with a branded Adaptec controller, you might want to take a look at Matt Domsch’s page on the subject: http://www.domsch.com/linux/. It’s the best resource that I’ve been able to find for Dell’s RAID solutions and Linux.

The controller that you purchase dictates which of the two drivers you need to use. For the DPT-based controllers, ...