I picked up a RocketRAID 1720 Sata II raid controller... and Im afraid that it might not be compatible with unRAID.

 

Anyone have some ideas how to get it to work or is there a list somewhere of recommended cards that are compatable here?

 

I looked around but was unable to find a list...

 

Thanks for your help--> Ed

I picked up a RocketRAID 1720 Sata II raid controller... and Im afraid that it might not be compatible with unRAID.

 

Anyone have some ideas how to get it to work or is there a list somewhere of recommended cards that are compatable here?

 

I looked around but was unable to find a list...

 

Thanks for your help--> Ed

 

Since this is a PCI card:

for a 2 port ($12.11 plus shipping): http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10407&cs_id=1040702&p_id=959&seq=1&format=2

for a 4 port ($17.35 plus shipping): http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10407&cs_id=1040702&p_id=2667&seq=1&format=2

 

For a PCI-e card:

for a 2 port ($15.19 plus shipping): http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10407&cs_id=1040702&p_id=2530&seq=1&format=2

for a 4 port I would shop ebay for the Adaptec 1430SA. I bought 2 - 1 for $40 plus shipping & 1 for $1 plus shipping. Newegg has them for $99.99 but are currently sold out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816103058&Tpk=1430sa

 

On the PCI bus you won't notice any real difference between SATA I or SATA II. You will see more of a difference on the PCI-e bus between the two.

I'm not sure about this specific card although I see a few posts relating to rocketraid in general in these forums, it may be worth reading through them.  Like pretty much all raid cards, you will need to configure it to act as a normal SATA controller or perhaps JBOD, not a RAID controller.  This can be either done by accessing it through its boot menu which should appear just after your normal BIOS, or sometimes requiring it to be flashed with a non-RAID version of its firmware/bios (if you are up to the task).

 

As for supported hardware, the easiest way is to use the same components that are listed in the Lime-Technology products.  You can view them on the main page.  Alternatively you can check the wiki, the link to the unofficial supported hardware is here:

 

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Compatibility

 

And of course browse/search the forums as there are relevant posts.

 

I would suggest reading before taking action, either with your current card or purchasing another.

 

For cheap controllers it seems many people (me inclusive) have had pretty good luck with the Silicon Image ones similar to those posted above.

Looks like only one type of Bios is availible for this card

 

http://www.highpoint-tech.com/USA/bios_rr1720.htm

 

Press Ctrl+H to access the RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility.  Also from the manual

2 - Installing Fedora Core 6 on the RocketRAID 1720

Host Adapter

Note: If the OS is running kernel that differs from the one supported by the

precompiled driver, the precompiled drivers cannot be used. A driver can be built for

this kernel using the OpenSource package for the RocketRAID 1720 controller. This

package is available from our website, and is posted on the BIOS/Driver page for the

RocketRAID 1720.

 

Now this isn't to say it won't work.  Do you have the unmenu plugin installed?  If so you can see if it sees the drives attached to the card.  I have an LSI card that I'm waiting on Tom to update the unraid drives since all the drives come over as scsi and unraid doesn't recognize them.  It could be that simple or its possible the right drivers are not installed for this particular card.

 

Erik

WOW.. thank you all for your suggestions...and help.  I haven't been on such a helpful forum as this... This is great! Thanks again--> Ed

Thanks Praeses I remember seeing compatable hardware noted somewhere but couldnt remember where!! -->Ed

Thanks BryantD for the url for sata cards that work!!!!

Erik,

 

I check if the unmenu plugin is installed.. thanks for the location of the open source driver location.....

 

****************

Looks like only one type of Bios is availible for this card

 

http://www.highpoint-tech.com/USA/bios_rr1720.htm

 

Press Ctrl+H to access the RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility.  Also from the manual

2 - Installing Fedora Core 6 on the RocketRAID 1720

Host Adapter

Note: If the OS is running kernel that differs from the one supported by the

precompiled driver, the precompiled drivers cannot be used. A driver can be built for

this kernel using the OpenSource package for the RocketRAID 1720 controller. This

package is available from our website, and is posted on the BIOS/Driver page for the

RocketRAID 1720.

 

Now this isn't to say it won't work.  Do you have the unmenu plugin installed?  If so you can see if it sees the drives attached to the card.  I have an LSI card that I'm waiting on Tom to update the unraid drives since all the drives come over as scsi and unraid doesn't recognize them.  It could be that simple or its possible the right drivers are not installed for this particular card.

 

Erik