Re: RAID HBA options (now Seagate)

Jim writes -
Uh-oh. At the time, the Barracudas were being touted here and there as one of the best around. I happen to have bought 8 of the "fiascoed" model of Seagate Barracudas, although my serials are outside of the range of serials published by Seagate as the problem drives. One has failed, and I got a free replacement. And it was swell how the HBA secured my data and started rebuilding the RAID the instant I installed the fresh drive.

REPLY -
I used nothing but Seagate drives since day 1 at AVID. And then something happened. Today, Seagate drives suck. Do I use them still - sure I do. I can't get Seagate to take back years of drives, and give me replacement Hitachi drives. The "fiasco" started with SN05 firmware, which has now been "resolved" with SN06. I didnt' believe it at the beginning either (after 20+ years of Seagate), but they ALL failed, and all the "refurb" free replacements are dying at my clients as well. So I am going to hold off for a year, before I consider them again. When a drive fails, I get yelled at (what kind of crap did you tell us to buy ?) - so I can no longer risk it. But do I have tons of clients that still have Seagate drives - you bet I do.



Is there a way of determining if I'm having an issue with latency?
REPLY - if your drive array tests fast (AJA System Test, Blackmagic Speed Test) but mysteriously stops after playing out a 60 minute show, you have latency issues.


I looked at the ATTO R380 on their site, and they do indeed say they offer a "User friendly GUI-based configuration utility," which I'd much prefer over an EFI-boot scheme. Areca has a Web browser RAID manager as well. This is all very encouraging.

REPLY - none of it is friendly. The manuals suck for ATTO and Areca. You need to reply on TECH SUPPORT. Tech support for EVERYTHING is critical. This is why I love AJA and Small Tree so much - they have GREAT tech support. Once someone shows you the ATTO or Areca interface, it's not hard, but you won't figure it out by yourself.



Bob, no offense, but your tone reminds me of some of the nuns who terrorized me into excellence as a youngster. It's something I didn't appreciate at the time, but came to many years hence.

REPLY -
My real name is not Bob Zelin - it's Sister Mary Iwillkickyourassuntilitturnsblue. And don't forget it! I apologize for my tone, but I can't take my frustrations out on my clients, so I take it out on you. Sorry ! Without great support from a company, you will continued to be frustrated. Raid arrays, and shared storage solutions are not like plugging in a TV you buy at Wal Mart (and neither are professional broadcast monitors !).

Bob Zelin