So, apparently, Sans Digital is dropping the inclusion of the RocketRAID 642L RAID card w/ their TowerRAID 6G products. I've tried to get a TR8M6G twice now for a client, but they've swapped out the 642L for a RR622. HighPoint does not have drivers or WebGUI for the RR622 for anything beyond Mac OS X 10.9, and this client system is running 10.11. So they're shipping a product that is non-functional for someone running the current OS. Not to mention the RR622 is x1 only, and performs poorly next to a 642L.
I got to looking around for a standalone RR642L, but then wondered if that's the best option in this price range or if I should widen my search. NewerTech/OWC has this:
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer Technology/MXPCIE6GRS4E/
which seems interesting, but upon closer inspection it is a Marvell 9235-based RAID card just like the RR642L, and its WebGUI looks quite familiar (hint: it's Highpoint's, just w/ NewerTech branding). The file naming scheme for the driver download also looks like Highpoint's.
So, this is just a rebranded Highpoint card w/ Marvell 9235, it would appear. That got me wondering if other 9235 options would work also. This Syba card is 9235-based, for 1/3 the cost:
http://www.amazon.com/IO-Crest-eSATA-Components-SI-PEX40063/dp/B00AZ9T2SW
But my question is: if the chipset is the same, are the cards generally interchangeable? Or are there sufficient differences in firmware or other circuitry on the card that each needs vendor-specific drivers?
More directly: could I install the Highpoint driver and WebGUI and use it w/ any 9235-based card for a RAID5 setup?
Thx,
Fred
I got to looking around for a standalone RR642L, but then wondered if that's the best option in this price range or if I should widen my search. NewerTech/OWC has this:
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer Technology/MXPCIE6GRS4E/
which seems interesting, but upon closer inspection it is a Marvell 9235-based RAID card just like the RR642L, and its WebGUI looks quite familiar (hint: it's Highpoint's, just w/ NewerTech branding). The file naming scheme for the driver download also looks like Highpoint's.
So, this is just a rebranded Highpoint card w/ Marvell 9235, it would appear. That got me wondering if other 9235 options would work also. This Syba card is 9235-based, for 1/3 the cost:
http://www.amazon.com/IO-Crest-eSATA-Components-SI-PEX40063/dp/B00AZ9T2SW
But my question is: if the chipset is the same, are the cards generally interchangeable? Or are there sufficient differences in firmware or other circuitry on the card that each needs vendor-specific drivers?
More directly: could I install the Highpoint driver and WebGUI and use it w/ any 9235-based card for a RAID5 setup?
Thx,
Fred