SATA vs. PATA for xserve raid

Question

SATA vs. PATA for xserve raid

hello,
as the projects has got approved, I was asked if it's possible to use 500 GB SATA ADMs rather than 250 GB PATA ADMs. The raid that I have is a couple of years old. The firmware is 1.5 actually which i figured it the latest one. So my question is, how can I find out if I can or cannot use 500 GB SATA ADMs in my raid. The OS is 10.3.9 server if it helps.

thanks in advance.
Sergey

Posted on Jan 16, 2007 2:24 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 16, 2007 2:48 PM in response to Sergey Morozov

CAUTION:

The Xserve RAID supports only Ultra ATA not SATA. Be sure you're not looking at Xserve ADM because they are not the same.

You want Part Number: M9356G/A or MA180G/A (US Store) and make sure it explicitly says "for Xserve RAID". If you order SATA or SAS drives for your RAID unit you will be sorry.

=Tod

G5/2.0x2, Dual XServes x2, XRAID, beige G3 501Mhz

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Answer 2

Jan 16, 2007 4:09 PM in response to Sergey Morozov

The drive modules are not compatible. The SATA modules are physically shorter than the PATA modules, by about an inch.

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Answer 3

Camelot

Level 9

58,461 points

Jan 16, 2007 11:59 PM in response to Sergey Morozov

That all said, you can use larger PATA ADMs in the XServe RAID.

So if your goal is to use larger drives, yes, if it's to use SATA, no.

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Answer 4

Jan 17, 2007 7:44 AM in response to Tod Kuykendall

Tod,
these are the ADMs that I was looking at:

500GB SATA http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=624727&Redir=1

250GB PATA
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=351030&Redir=1

both say they are for x-serve.

I'm confused 🙂

Sergey

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Answer 5

Jan 17, 2007 10:19 AM in response to Sergey Morozov

This is a Xserve RAID drive:

250GB PATA - http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=351030&Redir=1

The 500GB version is here:
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=624725&Redir=1

NOTE: You will need the latest firmware to use 500GB drive modules.

This one: 500GB SATA http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=624727&Redir=1
is strictly for the Xserve G5 computer not the Xserve RAID.

If it doesn't have the explicit language Apple Drive Module for Xserve RAID in the description it is for something else. Also if it mentions a processor (like the G5) it is the Xserve computer not the RAID as the RAID has no processor.

HTH,

=Tod

G5/2.0x2, Dual XServes x2, XRAID, beige G3 501Mhz

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Answer 6

Jan 17, 2007 10:41 AM in response to Tod Kuykendall

Tod,
Spoke with Apple Sales Support. Called them twice to get 2 opinions. They told me I can use 500 GB SATA drives. Waiting for a final answer from my Mac Mall rep. If he says I can, I'll go for it. If you're curious, drop me a line at asksergey@gmail.com so that I will let you know whether it worked or did not work.

Thanks for all your help!
Sergey

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Answer 7

Jan 17, 2007 12:11 PM in response to Sergey Morozov

Sergey,

I can, with 100% certainty, assure you that you CANNOT use SATA drives in an Xserve RAID. You cannot put SATA drives in Apple's PATA carriers, and you cannot use the SATA drive modules in the Xserve RAID. They will not fit.

It is unfortunate that whoever you talked to in sales support is not familiar with the product. I work with these products constantly. I have held both modules. They are in no way the same.

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Answer 8

Jan 22, 2007 2:20 PM in response to William Lloyd

Thank you all!
I was able to find 500GB PATA ADMs, waiting for my order to get shipped! Thanks again!

Sergey

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