[kwlug disc.] backups yet again

[unsolicited]

Khalid Baheyeldin wrote, On 04/04/2008 9:43 AM:
> eSATA sounds very promising.

Just remember, unlike USB / IDE, Sata cannot be 'hubbed'. One (e)sata 
connector, one drive.

If you need an add-in sata controller card, and you only have PCI 
slots, you will only get 1.5 Gpbs. You need PCI-X, etc., to get 3.0 
Gbps. On the 1.5 Gbps connector, it is dancing bear - anything you get 
beyond USB speeds is good enough, it's still more than a PCI slot can 
put out. Other factors will limit you before the sata does.

To the computer, there is no difference, including speed wise, between:
- sata drive mounted internally
- sata drive mounted in a drive bay in a 5.25" slot. (There are units 
that will allow 4 drives within 3 consecutive slots.)
- sata drive mounted in an eSata enclosure

Physically:
- internal drive can't be easily carried away without taking the 
entire computer
- drive bay can be removed, but you have to have the 5.25" externally 
accessible drive bay
- external can be removed, but you'll have an extra box around, and 
need a power source.

Many sata controller chips are RAID. You can mix internal, drive bay, 
and external, to accomplish that RAID. Electrically they all connect 
to the controller chip without intervening 'bits', such as a USB 
controller.