FC3 x86_64 install on sil3114 SATA controller problems.

[Saurabh Barve]

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 21:06:37 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Koustubha Kale <koustubha_kale at yahoo.com>
> Subject: FC3 x86_64 install on sil3114 SATA controller problems.
> To: amd64-list at redhat.com
> Message-ID: <20050418040637.81148.qmail at web50402.mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Dear all,
> We have purchased a Tyan Tiger k8w(s2875) yesterday.
> I am trying to install Fedora Core 3 x86_64 on a
> machine with Tyan Tiger k8w with dual opteron 242
> CPU's, 4gb RAM, 120GB seagate SATA drives connected to
> sata 1 & 2. 
> My problem is although FC3 complets the install it
> fails to reboot. I followed the directions in the
> downloaded file SiI3114- Serial ATA (SATA) 64-bit
> Linux RAID Driver (for AMD 64-bit platforms only).zip
> file from the driver downloads section on tyan's site
> but the insertion of driver does not take place. the
> initial_install.sh script  does not manage to insert
> the driver module. The same works for RH9 though. But
> we need the Fc3 x86_64 for which we bought the board &
> the CPU's.
> Please guide urgently as to how we can get this
> working. This machine is needed urgently for our
> colleges lab.
> 
> With warm regards advance thanks
> Koustubha Kale
> 
> With warm regards
> Koustubha Kale
> 
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Hi Koustabha,

We had the same problems loading RHEL 3 on one of our machines. We tried 
a number of different things, with the hardware and the OS. However, 
what worked for us finally, was to simply buy an external SATA RAID 
controller. A 3ware controller works best. We had four hard drives; this 
one worked for us: 3ware 64-bit PCI to SATA RAID Controller Card, Model 
"Escalade 8506-4LP" . But since you are only connecting 2 hard drives, 
you can go for a two-port card. However, if you do wish to increase the 
number of hard drives in the future, maybe you could go for a 4-port card.

Do not rely on binary drivers to work for you. Those drivers are made 
for only one particular kernel. Once you upgrade the kernel, they'll 
break (that's what happened to us). The best way to go is for external 
cards (especially 3ware - RHEL has excellent source driver support for it).

Of course, you might get a more accurate reply on the list from someone 
who's got those mobo card drivers working for RHEL. But I'd suggest you 
to go for an external SATA RAID controller. It will save you a lot of 
time, and will give you flexibility in upgrades.

Saurabh.