[kwlug-disc] Linux-compatible eSATA expansion cards

[Paul Nijjar]

On Mon, Jun 30, 2014 at 06:01:02PM -0400, William Park wrote:
> On Mon, Jun 30, 2014 at 03:37:54PM -0400, Paul Nijjar wrote:
> > http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815287028
> > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124064
> 
> These two are PCIe 2.0 x1 which is 5Gbps.  It's sharing that amongst 4 x
> 6Gbps SATA.  You do the math. :-)

In this case the math is okay, because during those times when I am
using the eSATA ports I expect at most one other drive will be busy. I
think 2.5Gbps is probably good enough (but who knows). 

> > I am guessing that some chipsets are supported well under Linux and
> > some are not, but I do not know how to find good, compatible cards.
> 
> I have two old PCIe 1.0 x1 which is 2.5Gbps shared by 2 x 3Gbps SATA.
> One from generic ByteCC and another Vantec.  They are IDENTICAL with
> Silicon Image chipset, and no problem so far.
> 
> However, "no problem" on Asus motherboard.  When I tried them on
> Gigabyte motherboard, it didn't boot.

This is good information. Thanks.

- Paul

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