How to check NCQ functionality

Question

Normally you'd have to connect HDD directly to SATA controller inside PC to confirm NCQ functionality.

Is there a sure-fire way to check if RAID controller (EonStor FC with SATA) detects and works well with NCQ on Barracuda ES.2 SATA drives? I use QLogic 24xx to connect.

This question is driven by the fact that SCSI over Fibre Channel hides SATA implementation details at the PC connected to RAID. I am looking for a good hack around this situation. — GregC, Jul 14 '09 at 09:31

John Rennie · Accepted Answer · 2009-07-14T09:49:43.250

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Unless the RAID management software reports whether NCQ is being used I don't think you can be sure. However the documentation for the controller should tell you is NCQ is supported.

In any case, as long as you have write-back enabled the RAID controller should manage disk writes as well as NCQ if not better.

JR

Well http://www.nexstor.co.uk/products/3/46/126/660/Disk_Storage/Infortrend/FC_to_SATA/EonStor_FC-4G_to_SATA-II_2U_8-bay_12-bay_RAID_-_A08F_A12F-G2422 claims that NCQ is supported. Given how much you paid for it I think you should leave the worrying to the EonStor and sit back with a cup of coffee :-)

edited Jul 14 '09 at 09:49

answered Jul 14 '09 at 07:32

John Rennie

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I am more concerned with disk reads, actually. The RAID controller lists it as a feature, but doesn't explicitly show it in its management software. – GregC Jul 14 '09 at 09:24
Oh, and of course I use write-back cache :) – GregC Jul 14 '09 at 09:25
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See my edit. I think you should trust the EonStor :-) – John Rennie Jul 14 '09 at 09:50
They do theirs, and I do mine. We have a performance problem to solve in our software, so I'm chasing all possibilities. – GregC Jul 14 '09 at 15:02

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 17 '09 at 21:57

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1/2 OT: I was experiencing a performance gain of ca. 30% with random small I/O load when I was upgrading a pretty old EonStor A16F-... box to the newest firmware release.

answered Jul 17 '09 at 21:57

Bernhard

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I think A16F describes the enclosure. I am using a G2430 controller. – GregC Jul 18 '09 at 19:34

How to check NCQ functionality

2 Answers2