SnapOS V3 and AD

[tje]

Hi

I work for a school in the uk - we've had a snap server for ages - it does what we need to and I'm hoping we don't have to bin it Budgets are tight these days.

We're running v3.something (I cant recall off the top of my head, the unit is at work and I'm home on the weekend). Just moved to a Native 2003 domain and we're having issues - I've been doing some reading here - is there any version of v3 that will do AD2003?

There seems to be conflicting views on the forum and the wiki.
Thanks all - great resource you have here.

[joebloggs99]

As far as I know, full AD support is provided only with V4, and the debugged version is 4.0.860. That's not to say you can't get it working with V3, but you may find that the integration is a bit clumsy.

The exact status of 4.0.860 is in question. When my Snap1100 broke a few months back I contacted Adaptec European support. They were about as useful as a chocolate teapot, but they did send me a link to download the full installer for free. I couldn't install it because my drive had failed, but I got a fix another way. The file I have did install successfully then. The US guys here swear 4.0.860 is chargeable, and all discussion about providing it through some other route is frowned upon.

It would help to know what model Snap Server you have, and exactly what version of SnapOS it's running. If you can provide that the gurus around here might have some further info.

[tje]

Heya

Thanks for the quick reply.

Its a 4000. Exact firmware I can't confirm 'till next week - its v3.something though.

Input much appreciated - I guess there's not much more I can add 'till next week.

[blue68f100]

There is a work around posted in the wiki section if you have a spare pc to handle the interface. You must have v4.0.860 for AD2003 Support.

Copyright laws vary from country to country. Adaptec which now owns SnapAppliance has locked down all software up dates unless you have a service contract with them, at least here in North America.

Adaptec suspended all sales of the SnapOS hardware, due to the fact that it is not Vista compatiable. These old units do not have enough HP to handle/run the GuardianOS.

[tje]

Ah ok
I found the 'patch' on the adaptec site for '860' but after more reading here I think you need to be on a v4 install for it to work - could someone clarify for me that you definately can not patch any v3 install to v4 with SnapOS_4_0_860_upg.exe ? (ie - the patch wont work on an existing v3 install?)

Thanks again for all the help, I appreciate having more data next week might make things clearer.

[blue68f100]

The patch is only good for v4, Does not work on v3.

[tje]

Hi ok - thanks - that makes things clear.
I'll give the workaround for v3 a try next week.
Cheers again all.

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by tje

Hi ok - thanks - that makes things clear.
I'll give the workaround for v3 a try next week.
Cheers again all.

Just go to v4.0.860 if you can. It will be a lot less headaches in more ways than one.

[tje]

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone thats offered advice in this thread.
All sorted now - much appreciated. After reading lots here I've upgraded the unit to 4 x 320gb drives too - all seems to have gone without a hitch (although formatting the raid5 volume failed without a ram upgrade - worked fine with).

Anyone know of a place (apart from ebay) in the uk to get ahold of these still?

[re3dyb0y]

The snaps?

Other than trying IT companies, or companies who recycle/reposses IT equipment and stuff, not really

[Hallis]

ebay is going to be your best source for SnapOS and GuardianOS units. If you are looking for alternatives ive heard good things about the Infrant ReadyNAS units. Although i haven't had the cash to shell out for one to try it out yet.

Shane

[blue68f100]

The Infrant units are faster than the SnapOS but do not even come close to the Guardian OS units, less than 1/2 the speed.

[tje]

All so damn expensive. I'm tempted to splash out on a 12 port 3ware escalade card and build a freenas box.

[blue68f100]

Software raid require a lot of cpu power. So don't under power the unit. A lot of MB these days have RAID on board. Cheaper than buying the card and building you own. So just build a new MB that supports raid 5.

If you watch eBay closely every now and then a Guardian unit will list for ~$400. Just remember if the HD and sleds are missing it's only good for parts. Unless you want to spend some big buck to Adaptec. The OS is stored on the HD, so it must be a working unit. The Guardian OS is $600.

[tje]

Yeah, the 3ware cards are proper raid cards, not software. The freenas unit would just see one big volume, raid5 would be handled by the card.

I'm in the UK - so I think the guardianos units area bit harder to come by second hand

[blue68f100]

Most over here have had the HD and sleds removed.

A good RAID 5 card should either be a PCI-x or pcie. And the good one with procesors are over $500USD. At those prices is why I went for a 4500. A MB with a RAID controller are cheaper than that. Beside you need a PC any way.

FreeNAS is getting there but it not their yet. Not sure I would trust anything criticle to it.

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by blue68f100

If you watch eBay closely every now and then a Guardian unit will list for ~$400.

Unless I get to it first...

Originally Posted by blue68f100

Just remember if the HD and sleds are missing it's only good for parts. Unless you want to spend some big buck to Adaptec. The OS is stored on the HD, so it must be a working unit. The Guardian OS is $600.

And good luck on those drive sleds too...

[blue68f100]

I should have never got you started ........