Open Source raidzone OS
 

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew some good open source raid operating systems. Currently I've been using the propriatary OS from raidzone.com, but their support prices are climbing ever higher and I was wondering what the open source options are. I know very little about this so any information would be greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thanks so much.



-NifflerX

you mean like a distro that does RAID?? AFAIK all the main distros do RAID...

Yeah, I guess that's what I'm asking for. I'm basically trying to figure out what is so special about the proprietary OS I'm using now that makes it worth all the money I pay in support, and why I can't just run an open source OS. But as far as you know I could run Fedora or something like that and be just fine, right? Thanks so much.


-NifflerX

yeah, as far as RAID is concerned...

The problem is that Raidzone isn't REALLY releasing their code as GPL. They do release it if you beg it enough And, you have a "valid support" contract. Only then they will send you a copy of their latest version of software ( Which in all honesty, you could then put on an FTP server somewhere since the code is GPL).

They will barely give you the time of day if you don't have a support license and aren't the "original" purchaser.

They basically follow the letter of the GPL ( will only supply it for 3 years and not a day longer ) but not the intent of the GPL. Also, it seems that Raidzone will ONLY supply it to the original purchaser of the hardware.

I have been trying to get a copy of the code that they supplied to restore a Raidzone box I was given ( hardware is fine - the OS partition had a problem ). I would love to work on a Raidzone OS ( but It would help to get their code to start with ) or to just submit patches to the normal kernel tree/etc.

Their hardware is essentially each HD as a separate device on the bus, it isn't supported by any current kernels ( only their original patches to the 2.4 kernel tree - and they never bothered to have their changes rolled into the default kernel tree ). So while you could get something running on their machine, you'd not be able to use the HD's or the raid features.