Silicon Image SATA RAID Manual

Serial ata raid management software

Hide thumbs Also See for SATA RAID:

Manual (59 pages)

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Quick Links

SATARaid™

Serial ATA

RAID Management Software

09/26/03

Silicon Image, Inc.

1060 East Arques Ave.

Sunnyvale CA 94085

(408) 616-4000

www.siliconimage.com

Table of Contents

Need help?

Do you have a question about the SATA RAID and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for Silicon Image SATA RAID

Page 1 SATARaid™ Serial ATA RAID Management Software 09/26/03 Silicon Image, Inc. 1060 East Arques Ave. Sunnyvale CA 94085 (408) 616-4000 www.siliconimage.com...
Page 2 Copyright © 2003, Silicon Image, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, or translated into any language or computer format, in any form or by any means without prior written permission of: Silicon Image, Inc. 1060 East Arques Ave.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Welcome .............................4 SATARaid Features..........................4 An Introduction to RAID........................5 Installing Drivers for Windows XP/2000/98/NT................6 JAVA 2 Runtime Environment Installation ..................7 SATARaid GUI Installation .......................9 Creating and Deleting RAID Sets ....................11 Creating RAID Sets ..........................13 Deleting RAID Sets..........................14 Rebuild RAID 1 Set ..........................
Page 4: Welcome
1 Welcome Silicon Image’s SATARaid software provides Serial ATA RAID0 (Striping), RAID1 (Mirroring) and RAID10 (Striping and Mirroring) functionality to enhance the industry’s leading PCI-to-SATA host controller products. Two major challenges facing the storage industry today are keeping pace with the increasing performance demands of computer systems by improving disk I/O throughput and providing data accessibility in the face of hard disk failures.
Page 5: An Introduction To Raid
2 An Introduction to RAID RAID - Redundant Array of Independent Disks RAID technology manages multiple disk drives to enhance I/O performance and provide redundancy in order to withstand the failure of any individual member, without the loss of data. There are many different methods of implementation for RAID, with each having advantages and disadvantages.
Page 6: Installing Drivers For Windows Xp/2000/98/Nt
3 Installing Drivers for Windows XP/2000/98/NT Before installing the SATARaid software, Silicon Image Serial ATA host adapter driver must be installed. When Windows detects the newly installed SATA host adapter, it will open a Driver Installation Wizard. Click on the Next buttons until the wizard prompts for the location of the driver.
Page 7: Java 2 Runtime Environment Installation
4 JAVA 2 Runtime Environment Installation The Java 2 Runtime Environment is required for the SATARaid GUI. The Java 2 Runtime Installer and executable package must be downloaded from the Sun Microsystems website at http://java.sun.com/j2se/downloads.html. The computer must have an Internet connection set up before installation can proceed. Save the installer file to a known location, such as the My Documents folder.
Page 9: Sataraid Gui Installation
5 SATARaid GUI Installation Insert the Silicon Image SATARaid Installation CD into the computer’s CD-ROM drive. Using Windows Explorer or by clicking on the My Computer icon on the desktop, display the contents of the CD-ROM. The SATARaid GUI Installation program is named Java SATARaid.exe.
Page 11: Creating And Deleting Raid Sets
6 Creating and Deleting RAID Sets Creating and deleting RAID sets must be performed in the BIOS for operating systems other than Windows 2000 and XP. For 2000 and XP, RAID sets can be created and managed by either the BIOS utility or the SATARaid GUI. See section 10 RAID Set Management Under Windows 2000 &...
Page 12 Main Menu The Main Menu in the upper left corner is used to choose the operation to be performed. The selections are: Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Rebuild RAID1 Set Resolve Conflicts Low Level Format Logical Drive Info Create RAID Set is used to create a new RAID Set or for allocating spare drives to a RAID 1 set. Delete RAID Set is used to delete a RAID Set or to deallocate a spare RAID 1 drive.
Page 13: Creating Raid Sets
Creating RAID Sets As previously discussed, the Silicon Image SATA host adapter supports RAID 0, 1, and 10 configurations. The selection of the RAID level to be used should be based upon factors including performance, data security, and number of drives available.
Page 14: Deleting Raid Sets
Deleting RAID Sets To remove one or more RAID sets, select “Delete RAID Set.” Select the desired set and press Enter. Press “Y” when asked, “Are You Sure?” The drives will be returned to the selection of logical drives from which a new RAID set can be created. Copyright ©...
Page 15: Rebuild Raid 1 Set
Rebuild RAID 1 Set This menu selection is used to initiate the copying of data from an existing drive to a replacement drive that has been installed in a RAID 1 set after the failure of one of the members. Select “Rebuild RAID1 set.
Page 16: Resolving Conflicts
Resolving Conflicts When a RAID set is created, the metadata written to the disk includes drive connection information including the channel on the host adapter to which it is connected. If after a disk failure the replacement disk was previously part of a RAID set or used in another system, it may have conflicting metadata, specifically in reference to the drive connection information.
Page 17 Note that some conflict resolutions may result in the drive letter assignment changing; for example the RAID set may have been drive D: but after the conflict resolution, it may become drive E:. Be aware of this when performing a conflict resolution.
Page 18: Low Level Formatting
Low Level Formatting The Low Level Format menu selection allows the complete erasure of data on a hard drive. This is not an action which typically needs to be performed as formatting the drive under Windows is usually sufficient to prepare the drive for use. Logical Drive Information This menu item allows the display of the assignment of physical drives within a logical set (RAID set, RAID 1 spare, or unassigned).
Page 19: Allocating Partitions
7 Allocating Partitions After the Raid set(s) have been created, the BIOS reports the new set(s) as a new drive attached to the system. This drive must have a partition defined on it, then the drive must be formatted in preparation for use under Windows. Windows XP, 2000, and NT use the Disk Management utility that is part of the Operating System.
Page 20 In the physical connection window, every disk should report as: Basic Disk Size (the actual available disk space will be reported here) Online Instead of “Basic,” a disk may also report as either “Unknown” or “Dynamic.” If the disk reports as “Unknown” right-click on the disk icon and click “Write Signature.”...
Page 21 The third window designates the partition size. Since this is a Striped RAID set utilizing 2 disk drives, the size of the partition will be approximately twice the size of the smallest single disk drive. Click Next. The fourth window designates the drive letter of the partition. Change the drive letter if desired. Click Next. SATARaid User’s Manual Copyright ©...
Page 22 The next window allows the volume label to be set and selection of the type of formatting to take place upon the creation of the partition. Make sure the Format this partition. . .” radio button is selected. Name the volume as desired (suggestions are generic names such as STRIPED SET or something specific to use such as FINANCIAL, CRITICAL, MISCELLANEOUS, etc.).
Page 23 The status of the newly created partition in the Disk Management window should change to Formatting and the percentage complete will be displayed. Depending upon the size of the partition, the format process may take several minutes. When complete, the status will change to “Healthy” and the name and drive letter will be updated. Once the disk reports Healthy, it appears in the listing in System Listing section with all of its pertinent information as well.
Page 24: Windows Nt
Windows NT Before creating any partitions, RAID sets must first be created using the BIOS RAID Utility. Once the sets have been created, allow the system to load Windows. Once Windows is running, open the Disk Management window located at: Control Panel>...
Page 25 After any required disc signatures have been written, a window similar to the following will appear: The first button on the toolbar opens the Disk Administrator Volumes window, which lists the recognizable Volumes, their capacity, free space, type of format, etc. The second button opens the Disk Configuration window (shown above), detailing all disks (or RAID Sets), partitions, and allows he user to format and name each partition and volume.
Page 26 14. Verify the settings as follows: Capacity can not be changed. Make sure that File System has NTFS selected. Don’t change the Default Allocation Size. Select an appropriate name for Volume Label. Select Quick Format. 15. Click on Start. The drive will be formatted. 16.
Page 27: Windows 98 & Me
Windows 98 & Me Windows 98 and Me do not have a Disk Administrator or Disk Management utility. Instead, after creating RAID sets using the BIOS RAID utility and booting Windows, the partitions must be created using the FDISK program. To invoke FDISK from within Windows: Click on the START button Select Run...
Page 28 The Current Fixed Drive typically will be the System Drive (C:). In order to create partitions, the fixed drive needs to be changed. Select 5 and press Enter. A screen similar to the following will appear: Enter the disk number to partition and press Enter. FDISK will return to the Options screen. With the Current fixed drive set at the disk needing to be partitioned, Select 1 and press Enter to create the partition on the drive.
Page 29 Press Enter to select Create Primary DOS Partition. FDISK will scan the drive and the following window will appear. Press Enter to confirm use of the entire drive capacity for the partition. While the partition is being created, a progress indication appears at the bottom of the screen. Once the percentage counter reaches 100%, the following window will appear: SATARaid User’s Manual Copyright ©...
Page 30 Press the Esc key to return to the FDISK Options menu. Repeat the process for any remaining drives that need to be partitioned. When all drives have been partitioned, return to the FDISK Options menu, then press Esc to exit FDISK. The computer will need to be rebooted.
Page 32: Sataraid Gui Overview
8 SATARaid GUI Overview The SATARaid GUI Installation program configures the SATARaid GUI to automatically start when Windows is started. If the SATARaid GUI does not automatically start or is closed by the user, choose the JAVA SATARaid program from the Start Menu to launch the GUI.
Page 33 pertinent information for that drive, including the drive’s serial number, firmware version, ATA version and current mode as well as Configuration and Disk Identification information. Selecting Sets lists the Sets in the configuration tree and provides information on RIO Version. Selecting a specific RAID set, such as Set 0, and the type of RAID set, the number of members and capacity is reported (A).
Page 34: Event Viewer And Events Windows
Event Viewer and Events Windows The Event Viewer and Events Windows display SATA device-related events that occur while SATARaid is running. Selecting categories in the Event Viewer window applies a filter to the Events window so that only messages of the type selected are displayed.
Page 35: Raid Management
RAID Management This command allows the management of the RAID sets and drives on the SATA host adapter. It is available only under Windows 2000 and XP. See Section 10 - RAID Set Management Under Windows 2000 & XP for detailed instructions on using this feature.
Page 36: About Sataraid
About SATARaid This command is displayed only on the command menu. Choosing this command displays a dialog box with more information about the SATARaid program, including the revision level. Copyright © 2003 Silicon Image Inc. SATARaid User’s Manual...
Page 37: Sataraid Configuration
9 SATARaid Configuration SATARaid configuration options include customization of the settings for Event Notification, E-mail Notification, Log File, Audio, and Popup. The first tab displayed when SATARaid configuration is opened is for Event Table configuration. This setting determines which events are displayed in the Event Table. The messages logged for the various settings are as follows: Error Level - The following messages are logged: §...
Page 38 The next tab is used to set the interval time in seconds for the program to poll the status of the host adapter and d evices. Lower settings may have an impact on system performance. If the RAID sets are subject to heavy activity, the Event Time interval should be increased.
Page 40 The current SATARaid configuration may be sent via e-mail. This feature is most often used when contacting the system administrator for technical support. Select the e-mail tab in the SATARaid Configuration Menu and enter the default e-mail address and subject line for the party receiving the configuration data. The default address and subject can be overridden prior sending the email.
Page 42 The Event Levels tab is used to select which events trigger a message to be sent to those in the Notification email list. (see Notification on previous page) Error Level - The following events will be sent: § Errors Warning Level- The following events will be sent: §...
Page 43 The log file is used to store event information received from all Silicon Image RAID drivers. The log file is a text file and can be viewed with any text viewer (such as Notepad) or with the Event Property page of SATARaid. Use the Log File tab to set location and the desired filename for the log file.
Page 44 SATARaid can be configured to notify the user of events using messages in popup windows. These alerts can occur separately or in conjunction with audio alerts and email notification. Use the slider control to set the event level for popups to occur: Error Level - The following events will trigger a popup window: §...
Page 45: Raid Set Management Under Windows 2000 & Xp
10 RAID Set Management Under Windows 2000 & XP Selecting the RAID Management command or toolbar button causes a RAID Configuration Wizard to open. Click Next to go the Main Operation Menu screen. NOTE: Modifying RAID Sets may result in the existing data on the affected drives being permanently lost. Make sure all data is backed up prior to executing any operation described in this section.
Page 46: Creating Raid Sets
Creating RAID Sets As previously discussed, the Silicon Image SATA host adapter supports RAID 0, 1, and 10 configurations. The selection of the RAID level to be used should be based upon factors including performance, data security, and number of drives available.
Page 49 A window will be displayed noting configuration success. Click Finish. An acknowledgement window will appear. Click Finish. A moving bar will appear in the window while the operation is in progress. Once the window closes, the operation is complete. When the window closes, the new RAID Set will appear in the SATARaid window under RAID Sets.
Page 50 Creating a RAID 0 Set Referring to the example above for creating a RAID 1 Set, start the RAID Wizard. Select “Create RAID Set” and click Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard while clicking devices to add them to the RAID Set. A RAID 0 set must contain at least two members.
Page 52 Creating a RAID 10 Set Referring to the example above for creating a RAID 1 Set, start the RAID Wizard. Select “Create RAID Set” and click Next. Select ‘Create RAID 10 Set’ and click Next. Highlight the device to add in the lower section of the Create RAID 10 Set window. Click the up arrow under the First mirror members section to add the first device to the RAID Set.
Page 54: Deleting Raid Sets
Deleting RAID Sets For various reasons it may be necessary or desired to delete an existing RAID Set. The following example shows the deletion of an existing RAID 0 Set. Start the RAID Wizard. Select “Delete RAID Set” and click Next. Select the type of set to be deleted and click Next.
Page 55 Select the set to be deleted and click Next. An acknowledgement window will appear. Click Finish. A moving bar will appear in the window while the operation is in progress. Once the window closes, the operation is complete. SATARaid User’s Manual Copyright ©...
Page 56: Modifying Raid Sets
Modifying RAID Sets This feature allows the configuration of various settings related to a RAID Set to be adjusted. The following example shows the modification of the rebuild rate of a RAID 1 Set. Start the RAID Wizard. Select “Modify RAID Set” and click Next. Select the operation to be performed and click Next.
Page 58 An acknowledgement window will appear. Click Finish. A moving bar will appear in the window while the operation is in progress. Once the window closes, the operation is complete. Copyright © 2003 Silicon Image Inc. SATARaid User’s Manual...
Page 59 The following example shows modification of a RAID 1 Set by adding a member. Start the RAID Wizard. Select “Modify RAID Set” and click Next. Select the operation to be performed and click Next. Only operations that are valid for the selected set will be displayed.
Page 60 Select the set on which the operation is to be applied. Select the device to be added. Click Next. An acknowledgement window will appear. Click Finish. A moving bar will appear in the window while the operation is in progress. Once the window closes, the operation is complete. Copyright ©...
Page 61 Return to the SATARaid Main Window. In the Devices window, select the RAID Set to which you have added the device. Select the Members tab for the RAID Set in the Information window. From here, the progress of the RAID Set rebuild can be monitored.
Page 62: Creating A Spare Raid 1 Drive
Creating a Spare RAID 1 Drive Creating a spare RAID 1 drive allows the spare to be quickly added to an existing RAD 1 set in the event of a catastrophic failure. The following example shows the creation of a RAID 1 spare drive. Start the RAID Wizard.
Page 63 An acknowledgement window will appear. Click Finish. A moving bar will appear in the window while the operation is in progress. Once the window closes, the operation is complete. SATARaid User’s Manual Copyright © 2003 Silicon Image Inc.
Page 64: Deleting A Spare Raid 1 Drive
Deleting a Spare RAID 1 Drive For various reasons it may be desired or necessary to deallocate a RAID 1 spare drive. The following example shows the deletion of a spare RAID 1 drive. Start the RAID Wizard. Select “Delete Spare Drive” and click Next. Select the drive to be deallocated and click Deselect, then click Next.
Page 65 An acknowledgement window will appear. Click Finish. A moving bar will appear in the window while the operation is in progress. Once the window closes, the operation is complete. SATARaid User’s Manual Copyright © 2003 Silicon Image Inc.

This manual is also suitable for:

Sataraid

Silicon Image SATA RAID Manual

1 Welcome

2 An Introduction to RAID

3 Installing Drivers for Windows XP/2000/98/NT

4 JAVA 2 Runtime Environment Installation

5 Sataraid GUI Installation

6 Creating and Deleting RAID Sets

7 Allocating Partitions

8 Sataraid GUI Overview

9 Sataraid Configuration

10 RAID Set Management under Windows 2000 & XP

Quick Links

Need help?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Silicon Image SATA RAID

Summary of Contents for Silicon Image SATA RAID

This manual is also suitable for:

Table of Contents