2-10 Enabling Sata Raid - Supero H8DM3-2 User Manual

2-10 Enabling SATA RAID

Now that the hardware is set up, you can install the operating system and the SATA
RAID drivers, if you wish to utilize SATA RAID. The installation procedure differs
depending on whether you wish to have the operating system installed on a RAID
array or on a separate non-RAID drive. See the instructions below for details.
Notes: See the LSI SAS manual (included on the Supermicro CD) for SAS RAID.
IR mode is not supported.
Serial ATA (SATA)
Serial ATA (SATA) is a physical storage interface that employs a single cable with a
minimum of four wires to create a point-to-point connection between devices. This
connection is a serial link that supports a SATA transfer rate from 150 MBps. The
serial cables used in SATA are thinner than the traditional cables used in Parallel
ATA (PATA) and can extend up to one meter in length, compared to only 40 cm for
PATA cables. Overall, SATA provides better functionality than PATA.
Installing the OS/SATA Driver
Before installing the OS (operating system) and SATA RAID driver, you must decide
if you wish to have the operating system installed as part of a bootable RAID array
or installed to a separate non-RAID hard drive. If on a separate drive, you may
install the driver either during or after the OS installation. If you wish to have the
OS on a SATA RAID array, you must follow the procedure below and install the
driver during the OS installation.
Building a Driver Diskette
You must fi rst build a driver diskette from the Supermicro CD-ROM that was included
with the system. (You will have to create this disk on a computer that is already
running and with the OS installed.) Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive and
start the system. A display as shown in Figure 2-5 will appear. Click on the icon
labeled "Build Driver Diskettes and Manuals" and follow the instructions to create
a fl oppy disk with the driver on it. Once it's been created, remove the fl oppy and
insert the installation CD for the Windows Operating System you wish to install into
the CD-ROM drive of the new system you are about to confi gure.
Enabling SATA RAID in the BIOS
Before installing the Windows Operating System, you must change some settings
in BIOS. Boot up the system and hit the <Del> key to enter the BIOS Setup Utlility.
After the Setup Utility loads,
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Chapter 2: Installation