Avermedia RA4000e Series User Manual
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Avermedia RA4000e Series User Manual

Avermedia RA4000e Series User Manual

Esata to serial ata disk array system
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RA4000e Series
eSATA to Serial ATA Disk Array System
User Manual Ver1.0
 
 

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  • Page 1   RA4000e Series eSATA to Serial ATA Disk Array System User Manual Ver1.0    ...

  • Page 2: Notice

    This manual has been checked for accuracy, but no guarantee is given that the contents are correct. Information and specifications can change without notice. AVerMedia is not responsible for data loss or other consequences caused by the use of this manual.

  • Page 3: Preface

    Preface Regulatory information For Europe This equipment is in conformity with the EMC directive. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. Those limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

  • Page 4: Intended User

    RA4000e Series User manual About this manual Intended user This manual is designed and written for users of the RA4000e Series. This is an entry level product suitable for most users. Organization of the manual This manual consists of the following sections:...
  • Page 5 Decide whether to set up a RAID 0, 0+1, 5 or 5+spare array RA4000e Series (Chapter 2) Set up: Install drives into RA4000e Series (Chapter 3) Set the RAID level (Chapter 4) Create: Create a RAID array and connect it to a host computer...

  • Page 6: Guide To Conventions

    This icon indicates useful tips on getting the most from your RA4000e Series. Important terms, commands and programs are put in Boldface font.

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    Available host intefaces and transfer speeds ......... 12 Disk Interface Support ................12 RAID Function Support ................12 RA4000e Series Function Support ............12 Mechanical, Environmental and Safety Specifications ......13 Chapter 2 ................14 Before you begin ..............14 Making sure you have everything ..............
  • Page 8 Creating an array..................29 Create a new RAID ................. 29 Over 2TB capacity ................... 30 Checking the status of RA4000e Series ............31 Removing / replacing a drive ................ 32 What if a disk fails? ................. 32 Swapping drives ..................32 Removing a drive ..................
  • Page 9 Preface Glossary ................47 Appendix C ................. 49 LCD Display Messages ............49 Over 2TB capacity setting ............... 49 RAID initialization ..................50 System ready ..................51 RAID and disk status messages ............. 51 RAID level Setting and Total RAID Capacity: ......... 51 Disk information: Vendor, model # (for example: Western Digital Caviar 7200rpm 120G) ..................

  • Page 10: Chapter 1

    RA4000e Series is ideally suited for integration with databases, e-mail, web servers and imaging systems. The RA4000e Series is the ultimate approach to a flexible RAID solution. It can manage three different RAID levels (0, 0+1 and 5) and also offers the option of RAID 5+hot spare. You will find detailed explanation on the features and suggested uses of these RAID levels later in this chapter.

  • Page 11: Key Features

    Automatic drive rebuilding If a member drive in a RAID 5 array is replaced on-line, the RA4000e Series will automatically start to rebuild data to the new drive. Hard drive hot swapping Hot swapping allows for the removal and installation of disk drives without the need to power down the system while the system is in use.

  • Page 12: Specifications

    RA4000e Series User manual Specifications Available host intefaces and transfer speeds eSATA 1.5Gb Disk Interface Support Four SATA disk interfaces compatible with SATA2 3Gb disks RAID Function Support Hardware RAID level 0, 5, 0+1, 5 + spare by switch setting...

  • Page 13: Mechanical, Environmental And Safety Specifications

    Chapter 1 - Introduction Mechanical, Environmental and Safety Specifications Dimensions: 286.5(L) x 152.8(W) x 206.4(H) (mm) Host Connectors: one eSATA connector Interface Connectors: One RS-232 connector Operation temperature: 0 ~ 35°C Operation humidity: 5% ~ 95 %, non-condensing Storage humidity: 5%~95%, non-condensing 200 W power supply Input: 100 ~ 250 AC Output: +5V/10 A, +12V/10 A, +3.3V/5A...

  • Page 14: Chapter 2

    What's in the box Some vendors may ship certain components as standard, while other vendors treat the same component as optional. In its most basic configuration, your package should include the following: RA4000e Series system with four drive trays (Disk not included)

  • Page 15: What Else You Need

    SATA to eSATA bracket Screws pack AverMedia CD kit containing RA4000e Series User’s Manual (this manual) What else you need In order to setup a working system, the following user-supplied items are required: Host computer system with eSATA interface Four disk drives For non-proprietary accessories, such as cables, etc., ask your vendor to...

  • Page 16: Pre-Installation Planning

    If one drive in a RAID 5 array fails, the lost data can be rebuilt from data on the functioning disks. The RA4000e Series allows users to set one disk as a hot-spare that will be activated automatically to replace a failed disk.

  • Page 17: Raid 0

    Chapter 2 – Before you begin RAID 0 RAID 0 links each drive in the array as one huge drive. Storage capacity is determined by the smallest drive in the array. That capacity is then applied to format all other drives in the array. If using a 40 GB, 50GB, 60 GB, and 70 GB drive in a RAID 0 array, your system will see one huge drive of 160 GB (40 GB×4).

  • Page 18: Raid 0+1

    RA4000e Series User manual RAID 0+1 RAID 0+1 combines mirroring and striping functions on a minimum of four hard disks. Mirroring provides full redundancy and protects data in case of multiple drive failure (providing that data on one of each mirrored pair of drives is intact).

  • Page 19: Raid 5 And Raid 5+Hot Spare

    Chapter 2 – Before you begin RAID 5 and RAID 5+hot spare RAID 5 uses a mathematical expression that compares data from three drives and calculates a fourth piece of data called “parity” which is saved on a fourth drive. Should one of the drives fail, parity data can be used to rebuild the failed data.
  • Page 20 RA4000e Series User manual The diagram below represents the writing of data on a RAID 5 array composed of four DISKS connected to the controller. Parity blocks are represented by the letter P. The diagram below represents the writing of data on a RAID 5+hot spare array composed of four DISKS connected to the controller.

  • Page 21: Pre-Installation Notices

    Chapter 2 – Before you begin Pre-installation notices Before starting any kind of hardware installation, please ensure that all power switches have been turned off and all power cords disconnected to prevent personal injury and damage to the hardware. To avoid overheating, should be installed in a well-ventilated area and in such a way that sufficient airflow is maintained across the controller chips.

  • Page 22: Chapter 3

    Load hard drives into the drive carriers Install the drive carriers in Familiarizing yourself with RA4000e Series The RA4000e Series is available in one hardware configurations with eSATA host interfaces: This manual contains the information necessary to set up the available hardware configurations.

  • Page 23: Front View

    Each drive carrier can hold a one-inch high 3.5-inch form factor SATA disk drive. LCD Display The LCD displays status and configuration information for the RA4000e Series and arrays. A full list of LCD display messages is given in Appendix C. Scroll button...

  • Page 24: Loading Drives Into Ra4000E Series

    RA4000e Series User manual Loading drives into RA4000e Series The RA4000e Series should be fitted with four hard disk drives. Load each drive into a drive carrier as follows: 1. Pull the drive carrier handle to release the latch. 2. Slide the drive carrier out of the RA4000e Series.

  • Page 25: Chapter 4

    Use the RAID level selector to set the RAID level (0, 0+1, 5 Set RAID or 5+spare) level Load four drives into the RA4000e Series, then turn on to Create array create array. Replace any faulty drives. When RAID initialization is complete, connect your RA4000e Connect to Series to the host computer.

  • Page 26: Setting Raid Level

    Solution: At this situation, RAID cannot work, users should choose one of the following options : (1) Shut down the RA4000e Series and tune the RAID level selectors to R5. (2) Re-plug the four disks and re-create the Array to R0 (But data in the R5 disks will be lost due...
  • Page 27 Chapter 4 – Setting up an array The RA4000e Series must be powered off to change RAID level. To change RAID level: Power off Set the new RAID level using the RAID level selector Remove all four disks Power on Install the four disks to start RAID initialization Changing RAID level may lead to the loss of all data on the array.

  • Page 28: Setting Raid 0

    RA4000e Series User manual Setting RAID 0 1. Ensure the RA4000e Series is turned off. Move both selector switches 1 and 2 to ON as shown. Setting RAID 0+1 1. Ensure the RA4000e Series is turned off. Move selector switch 1 to ON and 2 to OFF...

  • Page 29: Creating An Array

    5. Install drives to begin initialization. The RA4000e Series will check the status of the installed drives. If all of four drives are brand new or never been used in RA4000e Series then the initialization of the desired RAID level array will begin automatically.

  • Page 30: Over 2Tb Capacity

    Over 2TB capacity The RA4000e Series supports over 2TB capacity. If your operation system (e.g. Windows Vista) that supports a SATA device with over 2TB capacity. After create the array, you can have the setting to enable over 2TB capacity by the scroll button.

  • Page 31: Checking The Status Of Ra4000E Series

    Chapter 4 – Setting up an array Checking the status of RA4000e Series The status of the RA4000e Series is given by the LCD display. Press the scroll button to the left of the display to scroll through information about the array. The following information is...

  • Page 32: Removing / Replacing A Drive

    RAID rebuilding will be processed automatically in the background and the RA4000e Series will record its progress. If the host system is shut down or powered off abnormally, the RA4000e Series will continue the disk rebuilding process after power is turned on again.

  • Page 33: Removing A Drive

    Chapter 4 – Setting up an array Removing a drive 1. Pull the drive carrier handle. 2. Slide the drive carrier out of the RA4000e Series. 3. Remove four screws from the tray and lift out the disk drive.

  • Page 34: Connecting To A Host Computer

    RA4000e Series User manual Connecting to a host computer Once the array is initialized, you can connect the RA4000e Series to your host computer. The RAID cannot be recognized by Operating System before initialization complete. To connect to the host: 1.

  • Page 35: Setting The Display Time & Date

    Chapter 4 – Setting up an array Setting the Display Time & Date Press down the right hand (Enter) button for over five seconds to enter or change the time and date displayed on the display. When you release the button, the date and time setting screen will show: YY/MM/DD HH:MM 1.

  • Page 36: Chapter 5

    RA4000e Series User manual This chapter explains how to partition the array in Windows 2000/2003/XP/ME, Windows Vista, Linux, Mac operating systems. Partitioning the array - Windows The array must be partitioned before it can be used. To do this on a Windows operating system: 1.
  • Page 37 Chapter 5 – Partitioning the array 6. Right click on the disk representing the array and select Create Partition. Follow the wizard to create one or more partitions on the array. 7. When you have completed creating a partition, the array will appear as a disk in the disk management section of the Computer Management dialog box.

  • Page 38: Partitioning The Array - Linux

    RA4000e Series User manual Partitioning the array - Linux The array must be partitioned before it can be used. To do this on a Linux operating system: 1. Establish the array and connect to the host computer following the instructions in the preceding chapter.
  • Page 39 Chapter 5 – Partitioning the array 8. Enter the command to create a Linux second extended file system on the array. In the example, the command is mke2fs /directory/device (mke2fs /dev/hde). 9. Assign the array a location: Enter mount /directory/device /location (mount /dev/hde /tmp).

  • Page 40: Partitioning The Array - Mac Os X

    RA4000e Series User manual Partitioning the array – Mac OS X The array must be partitioned before it can be used. To do this on a Mac operating system: 1. Establish the array and connect to the host computer following the instructions in the preceding chapter.
  • Page 41 Chapter 5 – Partitioning the array 7. The partition will then begin, and process is been showing as creating partition map in lower right corner of dialog box. 8. When you have completed creating a partition, the array will appear as a disk in storage list in left menu, and be put on desktop as shortcut.

  • Page 42: Partitioning The Array - Vista

    2. From the Computer Management window, select Disk Management. 3. Windows operation system will list all the hard drives that are installed on the system. Locate the RA4000e Series drive that is represented by the icon. Right click the icon and select Initialize Disk.

  • Page 43: Faq

    Appendix A – FAQ If you encounter a problem while using the RA4000e Series, check this section for help. 1. My Operating System is Linux. I have enabled the over 2TB capacity setting, but I still cannot partition a device over 2TB in OS. Why? The RA4000e Series is over 2TB available, but most OS still cannot support SATA device to over 2TB capacity.
  • Page 44 If I really want to re-create a new RAID. How should I do? Remove all disks. Power off the RA4000e Series, set up RAID level by selector switch than power on the RA4000e Series. Plug in all of disks to initialize new RAID.
  • Page 45 If the functioning disk does not function at any of the three other locations, the drive carriers for those location or the RA4000e Series is faulty. Perform the next step.
  • Page 46 R A I D F a i l C o d e : 2 Solution: To create a new RAID or you should call AVerMedia product support center to try to save the data from system. Condition 4 B a t t e r y F a i l e d Note: Battery is low, missing, or failed.

  • Page 47: Glossary

    Appendix B – Glossary Array See Disk Array. Array Management Software The body of software, that provides common control and management for a disk array. Array Management Software most often executes in a disk controller or intelligent host bus adapter, but may also execute in a host computer.
  • Page 48 RA4000e Series User manual RAID (Redundant Array of Independent / Inexpensive Disks) A disk array in which part of the storage capacity is used to store redundant information about user data stored on the remainder of the storage capacity. The redundant information enables regeneration of user data in the event that one of the array member disks or the access path to it fails.

  • Page 49: Lcd Display Messages

    “ENT” to select this function, the next message will be displayed. At this condition user presses the scroll buttons, the below messages will be displayed: When use presses “ENT” after the new condition select, the RA4000e Series will reboot.

  • Page 50: Raid Initialization

    RA4000e Series User manual RAID initialization Create new RAID When the system is powered on and it’s ready, replace 4 disks, the following message will be displayed to ask user to confirm the initialization process. User can press the MENU or ENTER button to select NO or YES to confirm your selection and move to the next operation.

  • Page 51: System Ready

    Appendix C – LCD Display Messages RAID initialization failed If there is any disk error happens on one of the 4 disks, for example disk 2, the LCD will display one of the following two messages respectively for disk failure or bad sectors detected: System ready After the system is powered on with all 4 disks successfully initialized, it will display the following message:...

  • Page 52: Disk Information: Mode, Capacity

    “DISK x bad Y”: It means disk x has Y bad sector. “Total bad xx”: it means total xx bad sectors had done. If the DISK has remapped more than 8 sector, the RA4000e Series will beep to let the user know how bad of the drive.
  • Page 53 “DISK x Fail” “Bad sector: 10”: It means if the bad sector count of DISK has more than 10 or equal 10 sectors, the RA4000e Series will kick the DISK out. “DISK x Fail” “Bad sector:yy/15”: It means DISK x has Y bad sectors and the number 15 means the total remapped area.

  • Page 54: Where The Speed Of Failed Fan Is 100 Rpm

    The system will stop working until users choose one of the following options: Shut down RA4000e Series and tune the RAID level selectors to Re-plug the four disks and re-create the RAID to R0 (but data in the R5 disks will be lost)

  • Page 55: Disk Rebuilding Messages

    Appendix C – LCD Display Messages Disk rebuilding messages The system will display the disk rebuilding progress when a failed disk is replaced by a new one. Where xx.x represents the percentage of RAID capacity is being rebuilt. If there is no disk error during rebuilding, the LCD panel will display the following message upon finishing the initialization stage.

  • Page 56: Time Setting

    RA4000e Series User manual Time setting After the Enter button is pushed for over five seconds and released, the following message will be displayed for users to change the time and date. ： ： To press the MENU button to select between 0 to 9, and press the Enter button to confirm your selection and move to the next operation.

  • Page 57: Appendix D

    Appendix E – Contact AVerMedia The RA4000e Series is shipped with firmware installed. You may however wish to install new or upgraded editions of the firmware. Ask your vendor about the latest firmware edition or refer to the AVerMedia website http://www.avermedia.com...
  • Page 58 RA4000e Series User manual 3. Launch HyperTerminal from the desktop of the host computer (Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal). 4. The Connection Description dialog box will appear (if this is the first time you have run HyperTerminal, you will first be prompted to enter information about your location).
  • Page 59 Appendix E – Contact AVerMedia 8. Turn on and press Esc on the host Download Mode ====== computer keyboard. The >>>>> prompt ******Choose "1" to download firmware. will appear. 9. Type in the command”download”. Enter '1' to Download Firmware 10. When prompted Enter '1'...

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