StarTech.com PCISATA2P4 User manual

Serial ATA II RAID Controller

PCISATA2P4 Instruction Manual

Actual product may vary from photo

4 Port SATA II RAID Controller with RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 0+1 Support

FCC Compliance 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. These limits are designed to provide

reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This

equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed

and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio

communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a

particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or

television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the

user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following

measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the

receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other

Protected Names and Symbols

This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other

protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to

StarTech.com Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and

do not represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an

endorsement of the product(s) to which this manual applies by the third-party company in

question. Regardless of any direct acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of this

document, StarTech.com hereby acknowledges that all trademarks, registered

trademarks, service marks, and other protected names and/or symbols contained in this

manual and related documents are the property of their respective holders.

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Installing the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Accessing the RAID Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Configuring an Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Installing the Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Verifying Your Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Accessory Products from StarTech.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Instruction Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com Serial ATA II RAID controller card. This

product allows you to safeguard your data using multiple SATA or SATA II hard drives.

With support for RAID levels 0, 1, and 0+1, you can enjoy a great deal of flexibility to

configure a solution that meets your needs and your budget. If you are looking to add

the speed of SATA devices to your computer but aren’t ready to implement your array

yet, you can use the PCISATA2P4 as a typical four port SATA II controller without using

the RAID function.

Features

•Supports SATA II data transfer rates of up to 300 MBytes/sec., and is backwards-

compatible with first generation SATA drives at a data transfer rate of 150

MBytes/sec.

•Offers the ability to implement RAID levels 0, 1, and 0+1

•You can install a “spare” drive (RAID 1+S) alongside a mirrored array (RAID 1) that

will allow the system to function seamlessly, even if the boot drive fails

•Functions as a regular SATA controller when a RAID is not configured

Before You Begin

WARNING! PCI cards, like all computer equipment, can be severely damaged by static

electricity. Be sure that you are properly grounded before opening your computer case or

touching your PCI card. StarTech.com recommends that you wear an anti-static strap

when installing any computer component. If an anti-static strap is unavailable, discharge

yourself of any static electricity build-up by touching a large grounded metal surface

(such as the computer case) for several seconds. Also be careful to handle the PCI card

by its edges and not the gold connectors.

System Requirements

•An IBM-compatible computer with an available PCI or PCI-X slot (standard or low-

profile)

•OS Support: Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003 Server

Contents

This package should contain:

•1x PCI SATA II RAID controller card

•1x Low profile replacement bracket (used in small form factor case designs only)

•1x Installation CD

•1x Instruction Manual

Instruction Manual

Installation

This section will guide you through the installation of your RAID card. Please read

through the instructions carefully and complete each step in the order listed. If you are

installing the card in a low profile slot, remove the standard size bracket and

replace it with the included low profile replacement bracket before completing

these instructions.

Installing the Card

1. Make sure that your system is unplugged and you are grounded.

2. Remove the cover of your system (see your computer’s user manual for details, if

necessary) and gently turn your computer onto its side.

3. Locate an empty PCI or PCI-X slot (usually white in color) and remove the metal plate

that covers the rear bracket. (PCI-X slots are slightly longer than a standard PCI

slot.) You may need a Phillips screwdriver to perform this step. Retain this screw!

You will need it to secure the card later.

4. Gently insert the PCI card into the empty slot, making sure it is firmly seated.

5. Secure the card in place using the screw you removed in Step 3.

6. Install your SATA drive(s) according to their installation instructions.

7. Put the computer case back on.

Accessing the RAID Utility

The PCISATA2P4 comes with an integrated BIOS-level configuration utility that allows

you to configure the RAID setup, rebuild your array in the event of failure, and resolve

conflicts with the arrays you have setup. Once you have installed the card according to

the instructions and attached the SATA drives you wish to use with the card, you can

then configure the type of array you would like to use. If you are using the the card as

a SATA controller without a RAID, proceed directly to the “Installing the Drivers”

section on page 5 now.

Instruction Manual

PCI

Slots

To enter the configuration utility, press and hold [CTRL] and [S] at the same time (or

press [F4]) when you see the following prompt:

NOTE: At least one SATA drive must be installed for you to access the RAID utility.

Once you access the utility, you will be presented with the following menu:

The Main Menu option allows you to carry out various tasking related to configuring and

maintaining your RAID. You can navigate the menu using the arrow keys on the

keyboard and select an item by pressing [Enter]. The Main Menu options are described

below:

Create RAID set: Create a RAID for the first time, or change the configuration of an

array after deleting a previous setup. See below for more details and an explanation of

the RAID levels available with the card.

Delete RAID set: Delete an existing RAID. Depending on your configuration, this may

cause data loss or cause the computer to become unbootable. It is highly recommended

that you have a complete, good backup prior to using this option.

Rebuild Raid1 set: If a drive has failed in a RAID1 configuration (mirroring), this option

allows you to synchronize the data between the new replacement drive and the

remaining good hard drive that contains a copy of the data.

Resolve Conflicts: If you have installed a drive that was previously used in another

array, this option will resolve any metadata conflicts that could cause your array not to

function or produce erratic behavior.

Low Level Format: This feature completely overwrites the data on the selected drive(s)

with zeros; this is essentially a comprehensive deletion tool. This will destroy all data on

the drive, including partition information. Ensure you have a complete, good backup

before using this option.

Instruction Manual

Physical Drives

connected to the

card

Configuration

Options

How the RAID will

appear to the

computer

Adescription of

the selected option

Navigation

Commands

Logical Drive Info: This displays information how the logical drive will appear to the

computer and the operating system. In all RAID configurations, the drives in your array

will appear to be a single physical drive. If you wish, you can partition the logical drive

space into multiple partitions using your operating system.

IMPORTANT: If you want your computer to boot from your RAID, you must configure

your computer’s BIOS to use the drives connected to the PCISATA2P4 in your boot

sequence. Depending on the options available, you must set your boot sequence to

include RAID or SCSI to use the RAID as the boot drive, particularly if you have ATA

hard drives connected to the motherboard’s IDE controller. Depending on the

configuration of the computer, you may not need to make any changes to the BIOS if you

do not have any ATA hard drives installed on the onboard IDE controller. Consult your

computer or motherboard documentation for more details on including the RAID card in

your boot sequence.

Configuring an Array

When you choose Create a RAID set from the Main Menu of the RAID utility, you will be

presented with the following menu:

The requirements for each option/RAID level are described here:

RAID0: Also called “disk striping,” where multiple physical drives are merged to create a

single logical volume.

Minimum number of drives: 2

Maximum number of drives: 4

Fault tolerance: None

Performance: Excellent; improves both read and write performance

Other considerations: None

RAID1: Also called “drive mirroring,” where a drive has an exact duplicate copy of data

maintained on another disk.

Minimum number of drives: 2 (per array)

Maximum number of drives: 2 (per array)

Fault tolerance: Excellent; complete redundancy

Performance: Good; some reduction in write performance

Other considerations: 50% reduction in useable space as the drive containing

the mirror is not available to the user; drives must be identical

RAID10: Also called RAID 0+1, this is a combination of disk striping (RAID 0) and

mirroring (RAID 1). Two disks are striped together in a single volume, with a mirrored

striped set for redundancy.

Minimum number of drives: 4

Instruction Manual

Maximum number of drives: 4

Fault tolerance: Excellent; complete redundancy

Performance: Good; some reduction in write performance

Other considerations: 50% reduction in useable space as the drives containing

the mirror is not available to the user; drives must be identical

SPARE DRIVE: This is used in conjunction with RAID 1 (mirroring) and allows the

computer to keep running in the event of a drive failure without user intervention, even if

it is the boot drive that has failed. Also referred to as RAID 1+S.

Minimum number of drives: 1 (requires an associated RAID 1 array)

Maximum number of drives: 1 (requires an associated RAID 1 array)

Fault tolerance: Adds seamless disaster recovery to a RAID 1 configuration

Performance: Not applicable

Other considerations: Drive is not available to the user; drive must be identical

to the models used in the associated RAID 1 array

After you select which RAID level you wish to use, you will have to select drives to

include in the array. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the configuration. If you

wish to use the RAID 1+S (“spare drive”) option, you must configure a RAID 1 array first.

Deciding which RAID solution to implement has some important implications for the

performance of your system and the safety of your data. This is intended as a guide

only, so you should investigate the wealth of information available on the Internet or

consult with a computer system professional for further assistance in deciding which

solution will best meet your needs.

Installing the Drivers

Windows 2000/XP

1. Windows will launch the Add New Hardware Wizard. Click Next.

2. Choose the Search for a suitable driver... option and click Next.

3. Check only the CD-ROM drives option. Ensure the installation CD is inserted in

the CD-ROM or other optical drive. Click Next..

4. Windows will display a message stating that “Windows has found a driver for this

device”. Click Next. Choose Yes or Continue Anyway if you are warned that the

driver file has not been digitally signed.

5. WIndows will display a message that states “Windows has finished installing software

for this device”. Click Finish.

6. Windows will continue to detect and install any remaining new devices. If the Add

New Hardware Wizard is launched again, repeat steps 1 through 5 from above.

Windows NT 4.0

Consult the readme.txt file in the

\SATAII3Gbps_ Raid_4Port\Sil3124\WinXP_2000_2003_NT\drivers folder on the

installation CD for instructions on how to configure the card for use in Windows NT 4.0.

Instruction Manual

Verifying Your Installation

Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server

1. Go to Start >Settings >Control Panel.

2. Double click System.

3. Click the Hardware tab and choose Device Manager.

4. If the card does not appear with a red xor yellow exclamation point (!) next to it,

Windows has not detected a problem with the installation and the card should

function normally.

Glossary

array

Two or more disk drives working in tandem as a single device. Sometimes used as a

synonym for RAID (see below).

BIOS

Abbreviation for Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is the device that manages the

devices that are installed in the computer and can be used to control the computer’s

configuration, including startup options and any integrated peripherals.

logical drive

When a RAID is created, it collects information about the drives actually connected to the

controller and reports them as a single drive to the computer: the result of this process is

the logical drive. The size of the logical drive compared to the total capacity of the disks

actually installed (the “physical” drives) may vary considerably based on the RAID level

implemented for the solution. Note that this is not the same as a “logical drive” in the

sense of an operating system (software-based) partitioning of a hard drive, since this

translation is handled on a hardware level and is transparent to the end user. Since a

RAID appears to the computer and the operating system as a single drive, it can be

formatted and partitioned as though it were a single disk.

metadata

Literally interpreted to mean “data about data.” Since RAID configurations present the

hard disks contained within them (array) to the computer as a single drive, the records of

how the array is bound together between the drives (where the data is stored, the order

of the drives in the array, and the information needed to rebuild a failed drive) are all

considered metadata.

mirroring; mirrored set [of disks]

Aprocess where one drive automatically keeps an exact copy of another disk (RAID 1).

physical drive

Adrive that is physically installed in the computer and connected to the RAID controller.

RAID

Abbreviation for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. This technology allows users to

Instruction Manual

pool their hard drives in order to improve speed, fault tolerance, or both. RAID is

available in several different versions, commonly referred to as “levels.” The phrase

“level” suggests that there is a hierarchy between levels, which is not strictly the case.

The many implementations of RAID each have their own advantages, disadvantages,

and technical requirements. RAID can be implemented through software or hardware.

Hardware solutions are generally preferred for a higher degree of performance and

reliability.

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA or SATA)

Serial ATA is a relatively new method of connecting hard drives and other devices to a

computer (particularly hard drives), and is designed to replace the older IDE standard

(sometimes referred to as ATA or PATA, for Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment).

striping; striped set [of disks]

Striping is a process where two or more disks are combined and presented to the

computer as a single device (a “logical” drive): this is the process used in RAID 0.

Specifications

Instruction Manual

Form Factor/Interface PCI (32-bit, 33/66 MHz) or PCI-X (64-bit, 133 MHz)

Full-sized or low profile slot

Maximum Data Transfer Rate 300 MBytes/sec. (SATA II)

SATA Ports: 4 x 7-pin male (internal)

RAID Levels Supported 0, 1, 0+1, 1+S, also configurable as a typical SATA controller

OS Support Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003 Server

Regulatory and Other Certifications FCC Class B, CE, UL, Microsoft WHQL

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