Adaptec 1220SA, 1225SA, 1420SA, 44300, 1430SA User Manual

SAS and SATA

HostRAID Controller

Installation and User’s Guide

● 2

Copyright

©2007 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
Adaptec, Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035.

Trademarks

Adaptec, Adaptec Storage Manager, SCSISelect, SATASelect, SerialSelect and the Adaptec logo are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc.,
which may be registered in some jurisdictions.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the US and other countries, used under license.

Red Hat is a trademark of Red Hat, Inc. in the US and other countries, used under license.

Novell and NetWare are trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the US and other countries, used under license.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Changes

The material in this document is for information only and is subject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have been
made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, Adaptec, Inc. assumes no liability resulting from errors or
omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein.

Adaptec reserves the right to make changes in the product design without reservation and without notification to its users.

Disclaimer

IF THIS PRODUCT DIRECTS YOU TO COPY MATERIALS, YOU MUST HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE COPYRIGHT
OWNER OF THE MATERIALS TO AVOID VIOLATING THE LAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN DAMAGES OR OTHER
REMEDIES.

● 3

Adaptec Customer Support

If you have questions about installing or using your Adaptec product, check this document first—you will find answers to most of
your questions. If you need further assistance, use the support options listed below. To expedite your service, have your computer in
front of you.

Technical Support Identification (TSID) Number

● Before contacting Technical Support, you need your unique 12-digit TSID number. The TSID number identifies your product

and support status.

● The TSID number is included on a white, bar-coded label, like this example:

● Affix a copy of the TSID label to the CD jacket so that you don’t lose it.

North America

● Visit our Web site at www.adaptec.com.

● Search the Adaptec Support Knowledgebase (ASK) at ask.adaptec.com for articles, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked

questions for your product.

●

For information about Adaptec’s support options, call [phone], 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. To speak with a
Technical Support Specialist, call [phone] or [phone].

● For support via e-mail, submit your question at ask.adaptec.com.

●

You can order Adaptec products, including accessories and cables, by calling [phone].

www.adaptec.com.

Europe

● Visit our Web site at www.adaptec.com.

● German: Call [phone], Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00, CET. For support via e-mail, submit your question at

ask-de.adaptec.com.

● French: Call [phone], Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00, CET. For support via e-mail, submit your question at

ask-fr.adaptec.com.

● English: Call [phone], Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00, GMT. For support via e-mail, submit your question at

ask.adaptec.com.

● You can order Adaptec cables online at www.adaptec.com.

Japan

● Visit our Web site at www.adaptec.co.jp.

● Call 0044 2213 2601.

Or, you can order cables online at

● 4

Limited 3-Year Hardware Warranty

1. Adaptec, Inc. (“Adaptec”) warrants to the purchaser of this product that it will be free from defects in material and workmanship for
a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase. If the product should become defective within the warranty period, Adaptec, at
its option, will repair or replace the product, or refund the purchaser’s purchase price for the product, provided it is delivered at the
purchaser’s expense to an authorized Adaptec service facility or to Adaptec.

2. Repair or replacement parts or products will be furnished on an exchange basis and will either be new or reconditioned. All
replaced parts or products shall become the property of Adaptec. This warranty shall not apply if the product has been damaged
by accident, misuse, abuse or as a result of unauthorized service or parts.

3.

Warranty service is available to the purchaser by delivering the product during the warranty period to an authorized Adaptec
service facility or to Adaptec and providing proof of purchase price and date. The purchaser shall bear all shipping, packing and
insurance costs and all other costs, excluding labor and parts, necessary to effectuate repair, replacement or refund under this
warranty

4. For more information on how to obtain warranty service, write or telephone Adaptec at 691 South Milpitas Boulevard,
Milpitas, CA 95035, [phone].

5. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND TO ANY PRODUCT WHICH HAS BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF
ACCIDENT, MISUSE, ABUSE, OR AS A RESULT OF UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE OR PARTS.

6.

THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES WHICH NOW OR HEREAFTER MIGHT
OTHERWISE ARISE RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT. IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT SHALL (A) HAVE NO GREATER DURATION THAN 3
YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, (B) TERMINATE AUTOMATICALLY AT THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH PERIOD
AND (C) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW BE EXCLUDED. IN THE EVENT THIS PRODUCT BECOMES DEFECTIVE
DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THE PURCHASER’S EXCLUSIVE REMEDY SHALL BE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT OR
REFUND AS PROVIDED ABOVE. INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION
LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ARE NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
ADAPTEC AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED BOTH FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND
TO THE EXTENT NOT UNCONSCIONABLE, FOR PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGE

7. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS, AND SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED
WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

8. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

.

.

● 5

Tes ted to Comply
With FC C Standard s

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

ASR-58300/ASR-48300/ASR-44300

AAR-1430SA/AAR-1420SA/

AAR-1220SA/AAR-1225SA

Adaptec, Inc.

Regulatory Compliance Statements

Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement

WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.

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 instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. However, if this equipment does cause interference to radio or television equipment 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 equipment and receiver.

● Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

● Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.

● Use a shielded and properly grounded I/O cable and power cable to ensure compliance of this unit to the specified limits of the

rules.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

European Union Compliance Statement

This Information Technology Equipment has been tested and found to comply with EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, as
amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC, in accordance with:

● EN55022 (1998+A1:2000+A2:2003) Emissions

● EN55024 (1998+A1:2001+A2:2003) Immunity:

– EN61000-4-2 (1995) Electrostatic discharge: ±4 kV contact, ±8 kV air
– EN61000-4-3 (1996) Radiated immunity
– EN61000-4-4 (1995) Electrical fast transients/burst: ±1 kV AC, ±0.5 kV I/O
– EN61000-4-5 (1995) Surges ±1 kV differential mode, ±2 kV common mode
– EN61000-4-6 (1996) Conducted immunity: 3 V
– EN61000-4-11 (1994) Supply dips and variation: 30% and 100%

In addition, all equipment requiring U.L. listing has been found to comply with EMC Directive 73/23/EEC as amended by
93/68/EEC in accordance with EN60950 with amendments A1, A2, A3, A4, A11.

Australian/New Zealand Compliance Statement

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to the Australian/New
Zealand standard AS/NZS 3548 set out by the Spectrum Management Agency.

Canadian Compliance Statement

This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

Japanese Compliance (Voluntary Control Council Initiative)

This equipment complies to class B Information Technology equipment based on VCCI (Voluntary Control Council for
Interface). This equipment is designed for home use but it may causes radio frequency interference problem if used too
near to a television or radio. Please handle it correctly per this documentation.

Contents

1 About This Guide

What You Need to Know Before You Begin ................................................... 12

Terminology Used in this Guide...................................................................... 12

Conventions Used in This Guide ..................................................................... 12

How to Find More Information....................................................................... 12

2 About Your HostRAID Controller

HostRAID Controller Features ........................................................................ 15

Array Level Features................................................................................. 15

About the Adaptec 58300 Controller............................................................... 17

About the Adaptec 48300 Controller............................................................... 18

About the Adaptec 44300 Controller............................................................... 19

About the Adaptec 1430SA Controller ............................................................ 20

About the Adaptec 1420SA Controller ............................................................ 21

About the Adaptec 1220SA Controller ............................................................ 22

About the Adaptec 1225SA Controller ............................................................ 23

3 Kit Contents and System Requirements

Kit Contents ...................................................................................................... 25

System Requirements........................................................................................ 25

4 Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives

Before You Begin............................................................................................... 27

Installing the HostRAID Controller................................................................. 27

Selecting Disk Drives ........................................................................................ 28

Selecting SAS Cables .........................................................................................28

Contents ● 7

Selecting SATA Cables ...................................................................................... 30

Connecting Disk Drives to SAS HostRAID Controllers ................................. 30

Connecting Directly to the HostRAID Controller .................................31

Connecting to a Backplane ...................................................................... 31

Installing the SAS HostRAID Controller to a SAS Expander ................ 32

Connecting Disk Drives to SATA HostRAID Controllers.............................. 32

Checking Your Controller and Devices ........................................................... 33

Setting the Boot Controller .............................................................................. 33

Next Steps.......................................................................................................... 34

5 Getting Started

Choosing a RAID Level..................................................................................... 36

Choosing Installation Options ......................................................................... 36

Basic Installation Steps...................................................................................... 36

Installing with an Operating System ....................................................... 36

Installing with an Operating System On a Bootable Disk Drive/Array. 36

Installing on an Existing Operating System............................................ 37

6 Creating a Bootable Array

Creating an Array.............................................................................................. 39

Creating an Array with the ACU ............................................................. 39

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager................................. 39

Making Your Array Bootable ...........................................................................41

7 Installing the Driver and an Operating System

Before You Begin............................................................................................... 43

Creating a Driver Disk ...................................................................................... 43

Installing with Windows................................................................................... 43

Installing with Red Hat Linux .......................................................................... 44

Installing with SUSE Linux............................................................................... 44

Installing with NetWare.................................................................................... 45

8 Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System

Before You Begin............................................................................................... 47

Creating a Driver Disk or an Array .................................................................. 47

Installing on Windows XP or Windows 2003 .................................................47

Installing on Windows Vista ............................................................................48

Installing on Red Hat or SUSE Linux ..............................................................48

Installing on NetWare....................................................................................... 48

Contents ● 8

9 Managing Your Storage Space

About Adaptec Storage Manager ..................................................................... 51

Installing Adaptec Storage Manager........................................................ 51

About the HRCONF Command Line Utility .................................................. 51

About the ARC Utility ......................................................................................52

About the Adaptec Flash Utility....................................................................... 52

Which Utility Should I Use?............................................................................. 52

10 Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Checklist ............................................................................... 54

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure ............................................................. 54

Failed Disk Drive Protected by a Hot Spare ........................................... 54

Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot Spare .................................... 54

Failure in Multiple Arrays Simultaneously ............................................. 55

Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 Array .....................................................55

Multiple Failures in the Same Array........................................................ 55

Resetting the Controller.................................................................................... 55

A Introduction to SAS

Terminology Used in This Appendix............................................................... 58

What is SAS?...................................................................................................... 58

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?.............................................................. 59

What’s a Phy? .................................................................................................... 59

What’s a SAS Port?............................................................................................ 59

What’s a SAS Address?...................................................................................... 60

What’s a SAS Connector? .................................................................................60

What do SAS Cables Look Like?....................................................................... 60

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS? .......................................................... 60

What are the SAS Connection Options?.......................................................... 61

Direct-Attach Connections...................................................................... 61

Backplane Connections............................................................................ 61

SAS Expander Connections ..................................................................... 61

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI? ....................................................... 62

BUnderstanding RAID

RAID Technology Overview............................................................................. 65

Understanding Drive Segments............................................................... 65

Stripe-Unit Size ........................................................................................ 65

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays) ............................................................................ 65

RAID 1 Arrays ................................................................................................... 66

Contents ● 9

RAID 10 Arrays ................................................................................................. 66

Selecting the Best RAID Level .......................................................................... 67

C Using the ARC Utility

Introduction to the ARC Utility....................................................................... 69

Running the ARC Utility .................................................................................. 69

Creating and Managing Arrays ........................................................................ 69

Creating a New Array............................................................................... 69

Managing Arrays ......................................................................................71

Adding/Deleting Hot Spares.................................................................... 72

Managing Bootable Arrays and Devices.................................................. 73

Configuring Disk Drives .......................................................................... 73

ATAPI Support......................................................................................... 73

Using SerialSelect............................................................................................... 73

SerialSelect Options .................................................................................. 74

Using SATASelect .............................................................................................. 75

SATASelect Options.................................................................................. 76

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives............................................................. 76

Locating Disk Drives......................................................................................... 77

Identifying Disk Drives..................................................................................... 77

Viewing the Event Log ...................................................................................... 78

D Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 80

System Requirements........................................................................................ 80

Compatibility Information............................................................................... 80

Before You Begin............................................................................................... 80

Obtaining the Firmware........................................................................... 80

Creating the Firmware Kit On Floppy Disks .......................................... 81

Running the AFU .............................................................................................. 81

Running the Menu-Based AFU ............................................................... 81

Running the AFU from the Command Line .......................................... 82

AFU Commands ............................................................................................... 82

HELP......................................................................................................... 82

LIST........................................................................................................... 83

SAVE ......................................................................................................... 83

UPDATE ................................................................................................... 84

VERIFY .....................................................................................................84

VERSION.................................................................................................. 85

Updating Flash Using AFU Command Line ...................................................85

Contents ● 10

E HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector Reference

Adaptec 58300 Activity LED Connector Specification ...................................88

Adaptec 48300 Activity LED Connector Specification ...................................88

Adaptec 44300 Activity LED Connector Specification ...................................89

Adaptec 1430SA Activity LED and I2C Connector Specification ..................89

Adaptec 1420SA Activity LED and I2C Connector Specification ..................90

Adaptec 1220SA Activity LED Connector Specification................................. 91

Adaptec 1225SA Activity LED Specification ................................................... 91

F Safety Information

Electrostatic Discharge(ESD) ...........................................................................92

G Technical Specifications

Environmental Specifications........................................................................... 94

DC Power Requirements .................................................................................. 94

Current Requirements ..................................................................................... 94

Glossary

Index

About This Guide

In this chapter...

What You Need to Know Before You Begin .......................................................................... 12

Terminology Used in this Guide............................................................................................ 12

Conventions Used in This Guide........................................................................................... 12

How to Find More Information ............................................................................................ 12

1

This Installation and User’s Guide explains how to install your Adaptec
It also describes the utilities included in your controller kit , and provides a basic overview of
Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) technology.

®

HostRAID controller.

What You Need to Know Before You Begin

You should be familiar with computer hardware, data storage, Redundant Array of
Independent Disks (RAID) technology, and the characteristics of input/output (I/O)
technology used by your HostRAID controller. Because SAS is a newer I/O technology, an
introduction is provided in the Appendix A.

Because this guide covers multiple Adaptec HostRAID controllers, some of the features and

Note:

functions described may not be available for your controller.

Terminology Used in this Guide

Because you can use your HostRAID controller to manage data storage in a variety of
configurations from DAS to NAS to SAN, the generic term “storage space is used to refer to
controllers and disk drives being managed with Adaptec Storage Manager
utilities described in this Guide.

Many of the terms and concepts referred to in this Guide have multiple names. To maintain
consistency, they are represented as:

● Controller (also known as host bus adapter, board)

Chapter 1: About This Guide l12

TM

or the other

● Disk drive (also known as hard disk, hard drive, or hard disk drive)

● Array (also known as logical drive)

In DAS environments, Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide refers to arrays as logical

Note:

drives. Your RAID controller creates arrays, which your operating system and Adaptec Storage
Manager recognizes as logical drives. In NAS environments, Adaptec Storage Manager displays
both arrays and logical drives. For more information, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User's
Guide for Direct Attached Storage on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD.

Conventions Used in This Guide

In this documentation, the term SAS-only means that the requirement, feature, or procedure is
applicable only to SAS HostRAID controllers.

The term SATA-only means that the requirement, feature, or procedure is applicable only to
SATA HostRAID controllers.

How to Find More Information

You can find more information about your HostRAID controller, and the software and utilities
included with it in these documents:

● Readme.txt—Describes details about updated product information and known issues;

located on the HostRAID Installation CD.

● Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide—Describes how to install and use the Adaptec

Storage Manager software located on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD. See

Managing Your Storage Space on page 50 for more information.

● Adaptec Storage Manager online Help—Describes how to use the Adaptec Storage Manager

software.

● Command Line Utility for Direct Attached Storage User’s Guide—Describes how to use the

Adaptec HostRAID Controller Configuration (HRCONF) command line utility to

Chapter 1: About This Guide l13

perform basic array and configuration management functions; located on the Adaptec
Storage Manager Installation CD.

About Your HostRAID Controller

In this chapter...

HostRAID Controller Features.............................................................................................. 15

About the Adaptec 58300 Controller .................................................................................... 17

About the Adaptec 48300 Controller .................................................................................... 18

About the Adaptec 44300 Controller .................................................................................... 19

About the Adaptec 1430SA Controller.................................................................................. 20

About the Adaptec 1420SA Controller.................................................................................. 21

About the Adaptec 1220SA Controller.................................................................................. 22

About the Adaptec 1225SA Controller.................................................................................. 23

This chapter provides an overview of standard HostRAID controller features, and describes the
unique features of Adaptec SAS and SATA HostRAID controllers.

2

HostRAID Controller Features

● Port multiplier support— You can connect one SATA drive enclosure with a port

multiplier to 1225SA HostRAID controller.

To find out the version of the port multiplier, refer to the drive enclosure documentation.

Note:

Adaptec supports SiI3726 with one 3 Gbps SATA II host interface and five SATA device
ports. We support only 3Gbps NCQ enabled drives.

NetWare does not support drive enclosures with port multipliers but supports eSATA drives.

Note:

● Greater than 2 TB support—You can create and manage HostRAID arrays which are bigger

than 2TB size. Hence,users can use the current and future high capacity hard disk drives
above 750GB.

● Flash ROM for updates to controller firmware.

● Event logging and broadcasting, including messaging for alphanumeric pagers.

● Support for Adaptec Metadata Format (AMF) allowing the migration of simple volumes

and arrays to Adaptec RAID controllers.

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l15

● Multiple options for creating and managing RAID arrays—A full software application

(Adaptec Storage Manager), a BIOS-based utility, and a command line utility. See

Managing Your Storage Space on page 50 for more information.

● Support for disk drive hot swapping.

● Support for disk drive enclosures with SAF-TE enclosure management hardware.

Array Level Features

● Support for RAID 0, 1, 10, and simple volumes with these HostRAID limitations:

● RAID 0: support for max. six drives with SAS and max. four drives with SATA

● RAID 10: support for max. four drives

● RAID 1 is build with two drives always

The maximum number of arrays per controller is two.

The maximum number of global hot spares per controller is one.

● Hot swap rebuild of fault tolerant arrays through the operating system.

● Support for automatic failover, so arrays are automatically rebuilt when a failed disk drive

is replaced (applies to redundant arrays in SES2- or SAF-TE-enabled disk drive enclosures
only).

● Global hot spare protecting every fault tolerant array that the drive has enough available

capacity to protect.

● Support for migration:

● Simple Volume to RAID 0

● Simple Volume to RAID 1

● (SATA-only) Native command queuing (NCQ), which lets disk drives arrange commands

into the most efficient order for optimum performance.

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l16

● (SAS-only) Support for disk drive enclosures with SES2 enclosure management hardware.

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l17

External miniSAS Connectors

3.3V PCI-X Connector

Mounting bracket

J3 (Aggregate Activity
LED Header)

About the Adaptec 58300 Controller

The Adaptec 58300 is a low-profile PCI-X to 8-Phy SAS 1.0 HostRAID controller with these
features:

Drive LEDs

Formx factor Low-profile

Bus compatibility PCI-X

PCI bus width (max) 64-bit

PCI bus speed (max) 133 MHz

PHYs 8

Connectors, internal None

Connectors, external 2 x4 external SFF 8088 (miniSAS)

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple volume Yes

Disk drives SAS (3.0Gb/s), SATA I (1.5Gb/s),

Maximum number of disk drives 8 direct-attached drives or up to 128

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) No

Automatic failover Yes

Audible alarm No

miniSAS 1.0 connector

SATA II 3.0Gb/s)

using expander technology

Note:

There is NO I2C function on this controller, as all ports are external.

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l18

External SAS Connector

Internal SAS Connector

3.3V PCI-X Connector

Mounting bracket

J3 (Aggregate Activity LED Header)

About the Adaptec 48300 Controller

The Adaptec 48300 is a low-profile PCI-X to 8-Phy SAS 1.0 HostRAID controller with these
features:

Form factor Low-profile

Bus compatibility PCI-X

PCI bus width (max) 64-bit

PCI bus speed (max) 133 MHz

PHYs 8

Connectors, internal 1 x4 internal SFF-8484

Connectors, external 1 x4 external SFF-8470

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple volume Yes

Disk drives SAS (3.0Gbps), SATA I (1.5Gbps),

Maximum number of disk drives 8 direct-attached drives or up to 128

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) No

Automatic failover Yes

Audible alarm No

SAS 1.1 connector

SAS 1.0 connector

SATA II (3.0Gbps)

using expander technology

Note:

Reference on page 87 for details.

There is no separate I2C connector. See the HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l19

Internal SAS Connector

J3 (Aggregate Activity LED Header)

3.3V PCI-X Connector

Mounting bracket

About the Adaptec 44300 Controller

The Adaptec 44300 is a low-profile PCI-X to 4-Phy SAS 1.0 HostRAID controller with these
features:

Form factor Low-profile

Bus compatibility PCI-X

PCI bus width (max) 64-bit

PCI bus speed (max) 133 MHz

PHYs 4

Connectors, internal 1 x4 internal SFF-8484

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple Volume Yes

Disk drives SAS (3.0Gbps), SATA I (1.5Gbps),

Maximum number of disk drives 4 direct-attached drives or up to 128

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) No

Automatic failover Yes

Audible alarm No

Note:

Reference on page 87 for details.

SAS 1.1 connector

SATA II (3.0Gbps)

using expanded technology

There is no separate I2C connector. See the HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l20

J2 Connector (I2C)

J3 (Aggregate Activity
LED Header)

J4 Activity LED

Power LED

Aggregate LED

Port Activity LED

3 (top port)

2 (bottom port)

1 (top port)

0 (bottom port)

SATA Ports

J1 LED Connector

PCIe X4 connector

Mounting bracket

About the Adaptec 1430SA Controller

The Adaptec 1430SA is a low-profile 4-port PCIe SATA II HostRAID controller with these
features:

Form factor Low-profile

Bus compatibility PCIe x4

Ports 4

Connectors, internal 4 stacked

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple volume Yes

Disk drives SATA I (1.5Gbps), SATA II (3.0Gbps)

Maximum number of disk drives 4

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes, SATA II Enclosure Management using

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) Yes

Automatic failover Yes

Audible alarm No

Note:

Reference on page 87 for details.

There is no separate I2C connector. See the HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector

I2C connection

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l21

Mounting bracket

3.3V/5V PCI-X connector

0123

Activity LED

J2 LED connector

J7 (Aggregate Activity LED Header)

J1 connector (I2C)

SATA Ports

About the Adaptec 1420SA Controller

The Adaptec 1420SA is a low-profile PCI-X to 4 port SATA II HostRAID controller with these
features:

Form factor Low-profile

Bus compatibility PCI-X

Ports 4

Connector, internal 4

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple volume Yes

Disk drives SATA I (1.5Gbps), SATA II (3.0Gbps)

Maximum number of disk drives 4

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes, SATA II Enclosure Management using

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) Yes

Audible alarm No

There is no separate I2C connector. See the HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector

Note:

Reference on page 87 for details.

I2C connection

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l22

Mounting bracket

PCIe X1 connector

0

1

SATA ports

J1 Activity LED Connector

About the Adaptec 1220SA Controller

The Adaptec 1220SA is a low-profile PCIe to 2 port SATA II HostRAID controller with these
features:

Form factor Low-profile

Bus compatibility PCIe-X1

Ports 2

Connector, internal 2

RAID levels 0, 1

Simple Volume Yes

Disk drives SATA I (1.5Gbps), SATA II (3.0Gbps)

Maximum number of disk drives 2

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support No

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) Yes

Audible alarm No

Note:

There is no separate I2C connector. See the HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector

Reference on page 87 for details.

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller l23

Mounting bracket

PCIe X1 connector

External SATA connectors

J1 LED Connector

About the Adaptec 1225SA Controller

The Adaptec 1225SA is a low-profile PCIe to 2 external port SATA II HostRAID controller with
these features:

Form factor Low-profile

Bus compatibility PCIe-X1

Ports 2 external SATA ports

Connector, internal 0

Connector, external 2 external SATA connectors

RAID levels 0, 1 and 10

Simple Volume Yes

Disk drives SATA II (3.0Gbps) NCQ-enabled drives or

Maximum number of disk drives 2

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes—for port multiplier enclosures.

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) Yes

Audible alarm No

Note:

Note: There is no separate I2C connector. See the HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector

Reference on page 87 for details.

You can also connect one SATA drive
enclosure with a port multiplier. For details
about supported port multipliers, refer to

HostRAID Controller Features on page 15.

eSATA drives.

Adaptec 1225SA controller does not support bootable devices.

Kit Contents and System Requirements

In this chapter...

Kit Contents............................................................................................................................ 25

System Requirements .............................................................................................................25

This chapter lists the contents of your HostRAID controller kit and the system requirements
that must be met for you to successfully install and use your HostRAID controller.

3

Kit Contents

● Adaptec SAS or SATA HostRAID controllers

● These utilities are embedded in the controller’s BIOS :

● Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—Used to create, configure, and manage arrays

● SerialSelect or SATASelect—Used to modify your controller and disk drive settings

● Disk Utilities—Used to format and verify disk drives

● HostRAID installation CD (bootable), including controller drivers, and this Guide

● Adaptec Storage Manager installation CD (not bootable), including Adaptec Storage

Manager and the Adaptec HRCONF (HostRAID Configuration) command line utility

● Readme files

● Cables (type and quantity vary depending on your HostRAID controller—not included in

all controller kits. See Chapter 5 for details.)

● Low-profile bracket

● SAS and SATA HostRAID Controllers Quickstart Guide

Chapter 3: Kit Contents and System Requirements l25

System Requirements

● PC-compatible computer with Intel Pentium, or equivalent processor

● A motherboard with these features:

● Complies with the PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.2 and higher

● Supports multifunction devices where one of the devices is a PCI bridge

● Large memory-mapped address ranges

Refer to the Readme file on the HostRAID Installation CD for additional motherboard

Note:

compatibility information.

● One of these operating systems:

● Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003, XP and Windows Vista

● Red Hat Linux

● SUSE Linux

● Novell® NetWare®

For up-to-date operating system version support, visit www.adaptec.com.

Note:

● At least 256 MB of RAMs

● Available compatible PCI/PCI-X/PCIe slot (depending on your controller model—see

Chapter 2.)

● 40 MB of free drive space

● 16-bit SVGA color monitor with a resolution of at least 800 x 600

● CD drive

● Appropriate interface cables

Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives

In this chapter...

Before You Begin .................................................................................................................... 27

Installing the HostRAID Controller...................................................................................... 27

Selecting Disk Drives.............................................................................................................. 28

Selecting SAS Cables .............................................................................................................. 28

Selecting SATA Cables............................................................................................................ 30

Connecting Disk Drives to SAS HostRAID Controllers ...................................................... 30

Connecting Disk Drives to SATA HostRAID Controllers.................................................... 32

Setting the Boot Controller.................................................................................................... 33

Next Steps ............................................................................................................................... 34

This chapter explains how to install your HostRAID controller, and how to connect disk drives.

4

Before You Begin

!

!

● Read the Safety Information on page 92.

● Familiarize yourself with your HostRAID controller’s physical features and the RAID levels

that it supports (see page 14).

● Ensure that you have the right number of disk drives to achieve the desired RAID level (see

page 64).

● Ensure that you have the proper cables for your controller and disk drives (see page 28 for

SAS page 30 cables and for SATA cables).

● If you have a low-profile computer cabinet, replace the original full-height bracket with the

low-profile bracket supplied in the controller kit.

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l27

Caution:

Handle the controller by its bracket or edges only.

Installing the HostRAID Controller

This section describes how to install your HostRAID controller into your computer cabinet.

1 Turn off your computer and disconnect the power cord. Open the cabinet, following the

manufacturer’s instructions.

2 Select an available PCI, PCIe or PCI-X expansion slot and

remove the slot cover, as shown at right.

For the best performance, use the available slot that’s
compatible with your HostRAID controller (see Chapter 2).

PCI/PCIe bus compatibility is marked to the controller
figures in About Your HostRAID Controller on page 14.

Caution:

the HostRAID controller.

3

As shown at right, insert the HostRAID controller into the
expansion slot and press down gently but firmly until it
clicks into place. When installed properly, the HostRAID controller should appear level
with the expansion slot.

Touch a grounded metal object before handling

4 Secure the bracket in the expansion slot, using the retention

device (for instance, a screw or lever) supplied with your
computer.

5 Connect your computer’s disk activity LED cable to the

LED connector on the HostRAID controller, if applicable to
your controller. The LED connectors are marked on the
figures in About Your HostRAID Controller on page 14.

Ensure that the positive lead of the LED cable (usually a red
wire or a wire marked with a red stripe) is connected to pin

1.

6 Optional—Connect your HostRAID controller’s I2C connector (not available on all

Internal SAS (SFF-8484) to SAS (SFF-

8484) cable

External miniSAS (SFF-8088) to SAS
(SFF-8470) cable

External SFF-8470 to SFF-8470 cable

models) to an I2C connector on an internal backplane or enclosure, using an I2C cable.

7 Connect your disk drives, following the instructions on page 30 for SAS controllers or page

32 for SATA controllers.

Selecting Disk Drives

When selecting disk drives for your RAID array, ensure that all the disk drives have the same
performance level. You can use different-sized disk drives in the array, but the array will be
limited to the capacity of the smallest and slowest disk drive. For more information, refer to the
Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide or Adaptec Storage Manager online Help.

Adaptec SAS HostRAID controller supports both SAS and Serial ATA (SATA) I and II disk
drives. For cable information, see next section.

Selecting SAS Cables

You need one SAS cable for each disk drive you are connecting to your SAS HostRAID
controller. Depending on your requirements, you can use any of these cables:

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l28

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l29

External SFF-8088 to SFF-8088 cable

Internal SFF-8484 to 4x SFF-8482 fanout
cable

Note: This cable is included in the

Adaptec HostRAID 44300 and 48300
controller kit. It can be used to connect
SAS or SATA disk drives

Internal SFF-8484 to 4x SATA fanout cable

Internal SFF-8484 to SFF-8484 cable

Internal SFF-8087 to SFF-8484 cable

Adaptec recommends using only Adaptec SAS cables. For more information or to purchase
cables, visit the Adaptec Web site at ww w.adaptec.com.

Selecting SATA Cables

External SATA (eSATA) cable

Internal 4x SATA to SFF-8484 fanout cable

Internal SATA to SATA cables

Note: These cables are included in the

SATA HostRAID controller kit. There are
two cables included in the 1220SA kit
and four cables in the 1420SA or
1430SA kit.

You need one straight connector to straight connector SATA cable for each disk drive you are
connecting to your SATA HostRAID controller. SATA cables are included in the kit.

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l30

All SATA straight connector to straight connector cables have the same connectors, as shown in
the following figure, and the connectors are keyed so that you can’t insert them incorrectly.

Adaptec recommends using only Adaptec SATA cables. For more information or to purchase
cables, visit www.adaptec.com.

Connecting Disk Drives to SAS HostRAID Controllers

You can connect SAS disk drives, SATA disk drives, or a combination of both to your SAS
HostRAID controller. There are no jumpers or switches to set before installation.

If you plan to build a bootable array using internal disk drives, ensure you install at least the
minimum number disk drives required to support the RAID level you want. See page 65 for
more information.

Note:

Although you can connect both SAS and SATA disk drives to your SAS HostRAID controller,
Adaptec recommends not to combine SAS and SATA disk drives within the same array or logical
drive. See page 59 for more information.

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l31

SATA disk drives attached to
controller with fan-out cable

External

SAS cable

External SAS connector

You have these connection options:

● Connecting Directly to the HostRAID Controller (see below).

● Connecting to a Backplane on page 31.

Connecting Directly to the HostRAID Controller

In a direct-attach connection, SAS or SATA disk drives are connected directly to a SAS
HostRAID controller with SAS cables. The number of direct-attached disk drives is limited to
four per internal SAS connector. For more information, see Direct-Attach Connections on page

61.

1 Install your internal SAS or SATA disk drives, following the instructions in your system’s

documentation.

2 Use internal SAS cables to connect the disk drives to the SAS HostRAID controller.

3 When you have installed all disk drives and connected the to SAS HostRAID controller,

close your computer cabinet, and reconnect the power cord.

Connecting to a Backplane

In a backplane connection, disk drives and SAS HostRAID controllers are connected to, and
communicate with each other through a backplane.

The number of disk drives is limited to the number of slots available on the backplane. Some
backplanes have embedded SAS expanders and can support up to 128 end devices. For more
information about expander connections, see page 32.

1 Connect one or more internal SAS or SATA disk drives to the backplane. Refer to your

system’s documentation for more information.

2 Use an internal SAS cable to connect the SAS HostRAID controller to the backplane.

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l32

Disk drives on
backplane

Controller connected
to backplane with
fan-out cable

3 When all internal disk drives have been installed and connected, close your computer

cabinet, reconnect the power cord.

Installing the SAS HostRAID Controller to a SAS Expander

You can use a SAS expander to connect multiple disk drives to your SAS HostRAID controller
(or to multiple SAS HostRAID controllers). Commands can be sent down one link and data
returned on another in a separate connection to increase fault tolerance. Using a SAS expander
and dual-port SAS drives and SATA drives with 2-port adapters, you can design redundant
systems for maximum fault-tolerance.

To install the HostRAID controller to a SAS expander:

1 Using the appropriate cable, connect the SAS HostRAID controller to the expander’s PHY

connector.

2 Connect a cable from the expander’s PHY connector to a disk drive.

Connecting Disk Drives to SATA HostRAID Controllers

1 Install your SATA disk drives, following the instructions in your system’s documentation.

There are no jumpers or switches to set on the SATA controller or disk drives.

2 Connect each disk drive to a SATA port on the controller using a recommended SATA

cable. For cable information, see page 30.

3 When all disk drives have been installed and connected, close your computer cabinet, and

reconnect the power cord.

Checking Your Controller and Devices

Now that you have installed your controller and connected your disk drives, you can use the
ARC utility to check your controller and devices, as described below:

1 Turn on yo ur c om pu ter.

2 When the Adaptec banner appears, press Ctrl+A to enter the Adaptec RAID Configuration

(ARC) utility.

3 If your drives have already been used in another system (even if not part of an array), select

Disk Utilities and format the drive. Otherwise, skip to Step 4.

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l33

4 Select SATASelect (on SATA controller) and SerialSelect (on SAS controller) to verify the

hardware configuration of the controller and the drives.

Verify that all drives are shown. If anything appears to be missing, power down the
computer and check the connections.

Setting the Boot Controller

Note: If your system contains only one bootable controller, or if you are using the 1225SA

controller that does not support bootable devices, proceed with Creating an Array on page 39.

Most of the Adaptec HostRAID controllers support bootable disk drives and arrays. The
default setting of the HostRAID controller and system Setup allows you to install and boot
from either a disk drive connected to the motherboard, or from a drive or array connected to
the HostRAID controller. To enable the system to boot from either a disk drive or an array
connected to the HostRAID controller:

Note:

Selecting the boot controller is done using the system BIOS Setup Utility. Launching the
system BIOS Setup Utility varies depending on your computer model. Refer to your computer
documentation for instructions on how to access the system BIOS.

1

Enter the system BIOS Setup.

2 Navigate to the disk drive boot sequence.

3 Move the boot controller to the top of the list.

Next Steps

If you are installing the driver and an operating system onto a bootable array, continue with

Creating a Bootable Array on page 38.

If you are completing a standard installation onto an existing operating system, continue with

Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System on page 46.

Chapter 4: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l34

Getting Started

In this chapter...

Choosing a RAID Level.......................................................................................................... 36

Choosing Installation Options .............................................................................................. 36

Basic Installation Steps........................................................................................................... 36

This chapter provides the basic information you need to set up your disk drives and arrays the
way you want them. It also describes the options you have for installing your HostRAID
controller and disk drives, and creating arrays for data storage.

Before you begin, familiarize yourself with your HostRAID controller’s physical features and
the RAID levels that it supports. See Chapter 2, About Your HostRAID Controller.

5

Choosing a RAID Level

Your HostRAID controller supports these RAID levels.

RAID 0 (Non-redundant Array)—Stripes data across multiple disk drives. Improved
performance but no redundancy.

RAID 1 Array—Created from two disk drives where one disk drive is a mirror of the other (the
same data is stored on each disk drive). Redundancy but reduced capacity.

RAID 10 Array—Built from two or more equal-sized RAID 1 arrays, stripes and mirrors data
across multiple disk drives. Redundancy and improved performance.

See page 64 for more information on RAID levels and use the table on page 65 to see how many
disk drives you must connect to your HostRAID controller to support the RAID level you
want.

Choosing Installation Options

When you install your HostRAID controller, you can choose to create a bootable array and
then install both operating system and controller driver on that array. Alternatively, you can
complete a standard installation, where you install the controller driver on an existing
operating system.

Chapter 5: Getting Started l36

Note:

Adaptec 1225SA controller does not support bootable devices, hence install this controller
only on an existing operating system.

Basic Installation Steps

This section describes the installation process. Follow the steps for the installation option
you’ve chosen.

Installing with an Operating System

You can install your HostRAID controller and the operating system using these steps:

1 Install and connect your controller and disk drives (see page 26).

2 Set the boot controller (see page 38).

3 Make the array bootable (see page 41).

4 Install your operating system and the driver (see page 42).

5 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data storage (see page 50).

Installing with an Operating System On a Bootable Disk Drive/Array

When you install your HostRAID controller, you can create a bootable disk drive or an array
and then install both operating system and controller driver on that disk drive or array.
Alternatively, you can perform the standard installation, and install the controller driver on an
existing operating system

Chapter 5: Getting Started l37

1 Install and connect your controller and internal disk drives (see page 26).

If your controller has an external connector, you can also connect external disk drives, if
required.

2 Install the controller driver (see page 47).

3 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data storage (see page 50).

Installing on an Existing Operating System

1 Install and connect your controller and internal disk drives (see page 26).

If your controller has an external connector, you can connect external disk drives as well
(or instead).

2 Install the controller driver (see page 47).

3 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data storage (see page 50).

Creating a Bootable Array

In this chapter...

Creating an Array ................................................................................................................... 39

Creating an Array with the ACU ........................................................................................... 39

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager ............................................................... 39

Making Your Array Bootable ................................................................................................. 41

This chapter explains how to set your HostRAID controller to be the boot controller, and how
to create a bootable array.

Note:

If you are completing a standard installation onto an existing operating system,proceed to

Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System on page 46.

Note: Adaptec 1225SA controller does not support bootable devices.

6

Creating an Array

You can create a RAID 0, 1, or 10 array using one of these tools:

● Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—BIOS-based menus and keyboard navigation (see

Appendix C, Using the ARC Utility).

● Adaptec Storage Manager—Graphical software application running from a bootable CD

that you can navigate using your mouse (see About Adaptec Storage Manager on page 51).

● HRCONF—Command line utility, refer to the Command Line Interface User’s Guide for

Direct Attached Storage.

You can use either tool, but the ACU is quicker and easier.

Adaptec recommends that you not combine SAS and SATA disk drives within the same

Note:

array. Adaptec Storage Manager generates a warning if you try to create a logical drive using a
combination of SAS and SATA disk drives.

Creating an Array with the ACU

The ACU is menu-based and instructions for completing tasks display on-screen. Menus can
be navigated using the arrows, Enter, Esc, and other keys on your keyboard.

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array l39

Before creating arrays, make sure the disks for the array are connected and installed. Disks with
no usable space are shown in gray and cannot be used.

To create an array:

1 Turn on your computer and press Ctrl+A when prompted to access the Adaptec RAID

Configuration (ARC) utility.

2 From the ARC menu, select Array Configuration Utility (ACU).

3 From the ACU Main menu, select Create Array.

4 Select the disks for the new array. RAID 0 and 1 requires a minimum of two disk drives.

RAID 10 requires a minimum of four disk drives. Then press Insert.

To deselect any disk, highlight the disk, then press Delete.

See the table on for the maximum number of drives that your HostRAID controller can
support.

5 Select Enter when all disks for the new array are selected. The Array Properties menu

displays. For more Information see Assigning Array Properties on page 70.

6 When you are finished, select Done.

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager

This section describes how to use the Adaptec Storage Manager configuration wizard to build a
RAID 0, 1, or 10 array.

You will need the HostRAID Installation CD to complete this task.

Note:

To create a RAID 0, 1, or 10 array:

1 Insert the HostRAID Installation CD into your CD drive, then restart your computer.

2 When prompted, select the language you want, then press Enter.

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array l40

3 Review the license information, then press Enter.

The Main Menu opens.

4 Click Launch Configuration Utility.

Adaptec Storage Manager opens.

5 Click Create.

The Configuration wizard opens.

6 Select Express configuration..., then click Next.

7 Review the information that is displayed.

Adaptec Storage Manager uses the term logical drives when referring to arrays.

Note:

In this example, Adaptec Storage Manager has used two equal-sized disk drives to
automatically create one logical drive with RAID 1.

To specify a size for the logical drives, or to make other changes to the configuration, click
Modify logical devices.

8 Click Apply, then click Ye s when prompted to confirm applying your new configuration.

Adaptec Storage Manager builds the logical drive(s).

The configuration is saved on the Adaptec controller (as an “array” ) and on the physical
disk drives.

9 Partition and format your logical drive.

The logical drive you created appears as a physical disk drive on your operating system.
You must partition and format these logical drives before you can use them to store data.

10 Close all windows, then click Reboot to restart your system.

11 Remove the HostRAID Installation CD.

For information on installing and using Adaptec Storage Manager as a full software
application, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide provided on the Adaptec
Storage Manager CD.

12 Continue with Making Your Array Bootable (next section).

Making Your Array Bootable

Use the ACU to make the array bootable (see

Continue with Installing the Driver and an Operating System on page 42.

Managing Bootable Arrays and Devices on page 73).

Installing the Driver and an Operating System

In this chapter...

This chapter explains how to install your HostRAID controller driver and an operating system
onto a bootable array (see page 38).

Note:

7

Before You Begin .................................................................................................................... 43

Creating a Driver Disk ........................................................................................................... 43

Installing with Windows........................................................................................................ 43

Installing with Red Hat Linux ............................................................................................... 44

Installing with SUSE Linux.................................................................................................... 44

Installing with NetWare .........................................................................................................45

To install the driver on an existing operating system, see page 46.

Before You Begin

● Install and connect your HostRAID controller and internal disk drives, (see page 26).

● Create a bootable array (see page 38).

● Creating a driver disk (next section).

For up-to-date operating system version support, visit www.adaptec.com.

Note:

Creating a Driver Disk

Before you install your driver, you must create a driver disk. You need a floppy disk to complete
this task. To create a driver disk:

1 Set your system BIOS so that your computer boots from the CD drive. (For instructions,

refer to your computer’s documentation).

2 Boot your computer from the bootable HostRAID Installation CD.

3 Click Create Driver Disk, from the Main Menu.

4 Select one of the operating systems from the list:

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System l43

● Windows

● Linux

● Netware

5 Select the type of operating system you want to use.

6 Select the version of the operating system.

7 When prompted, insert a floppy disk, then click OK.

The system creates the driver disk.

8 Remove and label the driver disk.

9 Continue with the instructions for your operating system:

● Installing with Windows on page 43

● Installing with Red Hat Linux on page 44

● Installing with SUSE Linux on page 44

● Installing with NetWare on page 45

Installing with Windows

You will need your Windows Installation CD to complete this task. To install the HostRAID
controller driver while installing Windows:

1 Insert your Windows CD, then restart the computer.

2 Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the Windows installation.

3 When prompted to install a third-party driver, press F6.

When F6 is active, a prompt appears at the bottom of the screen for only 5 seconds. If

Note:

you miss your chance to press F6, restart your computer.

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System l44

4 Insert the driver disk, then wait until you are prompted to install a driver.

5 Press S to specify that the driver is on a floppy disk, then press Enter.

The computer reads the disk.

6 When the Adaptec SAS or SATA driver is found, press Enter.

7 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 50.

Installing with Red Hat Linux

You will need your Red Hat Installation CD to complete this task. To install the HostRAID
controller driver while installing Red Hat Linux:

1 Insert the first Red Hat Installation CD.

2 Restart your computer.

3 When the Red Hat Welcome screen displays, type

4 When prompted, insert the driver disk, then select OK.

5 Follow the prompts to set up the environment you want.

6 If you are installing other third-party devices, install them now. Otherwise, select Done.

7 Complete the Red Hat Linux installation, following the instructions included with your

operating system.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 50.

Installing with SUSE Linux

To install the HostRAID controller driver while installing SuSE Linux:

1 Insert the first SUSE Installation CD.

2 Restart your computer.

3 When the SUSE (SLES 9 and 10) installation selection screen displays, press the F6 key,

select installation option from the Menu, then press Enter.

4 When prompted, insert the driver disk, then press any key to continue.

5 Follow the prompts to set up the environment you want.

linux dd

at the Boot: prompt.

6 If you are installing other third-party devices, install them now. Otherwise, select Back.

7 Complete the SUSE Linux installation, following the instructions included with your

operating system.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 50.

Installing with NetWare

Note: NetWare does not support drive enclosures with port multipliers but supports eSATA drives.

You will need your NetWare Installation CD to complete this task. To install the driver when
installing NetWare:

1 Restart your computer, then install NetWare. (For instructions, refer to your NetWare

documentation.)

To be able to load additional drivers later, select Manual install mode during the first part
of the installation.

2 Click Continue to load additional drivers:

a Select Modify when the storage adapters are displayed.

b Select Storage Adapters, then press the Insert key twice to add an unlisted driver from

the floppy disk.

3 When the Device Types screen displays, check the Storage adapters list, then select Modify

to add another driver.

4 Select Storage Adapters, then press Enter.

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System l45

All recognized controllers are displayed.

5 If necessary, remove the default HostRAID driver (<driver-name>.ham).

6 Press the Delete key to remove it.

7 Press Insert to add another driver.

The available drivers are displayed.

8 Insert the driver floppy disk.

9 Press the Insert key to scan the floppy disk drive.

Once the driver is selected, the Parameter screen is displayed.

10 From the lower window menu, select Continue, then press Enter.

If the driver installation process fails, the server console is displayed so you can see the
cause of the failure.

To modify disk partitions, apply hot fixes, or perform volume maintenance, refer to your
NetWare documentation.

11 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 50.

Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System

In this chapter...

Before You Begin .................................................................................................................... 47

Creating a Driver Disk or an Array ....................................................................................... 47

Installing on Windows XP or Windows 2003....................................................................... 47

Installing on Windows Vista.................................................................................................. 48

Installing on Red Hat or SUSE Linux.................................................................................... 48

Installing on NetWare ............................................................................................................ 48

This chapter explains how to install your HostRAID controller driver on an existing operating
system.

Note:

To install the driver and an operating system on the bootable array, see page 42.

8

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System l47

Before You Begin

Before you begin, install and connect your HostRAID controller and internal disk drives (see

page 26).

You must also create a driver disk (see next section) before you begin installing the controller
driver.

For up-to-date operating system version support, visit the Adaptec Web Site at

Note:

www.adaptec.com.

Creating a Driver Disk or an Array

Before you install your driver, you will need to create a driver disk. You will need a floppy disk
to complete this task. To create a driver disk:

1 Set your system BIOS so that your computer boots from the CD drive. (For instructions,

refer to your computer’s documentation.)

2 Turn on your computer, then insert the HostRAID Installation CD included in your

controller kit.

3 Follow the on-screen instructions to get to the Adaptec Start Menu.

4 Click Create Driver Disk, from the Main Menu.

5 Select one of the operating systems from this list:

● Windows XP/2003 and Windows Vista

● Linux

● Netware

6 Select the type of operating system you want to use.

7 Select the version of the operating system.

8 When prompted, insert the floppy disk, then click OK.

The system creates the driver disk.

9 Remove and label the driver disk.

10 Continue the driver installation for your operating system:

● Installing on Windows XP or Windows 2003 (next section)

● Installing on Windows Vista on page 48

● Installing on Red Hat or SUSE Linux on page 48

● Installing on NetWare on page 48

Installing on Windows XP or Windows 2003

To install the driver on Windows:

1 Start or restart Windows.

The Found New Hardware Wizard opens and searches for the driver.

2 Insert the driver disk, select Floppy drive, then click Next.

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System l48

3 Click Next, then click Next again.

4 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation.

5 Remove the driver disk and restart your computer.

6 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 50.

Installing on Windows Vista

1 Insert the Windows setup CD.

2 When prompted to install a third-party driver, click Load Driver.

3 Select the driver and click Next.

4 The disk array is displayed.

5 Click Drive Options to modify the RAID 10 size, else click Next to proceed with the

installation.

Installing on Red Hat or SUSE Linux

To install the module on Red Hat or SUSE Linux:

1 Insert and mount the RAID Installation CD:

Red Hat—mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
SuSE—mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom

2 Install the module RPM:

rpm -Uvh mount-point/xxx/yyy.rpm

where

mount-point

yyy.rpm

and

3 Run fdisk, mkfs, and create mount points for any new disk drives.

4 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 50.

is the rpm file.

Installing on NetWare

Note: Before you begin, ensure that the NetWare operating system has been upgraded to the

minimum patch level specified by Novell. Refer to the Novell Web site for more information.

Note: NetWare does not support drive enclosures with port multipliers but supports eSATA drives.

To install the driver on NetWare:

1 Start your computer.

is the specific mount point on the Linux system,

xxx

is the driver path,

2 From the NetWare server console prompt, type

3 From the Device types menu, select Continue

4 From the Device type option, select Modify

5 Select Storage Adapters

6 From the Additional Driver Options menu, select Modify

,

then press Enter.

load hdetect

,

then press Enter.

,

then press Enter.

,

then press Enter.

,

then press Enter.

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System l49

7 From the Driver Name menu, press the Insert key.

8 Insert the driver disk, press the Insert key, then press F3.

9 From the A:\

prompt, press Enter.

The driver installs.

10 From the Additional Driver Option menu, select Return to driver summary

Enter.

11 From the Driver type menu, select Load on Additional Driver Options.

12 After the driver loads, select Continue.

13 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 50.

,

then press

Managing Your Storage Space

In this chapter...

About Adaptec Storage Manager........................................................................................... 51

About the HRCONF Command Line Utility........................................................................ 51

About the ARC Utility............................................................................................................ 52

About the Adaptec Flash Utility ............................................................................................ 52

Which Utility Should I Use? .................................................................................................. 52

Once you have installed your HostRAID controller, disk drives (or other devices), and device
driver, you can begin to build and manage your storage space.

This chapter introduces the tools you can use to manage your storage space. All the tools
described in this chapter are included on the CDs included with your HostRAID controller.

9

About Adaptec Storage Manager

Adaptec Storage Manager is a full-featured software application that helps you build a storage
space for your data. With Adaptec Storage Manager, you can group disk drives into logical
drives and build in redundancy to protect your data and improve system performance.

Adaptec Storage Manager is included on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD. For
installation instructions, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide, also included on
the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD.

You can also use Adaptec Storage Manager to monitor and manage all the controllers and disk
drives in your storage space from a single location.

When Adaptec Storage Manager is installed on a computer, the Adaptec Storage Manager agent
is also installed automatically. The agent is like a service that keeps your storage space running.
It runs in the background, without user intervention, and monitors and manages system
health, notifies events, schedules tasks, and manages other on-going processes. It sends notices
when tasks are completed successfully, and sounds an alarm when errors or failures occur.

The agent uses less memory than the full application. If your storage space includes systems
that won’t be connected to monitors (and therefore won’t require the user interface), you can
choose to run the agent only on those systems instead of the full application. For more
information, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide or online Help.

Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space l51

Installing Adaptec Storage Manager

Adaptec Storage Manager is included on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD. For
installation instructions, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide for Direct Access
Storage , also included on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD.

About the HRCONF Command Line Utility

HRCONF (HostRAID Configuration Utility) is a command line utility that you can use to
perform some basic array and configuration management functions.

With HRCONF, you can:

● Create and delete logical drives

● Modify and copy configuration settings

● Recover from disk drive failures and troubleshoot

Adaptec recommends that only advanced users familiar with command line interfaces use

Note:

HRCONF.

About the ARC Utility

!

The Adaptec RAID Configuration (ARC) utility is a BIOS-based utility that you can use to
create and manage controllers, disk drives and other devices, and arrays. The ARC utility
comprises these tools:

● Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—For creating and managing arrays, and initializing

and rescanning disk drives.

● SerialSelect Utility—Used to change device and HostRAID controller settings.

● Disk Utilities—For formatting or verifying disk drives.

The ARC utility is included in your controller’s BIOS. For more information, see Using the

ARC Utility on page 68.

The ARC utility is primarily intended for pre-operating system installation configuration.

About the Adaptec Flash Utility

The Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU) is a text-based DOS utility that you can use to update, save, or
verify your HostRAID controller’s firmware BIOS and Non-Volatile Random Access Memory
(NVRAM). For more information, see page 80.

Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space l52

Caution:

your RAID controller’s flash contents, it is still important to use the AFU carefully and correctly
to avoid rendering your RAID controller inoperable.Adaptec recommends that only advanced
users familiar with working in DOS use the AFU.

Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging

Which Utility Should I Use?

To create a bootable array, Adaptec recommends that you use the BIOS-based ARC utility.

For all subsequent storage management tasks, Adaptec recommends that you install and use
Adaptec Storage Manager (see page 51). As a full-featured software application with a graphical
user interface (GUI), it is the easiest to use and offers the widest range of management
functions.

Solving Problems

In this chapter...

Troubleshooting Checklist ..................................................................................................... 54

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure................................................................................... 54

Resetting the Controller......................................................................................................... 55

This chapter provides basic troubleshooting information and solutions for solving your
HostRAID controller problems.

10

Troubleshooting Checklist

If you encounter difficulties installing or using your HostRAID controller, check these items
first:

● With your computer powered off, check the connections to each disk drive, the power

supply, the LED connector, and so on.

● Try disconnecting and reconnecting disk drives from the HostRAID controller.

● Check that your HostRAID controller is installed in a compatible expansion slot. To

double-check the bus compatibility of your controller, see About Your HostRAID Controller

on page 14.

● Ensure that your HostRAID controller is firmly seated and secured in the PCI, PCI-X, or

PCIe expansion slot.

● If your HostRAID controller is not detected during system boot, try installing it in a

different expansion slot. See Installing the HostRAID Controller on page 27 for instructions.

● Did the driver install correctly?

If you are still unable to resolve a problem, you can find additional troubleshooting
information and direction on the Adaptec Web site at www.adaptec.com and the Adaptec
Support Knowledgebase at ask.ad aptec.com.

Chapter 10: Solving Problems l54

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure

This section explains how to recover when a disk drive fails:

● If the array was protected by a hot spare, see next section.

● If the array was not protected by a hot spare, see Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot

Spare on page 54.

● If there is a disk drive failure in more than one array simultaneously, see Failure in Multiple

Arrays Simultaneously on page 55.

● If it is a RAID 0 array, see Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 Array on page 55.

● If multiple disk drives fail within the same array, see Multiple Failures in the Same Array on

page 55.

Adaptec Storage Manager uses the term logical drives when referring to arrays.

Note:

Failed Disk Drive Protected by a Hot Spare

When an array is protected by a hot spare, if a disk drive in that array fails the hot spare is
automatically incorporated into the array and takes over for the failed drive.

To recover from the failure, remove and replace the failed disk drive (following manufacturer’s
instructions).

Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot Spare

If a disk drive fails in an array that is not protected by a hot spare, replace the failed drive. The
controller detects the new disk drive and rebuilds the array.

Chapter 10: Solving Problems l55

If the controller fails to rebuild the array, check that the cables, disk drives, and controllers are
properly installed and connected. Then, if necessary, use Adaptec Storage Manager to rebuild
the array. For instructions, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide or online Help.

Failure in Multiple Arrays Simultaneously

If the disk drive failure in more than one array at the same time (one failure per array), and the
arrays are protected by hot spares, the controller rebuilds the arrays with these limitations:

● A hot spare must be of equal or greater size than the failed disk drive it’s replacing.

● Failed disk drives are replaced with hot spares in the order in which they failed. (The array

that includes the disk drive that failed first is rebuilt first, assuming an appropriate hot
spare is available-see bullet above).

If there are more disk drive failures than hot spares, see Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot

Spare in previous section.

Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 Array

Because RAID 0 volumes do not include redundancy, if a disk drive fails in a RAID 0 array, the
data can’t be recovered.

Correct the cause of the failure or replace the failed disk drives. Then, restore your data (if
available).

Multiple Failures in the Same Array

If more than one disk drive fails at the same time in the same RAID 1 array, the data can’t be
recovered.

Correct the cause of the failure or replace the failed disk drives. Then, restore your data (if
available).

In some instances, RAID 10 arrays may survive multiple disk drive failures, depending on
which disk drives fail. For more information, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide
or online Help.

Resetting the Controller

This section explains how to reset (or flash) your Adaptec HostRAID controller. You may want
to do this if the controller becomes inoperable, or if a firmware upgrade is unsuccessful.

To reset your Adaptec HostRAID controller:

1 Download the firmware version currently installed on your controller from

www.adaptec.com.

2 Extract the downloaded files to a folder on your local hard drive (for example,

C:\Download\Drivers).

3

Create a bootable MS–DOS floppy disk and copy
firmware image to the same floppy disk.

4 Create additional bootable MS–DOS floppy disks and copy each additional firmware

image to its own floppy disk.

the AFU.exe file to it. Copy the first

Chapter 10: Solving Problems l56

5 Power off your computer, disconnect the power cord, then open the cabinet following the

manufacturer’s instructions.

6 Disconnect all cables from the controller, then attach a shorting jumper to the Mode 0

flash connector.

7 Reconnect the power cord, power on your computer, then boot to the floppy disk

containing the AFU.exe file (see Step 3).

8 At the prompt, type

9 Insert the other floppy disks when prompted.

10 When the flash is complete, power off your computer, disconnect the power cord, then

a:\afu update /c x,

where x is the controller number.

remove the jumper.

11 Close the computer cabinet, reconnect the power cord, then power on your computer.

The controller should boot correctly.

Understanding RAID

In this chapter...

RAID Technology Overview .................................................................................................. 65

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays).................................................................................................. 65

RAID 1 Arrays ........................................................................................................................ 66

RAID 10 Arrays ...................................................................................................................... 66

When you create arrays (or logical drives), you can assign a RAID level to protect your data.

Each RAID level offers a unique combination of performance and redundancy. RAID levels
also vary by the number of disk drives they support.

This appendix describes the RAID levels supported by your HostRAID controller, and provides
a basic overview of each to help you select the best level of protection for your data storage.

B

RAID Technology Overview

RAID is the technology of grouping several physical drives into an array that you can define as
one or more logical drives. Each logical drive appears to the operating system as a single drive.
This grouping technique greatly enhances logical-drive capacity and performance beyond the
physical limitations of a single physical drive.

When you group multiple physical drives into a logical drive, the HostRAID controller can
transfer data in parallel from the multiple drives in the array. This parallel transfer yields data­transfer rates that are many times higher than with non-arrayed drives, allowing the system to
better meet the throughput (amount of data processed in a given amount of time) or
productivity needs of a multi-user network environment.

The ability to respond to multiple data requests provides not only an increase in throughput,
but also a decrease in response time. The combination of parallel transfers and simultaneous
responses to multiple requests allows disk arrays to provide a high level of performance in
network environments.

Understanding Drive Segments

A drive segment is a disk drive or portion of a disk drive that is used to create an array. A disk
drive can include both RAID segments (segments that are part of an array) and available
segments. Each segment can be part of only one logical device at a time. If a disk drive is not
part of any logical device, the entire disk is an available segment.

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 65

Stripe-Unit Size

With RAID technology, data is striped across an array of physical drives. This data-distribution
scheme complements the way the operating system requests data.

The granularity at which data is stored on one drive of the array before subsequent data is
stored on the next drive of the array is called the stripe-unit size.

You can set the stripe-unit size to 16, 32, or 64 KB. You can maximize the performance of your
HostRAID controller by setting the stripe-unit size to a value that is close to the size of the
system I/O requests. For example, performance in transaction-based environments, which
typically involve large blocks of data, might be optimal when the stripe-unit size is set to 32 or
64 KB. However, performance in file and print environments, which typically involve multiple
small blocks of data, might be optimal when the stripe-unit size is set to 16 KB.

The collection of stripe units, from the first drive of the array to the last drive of the array, is
called a stripe.

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays)

An array with RAID 0 includes two or more disk drives (maximum twelve) and provides data
striping, where data is distributed evenly across the disk drives in equal-sized sections.

RAID 0 arrays do not maintain redundant data, so they offer no data protection. However,
compared to an equal-sized group of independent disks, a RAID 0 array provides improved
I/O performance.

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 66

Drive segment size is limited to the size of the smallest disk drive in the array. For instance, an
array with two 250 GB disk drives and two 400 GB disk drives can create a RAID 0 drive
segment of 250 GB, for a total of 1000 GB for the volume, as shown in the following figure.

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

RAID 1 Arrays

A RAID 1 array is built from two disk drives, where one disk drive is a mirror of the other (the
same data is stored on each disk drive). Compared to independent disk drives, RAID 1 arrays
provide improved performance, with twice the read rate and an equal write rate of single disks.
However, capacity is only 50 percent of independent disk drives.

250 GB

250 GB

400 GB

400 GB

Drive Segment Size (Smallest Disk Drive)

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

RAID 0 Logical Drive = 1000 GB

1

2

3

Not Used

4

Not Used

997

5

...

998

6

...

999

7

...

1000

8

...

Unused Space: 150 GB

Unused Space: 150 GB

If the RAID 1 array is built from different-sized disk drives, the free space, drive segment size is
the size of the smaller disk drive, as shown in the following figure.

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

RAID 10 Arrays

A RAID 10 array is built from two or more equal-sized RAID 1 arrays. Adaptec RAID
controllers support a maximum number of 48 disk drives in a RAID 10 array.

Data in a RAID 10 array is both striped and mirrored. Mirroring provides data protection, and
striping improves performance.

250 GB

400 GB

Drive Segment Size (Smaller Disk Drive)

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

1 – 250

1 – 250

Not Used

Unused Space: 150 GB

RAID 1 Logical Drive = 250 GB

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 67

Drive segment size is limited to the size of the smallest disk drive in the array. For instance, an
array with two 250 GB disk drives and two 400 GB disk drives can create two mirrored drive
segments of 250 GB, for a total of 500 GB for the array, as shown in the following figure.

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

250 GB

250 GB

400 GB

400 GB

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

Drive Segment Size (Smallest Disk Drive)

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

RAID 10 Logical Drive = 500 GB

Selecting the Best RAID Level

Use this table to select the RAID levels that are most appropriate for the logical drives on your
storage space, based on the number of available disk drives and your requirements for
performance and reliability.

1

3

2

4

1

3

Not Used

2

4

Not Used

499

...

500

...

499

...

Unused Space: 150 GB

500

...

Unused Space: 150 GB

RAID
Level Redundancy

Disk Drive
Usage

Read
Performance

Write
Performance

Built-in
Hot Spare

Disk
Drives

RAID 0 No 100% www www No 2

RAID 1Yes50%wwwwNo2

Minimum

RAID

Yes 50% ww ww No 4

10

Disk drive usage, read performance, and write performance depend on the number of drives in
the logical drive. In general, the more drives, the better the performance.

Introduction to SAS

In this chapter...

Terminology Used in This Appendix .................................................................................... 58

What is SAS? ........................................................................................................................... 58

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?................................................................................... 59

What’s a Phy? .......................................................................................................................... 59

What’s a SAS Port?.................................................................................................................. 59

What’s a SAS Address?............................................................................................................ 60

What’s a SAS Connector? ....................................................................................................... 60

What do SAS Cables Look Like?............................................................................................ 60

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS?................................................................................ 60

What are the SAS Connection Options? ............................................................................... 61

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI?............................................................................. 62

This section provides a basic overview of the main features of SAS, introduces some common
SAS terms, and explains how SAS differs from parallel SCSI.

A

Note:

For technical articles and tutorials about SAS, refer to the SCSI Trade Association (STATM)
Web site at

www.scsita.org

.

Terminology Used in This Appendix

For convenience, SAS HostRAID controllers are referred to generically in this appendix as SAS
controllers, HBAs, disk drives, and external disk drive enclosures are referred to as end devices
and expanders are referred to as expander devices.

For convenience, this chapter refers to end devices and expander devices collectively as SAS
devices.

What is SAS?

Legacy parallel SCSI is an interface that lets devices such as computers and disk drives
communicate with each other. Parallel SCSI moves multiple bits of data in parallel, using the
SCSI command set.

SAS is an evolution of parallel SCSI to a point-to-point serial interface. SAS also uses the SCSI
command set, but moves multiple bits of data one at a time. SAS links end devices through
direct-attach connections, or through expander devices.

SAS controllers can typically support up to 128 end devices and can communicate with both
SAS and SATA devices. You can add 128 end devices or even more with the use of SAS
expanders. For more information, see SAS Expander Connections on page 61.

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 58

Although you can use both SAS and SATA disk drives in the same SAS domain, Adaptec
recommends that you not combine SAS and SATA disk drives within the same array or logical
drive. The difference in performance between the two types of disk drives may adversely affect
the performance of the array.

Data can move in both directions simultaneously across a SAS connection (called a link—see
next section). Link speed is 600 MB/sec in full-duplex mode. A SAS controller with eight links
has a maximum bandwidth of 4800 MB/sec in full-duplex mode.

Although they share the SCSI command set, SAS is conceptually different from parallel SCSI
physically, and has its own types of connectors, cables, connection options, and terminology, as
described in the rest of this chapter.

To compare SAS to parallel SCSI, see page 62.

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?

SAS devices communicate with each other through links. A link is a physical connection
between two phys.

As shown in the following figure, SAS devices contain ports which contain phys (see next
section), and each phy contains one transmitter and one receiver (one transceiver). A phy can
belong to one port only.

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 59

Narrow
Por t

Wide
Por t

Wide
Por t

Phy

SAS Device

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

What’s a Phy?

Phys are part of the physical communication connection between SAS devices. Each phy
contains a transceiver that sends data back and forth between SAS devices.

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

link

SAS DeviceSAS Device

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

SAS Device

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Narrow

Por t

Wide

Por t

Wide

Por t

When a connection is formed between two end devices, a link is established from a phy in one
port to a phy in the other port. As shown in the figure above, a wide port can support multiple
independent links simultaneously.

Phys are internal, within SAS connectors (see page 60).

SAS cables physically connect one or more phys on one SAS device to one or more phys on
another SAS device.

What’s a SAS Port?

Note: Because the physical link between SAS devices is from phy to phy, rather than port to port, a

port is more of a virtual concept, different from what is normally considered a port on other types of
RAID controllers and storage devices.

A port is one or more phys. A narrow port contains one phy. A wide port typically contains four
phys.

Each port has its own unique SAS address (see page 60), and all the phys in a port share that
same SAS address.

SAS controller port options vary. A SAS controller with four phys could be configured with one
wide port, with two wide ports that comprise two phys, or with four narrow ports each
containing one phy. (A wide port with four phys is referred to as a 4-wide or 4x port.)

What’s a SAS Address?

Each SAS port is identified with a unique SAS address, which is shared by all phys on that port.

For example, a SAS disk drive might have two narrow ports. Each port has one unique SAS
address. The single phy in each port uses its port’s SAS address.

In another example, a SAS device might have one 4-wide port. That port has one SAS address,
which is shared by all four phys in the port.

Unlike SCSI devices and SCSI IDs, SAS devices self-configure their SAS addresses. User
intervention is not required to set SAS addresses, and SAS addresses cannot be modified.

What’s a SAS Connector?

A SAS or mini-SAS connector is the physical plug or receptacle that you see on a SAS device. It
supports the power and signal line cable. It’s what you plug a SAS cable into, or the end of the
SAS cable that’s being plugged in.

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 60

A connector is what forms physical links between phys. Some SAS connectors can support
multiple links. The number of links a SAS connector can support is referred to as its width.
Narrow connectors support a single link; wide connectors support up to four links.

A single SAS device may have one or more connectors. You can use a single SAS connector to
inter-link more than two SAS devices. For example, in the figure on page 59, the 4-wide
internal SAS connector forms links with four independent disk drives.

Mini-SAS connectors support both internal and external SAS connections. The mini-SAS
connectors are smaller than the standard SAS internal and external connectors. Mini-SAS
connectors support single and multilinks with the ability to scale to future speed needs.

What do SAS Cables Look Like?

Internal SAS cables are narrower than internal parallel SCSI cables. The connectors vary in size
depending on the number of links they support, from single link connectors to 4-wide (or
larger) connectors. Internal fan-out cables let you connect four disk drives to a single 4-wide
connector.

For an example of some internal SAS or mini-SAS cables and an external SAS cable, see

Selecting SAS Cables on page 28.

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS?

In the BIOS and in the management utilities, disk drives are identified with numbers in this
format:

XX:YY:ZZ

where XX is the disk drive count number, YY is the enclosure number, and ZZ is the slot
number (within the enclosure). If the disk drive is not installed in an enclosure, a double
dashes (--) appear instead of YY and ZZ (for instance, 01:--:--).

In parallel SCSI, XX is the disk drive’s channel number, YY is the target number, and ZZ is the
logical unit number (LUN).

What are the SAS Connection Options?

You can connect end devices to each other through direct cable connections and through
backplane connections. When you use one or more expander devices (see page 61), you can
create large configurations.

Direct-Attach Connections

In a direct-attach connection, SAS or SATA disk drives are connected directly to a SAS
controller with SAS cables. One disk drive is connected to one SAS connector with one SAS
cable or multiple disk drives are connected to one SAS connector with one fan-out cable. The
figure on page 31 shows an example of direct-attach connections.

The number of direct-connected disk drives is limited to the number of phys supported by the
SAS controller.

There may be multiple phys within a single connector. See page 60.

Note:

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 61

Backplane Connections

In a backplane connection, disk drives and SAS controllers are connected to and communicate
with each other through a system backplane. The figure on page 31 shows an example of
backplane connections.

There are two types of backplane connections, passive and active. When connecting to either
backplane, it’s important to properly connect your disk drive LEDs in order to identify disk
drive conditions. See About Your HostRAID Controller on page 14 for your RAID controller
Activity LED connections and locations.

When connecting to a backplane, the Adaptec Storage Manager enables you to manage your
system disk drives, see Next Steps on page 34.

The number of end devices is limited to the number of slots available on the backplane. For
example, the Adaptec S50 enclosure, which contains an expander, is a backplane connection
that supports up to 12 SAS or SATA disk drives.

Some backplanes support daisy-chain expansion to other backplanes. For example, you can
daisy-chain up to nine Adaptec S50 enclosures to a single SAS controller in a host system.

SAS Expander Connections

A SAS expander device literally expands the number of end devices that you can connect
together. Expander devices, typically embedded into a system backplane (see page 31), support
large configurations of SAS end devices, including SAS controllers and SAS and SATA disk
drives. With expander devices, you can build large and complex storage topologies.

There are two types of SAS expanders: fanout expanders and edge expanders. Each performs a
different role in a storage system. (For more information about how SAS expanders work, refer
to the STA Web site at www.scsita.org.)

You can connect up to 128 SAS ports to an edge expander. (A single edge expander can
therefore support up to 128 SAS addresses.)

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 62

SAS Card

SAS Card

Disk Drives

Disk Drives

Disk Drives

Disk Drives

Disk Drives

Disk Drives

Fanout Expander

Disk Drives

Edge

Expander

Edge

Expander

SATA

SATA

SATA

SATA

SAS

SAS

SAS

SATA

Edge

Expander

SATA

SATA

SAS

SAS

Edge

Expander

Edge

Expander

SAS Card

SAS DomainSAS Domain

SATA SAS

You can connect up to 128 edge expanders to a fanout expander.

You can use only one fanout expander in any single SAS domain (a topology of SAS—and
possibly SATA—end devices and expander devices). A single SAS domain can therefore
comprise up to 16,384 SAS ports (and therefore up to 16,384 SAS addresses).

The following figure illustrates (in very basic terms) a SAS domain and shows how SAS
controllers, SAS and SATA disk drives, and expander devices can fit together in a large data
storage topology.

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI?

In summary, although SAS and parallel SCSI use the SCSI command set, how they move data
from one place to another is very different. To support point-to-point serial data transport,
SAS introduces new types of connectors, cables, connection options, and terminology.

Generally speaking, SAS is faster and more flexible than parallel SCSI, and provides more
options for building your storage space. SAS lets you mix SAS and SATA disk drives together,
and lets you connect many, many more devices.

The following table describes many of the main differences between the two interfaces.

Parallel SCSI Serial Attached SCSI

Parallel interface Serial interface

Maximum speed 320 MB/sec
shared by all devices on the bus

Supports SCSI devices only Supports SATA and SAS disk drives

Up to 16 devices per SCSI channel

Supports single-port devices only Supports single- and dual-port devices

Uses SCSI IDs to differentiate
between devices connected to the
same adapter

Maximum speed 600 MB/sec per phy
when in full-duplex mode

simultaneously

More than 128 disk drives per SAS
controller, using an expander (see page

61)

Uses unique SAS addresses to
differentiate between devices

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 63

Parallel SCSI Serial Attached SCSI

User intervention required to set
SCSI IDs

Requires bus termination Requires no bus termination

Standard SCSI connectors SAS connectors (see page 28)

SAS addresses self-configured by SAS
devices

Using the ARC Utility

In this chapter...

Introduction to the ARC Utility ............................................................................................ 69

Running the ARC Utility........................................................................................................ 69

Creating and Managing Arrays.............................................................................................. 69

Using SerialSelect ................................................................................................................... 73

Using SATASelect.................................................................................................................... 75

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives .................................................................................. 76

The Adaptec RAID Configuration (ARC) utility is an embedded BIOS-based utility that you
can use to create, configure, and manage arrays, and format or verify disk drives.

Note:

Adaptec recommends that only advanced users familiar with working in a computer BIOS
use the ARC utility

tools.

C

Introduction to the ARC Utility

The ARC utility comprises these tools:

● The Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—Used to create, configure, and manage arrays,

and initialize and rescan disk drives.

● SerialSelect Utility (for SAS HostRAID controllers) or SATASelect Utility (for SATA

HostRAID controllers)—Used to change device and HostRAID controller settings.

● Disk Utilities—Used to format or verify disk drives (see page 76).

Running the ARC Utility

All the tools within the ARC utility are menu-based and instructions for completing tasks
display on-screen. Menus can be navigated using the arrows, Enter, Esc, and other keys on your
keyboard.

To run the Utility:

1 Start or restart your computer. When prompted, press Ctrl+A.

The ARC utility menu displays presenting these options:

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 69

● Array Configuration Utility (ACU)

● SerialSelect or SATASelect Utility (depending on whether you are using a SAS or a

SATA HostRAID controller)

● Disk utilities

To select an option from this menu, or from any of the menus within the ARC utility setup,
browse with the arrow keys, then press Enter. In some cases, selecting an options displays
another menu. To return to the previous menu at any time, press Esc.

Creating and Managing Arrays

Before creating arrays, make sure the disks for the array are properly connected and installed in
your system. Note that disks with no usable space are shown in gray and cannot be used.

Creating a New Array

To create an array:

1 Select Create Array from the main ACU menu.

For more information about RAID levels and using disk drives to create arrays, see

Note:

Understanding RAID on page 64.

2

Select the disks for the new array, then press Insert. To deselect any disk, highlight the disk,
then press Delete.

3 Press Enter when all disks for the new array are selected. The Array Properties menu

displays.

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 70

Assigning Array Properties

Once the array is created and its properties are assigned, you cannot change the array
properties using the ACU. Instead, use Adaptec Storage Manager. See About Adaptec Storage

Manager on page 51, for details.

To assign properties to the new array:

1 In the Array Properties menu, select an array type, then press Enter.

Only the available array types, RAID 0, 1, and 10 are displayed. RAID 0 and 1 requires two
to four drives. RAID 10 requires a minimum of four disk drives.

2 (Optional). Type a label of no more than 15 characters for the array, then press Enter.

3 For RAID 0, select the desired stripe size. Available stripe sizes are 16, 32, and 64 KB

(default).

It is recommended that you do not change the default.

Note:

The options under Create RAID Via allows you to select between the different creation

4

methods for RAID 0, 1, and 10. The following table gives examples of when each is
appropriate.

RAID
Level

RAID 0 Quick Init Creating a RAID 0 on new drives.

RAID 0 Migrate Creating a RAID 0 and you want to preserve data on an existing

RAID 1 Build Creating a RAID 1 and you want to preserve data on an existing

RAID 1, 10Clear Creating a RAID 1 or 10 on new drives, or when you want to ensure

RAID 1, 10Quick Init Fastest way to create a RAID 1 or 10. Appropriate when using a new

● Before adding a new drive to an array, back up any data contained on the new drive.

Create

RAID Via

When Appropriate

drive. You will be asked to select the source drive. The contents of
the source drive are preserved and any data on the new drive is
lost.

simple volume. You will be asked to select the source drive. The
contents of the source drive are preserved and any data on the new
drive is lost.

that the new array contains no existing data.

drive.

Otherwise, all data will be lost.

● Only disk drives that were previously configured as simple volumes can be used for

RAID 0 or 1 migration when the single/source drive has data on it. See Configuring

Disk Drives on page 73 to create a simple volume.

● If you stop the build or clear process on a RAID 1 from ACU, you can restart it by

pressing Ctrl+R.

● A RAID 1 and 10 created using the Quick Init option may return some data

miscompares if you later run a consistency check. This is normal and is not a cause for
concern.

● If you stop the migration process on a RAID 0, you can restart it by pressing Ctrl+R.

● To modify the Write Cache setting for an array, press Ctrl+W.

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 71

● The ACU allows you to use drives of different sizes in a RAID 1 or RAID 0. However,

during a build operation, only the smaller drive can be selected as the source drive.

● When migrating from single volume to RAID 0, migrating from a larger drive to a

smaller drive is allowed. However, the destination drive must be at least half the
capacity of the source drive.

● It is not recommend that you migrate or build an array on Windows dynamic disks

(volumes), as it will result in data loss.

5 When you are finished, press Done.

Managing Arrays

Select the Manage Arrays option to perform these tasks:

● Rebuilding Arrays (next section)

● Viewing Array Properties on page 71

● Deleting Arrays on page 72

● Enabling/Disabling Write Cache on page 72

Rebuilding Arrays

Rebuilding applies to Fault Tolerant arrays (RAID 1) only.

Note:

By replacing a failed drive of a RAID 1 array with a new drive, you can rebuild to get the array
to Optimal status and assume fault tolerance. You can perform a rebuild in the following ways:

If no spare exists and a hard disk drive fails, you need to create a spare before you can

Note:

rebuild an array. See Adding/Deleting Hot Spares on page 72 before continuing your rebuild.

● System Shutdown Rebuild

You can power off the computer and replace the failed drive with a new one (of equal or
greater capacity). When the system is booted, you can assign the new drive as a spare, and
this will start the Rebuild task. All the data from the good drive is copied to the new one,
and the original RAID 1 array is recreated.

● Manual Rebuild

a From the Main Menu, select Manage Arrays. From the List of Arrays, select the array

you want to rebuild.

b Press Ctrl+R to rebuild.

Viewing Array Properties

To view the properties of an existing array:

1 From the ACU menu, select Manage Arrays.

2 From the List of Arrays dialog box, select the array you want to view, then press Enter.

The Array Properties dialog box appears, showing detailed information on the array. The
physical disks associated with the array are displayed here.

3 Press Esc to return to the previous menu.

Deleting Arrays

!

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 72

Caution:

lost. Deleted arrays cannot be restored.

Back up the data on an array before you delete it. Otherwise, all data on the array is

To delete an existing array:

1 From the ACU menu, select Manage Arrays.

2 Select the array you wish to delete, then press Delete.

3 In the Array Properties dialog box, select Delete, then press Enter.

For RAID 1 and 10 arrays:

Warning:

(Yes/No):

Deleting the array will render array unusable. Do you want to delete the array?

For RAID 0 arrays:

Warning:

No):

4

If you press Ye s , select the member:

Deleting the array will result in data loss! Do you want to delete the array? (Yes/

To delete the partition table, choose the member:

member #0, member #1, both, none

5 Press Esc to return to the previous menu.

Enabling/Disabling Write Cache

To Enable/Disable Write Cache for an array:

1 From the Main menu, select Manage Arrays.

2 From the List of Arrays, select the array you want to modify the Write Cache setting for,

then press Ctrl+W. A confirmation dialog appears to modify setting. Press Y to change the
current Write Cache setting.

Write Cache is disabled by default when creating all array types. The disk operation may

Note:

be very slow with Write Cache off.

Adding/Deleting Hot Spares

Select the Add/Delete Hot Spares option to add, delete, or view hot spares.

1 From the ACU menu, select Add/Delete Hot Spares.

2 Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight the disk you want to designate as a hot spare,

then select Insert>Enter.

3 Press Ye s when the following prompt is displayed:

Do you want to create spare? (Yes/No)

The Spare you have selected appears in the Selected Drive menu.

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 73

!

Managing Bootable Arrays and Devices

Select the Manager Boot Unit option to add or remove a bootable array or single drive.

1 From the ACU menu, select Manage Boot Unit.

2 Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight the array or single drive you want to

designate as a bootable device, then select Insert>Enter.

Adaptec 1225SA controller does not support bootable devices.

Note:

Configuring Disk Drives

Caution:

● If the drive is used in an array, you may not be able to use the array again. Do not

configure a drive that is part of a boot array. To determine which drives are associated
with a particular array, see Viewing Array Properties on page 71.

● The partition table on the disk will be deleted when deleting a simple volume.

To configure drives:

Note:

Configuring disk drives makes a simple volume. A simple volume can be managed like
normal arrays by using the Manage Arrays option on your Main menu.

1

From the menu, select Configure Drives.

2 Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight the disk you wish to configure, then press

Insert.

3 Repeat the previous step, if you want to add another drive to be configured.

4 Press Enter.

5 Read the warning message and ensure that you have selected the correct disk drives to

configure. Type

ATAPI Support

The following devices are supported:

● The 1225SA and 1220SA supports detection of SATA ATAPI TAPE Drive and CDROM.

● The 1225SA and 1220SA supports booting from the ELTORITO bootable CD/DVD media.

If a bootable CD/DVD media is detected, that bootable media gets precedence in the booting
order.

Using SerialSelect

The SerialSelect utility allows you to change the BIOS and SAS HostRAID controller and device
settings without opening the computer cabinet.

Y

to continue.

For more information, see SerialSelect Options on page 74.

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 74

To access SerialSelect:

1 Restart the computer, then press Ctrl+A when prompted to access the ARC utility.

2 If multiple HostRAID controllers are installed, select the HostRAID controller you want to

configure, then press Enter.

3 From the ARC menu, select SerialSelect Utility.

4 To select a menu option, browse with the arrow keys to the option, then press Enter. In

some cases, selecting an option displays another menu. You can return to the previous
menu at any time by pressing Esc.

5 To restore the original SerialSelect default values, press F6 from within the SAS Driver and

Controller Configuration screens.

6 To e x it S e r ia l Select, press Esc until a message prompts you to exit (if you changed any

settings, you are prompted to save the changes before you exit).

7 At the prompt, select Ye s to exit, then press any key to restart the computer. Any changes

you made in SerialSelect take effect after the computer restarts.

SerialSelect Options

The following table lists the available and default settings for each SerialSelect option and the
description of each option. The default settings are appropriate for most systems and appear in
bold type in the table. Adaptec recommends that you do not change the settings.

SerialSelect Options Available Settings Description

Controller Configuration

Runtime BIOS Enabled

Disabled
Disabled:Scan bus

Controls the state of the BIOS at POST time. When
Enabled, the
the controller to act as a bootable device.

Disabling the BIOS allows another suitable

HostRAID controller BIOS allows

HostRAID controller to act as the boot device.

BBS Support Device

Controller

RAID Support Enabled

Disabled

POST Banner Display Enabled

Disabled

CTRL-A Message Enabled

Disabled

When BBS support is set to Device base, the
system’s BIOS will list each connected bootable
device to the
individual entry. When BBS support is set to
Controller base, the system’s BIOS will only list

HostRAID controller in the system boot

the
order. This is useful in a multi-HostRAID

controller configuration.

When there are active arrays in the system, will
not allow you to Disable RAID support.

When Enabled, the Adaptec banner, version, and
copyright is displayed. When Disabled, the
Adaptec banner, version, and copyright is not
displayed.

When set to Enabled, the SAS
controller BIOS displays the
ARC Utility message on your screen during system
bootup. If this setting is disabled, you can still
invoke the ARC utility by pressing Ctrl+A after the
SAS HostRAID controller BIOS banner appears.

HostRAID controller as an

HostRAID

Press <Ctrl> <A>

for

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 75

SerialSelect Options Available Settings Description

Physical Drives Display
during Post

PHY Configuration

PHY Rate Auto, 1.5, 3.0

SAS Address 0-F Specifies the last digit of a 64-bit SAS address of

Controller Properties

PCI Slot: Bus:
Device:Function

Interrupt (IRQ) Channel None Displays interrupt

I/O Port Address None Displays I/O port address

Device ID None Displays device ID

Controller Serial
Number

Controller WWN None Displays the controller WWN

Enabled
Disabled

None Displays the path of the storage devices in a Host

None Displays controller serial number

When Enabled, connected physical devices are
displayed during system POST. Displaying the
devices adds a few seconds to the overall POST
time.

The data transfer rate between the
controller and devices. The default setting is
Automatic, which allows the SAS HostRAID
controller to adjust the speed as needed.

HostRAID controller, device, and each port

the
using a globally unique worldwide name (WWN)
identifier.

RAID controller.

HostRAID

Using SATASelect

The SATASelect utility allows you to change the BIOS and SATA HostRAID controller and
device settings without opening the computer cabinet.

To access SATASelect:

1 Restart the computer, then press Ctrl+A when prompted to access the ARC utility.

2 If multiple HostRAID controllers are installed, select the HostRAID controller you want to

configure, then press Enter.

3 From the ARC menu, select SATASelect Utility.

4 To select a menu option, browse with the arrow keys to the option, then press Enter. In

some cases, selecting an option displays another menu. You can return to the previous
menu at any time by pressing Esc.

5 To restore the default SATASelect values, press F6 from within the SATA Driver and

Controller Configuration screen.

6 To e x it S ATA Select, press Esc until a message prompts you to exit (if you changed any

settings, you are prompted to save the changes before you exit).

7 At the prompt, select Ye s to exit, then press any key to restart the computer. Any changes

you made in SATASelect take effect after the computer restarts.

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 76

!

SATASelect Options

The following table lists the available and default settings for each SATASelect option and the
description of each option. The default settings are appropriate for most systems and appear in
bold type in the table. Adaptec recommends that you do not change the settings.

SATASelect Options Available Settings Description

Controller Configuration

Runtime BIOS Enabled

Disabled
Disabled:Scan bus

BBS Support Device

Controller

Physical Drives Display
during Post

SATA Configuration

Write Cache Enabled

DMA (1420SA only) Enabled

Device Security Lock
(1430SA & 1220SA
Only)

SMART Enabled

Allow Read Ahead Enabled

Enabled
Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Enabled
Disabled

Disabled

Disabled

Controls the state of the BIOS at POST time. When
Enabled, the
the controller to act as a bootable device.
Disabling the BIOS allows another suitable

HostRAID controller BIOS allows

HostRAID controller to act as the boot device.

When BBS support is set to Device base, the
system’s BIOS will list each connected bootable
device to the
individual entry. When BBS support is set to
Controller base, the system’s BIOS will only list

HostRAID controller in the system boot

the
order. This is useful in a multi-

controller configuration.

When Enabled, connected physical devices are
displayed during system POST. Displaying the
devices adds a few seconds to the overall POST
time.

Enables or disables write cache on the on legacy
and non-configured drives. Write cache enabled
provides maximum performance. Default is Yes to
enable.

Enables or disables the use of Direct Memory
Access (DMA) mode for the drive. Enabled
provides maximum performance. Default is Yes to
enable.

Enables or disables the device security lock
option. When enabling this option, a Security
Freeze Lock command is issued to the device.

Enables or disables the predictive failure feature
of the disk drive. When enabled the SMART status
of the drive (Healthy or Failed) will be displayed
along with the physical drive display during POST.
If the drive does not support SMART, the SMART
status is not displayed. Default is Yes to enable.

Enables or disables the read ahead cache
algorithm on the drive. Enabled provides
maximum performance under most
circumstances. Default is Yes to enable.

HostRAID controller as an

HostRAID

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives

You can use the disk utilities to low-level format or verify your disk drives. (New disk drives
are low-level formatted at the factory and do not need to be low-level formatted again.).

Caution:

disk drive.

Before you format a disk drive, back up all data. Formatting destroys all data on a

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 77

!

To use the disk utilities:

1 Turn on your computer and press Ctrl+A when prompted to access the ARC utility.

2 From the ARC utility menu, select Disk Utilities.

3 Select the desired disk, then press Enter.

● Format Disk—Simulates a low-level format of the disk drive by writing zeros to the

entire disk. SATA drives are low-level formatted at the factory and do not need to be
low-level formatted again.

Caution:

before performing this operation.

● Ver ify Dis k M e di a —Scans the media of a disk drive for defects.

Formatting destroys all data on the disk. Be sure to back up your data

Locating Disk Drives

Note: This feature is only available with disk drives that have an activity LED.

You can use the Identify Drive feature to physically locate a disk drive by blinking the LED.

To locate a disk drive:

1 Start the ARC utility (see page 69).

2 Select the controller you want, then press Enter.

3 Select Disk Utilities.

4 Select the disk drive you want, then press Enter.

5 Select Identify Drive, then press Enter.

6 When you have finished locating your disk drive, press any key to stop the blinking.

Identifying Disk Drives

You can identify disk drives by viewing the list of disk drives on your system. Only physical
drives that display during POST are shown.

To identify a disk drive:

1 Start the ARC utility (see page 69).

2 Select the controller you want, then press Enter.

3 Select Disk Utilities.

The Disk Utilities view will provide you with the following information:

Location Model Rev# Speed Size

CN1=DEV1
Box0=Slot0
Exp0=phy0

The manufacturer
information.

The revision
number of the
disk drive.

The speed of the
disk drive.

The size of the
disk drive.

The location information of a disk drive is determined by three types of connections:

● Direct attached drives—The connection is determined by the cable connected to a device,

for example CN1 (connector 1) is connected to DEV1 (device 1). For more information, see

Direct-Attach Connections

● Storage Enclosure Processor (SEP) managed devices—The connection is determined by an

active backplane. Box0 (enclosure 0) is connected to slot0 (disk drive slot 0 in the
enclosure). For more information, see Backplane Connections

● Expanders—The connections is determinded by an expander. Exp0 (expander 0) is

connected to phy0 (phy 0 within a connector). For more information, see SAS Expander

Connections

on page 61.

Note: Devices other than disk drives (CDROM, tape drives, etc...) are listed in order after your

system disk drives.

Viewing the Event Log

The BIOS-based event log records all firmware events, such as configuration changes, array
creation, and boot activity.

Some events are not stored indefinitely—the event log is cleared of any non-persistent events
each time you restart your computer; additionally, once the log is full, new events overwrite
old events.

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 78

on page 61.

on page 61.

To view the event log:

1 Start the utility (see page 69).

2 Select the controller you want, then press Enter.

3 When the utility menu appears, then press Ctrl+P.

4 Select Controller Log Information, then press Enter.

Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for

!

DOS

In this Appendix...

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 80

System Requirements .............................................................................................................80

Compatibility Information.................................................................................................... 80

Before You Begin .................................................................................................................... 80

Running the AFU ................................................................................................................... 81

AFU Commands..................................................................................................................... 82

Updating Flash Using AFU Command Line......................................................................... 85

This Appendix describes how to use the Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU), a text-based DOS utility
that you can use to update, save, or verify the HostRAID controller’s firmware BIOS.

D

Caution:

your HostRAID controller’s flash contents, it is still important to use the AFU carefully and
correctly to avoid rendering your HostRAID controller inoperable. Adaptec recommends that
only advanced users familiar with working in DOS use the AFU.

Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging

Introduction

The AFU is a text-based DOS utility used to update, save, or verify your HostRAID controller’s
firmware BIOS and Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM).

The AFU is easy to use and contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging the
HostRAID controller’s flash contents. Still, you must be careful to use the AFU correctly,
otherwise, you could render the HostRAID controller inoperable.

System Requirements

The requirements for AFU are as follows:

● MS–DOS version 5.0 or later. It cannot run from a DOS command prompt window under

any version of Windows.

You can’t run the AFU from a DOS command prompt window under any version of Windows.

Note:

● At least 8 MB of extended memory.

Compatibility Information

Appendix D: Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS ● 80

The AFU has the following compatibility issues:

● Supports HIMEM.SYS and is compatible with other DOS drivers running under

HIMEM.SYS (for example, SMARTDRV.SYS and SETVER.SYS).

● Does not support DOS extenders installed in memory, such as EMM386.SYS and

DOS4GW.

Before You Begin

Before running the AFU, complete these tasks:

● Obtaining the Firmware on page 80

● Creating the Firmware Kit On Floppy Disks on page 81

Obtaining the Firmware

To obtain HostRAID controller firmware, go to:

The HostRAID Installation CD—Includes the AFU executable (AFU.exe) and a separate flash
image. The flash image may comprise multiple User Flash Image (UFI) files.

The Adaptec Web site (www.adaptec.com)—Download a new firmware file to get the most
recent version of AFU.

Creating the Firmware Kit On Floppy Disks

To create the firmware floppy disks:

1 Create a bootable MS–DOS floppy disk and copy these files to it:

● AFU.exe

● Axxxx01.ufi

where xxx is the model number of your controller.

Most controller model numbers have a suffix. Check that the .ufi file is the correct file for

Note:

your controller before copying.

2

Copy each additional Axxxx0x.ufi file to a separate floppy disk. (Some RAID controllers
have one UFI file; some have two. Each goes onto its own floppy disk.

Running the AFU

You can run the AFU using:

● Running the Menu-Based AFU(next section)

Appendix D: Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS ● 81

● Running the AFU from the Command Line on page 82

Running the Menu-Based AFU

The easy way to run the AFU is to use its GUI. If you prefer to run the AFU from the command
line, see Running the AFU from the Command Line on page 82.

To access the AFU:

1 Shut down your operating system and reboot to DOS from a bootable MS-DOS floppy

disk or from a DOS partition on a bootable drive. You can use the drive connected to the
HostRAID controller you are updating.

When updating the HostRAID controller flash, controller activity is not possible. Before

Note:

you can use the HostRAID controller again, complete the flash operation and restart the
computer.

2

At the DOS command prompt (typically A:\>) type

The AFU’s main menu is displayed.

3 Select Select Controllers, then select the Adaptec HostRAID controllers to be flashed.

When selecting a single controller, the system automatically selects it. When selecting
multiple controllers, use the spacebar, then press Enter.

AFU,

then press Enter.

Appendix D: Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS ● 82

4 Select Select an Operation and choose one of these options, then follow the on-screen

instructions.

● Update—Updates all the flash components on a HostRAID controller with the flash

image data from a User Flash Image (UFI) file. The AFU updates the HostRAID
controller’s flash by reading UFI files and writing them to the controller’s flash
components.

The UFI includes the HostRAID controller’s type, thereby ensuring that the AFU uses

Note:

the correct file.

● Save—Updates and verifies the BIOS image of the HostRAID controller.

● Ve r i f y —Reads the contents of a HostRAID controller’s flash components and

compares it to the contents of the specified UFI file.

● Ve r s i o n —Displays version information about a HostRAID controller’s flash

components.

● List—Lists all supported HostRAID controllers detected in your system.

Running the AFU from the Command Line

At the DOS command prompt (typically A:\>), type
switches. The AFU processes the command, prompts you to insert additional floppy disks as
needed, exits, and reports success or an error message code. The available commands are
summarized in in alphabetical order.

AFU Commands

You can manage your HostRAID controller’s BIOS firmware using these commands:

● HELP (next section)

● LIST on page 83

● SAVE on page 83

● UPDATE on page 84

● VERIFY on page 84

● VERSION on page 85

HELP

The

HELP

command displays a summary of AFU functions and command switches.

Examples

AFU

followed by a command and any

The following are examples of command syntax that will work to get help:

A:\> AFU HELP

A:\> AFU /?

Appendix D: Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS ● 83

LIST

The

LIST

command displays the AFU-supported HostRAID controllers installed on your
computer. Use this command to see which HostRAID controllers are installed, or to identify
the ID numbers assigned to each physical controller.

You do not have to restart the computer after completing this command.

Example

This example shows a typical system response to a

A:\> AFU LIST

Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406

(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.

Controllers Detected and Recognized:

Controller #0 (03:01:00) Adaptec ASC-48300

LIST

command:

SAVE

The

SAVE

command saves the contents of a HostRAID controller’s flash in a UFI file. The name
of the UFI file is based on the HostRAID controller type and cannot be changed.

Command Syntax

The command syntax for the

AFU SAVE [/C<Controller ID>] [/D <UFI File Path>]

Command Switches

The following switches are available:

● /C <Controller ID> is one or more HostRAID controller IDs representing the set of

controllers on which to perform the specified command. The default is 0, which means
that if the computer has multiple HostRAID controllers, the AFU defaults to controller 0
unless you specify otherwise.

SAVE

command is as follows:

/C 0

To specify a single HostRAID controller ID, for example:

To specify multiple IDs separated by commas, for example:

To represent all HostRAID controllers:

ALL

/C 0,2

Note: If you are using multiple HostRAID controllers, you must specify the controller you want

by using the /C switch; otherwise, the AFU displays an error message and exits. You cannot
select ALL HostRAID controllers when specifying SAVE.

● /D <UFI File Path> specifies the path (drive and directory) where the UFI files are located.

If you do not specify the /D switch, the AFU looks for, or creates, UFI files in the default
location.

You cannot specify the name of a UFI file, only its path. UFI filenames are predefined,

Note:

based on the HostRAID controller type.

Examples

In the following example, the AFU saves flash contents from HostRAID controller 0 to a UFI
file in the current default drive and directory:

Appendix D: Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS ● 84

A:\> AFU SAVE /C 0

In the following example, the AFU saves flash contents from Controller 1 to a UFI file in
C:\UFI_FILES.

A:\> AFU SAVE /C 1 /D C:\UFI_FILES

UPDATE

The

UPDATE

command updates a HostRAID controller’s flash components from the flash image
data in a UFI file. You can use the
flash components or to update multiple HostRAID controllers on your computer.

UPDATE

command to update a single HostRAID controller’s

You must restart the computer following an

UPDATE

command.

Command Syntax

The command syntax for the

AFU UPDATE [/C<

Controller ID

UPDATE

>] [/D <

command is as follows:

UFI File Path

>]

Command Switches

For details on the /C and /D switches, see SAVE on page 83.

Examples

The following example shows a typical system response after an update has been performed:

A:\> AFU UPDATE /C 0

Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406

(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.

Updating Controller 0 (Adaptec ASC-48300)

Reading flash image file (Build 1406)

AFU is about to update firmware on controller(s) Adaptec ASC-48300

***PLEASE DO NOT REBOOT THE SYSTEM DURING THE UPDATE***

This might take a few minutes.

Writing Adaptec ASC-48300 (4MB) Flash Image to controller 0...OK.

Verifying...OK

Please restart the computer to allow firmware changes to take effect.

VERIFY

The

VERIFY

controller to the corresponding image in a UFI file and indicates whether they match. Use this
command to determine whether a HostRAID controller’s flash components are up-to-date
when compared to a specific UFI file.

Command Syntax

The command syntax for the

AFU VERIFY [/C<

Command Switches

For details on the /C and /D switches, see SAVE on page 83.

command compares the contents of each of the flash components on a HostRAID

VERIFY

Controller ID

command is as follows:

>] [/D <

UFI File Path

>]

Example

Appendix D: Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS ● 85

The following example shows a typical system response after a
performed:

A:\> AFU VERIFY /C 0

Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406

(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.

Reading flash image file (Build 1406)

Controller #0: Adaptec ASC-48300

File: Checksum: 642C [VALID] (Build 1406)

File: Checksum: 642C [VALID] (Build 1406)

Verified Successfully

VERSION

The

VERSION

HostRAID controller.

Command Syntax

The command syntax for the

AFU VERSION [/C<

Command Switches

For details on the /C switch, see SAVE on page 83.

command displays version information about the flash components on a

VERSION

Controller ID

command is as follows:

>]

VERIFY

command has been

Example

The following example displays version information about all supported HostRAID
controllers:

A:\> AFU VERSION /C 0

Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406

(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.

Version Information for Controller #0 (Adaptec ASC-48300)

ROM: Build 1406 [VALID]

Updating Flash Using AFU Command Line

This section provides step-by step instructions for updating the flash.

1 Create the firmware kit on floppy disks (see page 81).

2 Power off your computer, insert the first AFU floppy disk, then power on your computer.

If your computer isn’t set up to boot from the bootable floppy disk, enter the system setup
utility to change the setting.

3 At the DOS command, if you have multiple controllers and you don’t know the number of

the controller you want to update, type
next step.

AFU LIST

, then press Enter. Otherwise, skip to the

4 At the DOS command, type AFU followed by a command (see page 82) and any switches

you want.

Appendix D: Using the Adaptec Flash Utility for DOS ● 86

5 Update the flash using the instructions suitable for your requirements:

● To update a single HostRAID controller:

AFU UPDATE /C <

cont_number

>

Where <cont_number> is the number of the RAID controller whose firmware you
are updating. For example, to upgrade Controller 0, type

● To update multiple HostRAID controllers:

AFU UPDATE /C <

cont_number_a

>,<

cont_number_b

AFU UPDATE /C 0

>

Where <controller_number_a> and <controller_number_b> are the
numbers of the Adaptec RAID controllers whose firmware you are updating. For
example, to upgrade controllers 0, 2, and 3, type

●

To update all HostRAID controllers simultaneously

AFU UPDATE /C all

AFU UPDATE /C 0, 2, 3.

:

Note: The UFI file identifies the RAID controllers, so you don’t have to worry about flashing

the wrong controller.

6

When prompted, insert the first firmware disk into your floppy disk drive.

The AFU reads the first disk.

7 When prompted, remove the first firmware disk and insert the second firmware disk into

your floppy disk drive.

8 Repeat Step 7 until the flash update is complete.

HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector Reference

In this appendix...

Adaptec 58300 Activity LED Connector Specification......................................................... 88

Adaptec 48300 Activity LED Connector Specification......................................................... 88

Adaptec 44300 Activity LED Connector Specification......................................................... 89

Adaptec 1430SA Activity LED and I2C Connector Specification........................................ 89

Adaptec 1420SA Activity LED and I2C Connector Specification........................................ 90

Adaptec 1220SA Activity LED Connector Specification ...................................................... 91

Adaptec 1225SA Activity LED Specification......................................................................... 91

This chapter provides a activity LED and I2C connector reference for HostRAID controllers.

E

Appendix E: HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector Reference ● 88

Adaptec 58300 Activity LED Connector Specification

2220600-R ASC-58300 RoHS Kit

J3—Aggregate Activity LED Header

Pin Number Signal Description

1 BUSYLED- Aggregate Cathode

2 +3.3V Aggregate Anode

Aggregate LED signals only.

Note:

There is no I2C function on this controller as all ports are external.

Adaptec 48300 Activity LED Connector Specification

2216400-R ASC-48300 with I2C HR RoHS Kit

2254000-R ASC-48300 I2C RoHS Single

J3—Aggregate Activity LED Header

Pin Number Signal Description

1 BUSYLED- Aggregate Cathode

2 +3.3V Aggregate Anode

Aggregate LED signals only.

Note:

There is no separate I2C connector. I2C signals are contained within the side band signals of
the SFF-8484 connector.

J4—SFF-8484 Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

14 I2C_CLK SB0 - 2W_SCL

15 I2C_DAT SB1- 2W_SDA

16 GND SB2 - Ground

17 GND SB3 - Ground

18 RST_OUT SB4 - Reset

19 BKPL_ID SB5 - Backplane Address

Appendix E: HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector Reference ● 89

Adaptec 44300 Activity LED Connector Specification

2220300-R ASC-44300 RoHS Kit

2253900-R ASC-44300 RoHS Single

J3—Aggregate Activity LED Header

Pin Number Signal Description

1 BUSYLED- Aggregate Cathode

2 +3.3V Aggregate Anode

Aggregate LED signals only.

Note:

There is no separate I2C connector. I2C signals are contained within the side band signals of
the SFF-8484 connector.

J4—SFF-8484 Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

14 I2C_CLK SB0 - 2W_SCL

15 I2C_DAT SB1- 2W_SDA

16 GND SB2 - Ground

17 GND SB3 - Ground

18 RST_OUT SB4 - Reset

19 BKPL_ID SB5 - Backplane

Address

Adaptec 1430SA Activity LED and I2C Connector Specification

2240900-R AAR-1430SA RoHS Kit

2240900JA-R AAR-1430SA RoHS Kit

2241000-R AAR-1430SA RoHS Single

J1—LED Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

1 LED_OUT0- PORT 0 Cathode

2LED OUT 1-PORT 1 Cathode

3LED OUT 2-PORT 2 Cathode

4LED OUT 3-PORT 3 Cathode

Note:

Board circuitry supports common anode backplane implementations.

Appendix E: HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector Reference ● 90

J2—I2C Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

1 TWSISDA I2C Data

2 GND Ground

3 TWSISCK I2C Clock

J3—Aggregate LED Header

Pin Number Signal Description

1

2

LED_SUM Aggregate Cathode

+3.3V Aggregate Anode

J4—Activity LED Connector

Pin Number Signal Description 22-55-2081

1 ACT_LED3- PORT 3 Cathode 2

2 +3.3V PORT 3 Anode 1

3 ACT_LED2- PORT 2 Cathode 4

4 +3.3V PORT 2 Anode 3

5 ACT_LED1- PORT 1 Cathode 6

6 +3.3V PORT 1 Anode 5

7 ACT_LED0- PORT 0 Cathode 8

8 +3.3V PORT 0 Anode 7

Adaptec 1420SA Activity LED and I2C Connector Specification

2170200EU-R AAR-1420SA/EFIGS RoHS KIT

2170200JA-R AAR-1420SA/JA RoHS KIT

2170200-R AAR-1420SA RoHS KIT

2170500-R AAR-1420SA RoHS Single

J2—LED Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

1 LED OUT0- PORT 0 Cathode

2LED OUT 1-PORT 1 Cathode

3LED OUT 2-PORT 2 Cathode

4LED OUT 3-PORT 3 Cathode

Note:

Board circuitry supports common anode backplane implementations.

Appendix E: HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector Reference ● 91

J7—Aggregate Activity LED Header

Pin Number Signal Description

1

2

LED_SUM Aggregate Cathode

+3.3V Aggregate Anode

J1—I2C Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

1 TWSISDA I2C Data

2 GND Ground

3 TWSISCK I2C Clock

Adaptec 1220SA Activity LED Connector Specification

2232100-R AAR-1220SA RoHS Kit

2232100JA-R AAR-1220SA RoHS Kit

J1—Activity LED Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

1 ACT_LED1- PORT 1 Cathode

2 +3.3V PORT 1 Anode

3 ACT_LED0- PORT 0 Cathode

4 +3.3V PORT 0 Anode

Board circuitry supports common anode backplane implementations.

Note:

Adaptec 1225SA Activity LED Specification

2257700-R AAR-1225SA RoHS Kit

2257700JA-R AAR-1225SA RoHS Kit

2257800-R AAR-1225SA RoHS Single

J1—Activity LED Connector

Pin Number Signal Description

1 ACT_LED1- PORT 1 Cathode

2 +3.3V PORT 1 Anode

3 ACT_LED0- PORT 0 Cathode

4 +3.3V PORT 0 Anode

Note:

Board circuitry supports common anode backplane implementations.

Safety Information

!

To ensure your personal safety and the safety of your equipment:

● Keep your work area and the computer clean and clear of debris.

● Before opening the system cabinet, unplug the power cord.

Electrostatic Discharge(ESD)

Caution: ESD can damage electronic components when they are improperly handled, and can

result in total or intermittent failures. Always follow ESD-prevention procedures when removing
and replacing components.

To p re ve nt ES D d am ag e :

● Use an ESD wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes skin contact. Connect the

equipment end of the strap to an unpainted metal surface on the chassis.

● If a wrist strap is not available, ground yourself by touching the metal chassis before

handling the controller or any oth er part of the computer.

● Avoid touching the controller against your clothing. The wrist strap protects components

from ESD on the body only.

● Handle the controller by its bracket or edges only. Avoid touching the printed circuit board

or the connectors.

F

● Put the controller down only on an antistatic surface such as the bag supplied in your kit.

● If you are returning the controller to Adaptec, put it back in its antistatic bag immediately.

Technical Specifications

In this chapter...

Environmental Specifications................................................................................................ 94

DC Power Requirements........................................................................................................ 94

Current Requirements............................................................................................................94

G

Environmental Specifications

Appendix G: Technical Specifications ● 94

Ambient temperature without forced
airflow

Ambient temperature with forced
airflow of atleast 200 CFM

Relative humidity 10% to 90%, noncondensing

Altitude up to 3,000 meters

Note: Forced airflow is recommended, but not required.

DC Power Requirements

PCI, PCI-X, PCIe Ripple and noise 50mV peak-to-peak (max)

PCI, PCIX DC Voltage 5V ±5%, 3.3V ± 10%

PCIe DC Voltage 3.3V ± 10%

Current Requirements

Adaptec Model Maximum Current (A)

ASC-58300 0.56A

ASC-48300 1.322A

ASC-44300 .445A

AAR-1430SA 1.5A

AAR-1420SA 1.5A

AAR-1220SA 1.5A

AAR-1225SA 1.5A

0°C to 40° C

0°C to 55°

C

Glossary

A

activity

See task.

ACU

Array Configuration Utility. An application used to create, configure, and manage arrays from the
controller’s BIOS or MS-DOS.

array

A logical disk created from available space and made up of one or more segments on one or more physical
disks. Arrays are typically used to provide data redundancy or enhanced I/O performance. See volume,

RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10. Also known as a container.

array initialization

See configure.

ATA

AT Bus Attachment. Standard parallel interface to IDE hard disks typically used in desktop computers and
some entry-level servers. Serial ATA (SATA), is a successor to parallel ATA, which is sometimes referred to
as PATA.

available space/segment

Unused space on a configured disk from which logical devices (arrays) are created. When an array is
deleted, the space that it used is returned to the available space pool.

B

background consistency check

Option that forces the controller to constantly check all portions of disks used by all arrays to see if the disks
can return data from the blocks. See consistency check command.

bad segment

Segment that is in an unknown state.

bootable array

Array configured as the boot device.

Glossary ● 96

build

Background initialization of a redundant array. The array is accessible throughout. RAID 1 copies the
contents of the primary drive to a secondary drive. See clear.

bus

See channel.

C

cache

Fast-access memory on the controller that serves as intermediate storage for data that is read from, or
written to, drives.

capacity

Total usable space available in megabytes or gigabytes.

channel

Any path, or bus, used for the transfer of data and the control of information between storage devices and a
RAID controller. For SATA channels, each channel has a single drive capacity.

check point

A feature that enables you to exit the ACU when an operation is in progress and be able to continue without
interruption. The driver then resumes the operation from where the BIOS left off and the BIOS resumes the
operation where the driver left off.

chunk

See stripe.

clear

Foreground initialization of a fault-tolerant array. A clear operation zeros all blocks of the array. The array
is not accessible until the clear task is complete.

concatenation

Joining of physical or logical drives in sequential order.

configure

Process of preparing a disk for use by the controller. When a disk is configured, the controller records the
RAID signature on the disk.

configured array

An array that is ready for data reads and writes. Arrays can be configured by build or clear.

consistency check command

Command that reads all the blocks of a RAID 1 to determine if the blocks are consistent. Any inconsistent
blocks are fixed.

D

dead partition

See failed.

degraded

A redundant (for example, a RAID 1) array in which one or more members have failed. The data is intact
but redundancy has been compromised. Any further failure would cause the array to fail and result in data
loss.

disk

Physical disk drive. Randomly accessible, rewriteable data storage device. Also called hard disk.

Glossary ● 97

disk ID

Unique disk identifier that consists of the channel number, SATA ID. For example, (channel:ID:LUN)
1:04:0. See channel.

drive LED

Disk indicator LED that illuminates during read or write operations.

E

event

Notification or alert from the system, indicating that a change has occurred.

event log

File used to maintain information about prior controller activities or errors.

event notification

Process for transmitting events.

F

failed

State of a nonredundant array that has suffered a single drive failure, or a redundant array that has suffered
multiple drive failures. A failed array is inaccessible and data is lost.

fault-tolerant array

Refers to an array that can continue to function after a disk drive failure without loss of data. Fault tolerant,
or redundant arrays, include RAID 1 arrays. See redundant.

foreign disk

Disk that has previously been configured on another Adaptec RAID controller. The RAID signature on the
disk allows the RAID controller to identify whether or not the disk was configured on the controller it is
currently connected to.

H

hard disk drive

Basic unit of nonvolatile, nonremovable, magnetic storage media. See disk.

hot spare

A spare hard disk that automatically replaces a failed hard disk on any array associated with any HBA.

hot swap

To remove a component from a system, and install a new component while the power is on and the system
is running.

I

impacted

An impacted array is one which has been created but for some reason the initial build operation did not
complete. All member drives are present and operational, and all data written to the array is protected. To
optimize the array, run a Verify with Fix Task.

initialize

See configure.

Glossary ● 98

L

legacy disk

Disk that contained a valid partition table when connected to the controller. The controller manages the
disk as a legacy disk array where there is a one-to-one logical-to-physical mapping of array to disk.

logical device

Volume comprised of space from one or more physical drives and presented to the operating system as if it
were a single storage unit.

low-level format

Process performed by the drive firmware that completely cleans any data off the hard disk.

M

mirrored array/mirroring

See RAID 1, RAID 10.

monitoring

Process of receiving, displaying, and logging system events.

N

Native Command Queuing

Allows disk drives to arrange commands into the most efficient order for optimum performance.

O

offline array

Array that can no longer be accessed.

optimal

The state of an array when it is fully operational. For redundant arrays, the entire array is protected.

P

partition

A section of a disk storage device created by the operating system disk management program, in which data
and/or software programs are stored. Computers have a primary operating system partition that contains
the special files needed to boot the computer. Each operating system partition is assigned a unique drive
letter, such as C or D. A single disk device can have multiple partitions.

phantom object

Object that represents a component that cannot be configured by the controller management software; for
example, a missing drive.

Q

quick init

An array configured using the Quick Init option is available immediately, with no on-going background
controller activity. All data written to an array that has been quick configured is protected.

Glossary ● 99

R

RAID

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (alternative definition Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks).

RAID 0

A single-level array consisting of two or more equal-sized segments residing on different disks. RAID 0
distributes data evenly across its respective drives in equal-sized sections called stripes. RAID 0 arrays are
not redundant.

RAID 1

Single-level array consisting of two equal segments residing on two different drives. Provides redundancy
by storing identical copies on two drives. See mirrored array/mirroring.

RAID 10

Spanned array consisting of two or more equal-sized RAID 1 arrays. Provides redundancy by striping and
mirroring. Mirroring provides data protection, and striping improves performance. See mirrored array/

mirroring, RAID 0.

RAID signature

The area on each disk reserved for use by the RAID controller.

RAID volume

Concatenates two or more arrays of the same type.

rebuild

Background regeneration of redundant data on a RAID 1.

redundant

The ability of an array to maintain operability when one or more hardware failures occur. RAID 1 is
redundant. In the event of a drive failure, redundant arrays can be restored to normal operation by
replacing the failed drive and rebuilding the array.

rescan

Process of updating the current screen to show all currently available resources.

S

Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)

An evolution of parallel SCSI to a point-to-point serial interface

Serial ATA (SATA )

A successor to ATA that uses a serial, instead of parallel, interface.

simple volume

A volume made up of disk space from a single disk. It can consist of a single region on a disk, or
concatenated multiple regions of the same disk.

single-level array

Array created from one or more segments. See volume, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10.

snapshot

Instantaneous read-only copy of an array at a precise point in time.

stripe

Contiguous set of data distributed across all the disks in an array. A striped array distributes data evenly
across all members in equal-sized sections called stripes.

Glossary ● 100

stripe size

The amount of data in each section of a striped array.

striped array

See RAID 0, RAID 10.

T

task

An operation that occurs only on the RAID controller, asynchronous to all other operations; for example,
initializing a disk or verifying an array. Some tasks can take an extended period of time, particularly if the
RAID controller is also performing intensive data I/O while the task is running.

V

verify

Low-level check that a drive, logical device, or hot spare is good. In a RAID 1, verify is a low-level check that
contents of both members’ segments are consistent and, optionally, corrects errors while assuming that the
master drive is correct. In a simple volume, verify performs a low-level check that the whole drive can be
read.

volume

See simple volume.

Index

A

ACU

creating arrays
Adaptec customer support
Adaptec Flash Utility.

69

See

3

AFU
Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility.
Adaptec Storage Manager

installing

AFU

80

Array Configuration Utility.

51

See

ACU

arrays

creating (ACU)
non-RAID
RAID 1

66

RAID 10

69

65

66

B

backplane connections

31, 61

C

connectors
controllers

event log
flashing
resetting

customer support

77

78

55

55

3

See

HRCONF

failure recovery

multiple arrays
multiple disk drives
with hot spare

without hot spare
recovering from failure
SAS identifiers

60

drivers

installing on Linux
installing on NetWare
installing on Windows

E

electrostatic discharge
end devices
event log

58

78

expander connections
expander devices

58

F

failed disk drives

multiple arrays

55

multiple disk drives
without hot spare

flashing controllers

54

55

H

55

55

54

54

54

48

48

47

92

61

55

D

data striping
direct-attach connections
disk drives

connecting to SAS controllers
connecting to SATA controllers
connections

65

31, 61

77

30

32

hard disk, hard disk drive, hard drive.

I

installation

disk drives (SAS)
disk drives (SATA)
SAS backplane

30

32

31

See

disk drives