Adaptec 4000SAS, 4800SAS, 4805SAS, 2420SA, 2820SA Installation And User Manual

SAS, SATA, and SCSI

RAID Controllers

Installation and

User’s Guide

● 2

Copyright

©2005 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication ma y be r epr oduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or othe rwise, without the prior written consent of
Adaptec, Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035.

Trademarks

Adaptec, Adaptec Storage Manager , and the A daptec 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.

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 ha ve been made in the preparation of this document to
assure its accuracy, A daptec, 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 y our 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,

● For Hardware products call [phone],

Monday to Frida y, 3:00

● For RAID and Fibre Channel products call [phone],

Monday to Frida y, 3:00

● For support via e-mail, submit your question at

●

You can order Adaptec products, including accessories and cables, by calling +1 408­957-7274.

Or, you can order cables online at www.adaptec.com/buy-cables.

Europe

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

● German: Call [phone], Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00, CET. For

support via e-mail, submit your question at

● French: Call [phone], Monday to Frida y, 9:00 to 17:00, CET. For support

via e-mail, submit your question at

● English: Call [phone], Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00, GMT. For

support via e-mail, submit your question at

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

Japan

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

● Call [phone], Monday–Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M and 1:00 P.M. to 6:00

P.M.

A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Pacific Time.

A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Pacific Time.

ask.adaptec.com.

ask-de.adaptec.com.

ask-fr.adaptec.com.

ask.adaptec.com.

.

● 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, p rovided 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 ac cident ,
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 SERV ICE OR PARTS.

6.

THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES WHICH
NOW OR HEREAFTER MIGHT OTHERWISE ARISE RESP E CT TO THIS
PRODUCT. IMPLIED WAR R AN T IES, INC LUDING THOSE OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON­INFRINGEMENT SHALL (A) HAVE NO GREATER DURATION THAN 3 YEARS
FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, (B) TERMINATE AUTOM ATICALLY 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, REPLA CEMENT OR REFUND AS PR OVIDED 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 UNCONSCION ABLE, FOR
PERSONAL INJURY DAMA GE

.

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

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.

Adaptec, Inc.

ASR-4000SAS/ASR-4800SAS/ASR-4805SAS

AAR-2420SA/AAR-2820SA

ASR-2130SLP/ASR-2230SLP

Tested to Comply
With FCC Standards

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

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) Emissions

● EN55024 (1998) Immunity:

– EN61000-4-2 (1998) Electrostatic discharge: ±4 kV contact, ±8 kV air
– EN61000-4-3 (1998) 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.

● 6

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................................13

Terminology Used in this Guide...................................................13

How to Find More Information...................................................14

2 Kit Contents and System Requirements

Kit Contents...................................................................................16

System Requirements....................................................................17

3 About Your RAID Controller

Standard RAID Controller Features.............................................19

Array-level Features................................................................19

Adding Enhanced Features ...........................................................20

Using a Feature Key to Unlock Enhanced Features..............21

Adding a Battery Backup Module.................................................21

Upgrading the Controller Firmware.............................................21

About the Adaptec 4000SAS.........................................................22

About the Adaptec 4800SAS.........................................................23

About the Adaptec 4805SAS.........................................................24

About the Adaptec 2420SA...........................................................25

About the Adaptec 2820SA...........................................................26

About the Adaptec 2130SLP .........................................................27

About the Adaptec 2230SLP .........................................................28

4 Getting Started

Contents ● 8

Choosing a RAID Level.................................................................30

Selecting Disk Drives.....................................................................31

Disk Drives for SAS Controllers.............................................31

Disk Drives for SATA Controllers.........................................31

Disk Drives for SCSI Controllers...........................................31

Selecting Cables..............................................................................32

SAS Cables...............................................................................32

SATA Cables............................................................................33

SCSI Cables .............................................................................33

Installation Options.......................................................................34

Basic Installation Steps..................................................................34

Installing with an Operating System......................................34

Installing on an Existing Operating System..........................34

5 Installing the Controller and Disk Drives

Before You Begin...........................................................................36

Installing the Controller................................................................36

Connecting Disk Drives to SAS RAID Controllers......................38

Connecting Directly to the Controller...................................39

Connecting to a System Backplane........................................40

Connecting Disk Drives to SATA RAID Controllers...................41

Connecting Disk Drives to SCSI RAID Controllers....................41

Connecting External Devices........................................................42

Next Steps................................................................................42

6 Creating a Bootable Array

Setting the Boot Controller...........................................................44

Creating an Array ..........................................................................44

Creating an Array with the ACU ...........................................45

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager ...............47

Making Your Array Bootable........................................................49

7 Installing the Driver and an Operating System

Before You Begin...........................................................................51

Creating a Driver Disk...................................................................51

Installing with Windows...............................................................52

Installing with Red Hat Linux.......................................................53

Contents ● 9

Installing with SuSE Linux............................................................53

Installing with NetWare................................................................54

8 Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System

Before You Begin...........................................................................57

Creating a Driver Disk...................................................................57

Installing on Windows..................................................................58

Installing on Red Hat or SuSE Linux............................................58

Installing on NetWare...................................................................59

9 Managing Your Storage Space

About Adaptec Storage Manager..................................................61

Installing Adaptec Storage Manager......................................61

About the Adaptec RAID Controller Configuration Utility.......62

About the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility................................62

About the Adaptec Flash Utility....................................................63

Which Utility Should I Use?..........................................................63

10 Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Checklist............................................................65

Silencing the Alarm .......................................................................66

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure..........................................66

Failed Disk Drive Protected by a Hot Spare..........................66

Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot Spare...................67

Failure in Multiple Arrays Simultaneously............................67

Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 Array....................................67

Multiple Failures in the Same Array......................................68

Resetting the Controller................................................................68

A Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)

Terminology Used in This Chapter..............................................71

What is SAS? ..................................................................................71

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?..........................................72

What’s a Phy?.................................................................................72

What’s a SAS Port? ........................................................................73

What’s a SAS Address? ..................................................................73

What’s a SAS Connector?..............................................................74

Contents ● 10

What do SAS Cables Look Like?...................................................75

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS?.......................................75

What are the SAS Connection Options? ......................................76

Direct-attach Connections.....................................................76

Backplane Connections..........................................................76

SAS Expander Connections....................................................77

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI?....................................78

B Understanding RAID

Understanding Drive Segments....................................................80

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays).........................................................80

RAID 1 Arrays................................................................................81

RAID 1 Enhanced Arrays..............................................................82

RAID 10 Arrays..............................................................................83

RAID 5 Arrays................................................................................84

RAID 5EE Arrays...........................................................................85

RAID 50 Arrays..............................................................................86

RAID 6 Arrays................................................................................87

RAID 60 Arrays..............................................................................88

Selecting the Best RAID Level.......................................................89

C Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility

Introduction to the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility.................91

Running the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility............................91

Navigating the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility..................91

Using the ACU to Create and Manage Arrays.............................92

Creating a New Array.............................................................92

Managing Existing Arrays ......................................................92

Initializing Disk Drives...........................................................93

Rescanning Disk Drives..........................................................93

Secure Erasing Disk Drives.....................................................94

Using the -Select Utility to Modify Controller Settings...............95

Opening a -Select Utility.........................................................95

Applying Changes and Exiting...............................................95

Modifying Your Controller’s Configuration.........................95

General Controller Settings....................................................96

SAS-specific Controller Settings ............................................97

Contents ● 11

SATA-specific Controller Settings.........................................97

SCSI-specific Controller Settings...........................................98

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives.........................................99

Viewing the Event Log.................................................................100

D Using the ACU for DOS

Getting Started.............................................................................102

Working in the ACU Using Menus............................................102

Running the ACU Using Scripts.................................................103

About Playback Mode ..........................................................104

About Record Mode.............................................................104

Creating the Script File Manually........................................105

Array Definition Block Keywords........................................105

Channel Definition Block Keywords—SCSI only...............111

ACU Error Codes..................................................................112

Sample Scripts.......................................................................113

E Using the Adaptec Flash Utility

System Requirements..................................................................116

Before You Begin.........................................................................116

Obtaining the Firmware.......................................................116

Creating the Firmware Floppy Disks...................................117

Running the Menu-based AFU...................................................117

Running the AFU from the Command Line..............................119

AFU Commands...................................................................119

Updating the Flash Using the AFU Command Line.................123

F Safety Information

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD).....................................................125

G Technical Specifications

Environmental Specifications ....................................................127

DC Power Requirements.............................................................127

Current Requirements ................................................................127

Index

About This Guide

In this chapter...

1

What You Need to Know Before You Begin .....................................13

Terminology Used in this Guide.......................................................13

How to Find More Information........................................................14

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

These RAID controller models are described in this Guide:

● Adaptec 4000SAS

● Adaptec 4800SAS

● Adaptec 4805SAS

● Adaptec 2420SA

● Adaptec 2820SA

● Adaptec 2130SLP

®

● Adaptec 2230SLP

Chapter 1: About This Guide ● 13

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
input/output (I/O) technology—Small Computer System Interface
(SCSI), SAS, or Serial ATA (SATA)—used by your controller. (For an
introduction to SAS, see page 70.)

You should also be familiar with Direct Attached Storage (DAS) and
Storage Area Network (SAN) concepts and technology.

Note: Because this Guide covers multiple Adaptec RAID products,
some of the features and functions described may not be available for
your controller. For more information, see About Your RAID Controller

on page 18.

Terminology Used in this Guide

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

TM

or the other utilities

Many of the terms and concepts referred to in this Guide are known to
computer users by multiple names. This Guide uses these terms:

● Controller (also known as adapter, board, or card)

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

● Array (also known as a container or logical drive)

Note: The Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide refers to arrays as
logical drives. Why? Your RAID controller creates arrays, which your
operating system (and Adaptec Storage Manager) recognizes as
logical drives.

Chapter 1: About This Guide ● 14

How to Find More Information

You can find more information about your Adaptec RAID controller
and the software and utilities included with it by referring to these
documents:

● Readme.txt—Includes updated product information and known

issues; located on the RAID Installation CD.

● Adaptec Stora ge M anager U ser’s Guide—Describes how to install and

use the Adaptec Storage Manager softwar e (see page 61); located on
the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD.

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

Adaptec Storage Manager software; accessible from the main
window of Adaptec Storage Manager.

● Command Line Utility User’s Guide—Describes how to use the

command line utility (ARCCONF—see page 62) to perform basic
array and configuration management functions; located on the
Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD.

Kit Contents and System Requirements

In this chapter...

Kit Contents.......................................................................................16

System Requirements.........................................................................17

This chapter lists the contents of your Adaptec RAID controller kit and
the system requirements that must be met for you to suc cessfully install
and use your controller.

2

Chapter 2: Kit Contents and System Requirements ● 16

Kit Contents

● Adaptec RAID controller

● RAID Installation CD (bootable), including controller drivers, and

this Guide

● Adaptec Storage Manager

Installation CD (not bootable), including
user guides for Adaptec Storage Manager and the Adaptec RAID
controller configuration command line utility (ARCCONF)

● Cables (type and quantity vary—for cable information about your

controller, see About Your RAID Controller on page 18)

● (Selected models only) Low-profile bracket

● Adaptec RAID Controller Quick Start Guide

Chapter 2: Kit Contents and System Requirements ● 17

System Requirements

●

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

● Motherboard with these features:

● Compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.2 or later

● Support for multifunction devices where one of the devices is a

PCI bridge

● Large memory-mapped address ranges

Refer to the Readme file on the RAID installation CD for additional
motherboard compatibility information.

● One of these operating systems:

●

Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

● Red Hat

● SuSE Linux

Note: For the latest on Adaptec’s support of Linux, or to
download driver sources, visit the Support area of the Adaptec
Web site at

®

Linux

www.adaptec.com

.

● Novell

● FreeBSD (driver support only; storage management must be

®

NetWare

®

done through the Adaptec Configuration Utility—see page 92)

Note: For up-to-date operating system version support, refer to the
Adaptec Web Site at

● 128 MB (or more) of RAM

● Available compatible PCI/PCI-X/PCI-E slot (depending on your

www.adaptec.com

.

controller model—see the descriptions starting on page 18)

● 20 MB of free disk drive space

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

● CD drive

About Your RAID Controller

In this chapter...

Standard RAID Controller Features .................................................19

Adding Enhanced Features................................................................20

Adding a Battery Backup Module.....................................................21

Upgrading the Controller Firmware.................................................21

About the Adaptec 4000SAS..............................................................22

About the Adaptec 4800SAS..............................................................23

About the Adaptec 4805SAS..............................................................24

About the Adaptec 2420SA................................................................25

About the Adaptec 2820SA................................................................26

About the Adaptec 2130SLP..............................................................27

About the Adaptec 2230SLP..............................................................28

This chapter provides an overview of standard Adapt ec RAID contr oller
features, and describes the unique features of your controller. It also
explains how to upgrade your controller with enhanced features.

3

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 19

Standard RAID Controller Features

● Flash ROM for updates to controller firmware, BIOS, and the

Adaptec RAID Configuration utility

● Disk drive hot-swapping

●

Event logging and broadcasting including email and SNMP messages

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

software application (Adaptec Storage Manager), a BIOS-based
utility, a c ommand line utili ty, and a DOS utility. See Managing Your

Storage Space on page 60 for more information.

● (SATA RAID contro llers only) Native command queuing (NCQ),

which lets disk drives arrange commands into the most efficient
order for optimum performance

● (SAS and SCSI RAID controllers only) Support for disk drive

enclosures with SAF-TE enclosure management hardware

Some RAID controllers support a battery backup module (see page 21).

Array-level Features

Note: For more information, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager
User’s Guide or online Help.

● Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, RAID 50

1

, simple

volumes, and spanned volumes

● Support for hot spares

● Support for automatic failover, so arrays are automatically rebuilt

when a failed disk drive is replaced (applies to redundant arrays in
SES- or SAF-TE-enabled disk drive enclosures only)

● Optimized disk drive usage, so that the full capacity of all disk drives

can be used, even if the disk drives vary in size

● Online expansion, so you can increase the capacity of an array

without recreating the array

● Support for array migration from one RAID level to another

1

The Adaptec 2420SA RAID controller does not support RAID 50.

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 20

Adding Enhanced Features

As your storage needs change, you can enhance data protection and
improve performance by upgrading your Adaptec controller with extra
features.

Adaptec offers a package of upgrade features that can be activated with
a feature key, which is sold separately. Purchase a feature key to unlock
these features:

● Copyback—You can use this feature to move data from a hot spare

back to its original location after a disk drive failure.

● Snapshots—You can use this feature to back up your data to tape,

clone a disk drive, or copy the data to multiple servers.

● RAID 1E—A RAID 1 Enhanced array is similar to a RAID 1 array

except that data is both mirrored and striped, and more disk drives
can be included.

● RAID 5EE—A RAID 5EE array is similar to a RAID 5 array except

that it includes a distributed spare and must be built from a
minimum of four disk drives.

● RAID 6—A RAID 6 array is similar to a RAID 5 array except that it

includes two independent sets of parity data instead of one.

● RAID 60

1

—A RAID 60 array is similar to a RAID 50 array except

that it includes four independent sets of parity data instead of two.

For more information about RAID levels, see Understanding RAID on

page 79.

To purchase a feature key, contact your Adaptec Reseller or refer to the
Adaptec Web site at

www.adaptec.com

. To unlock the enhanced features

with a feature key, see page 21.

1

The Adaptec 2420SA RAID controller does not support RAID 60.

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 21

Using a Feature Key to Unlock Enhanced Features

When you receive a feature key, open Adaptec Storage Manager and
unlock the enhanced features, following the instructions provided in
the online Help or in the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide.

If you haven’t installed Adaptec Storage Manager, or if your operating
system does not support Adaptec Storage Manager, insert the Adaptec
RAID Installation CD into your CD drive, launch Adaptec Storage
Manager, then unlock the enhanced features, following the instructions
provided in the online Help or in the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s
Guide.

Adding a Battery Backup Module

This table shows the battery model supported by your Adaptec RAID
controller.

RAID Controller Battery Model

Adaptec 4800SAS / Adaptec 4805SAS Adaptec Battery Module 600
Adaptec 2420SA / Adaptec 2820SA Adaptec Battery Module 500
Adaptec 2130SLP / Adaptec 2230SLP Adaptec Battery Module 400

To purchase a backup battery module, refer to

www.adaptec.com

.

the Adaptec Web site at

Upgrading the Controller Firmware

To upgrade the firmware on your Adaptec RAID controller, follow the
instructions in Using the Adaptec Flash Utility on page 115.

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 22

About the Adaptec 4000SAS

The Adaptec 4000SAS is a low-profile SAS Zero Channel RAID
controller with these features:

Mode 0 Flash connector

PCI-X connector

Mounting bracket

Bus compatibility PCI-X
Maximum bus width 64-bit
Maximum bus speed 133 MHz
Standard cache 128 MB
Maximum number of disk drives (using an expander) 16
Audible alarm No

LED connector

I2C connector

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 23

About the Adaptec 4800SAS

The Adaptec 4800SAS is a SAS RAID controller with these features:

Mode 0 Flash connector

Alarm connector

Two 4-wide internal

Mounting

bracket

One external

SAS

connector

SAS connectors

Battery connector

PCI-X connector

Bus compatibility PCI-X
Maximum bus width 64-bit
Maximum bus speed 133 MHz
I/O processor clock frequency 400 MHz
Standard cache 128 MB DDR2
Maximum number of disk drives 16 (or up to 128 with an expander)
SAS cables included 2 (internal)
Battery backup module Adaptec Battery Module 600

(sold separately—see page 21)

Audible alarm Yes

Note: Although this controller has an onboar d speaker, you can
it to an internal speaker with these specifications: 3.0 V, 90.0 mA

Activity LED connector

(top 2 left/right pins)

connect

. The
internal speaker is not required, as the onboard speaker volume is
appropriate for most environments.

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 24

About the Adaptec 4805SAS

The Adaptec 4805SAS is a SAS RAID con tr oller with these features:

Mode 0 Flash connector

Alarm connector

Two 4-wide internal

Mounting

bracket

One external

SAS

connector

SAS connectors

Battery connector

PCI-E connector

Bus compatibility PCI-E x8
I/O processor clock frequency 400 MHz
Standard cache 128 MB DDR2
Maximum number of disk drives 16 (or up to 128 with an expander)
SAS cables included 2 (internal)
Battery backup module Adaptec Battery Module 600

(sold separately—see page 21)

Audible alarm Yes

Note: Although this controller has an onboar d speaker, you can
it to an internal speaker with these specifications: 3.0 V, 90.0 mA

Activity LED connector

(top 2 left/right pins)

connect

. The
internal speaker is not required, as the onboard speaker volume is
appropriate for most environments.

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 25

About the Adaptec 2420SA

The Adaptec 2420SA is a SATA RAID controller with these features:

SATA ports

3

2

1

0

Mode 0 Flash

connector

Activity LED connector

I2C connector

Battery connector

PCI-X connector

Mounting bracket

Bus compatibility PCI-X, 3.3 V
Bus width 64-bit
Bus speed 133 MHz
Standard cache 128 MB
Maximum number of disk drives 4
SATA cables included 4
Battery backup m odule Adaptec Battery Module 500

(sold separately—see page 21)

Audible alarm Yes

Note: A low-profile bracket is included with this controller. However,
this controller may not fit in all low-profile systems.

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 26

About the Adaptec 2820SA

The Adaptec 2820SA is a SATA RAID controller with these features:

SATA ports

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Mode 0 Flash

connector

Activity LED

connectors

I2C connector

Battery connector

PCI-X connector

Mounting bracket

Bus compatibility PCI-X, 3.3 V
Bus width 64-bit
Bus speed 133 MHz
Standard cache 128 MB
Maximum number of disk drives 8
SATA cables included 8
Battery backup m odule Adaptec Battery Module 500

(sold separately—see page 21)

Audible alarm Yes

Note: A low-profile bracket is included with this controller. However,
this controller may not fit in all low-profile systems.

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 27

About the Adaptec 2130SLP

The Adaptec 2130SLP is a low-profile controller with these features:

Activity LED

Mode 0 Flash connector

Internal HD SCSI

Mounting

bracket

External

VHDCI SCSI

connector

connector

Bus compatibility PCI / PCI-X, 3.3 V
Maximum bus width 64-bit

connector

Battery
connector

PCI/PCI-X connector

Maximum bus speed 133 MHz
Standard cache 128 MB or 256 MB (depending on your

controller configuration)
Number of channels 1
Maximum number of disk drives 15
SCSI cables included 1 (internal)
Battery backup module Adaptec Battery Module 400

(sold separately—see page 21)
Audible alarm Yes

Chapter 3: About Your RAID Controller ● 28

About the Adaptec 2230SLP

The Adaptec 2230SLP is a low-profile controller with these features:

Activity LED

Mode 0 Flash connector

2 internal HD SCSI connectors

2 external

VHDCI SCSI

connectors

Mounting bracket

Bus compatibility PCI / PCI-X, 3.3 V
Maximum bus width 64-bit

connector

PCI/PCI-X connector

Battery
connector

Maximum bus speed 133 MHz
Standard cache 128 MB or 256 MB (depending on your

controller configuration)
Number of channels
Maximum number of disk

2

30 (15 per channel)

drives
SCSI cables included 1 (internal)
Battery backup module Adaptec Battery Module

400

(sold separately—see page 21)
Audible alarm Yes

Getting Started

In this chapter...

Choosing a RAID Level.....................................................................30

Selecting Disk Drives.........................................................................31

Selecting Cables..................................................................................32

Installation Options...........................................................................34

Basic Installation Steps......................................................................34

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 Adaptec controller and disk drives,
and creating arrays for data storage.

Note: Before you begin, familiarize yourself with your Adaptec
controller’s physical features and the RAID levels that it supports (see

About Your RAID Controller on page 18).

4

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 30

Choosing a RAID Level

This section provides a brief overview of the RAID levels supported by
your Adaptec RAID controller, including the minimum and maximum
number of disk drives required by each.

Note: RAID 1E, RAID 5EE, RAID 6 and RAID 60 are available in the
upgrade package. (See page 20.) For more information about RAID
levels, see Understanding RAID on page 79.

● RAID 0 (Non-redundant Array)—Stripes data across multiple disk

drives. Improved performance but no redundancy (see page 80).

● 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 (see page 81).

●

RAID 1E Array—Similar to a RAID 1 array except that data is mirrored

and

striped, and more disk drives can be included (see page 82).

● RAID 5 Array—Stripes data for improved performance and uses

parity data to provide redundancy (see page 84).

●

RAID 5EE Array

spare and must include a minimum of four disk drives (s ee page 85).

● 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 83).

● RAID 50

1

or more RAID 5 arrays, stripes stored data and parity data across all
disk drives (see page 86).

—Similar to a RAID 5 array, but includes a distributed

Array—Built from multiple disk drives configured as two

● RAID 6 Array—Similar to a RAID 5 array exc ept that it includes two

independent sets of parity data instead of one (see page 87).

● RAID 60

*

Array—Similar to a RAID 50 array except that it includes

four independent sets of parity data instead of two (see page 88).

Use the table on page 89 to see ho w many disk drives you must connect
to your RAID controller to support the RAID level you want.

1

Because it supports four disk drives only, the Adaptec 2420SA RAID controller can’t
support RAID 50 or RAID 60.

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 31

Selecting Disk Drives

When selecting disk drives for your RAID array, ensure that all the disk
drives have the same performanc e 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 online Help.

Disk Drives for SAS Controllers

Your SAS controller supports both SAS and SATA disk drives. For cable
information, see page 32.

Disk Drives for SATA Controllers

Your SA TA controller supports SATA disk drives only. You need one SATA
cable for each disk drive you are connecting to your SATA controller.

Disk Drives for SCSI Controllers

Your SCSI controller supports Ultra320 SCSI disk drives. It also
supports Ultra2 or higher SCSI disk drives and peripherals, but at
performance levels less than Ultra320. Adaptec does not recommend
using SCSI disk drives or peripherals older than Ultra2.

Note: High-voltage Differential (HVD) disk drives are not supported
and will damage your controller.

If you are mixing single-ended (SE) disk drives with Low-voltage
Differential (LVD) disk drives:

● Ensure proper termination by using a cable (like the one included in

the kit) with a built-in multimode terminator and proper adapters.

● Disable termination on all the SE disk drives.

● Put LVD and SE disk drives on separate channels for the best

performance.
Note: If you mix SE and Ultra320 disk drives on the same channel,

the performance of the Ultra320 disk drives is reduced to SE levels.

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 32

Selecting Cables

This section describes the cable options and requirements for your
Adaptec controller:

● For SAS cables, see below.

● SATA cables, see page 33.

● SCSI cables, see page 33.

SAS Cables

You need one SAS cable for each disk drive you are connecting to your
Adaptec SAS RAID controller.

Depending on your requirements, you can use any of these cables:

Internal cable—Connects to
a backplane.

Internal fan-out cable—Connects to
four internal SATA disk drives.
(SAS-to-SAS fan-out cables—not
shown—are also available.)

External cable—Connects to
an external SAS enclosure.

Cable connectors are keyed so that you can’t insert them incorrectly.
Adaptec recommends using only Adaptec SAS cables. For more

information or to purchase cables, visit the Adaptec Web site at

www.adaptec.com

.

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 33

SATA Cables

You need one SATA cable for eac h disk driv e you are connecting to your
Adaptec SATA RAID controller. SATA cables are included in the kit.

All SATA cables hav e the same connecto rs, as shown in the figure below,
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 the Adaptec Web site at

www.adaptec.com

.

SCSI Cables

Depending on your requirements, you may need one or two internal
cables. You may also need one external SCSI cable. Ensure that you ha ve
cables with the proper connectors for your RAID controller . One
internal SCSI cable is included in the kit.

Internal SCSI cable—Connects to
up to seven internal SCSI disk
drives and devices.

External SCSI cable—Connects to
an external SCSI disk drive or

device.

Adaptec recommends using only high-quality Ultra320-rated cables
with multimode terminators for all disk drives that share a channel with
Ultra320 disk drives. Avoid poor quality cables, as they may degrade
reliability. Do not use cables not rated for Ultra320 operation.

Adaptec recommends using only Adaptec SCSI cables. For more
information or to purchase cables, visit the Adaptec Web site at

www.adaptec.com

.

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 34

Installation Options

When you install your Adaptec controller, you can choose to create a
bootable array and then install your operating system and the contro ller
driver on that array.

Alternatively, you can complete a standard installation, where the
controller driver is installed 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

1 Install and connect your controller and internal disk drives (see

page 35).

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

2 Set the boot controller (see page 44).
3 Create a bootable array (see page 44).
4 Install your operating system and the controller driver (see page 50.)
5 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data

storage (see page 60).

Installing on an Existing Operating System

1 Install and connect your controller and internal disk drives (see

page 35).

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

2 Install the controller driver (see page 56).
3 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data

storage (see page 60).

Installing the Controller and Disk Drives

In this chapter...

Before You Begin................................................................................36

Installing the Controller....................................................................36

Connecting Disk Drives to SAS RAID Controllers..........................38

Connecting Disk Drives to SATA RAID Controllers........................41

Connecting Disk Drives to SCSI RAID Controllers.........................41

Connecting External Devices............................................................42

This chapter explains how to install your Adaptec RAID controller, and
how to install and connect internal and external disk drives.

5

Chapter 5: Installing the Controller and Disk Drives ● 36

!

!

Before You Begin

● Read Safety Information on page 125.

● Familiarize yourself with your Adaptec RAID controller’s physical

features and the RAID levels that it supports (see page 18).

● Ensure you have the right quantity of disk drives for the RAID level

you want to use for your arrays (see page 31).

● Ensure that you have the proper cables for your controller and disk

drives (see page 32).

● If you are installing a low-profile RAID controller into a low-profile

computer cabinet, replace the original full-height bracket with the
low-profile bracket included in the kit.

Caution: Handle the contr oller by its bracket or edges only.

Installing the Controller

This section describes how to install your Adaptec RAID 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 expansion slot

that’s compatible with your RAID
controller and remove the PCI slot
cover, as shown at right. (PCI bus
compatibility is marked on the
controller figures in About Your RAID

Controller on page 18.)

For the best performance, use the fastest
available PCI slot that’ s compatible with
your RAID controller.

Caution: Touch a grounded metal object before handling the
RAID controller.

Chapter 5: Installing the Controller and Disk Drives ● 37

3

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

4

Secure the bracket in the PCI 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
controller (

About Your RAID Controller

marked on the figures in

on page 18).

Ensure that the positive lead of the LED cable (usually a red wire or a
wire marked with a red stripe) is attached to pin1.

Note: Adaptec 4000SAS only—Controller installation is complete. If
you are installing the controller driver and an operating system on a
bootable array, continue with Creating a Bootable Array on page 43.
If you are completing a standard installation onto an existing
operating system, continue with Installing the Driver on an Existing

Operating System on page 56.

6 Optional—Connect your RAID controller’s I2C connector (not

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

7 Prepare and install your internal disk drives, following the

instructions for your type of controller:

● For SAS RAID controllers, see page 38.

● For SATA RAID controllers, see page 41.

● For SCSI RAID controllers, see page 41.

If you are not installing internal disk drives, close your computer
cabinet, reattach the power cord, then continue with Connecting

External Devices on page 42.

Chapter 5: Installing the Controller and Disk Drives ● 38

Connecting Disk Drives to SAS RAID Controllers

You can connect SAS disk drives, SATA disk drives, or a c ombination of
both to your SAS RAID 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 30 for more information.

Note: Although you can c onnect both SAS and SAT A disk drives to y our
SAS controller, Adaptec recommends that you not combine SAS and
SATA disk drives within the same array or logical drive. See page 71 for
more information.

You have two connection options:

● To connect directly to the controller, see page 39.

● To connect to a backplane, see page 40.

Chapter 5: Installing the Controller and Disk Drives ● 39

Connecting Directly to the Controller

In a direct-attach connection, SAS or SATA disk drives are connected
directly to a SAS card with SAS cables.The number of direct-attached
disk drives is limited to four per internal SAS connector. (For more
information about direct-attach connections, see page 75.)

1 Install your internal SAS or SATA disk drives, following the

instructions in your system’s documentation.

2 Use internal SAS cables to attach the disk drives to the controller.

(SATA disk drives are shown in the example below.)

SATA disk drives attached to
controller with fan-out cable

3 When all internal disk drives have been installed and attached to the

controller, close your computer cabinet, reattach the power cord,
then continue with Connecting External Devices on page 42.

Chapter 5: Installing the Controller and Disk Drives ● 40

Connecting to a System Backplane

In a backplane connection, disk drives and SAS cards are attached to
and communicate with each other through a system backplane.

The number of disk drives is limit ed t o the n umber of slots available on
the backplane. Some backplanes have embedded SAS expanders and
can support up to 128 end devices. (For more information about
backplane and expander connections, see page 75.)

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 c o ntr o lle r t o the bac kplane.

Disk drives on
backplane

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

Controller connected
to backplane with
fan-out cable

close your computer cabinet, reattach the power cord, then continue
with Connecting External Devices on page 42.

Chapter 5: Installing the Controller and Disk Drives ● 41

Connecting Disk Drives to SATA RAID 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 Use one SATA cable t o c onnect each disk driv e to a SATA port on the

controller.

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

close your computer cabinet, and reattach the power cord.
Continue by either setting the boot controller (see page 43) or by

installing the controller driver on an existing operating system (see

page 56), depending on the type of installation you are completing.

Connecting Disk Drives to SCSI RAID Controllers

1 For each controller channel, set the SCSI ID of each disk drive to a

unique number between 0 and 15.
The controller is set to ID 7 by default. Although not recommended,

you can change the controller ID by using the Adaptec RAID
Controller utility (see page 90).

Note: Do not change the controller ID unless absolutely necessary.

2 Install a terminator (or enable termination) on the disk drive at the

end of each cable, or the end of the cable itself.
Remove any terminators (or disable termination) on disk drives

between the ends of each cable.
Install your SCSI disk drives, following the instructions in your

system’s documentation.

Chapter 5: Installing the Controller and Disk Drives ● 42

!

3 If space inside your computer cabinet is limited, connect your disk

drives to the SCSI cable before installing them. (For installation
instructions, refer to your computer’s documentation.)

Caution: To avoid causing unstable operation, do not attach a
cable to the controller unless the other end of the cable is
attached to a least one disk drive.

Alternatively, install your disk drives, then connect them to the
controller.

4 When all internal disk drives have been installed and connected,

close your computer cabinet, reattach the power cord, then continue
with Connecting External Devices on page 42.

Connecting External Devices

Note: If you are not connecting any external devices, see Next Steps
below.

1 (SCSI controllers only) Ensure that SCSI IDs and termination are set

before completing the connections to ext ernal disk drives or devices.
See page 41.

2 Use high-quality cables to connect your controller to your external

device(s), such as disk drives or disk drive enclosures.
Adaptec recommends using only Adaptec cables. For more

information or to purchase cables, visit the Adaptec Web site at

www.adaptec.com

.

Next Steps

If you are installing the c ontr oller drive r and an operating system onto a
bootable array, continue with Creating a Bootable Array on page 43.

If you are completing a standard installation onto an existing operating
system, continue with Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating

System on page 56.

Creating a Bootable Array

In this chapter...

Setting the Boot Controller...............................................................44

Creating an Array...............................................................................44

Making Your Array Bootable.............................................................49

This chapter explains how to set your Adaptec 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, you don ’ t hav e t o complet e this task. Skip to Installing

the Driver on an Existing Operating System on page 56.

6

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 44

Setting the Boot Controller

Note: If your system won’t contain more than one bootable controller,
skip to Creating an Array below.

Your Adaptec RAID controller supports bootable disk drives and
bootable arrays. To enable your system to boot from either a disk drive
or an array connected to your controller:

1 Enter the system setup.
2 Navigate to the drive boot sequence.
3 Move the boot controller to the top of the list.

For more information, refer to your computer’s documentation.

Creating an Array

This section explains how to create an array.
A RAID 5 array is created in the examples shown in this section because

RAID 5 provides the most security and best performance with a
minimum of three disk drives. However, you can choose to create an
array with a different RAID level; you can also change array level later,
after the operating system is installed.

You can create an array using either of these tools:

● Array Configuration Utility—BIOS-based menus and keyboard

navigation (see page 45).

● Adaptec Storage Manager—Graphical software application

(running from a bootable CD) that you can navigate with your
mouse (see page 61).

You can use either tool, but the Adaptec RAID Controller utility is the
quicker and easier tool for this task.

Note: Adaptec recommends that you not combine SAS and SATA disk
drives within the same array. Adaptec Storage Manager generates a
warning if you try to create a logical drive using a combination of SAS
and SATA disk drives. See page 71 for more information.

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 45

!

Creating an Array with the ACU

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

To create a RAID 5 array:

1 Power on your computer. When prompted, press Ctrl+A to ente r

the Adaptec RAID Controller utility.

2 If you have more than one controller in your computer, select your

controller, then press Enter.

3 Select Array Configuration Utility, then press Enter.
4 Select Initialize Drives, then press Enter.
5 Select at least three disk drives for the array, press Insert for each

selected disk drive, then press Enter.

Caution: During initialization, all data is deleted from the disk.
Before continuing, back up any data you want to keep.

6 Press Y, then press Enter.

The selected disk drives are initialized, then the Adaptec
Configuration Utility screen appears.

7 Select Create Array, then press Enter.
8 Select the disk drives that were just initialized, press Insert for ea ch

selected disk drive, then press Enter.

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 46

9 When the Array Properties screen opens, follow the instructions in

the table below:

Property Line Entry or Selection

Array Type Select RAID 5, then press Enter.
Array Label Type a name, then press Enter.
Array Size Press Enter, then press Enter again to use the default

granularity of GB.
Stripe Size Press Enter to use the default (256KB).
Read Caching Press Enter to use the default (Yes).
Write Caching Press Enter to use the default (Enable always).
Create RAID via Press Enter to use the default (Build/Verify).
[Done] Press Enter.

10 When a cache warning message displays, type Y.
11 Once the array is created, a message displays telling you that the

array can now be used. Press any key to re turn to the ACU Menu.
You can start using the array immediately. However, performance is

reduced until the build process is complete.

12 Press Esc until the Exit Utility window appears.
13 Select Yes, then press Enter.

The computer restarts.

14

Continue with

Making Your Array Bootable

on page 49.

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 47

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager

This section describes how to use the Adaptec Storage Manager
configuration wizard to build a RAID 5 array.

Note: You will need the RAID Installation CD to complete this task.

To create a RAID 5 array:

1 Insert the RAID Installation CD into your CD drive, then restart

your computer.

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

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 48

7 Review the information that is displayed.

Note: Adaptec Storage Manager uses the te rm logical drives when

referring to arrays (see page 13).

In the example below, Adaptec Storage Manager has used four
equal-sized disk drives to automatically create one logical driv e with
RAID 5 and a hot spare.

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 Yes when prompted t o confirm applying y our

new configuration.
Adaptec Storage Manager builds the logical drive(s).
The configuration is saved on the Adaptec controller (as an “array”,

see page 13) and on the physical disk drives.

9 Partition and format your logical drive.

The logical drive you created appears as a physical disk driv e 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 RAID Installation CD.

For information on installing and using Ad aptec Storage M anager as
a full software application, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager
User’s Guide or online Help.

12

Continue with

Making Your Array Bootable

on page 49.

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 49

Making Your Array Bootable

Use the ACU to make the array bootable (see Creatin g Bo otable Ar r a ys

on page 93).

Then c

page 50

ontinue with

.

Installing the Driver and an Operating System

on

Installing the Driver and an Operating System

In this chapter...

Before You Begin................................................................................51

Creating a Driver Disk.......................................................................51

Installing with Windows....................................................................52

Installing with Red Hat Linux...........................................................53

Installing with SuSE Linux................................................................53

Installing with NetWare.....................................................................54

This chapter explains how to install your ICP RAID controller driver
and an operating system onto a bootable array (see page 43).

Note: To install the driver on an existing operating system, see page 56.

7

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 51

Before You Begin

● Install and connect your ICP RAID controller and internal disk

drives (see page 35).

● Create a bootable array (see page 43).

● Create a driver disk (see below).

Creating a Driver Disk

Note: 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 RAID Installation CD

included in your RAID controller kit.

3 Follow the on-screen instructions to get to the ICP Start Menu.
4 Click Create Driver Disk, then select your operating system.

Linux only—If prompted, select your operating system and the
architecture:

● Intel 386 or 486 computers—Select i386.

● Pentium I or II computers—Select i586.

● Pentium III, IV, or AMD K-6 computers—Select i686.

● AMD Athlon comput ers—Select Athlon.

5 Select your floppy disk drive letter, then select the format you want.

(You need a full format only if your floppy disk has never been
formatted or may have bad sectors.)

6 Insert the floppy disk, then click OK.

The system creates the driver disk.

7 Remove and label the driver disk.

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 52

8 Continue with the instructions for your operating system:

● For Windows, see below.

● For Red Hat Linux, see page 53.

● For SuSE Linux, see page 53.

● For NetWare, see page 54.

Installing with Windows

Note: You will need your Windows installation CD to complete this
task.

To install the ICP RAID controller driver while installing Windows:

1 Insert your Windows CD, then restart the computer.
2 Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the Windo ws installation.
3 When prompted to install a third-party driver, press F6

.

Note: When F6 is active, a pr ompt appears at the bottom of the
screen for only 5 seconds. If y ou miss y our chance t o press F6, r estart
your computer.

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 ICP driver is found, press Enter.
7 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 60.

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 53

Installing with Red Hat Linux

Note: You will need your Red Hat installation CD to complet e this task.

To install the ICP RAID 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 appears, type linux dd at the

Boot: prompt.

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 Linux installation, following the instructions included

with your operating system.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 60.

Installing with SuSE Linux

To install the ICP RAID controller driver while installing SuSE Linux:

1 Insert the first SuSE installation CD.
2 Restart your computer.
3 When the SuSE installation selection screen appears, choose the type

of installation you want, then press the F6 key to indicate the use of a
driver disk. (If
version of SuSE; press the Alt key instead.)

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

continue.

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 Back.

F6 is not shown on the screen, you may hav e an older

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 54

7 Complete the Linux installation, following the instructions included

with your operating system.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 60.

Installing with NetWare

Note: 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.
To load additional drivers:

a Select Modify when the storage adapters are displayed.
b Select Storage adapters and press the Insert key to add an

unlisted driver from the floppy disk.

2 When the Device Types screen appears, check the Storage adapters

list and select Modify to add another driver.

3 Select Storage adapters, then press Enter.

All recognized controllers are displayed.

4 If AACRAID is detected, delete it.
5 Press Insert to add another driver.

The available drivers are displayed.

6 Insert the driver floppy disk.
7 Press the Insert key to scan the floppy disk drive.

Once the driver is selected, the Paramet er screen is displayed.

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 55

8 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.

9 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 60.

Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System

In this chapter...

Before You Begin................................................................................57

Creating a Driver Disk.......................................................................57

Installing on Windows.......................................................................58

Installing on Red Hat or SuSE Linux................................................58

Installing on NetWare........................................................................59

This chapter explains how to install your Adaptec RAID controller
driver.

Note:

To install the driver while you ’re installing an operating system, see

page 50.

8

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System ● 57

Before You Begin

Before you begin, install and connect your Adaptec RAID controller
and internal disk drives (see page 35).

You must also create a driver disk (see page 51) before you begin
installing the controller driver.

Creating a Driver Disk

Note: 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 RAID Installation CD

included in your RAID controller kit.

3 Follow the on-screen instructions to get to the Adaptec Start Menu.
4 Click Create Driver Disk, then select your operating system.

Linux only—Select your operating system and the architecture:

● Intel 386 or 486 computers—Select i386.

● Pentium I or II computers—Select i586.

● Pentium III, IV, or AMD K-6 computers—Select i686.

● AMD Athlon comput ers—Select Athlon.

5 Select your floppy disk drive letter, then select the format you want.

(You need a full format only if your floppy disk has never been
formatted or may have bad sectors.)

6

Insert the floppy disk, then click OK. The system creates the driver disk.

7 Remove and label the driver disk.
8 Continue the driver installation for your operating system:

● For Windows, see page 58.

● For Red Hat or SuSE Linux, see page 58.

● For NetWare, see page 59.

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System ● 58

Installing on Windows

To install the driver on Windows:

1 Start or restart Windows.

The Found New Har d war e Wizard opens and searches for the driver .

2 Insert the driver disk, select Floppy drive, then click Next.
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 60.

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 is the specific mount point on the Linux system,

xxx is the driver path, and yyy.rpm is the rpm file.

3 Run
4 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 60.

fdisk, mkfs

, and create mount points for any new disk drives.

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System ● 59

Installing on NetWare

Note: Before you begin, ensure that your NetWare OS has been
upgraded to the minimum patch level specified by Novell. Refer to the
Novell Web site for more information.

To install the driver on NetWare:

1 Start your computer.
2 At the NetWare server console prompt, type load hdetect

, then

press

Enter.

3 At the Device types menu, select Continue
4 At the Device type option, select Modify
5 Select Storage Adapters
6 At the Additional Driver Options menu, select Modify

, then

press Enter.

, then

, then

press Enter.

press Enter.

, then

press

Enter.

7 At the Driver Name menu, press the Insert key.
8 Insert the driver disk, press the Insert key, then press F3.
9 At the

A:\

prompt, press Enter.

The driver installs.

10 At the Additional Driver Option menu, select Return to driver

, then

summary

11 At the Driver type menu, select Load on Addition al Dri v e r Opti ons .
12 After the driver loads, select Continue.
13 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 60.

press Enter.

Managing Your Storage Space

In this chapter...

About Adaptec Storage Manager......................................................61

About the Adaptec RAID Controller Configuration Utility............62

About the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ....................................62

About the Adaptec Flash U tility........................................................63

Which Utility Should I Use?..............................................................63

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

This chapter introduces Adaptec Storage Manager, and describes the
other utilities included with your Adaptec RAID controller.

9

Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space ● 61

About Adaptec Storage Manager

Adaptec Storage Manager is a full-featured software application that
helps you build a storage space for your online data, using Adaptec
RAID controllers and disk drives.

With Adaptec Storage Manager, you can group disk drives into logical
drives and build in redundancy to protect your data and improv e
system performance.

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 Adapt ec Storage Ma nager is installed on a co mput er, the Adaptec
Storage Manager agent is also installed automatically. The agent is like a
service that keeps your storage space running. It’ s designed to run in the
background, without user intervention, and its job is to monitor and
manage system health, event notifications, tasks schedules, and other
on-going processes on that system. It sends notices when tasks are
completed successfully, and sounds an alarm when errors or failures
occur on that system.

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 A daptec Storage Manager User’s Guide or
online Help.

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, also included on the Adaptec Storage
Manager Installation CD.

Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space ● 62

About the Adaptec RAID Controller Configuration Utility

The Adaptec RAID Controller Configuration Utility (ARCCONF) is a
command line utility that you can use to perform some basic array and
configuration management functions.

With ARCCONF, you can:

● Create and delete logical drives

● Modify and copy configuration settings

● Recover from disk drive failures and troubleshoot

ARCCONF and the Command Line Interface (CLI) User’s Reference,
which describes how to use ARCCONF, are included on the Adaptec
Storage Manager Installation CD.

Note: Adaptec recommends that only advanced users familiar with
command line interfaces use ARCCONF.

About the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility

The Adaptec RAID Controller utility is a BIOS-based utility that you
can use to create and manage controllers, di sk drives and other devices,
and arrays. The Adaptec RAID Controller utility comprises these tools:

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

arrays, and initializing and rescanning disk drives. (ACU for DOS is
also available. See page 101.)

● A -Select utility—SerialSelect, SATASelect, or SCSISelect, for

modifying your controller and disk drive settings.

● Disk Utilities—For formatting or verifying disk drives.

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

Utility on page 90.

Note: The Adaptec RAID Controller utility is primarily intended for
pre-operating system installation configuration.

Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space ● 63

!

About the Adaptec Flash Utility

The Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU) is a text-based DOS utility that you
can use to update, save, or v erify your RAID c ontr oller’s firmware BIOS
and Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM).

Caution: Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you
from accidentally damaging 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.

Which Utility Should I Use?

To create a bootable array, Adaptec recommends that you use the BIOS­based ACU (see page 62).

For all subsequent storage management tasks, Adaptec reco mmends
that you install and use Adaptec Storage M anager (see page 61). As a
full-featured software application with a graphical user interface, it is
the easiest to use and offers the widest range of management functions.

Solving Problems

In this chapter...

Troubleshooting Checklist.................................................................65

Silencing the Alarm............................................................................66

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure...............................................66

Resetting the Controller....................................................................68

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

10

Chapter 10: Solving Problems ● 65

Troubleshooting Checklist

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

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

disk drive, to the power supply, to the LED connector, and so on.
Try disconnecting and reconnecting disk drives from the Adaptec

RAID controller.

● Check that your Adaptec RAID controller installed in a compatible

expansion slot (PCI, PCI-X, or PCI-E). To double-check the bus
compatibility of your controller, see About Your RAID Controller on

page 18.

● Ensure that your A daptec RAID c ontrolle r firmly seated and secured

in the PCI/PCI-X/PCI-E expansion slot.

● If your Adaptec RAID controller is not detected during system boot,

try installing it in a different compatible expansion slot. (See page 36
for instructions.)

● SCSI RAID controllers only—Ensure that each SCSI disk drive (or

other device) on each SCSI bus assigned a unique SCSI ID.
Check that termination set correctly on each SCSI bus.

● Did the driver install c orrectly?

● If you have external disk drives (or other devices), are they powered

on?

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
ask.adaptec.com

and the Adaptec Support Knowledgebase at

.

Chapter 10: Solving Problems ● 66

Silencing the Alarm

If your Adaptec RAID controller includes an alarm, the alarm will
sound when an error occurs. To silence the alarm, use Adaptec Storage
Manager (see Managing Your Storage Space on page 60.)

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 page 66).

● If the array was not protected by a hot spare (see page 67).

● If there is a disk drive failure in more than one array simultaneously

(see page 67).

● If it is a RAID 0 array (see page 67).

● If multiple disk drives fail within the same array (see page 68).

Note: Adaptec Storage Manager uses the te rm arrays when refe rring to
arrays (see page 13).

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:

1 Remove and replac e the failed disk drive (following manufacturer’s

instructions).

2 If copyback is not enabled—In Adaptec Storage Manager, remove the

‘hot spare’ designation from the original hot spare (the disk drive
that was built into the array). Then, designate a new hot spare to
protect the arrays on that controller.

If copyback is enabled—Data is automatically moved back to its
original location once the controller detects that the failed drive has
been replaced. No action is required.

Note: Copyback is an enhanced feature. See page 20.

Chapter 10: Solving Problems ● 67

Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot Spare

When a array is not protected b y a hot spare, if a disk drive in that array
fails, remove and replac e the failed disk drive. The c ontroller det ects the
new disk drive and begins to rebuild the array.

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 there’s a disk drive failure in more than one array at the same time
(one failure per array), and the arrays have hot spares protecting them,
the controller rebuilds the arrays with these limitations:

● A hot spare must be of equal or greater siz e than the failed disk driv e

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 on page 67.

If copyback is enabled, data is moved back to its original location once
the controller detects that the fa iled driv e has been r eplaced. (C op yback
is an enhanced feature. See page 20.)

Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 Array

Because RAID 0 volumes do not include r edundancy, 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 y our data (if available).

Chapter 10: Solving Problems ● 68

Multiple Failures in the Same Array

Except in RAID 6 and RAID 60 arrays (see page 79), if more than one
disk drive fails at the same time in the same array, the data can’t be
recovered.

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

Note: In some instances, RAID 10 and RAID 50 arrays may survive
multiple disk drive failures, depending on which disk drives fail. For
more information, refer t o the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide or
online Help.

Resetting the Controller

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

To reset your Adaptec RAID 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,

3

Create a bootable MS–DOS floppy disk and copy

C:\Download\Drivers

).

the

AFU.exe

file to

it. Copy the first 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.

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. (To locate the Mode 0 flash
connector on your Adaptec RAID c ontroller, see the figures in

Your RAID Controller

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

the floppy disk containing the

on page 18.)

IFU.exe

file (see Step 3).

About

Chapter 10: Solving Problems ● 69

8 At the prompt, type a: AFU UPDATE CONTROLLER x

where x is the controller number.

9 Insert the other floppy disks when prompted.
10 When the flash is complete, power off your computer, disconnect

the power cord, then remove the jumper.

11 Close the computer cabinet, reconnect the power cord, then pow er

on your computer.
The controller should boot correctly.

Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)

In this appendix...

Terminology Used in This Chapter...................................................71

What is SAS?.......................................................................................71

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?...............................................72

What’s a Phy?......................................................................................72

What’s a SAS Port?.............................................................................73

What’s a SAS Address?.......................................................................73

What’s a SAS Connector? ..................................................................74

What do SAS Cables Look Like?.......................................................75

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS?...........................................75

What are the SAS Connection Options?...........................................76

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI?........................................78

This section provides a basic overview of the main
features of Serial Attached SCSI (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

.

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 71

Terminology Used in This Chapter

For convenience, SAS HBAs and SAS RAID controllers are referred to
generically in this chapter as SAS cards. HBAs, RAID controllers, 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

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

SAS cards 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. See page 77.)

in parallel

(at the same time), using the SCSI command set.

Note: Although you can use both SAS and SATA disk drives in the same
SAS domain (see page 77), Adaptec recommends that y ou 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 page 72). Link speed is 600 MB/sec in
full-duplex mode. A SAS card 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 How is SAS Different from Parallel

SCSI? on page 78.

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 72

t

t

t

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?

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

As shown below , SAS devices contain ports (see page 73), ports contain
phys (see below), and each phy contains one transmitter and one
receiver—one transceiver. A phy can belong to one port only.

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

Wide

Por

Wide

Por

Narrow
Port

SAS Device

Wide
Port

Wide
Port

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

What’s a Phy?

link

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.

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 74).
SAS cables physically connect one or more ph ys on one SAS device to

one or more phys on another SAS device.

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 73

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 na rr o w p o rt contains one phy. A wide port
typically contains four phys.

Each port has its own unique SAS address (see page 75), and all the phys
in a port share that same SAS address.

SAS card port options vary. A SAS card 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.

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 74

What’s a SAS Connector?

A SAS connector is the physical plug or receptacle that y ou 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.

A connector is what forms physical links between phys.

4-wide internal
SAS connector

External

SAS connector

External

SAS cable

SAS fan-out cable

Single-port
connector

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. A single SAS
connector may help form links between more than two SAS devices.
(For instance, as shown in the figure above, the 4-wide internal SAS
connector forms links with four independent disk drives.)

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 75

What do SAS Cables Look Like?

Internal SAS cables are narrow e r than int ernal 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 (shown below) let you attach four disk drives to a single
4-wide connector.

4x wide-to-4x wide
internal SAS cable

Internal SAS-to-SATA fan-out cable
(SAS-to-SAS fan-out cables are
also available)

External SAS cable

An example of some internal SAS cables and an external SAS cable are
shown in the figure above.

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS?

In the BIOS and in the management utilities (see page 60), 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). I f the disk driv e 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).

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 76

What are the SAS Connection Options?

You can connect end devices to each other thr ough direct cable
connections and through backplane connections. W hen you use one or
more expander devices (see page 77), you can create large
configurations.

Direct-attach Connections

In a direct-attach connection, SAS or SATA disk drives are connected
directly to a SAS card with SAS cables. One disk drive is attac hed t o one
SAS connector with one SAS cable (or multiple disk drives are attached
to one SAS connector with one fan-out cable). The figure on page 74
shows an example of direct-attach connections.

The number of direct-attached disk drives is limited to the number of
phys supported by the SAS card. (Note that there may be multiple phys
within a single connector. See page 75.)

Backplane Connections

In a backplane connection, disk drives and SAS cards are attached to
and communicate with each other through a system backplane.

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-c hain (connect one to the next) up to nine
Adaptec S50 enclosures to a single SAS card in a host system.

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 77

SAS DomainSAS Domain

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 76), support large configurations of SAS
end devices, including SAS cards 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. (F or mor e
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.)

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

.)

Disk Drives

SAS

SAS Card

SAS

Edge

SAS

Disk Drives

SATA

Expander

Edge

Edge

Expander

SATA

Disk Drives

SATA

Expander

Disk Drives

SATA SAS

Fanout Expander

SAS Card

SAS

SATA

Disk Drives

Edge

Expander

SAS Card

Edge

Expander

SATA

Disk Drives

SATA

SATA

Disk Drives

SAS

Appendix A: Introduction to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ● 78

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI?

In summary, although SAS and parallel SCSI both 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 st orage space. SAS lets you
mix SAS and SATA disk drives together, and lets you connect many,
many more devices.

The table below describes many of the main differe n ces 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

User intervention required to set
SCSI IDs

Requires bus termination Requires no bus termination
Standard SCSI connectors SAS connectors (see page 75)

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

simultaneously
More than 128 disk drives per SAS card,

using an expander (see page 77)

Uses unique SAS addresses to
differentiate between devices

SAS addresses self-configured by SAS
devices

Understanding RAID

In this appendix...

Understanding Drive Segments........................................................80

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays).............................................................80

RAID 1 Arrays....................................................................................81

RAID 1 Enhanced Arrays..................................................................82

RAID 10 Arrays..................................................................................83

RAID 5 Arrays....................................................................................84

RAID 5EE Arrays...............................................................................85

RAID 50 Arrays..................................................................................86

RAID 6 Arrays....................................................................................87

RAID 60 Arrays..................................................................................88

Selecting the Best RAID Level...........................................................89

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

B

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 Adaptec
RAID controller, and provides a basic overview of each to help you
select the best level of protection for your data storage.

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 80

D

D

D

D

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

RAID 0 Logical Drive = 1000 GB

B

B

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 segment s (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.

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. Howev er, compared to an equal-sized group of independent
disks, a RAID 0 array provides improved I/O performance.

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 below.

isk Drive 1

isk Drive 2

isk Drive 3

isk Drive 4

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

1

2

3

Not Used

4

Not Used

997

5

...

998

6

...

999

7

...

1000

8

...

Unused Space: 150 G

Unused Space: 150 G

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 81

D

D

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

RAID 1 Logical Drive = 250 GB

B

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 driv es, RAID 1 arrays pr ovide impro ved
performance, with twice the read rate and an equal write rate of single
disks. However, capacity is only 50 percent of independent disk drives.

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
below.

Drive Segment Size (Smaller Disk Drive)

isk Drive 1

250 GB

Disk Drive 1

isk Drive 2

400 GB

Disk Drive 2

1 – 250

1 – 250

Not Used

Unused Space: 150 G

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 82

D

D

D

RAID 1E Logical Drive = 600 GB

RAID 1 Enhanced Arrays

Note: RAID 1E is an upgrade feature; if the RAID 1E feature is locked,
see A dding Enhanced Featur es on page 20 for information on purchasing
a feature key.

A RAID 1 Enha nc ed (R AID 1 E) a rray is si mil ar t o a R AID 1 arra y e x ce pt
that data is both mirrored and striped, and more disk drives can be
included. A RAID 1E array can be built from three or more disk
drives—depending on the stripe size, the maximum number of disk
drives ranges from eight to sixteen.

In the example below, the large bold numbers represent the striped
data, and the smaller, non-bold numbers represent the mirrored data
stripes.

isk Drive 1 400 GB

Disk Drive 1

isk Drive 2

isk Drive 3

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

400 GB

400 GB

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

1

3

2

3 4

1 5

2 6

6

4

5

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 83

D

RAID 10 Logical Drive = 500 GB

B

B

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.

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 below.

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

250 GB

250 GB

400 GB

400 GB

isk Drives in Logical Drive

Drive Segment Size (Smallest Disk Drive)

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

1

2

1

Not Used

2

Not Used

499

...

3

500

...

4

499

...

3

...

4

Unused Space: 150 G

500

Unused Space: 150 G

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 84

D

B

B

RAID 5 Arrays

A RAID 5 array is built from a minimum of three and a maximum of
sixteen disk drives, and uses data striping and parity (see below) data to
provide redundancy. Parity data provides data protection, and striping
improves performance.

Parity data is an error-correcting redundancy that’s used to re-create
data if a disk drive fails. In RAID 5 arrays, parity data (represented by Ps
in the example below) is striped evenly across the disk drives with the
stored data.

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 contain 750 GB of stored data and 250 GB of parity
data, as shown below.

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

isk Drives in Logical Drive

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 5 Logical Drive = 750 GB plus Parity

4

1

5

2

P

3

Not Used

6 750

P

Not Used

P...

748

...

749

...

Unused Space: 150 G

...

Unused Space: 150 G

In the example above, P represents the distributed parity data.

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 85

D

re

RAID 5EE Arrays

Note: RAID 5EE is an upgrade feature; if the RAID 5EE feature is
locked, see Adding Enhanced Features on page 20 for information on
purchasing a feature key.

A RAID 5EE array is similar to a RAID 5 array except that it includes a
distributed spare drive (see below) and must be built from a minimum
of four disk drives. The maximum number of disk drives is sixteen.

Unlike a hot spare, a distributed spare is striped evenly across the disk
drives with the stored data and parity data, and can’t be shared with
other logical disk drives. A distributed spare improves the speed at
which the array is rebuilt following a disk drive fail ure.

A RAID 5EE array protects your data and increases read and write
speeds. Howeve r, capacity is reduced by two disk drives ’ w orth of space,
which is for parity data and spare data.

In the example below, S represents the distributed spare, P represents
the distributed parity data.

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

isk Drives in Logical Drive

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 5EE Logical Drive = 500 GB plus Parity and Spa

1

S

2

P

S

3

Not Used

P

4 500

Not Used

P...

449

...

S

...

Unused Space: 150 GB

...

Unused Space: 150 GB

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 86

B

250 GB 250 GB 250 GB 400 GB 400 GB 400 GB

RAID 50 Arrays

A RAID 50 array is built from six to forty-eight disk drives configured as
two or more RAID 5 arrays, and stripes stored data and parity data
across all disk drives in both RAID 5 arrays. (For more inf ormation, see

RAID 5 Arrays on page 84.)

Note: Because the Adapt ec 2420SA RAID controller can’t support more
than four disk drives, it can’t support RAID 50 arrays.

The parity data provides data protection, and striping improves
performance. RAID 50 arrays also provide high data transfer speeds.

Drive segment size is limited to the size of the smallest disk drive in the
array. For example, three 250 GB disk drives and three 400 GB disk
drives comprise two equal-sized RAID 5 arrays with 500 GB of stored
data and 250 GB of parity data. The RAID 50 array can therefore
contain 1000 GB (2 x 500 GB) of stored data and 500 GB of parity data.

RAID 50 Logical Drive = 1000 GB plus Parity

RAID 5

1, 5, P 3, P, 9 2, 6, P 4, P, 10P, 7, 11 P, 8, 12

Drive 1 Drive 2 Drive 3 Drive 4 Drive 5 Drive 6

500 GB Data Storage each

A

250 GB Parity Data each

RAID 5

B

In the example above, P represents the distributed parity data.

Total Unused
Space = 450 G

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 87

D

2)

RAID 6 Arrays

Note: RAID 6 is an upgrade feature; if the RAID 6 feature is locked, see

Adding Enhanced Features on page 20 for information on purchasing a

feature key.

A RAID 6 a rray is similar t o a R A ID 5 array because it u se s da ta s tri pi ng
and parity data to provide redundancy. Howev er , RAID 6 arrays include
two independent sets of parity data instead of one. Both sets o f parity
data are striped separately across all disk drives in the array.

RAID 6 arrays provide extra protection for your data because they can
recover from two simultaneous disk drive failures. However, the extra
parity calculation slows performance (compared to RAID 5 arrays).

RAID 6 arrays must be built from four or more disk drives, to a
maximum of sixteen. Maximum stripe size depends on the number of
disk drives in the array.

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

isk Drives in Logical Drive

250 GB

250 GB

400 GB

400 GB

Drive Segment Size (Smallest Disk Drive)

P1

P2

...

3

...

Not Used

4 500

...

Not Used

P2...

449

P1

Unused Space: 150 GB

Unused Space: 150 GB

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

RAID 6 Logical Drive = 500 GB plus Parity (P1 & P

1

2

P1

P2

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 88

RAID 60 Arrays

Note: RAID 60 is an upgrade feature; if the RAID 60 feature is locked,
see A dding Enhanced Featur es on page 20 for information on purchasing
a feature key.

Similar to a RAID 50 array (see page 86), a RAID 60 array is built from
eight disk drives configured as two or more RAID 6 arrays, and stripes
stored data and two sets of parity data across all disk drives in both
RAID 6 arrays.

Note: Because the Adapt ec 2420SA RAID controller can’t support more
than four disk drives, it can’t support RAID 60 arrays.

Two sets of parity data provide enhanced data protection, and striping
improves performance. RAID 60 arrays also provide high data transfer
speeds.

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 89

Selecting the Best RAID Level

Use the Table below to select the RAID levels that are most appropriate for the logical drives on y our st orage space,
based on the number of available disk drives and your requirements for performance and reliability.

RAID level Redundancy

Disk Drive

Usage

Read

Performance

Write

Performance

Built-in Hot

Spare

Minimum

Disk Drives

Maximum

Disk Drives

RAID 0 No 100%   No 1 16
RAID 1 Yes 50%   No 2 2
RAID 1E Yes 50%   No 3 16
RAID 10 Yes 50%   No 4 16
RAID 5 Yes 67 – 94%   No 3 16
RAID 5EE Yes 50 – 88%   Yes 4 16

RAID 50

1

Yes 67 – 94%   No 6 128
RAID 6 Yes 50 – 88%   No 4 16
RAID 60

1 Because it supports a maximum of four disk drives, the Adaptec 2420SA RAID controller can’t support RAID 50 or RAID 60.

*

Yes 50 – 88%   No 8 128

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

Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility

In this appendix...

Introduction to the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility.....................91

Running the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility................................91

Using the ACU to Create and Manage Arrays..................................92

Using the -Select Utility to Modify Controller Settings...................95

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives..............................................99

Viewing the Event Log.....................................................................100

The Adaptec RAID Controller utility is a BIOS-based utility that you
can use to create and manage controllers, di sk drives and other devices,
and arrays.

Note: Adaptec recommends that only advanced users familiar with
working in a computer BIOS use the Adaptec RAID Controller utility
tools. For more information, see

Managing Your Storage Space

C

on page 60

.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 91

Introduction to the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility

The Adaptec RAID Controller utility comprises these tools:

● The Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—For creating and

managing arrays, and initializing and rescanning disk drives (see

page 92).

Note: Also available—ACU for DOS. See page 101.

● A -Select Utility—SerialSelect, SATASelect, or SCSISelect, for

modifying your controller a nd disk drive settings (see page 95).

● Disk Utilities—For formatting or verifying disk drives (see page 99).

Running the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility

If your Adaptec controller is connected to a RAID enclosure, power on
your enclosure (or enclosures) before you power on your computer.

Start or restart your computer. When prompted, press Ctrl+A.
Note: The first time you power on your computer after you install a

new controller, the BIOS may display a configuration that doesn’t
match your system’s configuration. This is normal.

Navigating the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility

All the tools within the Adaptec RAID Controller utility are menu­based and instructions for completing tasks appear on-screen. Menus
can be navigated using the arrows, Enter, Esc, and other keys on your
keyboard.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 92

!

Using the ACU to Create and Manage Arrays

To open the ACU, start the Adaptec RAID Controller u tility (see page 91).
If you have more than one controller, select your controller, then press
Enter. Select Array Configuration Utility, then press Enter.

Follow the on-screen instructions to create and manage arrays, and
initialize, rescan, and erase disk drives.

Creating a New Array

To begin creating an array, select Create Arrays from the main ACU
menu.

Only disk drives that can be used in a new array are available for
selection. (Disk drives must be initialized before they can be used in an
array. See Initializing Disk Drives on page 93 for more information.)

Use the Array Properties menu to modify the array’s RAID level, size,
name, stripe size, and caching settings.

Note: For mor e information abou t RAID lev els and using disk driv es t o
create arrays, see Choosing a RAID Level on page 30.

Managing Existing Arrays

To view or modify existing arrays, select Manage Arrays from the main
ACU menu.

From the Manage Arrays me nu, you can:

● View the properties of an array.

Note: Failed drives are displayed in a different text color.

● Make an array bootable (see Creating Bootable Arrays on page 93).

● Assign or remove hot spares.

● Delete an array.

Caution: Before deleting an array, back up the data to avoid
permanently losing it.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 93

!

Creating Bootable Arrays

Note: You may need to change the system BIOS to modify the boot
order. For more information, refer to your computer’s documentation.

The controller always uses the lowest numbered array as its bootable
array.

To make an array bootable:

1 Select Manage Arrays from the main ACU menu.
2 Select the array that you want to make bootable, then press Ctrl+B.

Note: You cannot make an array bootable while it’s building,

verifying, or rebuilding.

The array’s n umbe r c ha nge s t o Array 00, which makes this array the
controller’s boot array.

3 Restart your computer.

Initializing Disk Drives

If a disk drive appears grayed-out (unavailab le for use in a new array), it
may need to be initialized.

To begin initializing a disk drive, select Initialize Drives from the main
ACU menu.

Caution: Do not initialize a disk drive that is part of an array.
Initializing a disk drive that’s part of an array may make the array
unusable.
Back up all data from your disk drive before you initialize it.

Rescanning Disk Drives

To begin rescanning a disk drive, select Rescan Drives from the main
ACU menu.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 94

Secure Erasing Disk Drives

When you perform a secure erase on a disk drive, all data on that disk
drive is completely and irretrievably eradicated. Secure erase performs
three distinct writing passes to the disk drive being erased—it does not
just write zeros.

Performing a secure erase takes up to six times longer than clearing (or
zeroing) a disk drive. You may want to perform a secure erase only on
disk drives that contain confidential or classified information.

Note: To erase (or zero) a disk drive with non-classified information,
you may choose to format it (see page 99) instead, or clear it using
Adaptec Storage Manager—both options take much less time than the
secure erase option.

To begin a secure erase, select Secure Erase from the main ACU menu.
The selected disk drive(s) cannot be used until the erase is complete.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 95

Using the -Select Utility to Modify Controller Settings

Included in the Adaptec RAID Controller utility is a tool for modifying
the settings of your controller and the disk drives connected to it. This
utility is called SASSelect, SATASelect, or SCSISelect, depending on what
type of controller you have.

Opening a -Select Utility

To open a -Select utility, start the Adaptec RAID Controller utility (see

page 91), select the -Select utility, then press Enter.

Follow the on-screen instructions to modify the settings of your
controller and connected disk drives as required.

Applying Changes and Exiting

1 To exit a -Select utility, press Esc until you are prompted to exit.

If you modified any settings, you are prompted to save the changes
before you exit.

2 Select Yes to exit, then press any key to restart your computer.

Any changes you made take effect after the computer restarts.

Modifying Your Controller’s Configuration

Note: Default controller settings are suitable for most computers.
Adaptec recommends that you do not change the default setting.

To modify your controller’s settings, select Controller Configuration
from the main -Select utility menu.

The table on page 96 lists controller configuration options. Some
options may not be available for your controller. Additional, controller­specific options are also available:

● For SAS controller-specific settings, see page 97.

● For SATA controller-specific settings, see page 97.

● For SCSI controller-specific settings, see page 98.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 96

General Controller Settings

Note: Default settings are shown in bold type.

Option Description

Drive’s Write
Cache

Runtime BIOS When enabled, the controller BIOS allows the controller to

Automatic
Failover

Array
Background
Consistency
Check

BBS Support When enabled in systems that support BBS, the RAID

Array-based
BBS Support

Physical Drives
Display During
POST

CD-ROM Boot
Support

Removable
Media Devices
Boot Support

Alarm Control When enabled, the alarm sounds. Default is enabled.

When enabled, write cache is enabled on the disk drive.
When disabled, write cache is not used on the disk drive.
Default is the disk drive’s setting.
Caution—When write cache is enabled, there is a slight
possibility of data loss or corruption during a power
failure.

act as a bootable device. Disabling the BIOS allows
another controller to act as a bootable device.

When enabled, the controller automatically rebuilds an
array when a failed disk drive is replaced. When disabled,
the array must be rebuilt manually.

When enabled, the controller constantly verifies a
redundant array. Note that there may be a signifi ca n t
performance reduction. Default is disabled.

controller is presented as a bootable device in the BIOS.
When enabled in systems that support BBS, the controller

presents attached bootable devices up to the BIOS for boot
device selection. This is relevant for logical arrays. Default
is disabled.

When enabled, connected disk driv es ar e displayed during
system Power On Self Test (POST). Displaying the disk
drives adds a few seconds to the overall POST time.
Default is disabled.

When enabled, the system can be booted from a bootable
CD. (This setting is not available on all RAID controller
models.)

When enabled, removable media devices, such as CD
drives, are supported. (This setting is not available on all
RAID controller models.)

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 97

SAS-specific Controller Settings

In addition to the general settings listed on page 96, your Adaptec SAS
controller has SAS-specific settings that can be modified if required.
(For more information about SAS, see page 70.)

To modify SAS-specific settings, select PHY Configuration from the
SerialSelect main menu.

Note: Default settings are shown in bold type.

Option Description

PHY Rate The data transfer rate between the controller and devices.

The default setting is Auto, which allows the SAS card to
adjust the data transfer rate as required.
Note—SATA-II devices are always negotiated at 1.5 Gbps.

CRC Checking When enabled, determines whethe r the controller verifies

the accuracy of data transfer on the serial bus. Default
setting is Yes (enabled). Set to No (disabled) only if the
controller is connected to a device that does not support
CRC Checking.

SAS Address In a situation where you want each phy on a controller to

be in a different SAS domain, this setting specifies a
unique world-wide name for each phy. Default is 0.
Note: This setting is for SAS address conflict resolution
only and should otherwise remain at its default value.

SATA-specific Controller Settings

In addition to the general settings li sted on page 96, y our A daptec SATA
controller has a SATA-specific setting that can be modified if required.

Option Description

Write
Cache

When enabled, the controller’s write cache is enabled. Default
is Yes (enabled).
Caution—When enabled, there is a potential for data loss or
corruption during a power failure.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 98

SCSI-specific Controller Settings

In addition to the general settings listed on page 96, your Adaptec SCSI
controller has SCSI-specific settings that can be modified if required.

To modify SCSI-specific settings, select SCSI Configuration from the
SCSISelect main menu.

SCSI Channel Interface Settings

Note: Default settings are shown in bold type.

Option Description

Controller SCSI
Channel ID

SCSI Parity
Checking

Controller SCSI
Channel
Termination

Sets the controller’s SCSI ID. Adaptec recommends that
you leave the controller set to the default (7), which gives
it the highest priority on the SCSI channel.

When enabled, the controller verifies the accuracy of data
transfer on the SCSI channel. Disable only if the
controller is connected to any SCSI device that does not
support SCSI parity. Default is enabled.

Sets termination on the controller. Adaptec recommends
that you retain the default setting (auto mode).

SCSI Device Settings

You can use SCSISelect to modify some of the settings on the SCSI
devices connected to your SCSI controller.

To modify SCSI device settings, select SCSI Configuration from the
SCSISelect main menu, then select Additional Options. Devices are
listed by SCSI ID. (To find the SCSI ID for a specific device, see

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives on page 99.)

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 99

!

For the best device performance, don’t change the default settings.
Note: Default settings are shown in bold type.

Option Description

Maximum
Transfer Rate

Enable
Disconnection

Initiate Wide
Negotiation

QAS When enabled, QAS (Quick Arbitration and Selection) is

Packetized When enabled, SCSI packetization (encapsulation) is used

Shows the maximum data transfer rate that the SCSI
channel supports.

When enabled, the SCSI device can disconnect from the
SCSI channel. Default is Yes (enabled).

When enabled, the SCSI channel attempts 16-bit data
transfer instead of 8-bit data transfer. Default is Yes
(enabled).

used to eliminate ove rhead and speed up data transfers on
the SCSI bus. Default is No (disabled).
Note—Adaptec recommends that you do not enable QAS
if you are using an enclosure that supports Ultra320
expanders.

to reduce overhead and speed data transfer. Default is Yes
(enabled).

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

To format or verify a disk drive:

1 Start the Adaptec RAID Controller utility (see page 91).
2 Select the controller you want, press Enter.

3 Select Disk Utilities.
4 Select the disk drive you want, then press Enter.
5 Select Format Disk or Verify Disk Media.

Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Controller Utility ● 100

Viewing the Event Log

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

Events are not stored indefinitely—the event log is cleared each time
you restart your compute r; additionally, once the log is full, new events
overwrite old events.

To view the event log:

1 Start the Adaptec RAID Controller utility (see page 91).
2 Select the controller you want, press Enter.
3 When the Adaptec RAID Controller utility menu appears, press

Ctrl+P.

4 Select Controller Log Information, then press Enter.

The current event log opens.