Adaptec 44300, 58300, 48300 User Manual

Serial Attached SCSI

58300, 48300, 44300

HostRAID Controllers

Installation and User’s Guide

● 2

Copyright

©2006 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
Adaptec, Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035.

Trademarks

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

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

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Changes

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

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

Disclaimer

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

● 3

Adaptec Customer Support

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

Technical Support Identification (TSID) Number

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

and support status.

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

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

North America

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

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

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

● For Hardware products call [phone],

Monday to Friday, 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time.

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

Monday to Friday, 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time.

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

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

de.adaptec.com.

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

fr.adaptec.com.

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

ask.adaptec.com.

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

● 4

Limited 3-Year Hardware Warranty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

● 5

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-58300SAS/ASR-48300SAS/

ASR-44300SAS

Tes ted t o Comp ly
With FCC Standa rds

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.

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

About This Guide

What You Need to Know Before You Begin ................................................... 11

Terminology Used in this Guide...................................................................... 11

How to Find More Information....................................................................... 11

About Your HostRAID Controller

HostRAID Controller Features ........................................................................ 13

Array Level Features ................................................................................... 13

Upgrading the HostRAID Controller Firmware ............................................. 13

About the Adaptec SAS 58300 Controller .......................................................14

About the Adaptec SAS 48300 Controller .......................................................15

About the Adaptec SAS 44300 Controller .......................................................16

Kit Contents and

System Requirements

Kit Contents ...................................................................................................... 18

System Requirements........................................................................................ 18

Getting Started

Choosing a RAID Level..................................................................................... 20

Selecting Disk Drives ........................................................................................ 20

Disk Drives for Your Controller ................................................................20

Selecting Cables................................................................................................. 20

SAS Cables................................................................................................... 20

Installation Options .......................................................................................... 21

Basic Installation Steps ...............................................................................21

Installing with an Operating System.......................................................... 21

Installing on an Existing Operating System ..............................................22

Contents ● 7

Installing the HostRAID Controller

and Disk Drives

Before You Begin............................................................................................... 24

Installing the HostRAID Controller................................................................. 24

Connecting Disk Drives to HostRAID Controllers......................................... 25

Connecting Directly to the HostRAID Controller.................................... 25

Connecting to a System Backplane............................................................ 26

Installing the Controller to a SAS Expander .............................................27

Next Steps.......................................................................................................... 27

Creating a Bootable Array

Setting the Boot Controller .............................................................................. 29

Creating an Array.............................................................................................. 29

Creating an Array with the ACU...................................................................... 29

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager.......................................... 30

Making Your Array Bootable ...........................................................................31

Installing the Driver and

an Operating System

Before You Begin............................................................................................... 33

Creating a Driver Disk ...................................................................................... 33

Installing with Windows................................................................................... 33

Installing with Red Hat Linux .......................................................................... 34

Installing with SuSE Linux ............................................................................... 34

Installing with NetWare.................................................................................... 35

Installing with SCO OpenServer ...................................................................... 36

Installing the Driver on an

Existing Operating System

Before You Begin............................................................................................... 38

Creating a Driver Disk ...................................................................................... 38

Installing on Windows...................................................................................... 38

Installing on Red Hat or SuSE Linux ............................................................... 39

Installing on NetWare....................................................................................... 39

Installing with SCO OpenServer ...................................................................... 40

Managing Your Storage Space

About Adaptec Storage Manager ..................................................................... 42

Installing Adaptec Storage Manager ................................................................42

About the HRCONF Command Line Utility .................................................. 42

About the ARC Utility ......................................................................................43

About the AFU .................................................................................................. 43

Which Utility Should I Use?............................................................................. 43

Contents ● 8

Understanding Adaptec Storage Manager

Features.............................................................................................................. 45

Overview............................................................................................................ 45

Physical Devices View................................................................................. 46

Logical Devices View ..................................................................................46

Changing How Drives are Displayed ............................................................... 46

Collapsed and Expanded Views ....................................................................... 47

Component Views............................................................................................. 48

Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Checklist ............................................................................... 50

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure ............................................................. 50

Failed Disk Drive Protected by a Hot Spare.............................................. 50

Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot Spare ....................................... 51

Failure in Multiple Arrays Simultaneously................................................ 51

Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 Array........................................................ 51

Multiple Failures in the Same Array .......................................................... 51

Introduction to SAS

Terminology Used in This Chapter ................................................................. 53

What is SAS?...................................................................................................... 53

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?.............................................................. 53

What’s a Phy? .................................................................................................... 54

What’s a SAS Port?............................................................................................ 54

What’s a SAS Address?...................................................................................... 55

What’s a SAS Connector? .................................................................................55

What do SAS Cables Look Like?....................................................................... 55

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS? .......................................................... 55

What are the SAS Connection Options?.......................................................... 55

Direct-attach Connections ......................................................................... 56

Backplane Connections .............................................................................. 56

SAS Expander Connections........................................................................ 56

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI? ....................................................... 57

Understanding RAID

RAID Technology Overview............................................................................. 59

Understanding Drive Segments .................................................................59

Stripe-unit Size............................................................................................ 59

Selecting a RAID Level and Tuning Performance..................................... 59

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays) ............................................................................ 60

RAID 1 Arrays ................................................................................................... 61

RAID 10 Arrays ................................................................................................. 61

Contents ● 9

Using the ARC Utility

Introduction to the ARC Utility....................................................................... 63

Running the ARC Utility .................................................................................. 63

Creating and Managing Arrays ........................................................................ 63

Creating a New Array .................................................................................63

Managing Arrays......................................................................................... 65

Adding/Deleting Hotspares........................................................................ 66

Managing Bootable Arrays and Devices .................................................... 67

Configuring Disk Drives............................................................................. 67

Using SerialSelect............................................................................................... 67

SerialSelect Options..................................................................................... 68

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives............................................................. 69

Using the AFU for DOS

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 71

System Requirements ................................................................................. 71

Compatibility .............................................................................................. 71

Running the AFU from the GUI ...................................................................... 71

Running the AFU from the Command Line ................................................... 72

HELP ........................................................................................................... 72

LIST .............................................................................................................72

SAVE............................................................................................................ 73

UPDATE...................................................................................................... 74

VERIFY........................................................................................................ 74

VERSION .................................................................................................... 75

Command Switches .................................................................................... 75

AFU Command Line – Step-by-Step ............................................................... 75

Safety Information

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) ..........................................................................77

Technical Specifications

Environmental Specifications........................................................................... 79

DC Power Requirements .................................................................................. 79

Current Requirements ..................................................................................... 79

Glossary
Index

About This Guide

In this chapter...

What You Need to Know Before You Begin.......................................................................... 11

Terminology Used in this Guide............................................................................................ 11

How to Find More Information ............................................................................................ 11

1

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

These HostRAID controller models are described in this Guide:

● Adaptec SAS 58300, see page 14

● Adaptec SAS 48300, see page 15

● Adaptec SAS 44300, see page 16

®

Serial Attached SCSI

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—SAS—used
by your HostRAID controller. (For an introduction to SAS, see page 52.)

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

Terminology Used in this Guide

Because you can use your HostRAID 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
utilities described in this Guide.

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)

Chapter 1: About This Guide ● 11

TM

or the other

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

The Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide refers to arrays as logical drives. Why?

Note:

Your HostRAID controller creates arrays, which your operating system (and Adaptec Storage
Manager) recognizes as logical drives.

How to Find More Information

You can find more information about your HostRAID 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

HostRAID Installation CD.

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

Storage Manager software (see page 41); 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 for Internal RAID Storage User’s Guide—Describes how to use the

Adaptec HostRAID Controller Configuration (HRCONF) command line utility to
perform basic array and configuration management functions; located on the Adaptec
Storage Manager Installation CD.

About Your HostRAID Controller

In this chapter...

HostRAID Controller Features.............................................................................................. 13

Upgrading the HostRAID Controller Firmware................................................................... 13

About the Adaptec SAS 58300 Controller............................................................................. 14

About the Adaptec SAS 48300 Controller............................................................................. 15

About the Adaptec SAS 44300 Controller............................................................................. 16

This chapter provides an overview of standard HostRAID controller features, and describes the
unique features of your SAS HostRAID controller. It also explains how to upgrade your
controller with enhanced features.

2

HostRAID Controller Features

● Flash ROM for updates to controller firmware Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU), BIOS, and the

Array Configuration Utility (ACU).

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

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

and arrays to Adaptec RAID controller cards.

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

(Adaptec Storage Manager), a BIOS-based utility, a command line utility, and a DOS
utility. See Managing Your Storage Space on page 41 for more information.

● Support for disk drive hot swapping.

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

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

and arrays to Adaptec RAID controller cards.

Array Level Features

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller ● 13

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

Help.

● Support for RAID 0, 1, 10, and simple volume.

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

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

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

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

capacity to protect.

● Support for RAID 0 migration. Simple Volume to RAID 0 or from Simple Volume to RAID

1.

Upgrading the HostRAID Controller Firmware

To upgrade the firmware on your HostRAID controller, see Using the AFU for DOS on page 70.

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller ● 14

About the Adaptec SAS 58300 Controller

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

External miniSAS Connectors

3.3V PCI-X Connector

J1 (LED Connector)

Mounting bracket

Form factor Low-profile

PCI compatibility PCI-X

PCI bus width (max) 64-bit

PCI bus speed (max) 133 MHz

PHYs 8

Connectors, external 2 x4 external SFF 8088 (miniSAS)

miniSAS 1.0 connector

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple volume Yes

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

SATA II 3.0Gb/s)

Maximum number of disk drives 8 or up to 128 using expander

technology

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes

Automatic failover Yes

Audible alarm No

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller ● 15

About the Adaptec SAS 48300 Controller

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

External SAS Connector

Internal SAS Connector

Mounting bracket

Form factor Low-profile

PCI compatibility PCI-X

PCI bus width (max) 64-bit

PCI bus speed (max) 133 MHz

PHYs 8

Connectors, internal 1 x4 internal SFF-8484

SAS 1.1 connector

Connectors, external 1 x4 external SFF-8470

SAS 1.0 connector

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple volume Yes

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

SATA II (3.0Gbps)

Maximum number of disk drives 8 or up to 128 using expander

technology

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes

Automatic failover Yes

Audible alarm No

J1 (LED Connector)

3.3 V PCI-X Connector

Chapter 2: About Your HostRAID Controller ● 16

About the Adaptec SAS 44300 Controller

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

Internal SAS Connector

J1 (LED Connector)

3.3V PCI-X Connector

Mounting bracket

Form factor Low-profile

PCI compatibility PCI-X

PCI bus width (max) 64-bit

PCI bus speed (max) 133 MHz

PHYs 4

Connectors, internal 1 x4 internal SFF-8484

SAS 1.1 connector

RAID levels 0, 1, 10

Simple Volume Yes

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

SATA II (3.0Gbps)

Maximum number of disk drives 4 or up to 128 using expander

technology

Hot spares Yes

Enclosure support Yes

Automatic failover Yes

Audible alarm No

Kit Contents and System Requirements

In this chapter...

Kit Contents............................................................................................................................ 18

System Requirements .............................................................................................................18

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

3

Kit Contents

● Adaptec SAS HostRAID controller

● HostRAID 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 HRCONF (HostRAID Configuration)
command line utility

● Readme Files

● Cables (type and quantity vary for cable information about your HostRAID controller, see

Selecting Cables on page 20)

● Low-profile bracket (Selected models only)

● Serial Attached SCSI 58300, 48300, 44300 HostRAID Controllers Quick Start Guide

System Requirements

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

● A motherboard with these features:

Chapter 3: Kit Contents and System Requirements ● 18

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

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

● Large memory-mapped address ranges.

● One of these operating systems:

● Microsoft® Windows®2000, Server 2003, XP

● Red Hat Linux

● SuSE Linux

● Novell® NetWare®

● SCO®OpenServer®

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

Note:

at www.adaptec.com.

● At least 256 MB (or more) of RAM

● An available 3.3V 32-/64-bit PCI 2.2 or 3.3V PCI-X 133 slot

● 40 MB of free drive space

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

● CD drive (that is not part of the HostRAID you are installing)

● SAS interface cables

Getting Started

In this chapter...

Choosing a RAID Level.......................................................................................................... 20

Selecting Disk Drives.............................................................................................................. 20

Selecting Cables ...................................................................................................................... 20

Installation Options ............................................................................................................... 21

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

Note:

Before you begin, familiarize yourself with your HostRAID controller’s physical

features and the RAID levels that it supports (see page 12).

4

Choosing a RAID Level

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

RAID 0 (Non-redundant Array)—Stripes data across multiple disk drives. Improved
performance but no redundancy (see page 60).

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 61).

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 61).

Use the table on page 60 to see how many disk drives you must connect to your HostRAID
controller to support the RAID level you want.

Selecting Disk Drives

When selecting disk drives for your RAID array, ensure that all the disk drives have the same
performance level. You can use different-sized disk drives in the array, but the array will be
limited to the capacity of the smallest and slowest disk drive.

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 20

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

Disk Drives for Your Controller

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

Selecting Cables

This section describes the cable options and requirements for your HostRAID controller.

SAS Cables

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

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 21

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

Internal fan-out cable

SAS Mini external cable

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

Installation Options

When you install your HostRAID controller, you can choose to create a bootable array and
then install your operating system and the controller 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 23).

2 Set the boot controller (see page 29).

3 Create a bootable array (see page 28).

4 Install your operating system and the driver (see page 32).

5 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data storage (see page 41).

Chapter 4: Getting Started ● 22

Installing on an Existing Operating System

1 Install and connect your controller and internal disk drives (see page 23).

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

2 Install the controller driver (see page 38).

3 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data storage (see page 41).

Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives

In this chapter...

Before You Begin .................................................................................................................... 24

Installing the HostRAID Controller...................................................................................... 24

Connecting Disk Drives to HostRAID Controllers .............................................................. 25

Next Steps ............................................................................................................................... 27

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

5

Before You Begin

● Read the Safety Information on page 77.

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

that it supports (see page 12).

● Ensure that you have the right quantity of disk drives for the RAID level you want to use

for your arrays (see page 58).

● Ensure that you have the proper cables for your controller and disk drives (see page 12).

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

low-profile bracket supplied in the controller kit.

Chapter 5: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives ● 24

Caution:

!

Handle the controller by its bracket or edges only.

Installing the HostRAID Controller

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

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

manufacturer’s instructions.

2 Select an available PCI or PCI-X expansion slot and remove

the slot cover, as shown at right. (see page 12.)

For the best performance, use the available 64-bit slot that’s
compatible with your HostRAID controller.

Caution:

!

handling the HostRAID controller.

3

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

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

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

Touch a grounded metal object before

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

LED connector on the controller (see page 12).

Ensure that the positive lead of the LED cable (usually a red
wire or a wire marked with a red stripe) is attached to pin 1.

6 Optional—Connect your HostRAID controller’s I2C

connector (not available on all models) to an I2C
connector on an internal backplane or enclosure, using an
I2C cable.

7 Install your disk drives, following the instructions on page 25.

Chapter 5: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives ● 25

Connecting Disk Drives to HostRAID Controllers

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

If you plan to build a bootable array using internal disk drives, ensure you install at least the
minimum number disk drives required to support the RAID level you want. See page 58 for
more information.

Although you can connect both SAS and SATA disk drives to your SAS controller,

Note:

Adaptec recommends that you not combine SAS and SATA disk drives within the same
array or logical drive. See page 55 for more information.

You have two connection options:

● To connect directly to the controller, see page 25.

● To connect to a backplane, see page 26.

Connecting Directly to the HostRAID 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 56.)

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 attached to
controller with fan-out cable

External

SAS cable

External SAS connector

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 Installing the Controller to a

SAS Expander on page 27.

Chapter 5: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives ● 26

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 limited to the number of slots available on the backplane. Some
backplanes have embedded SAS expanders and can support up to 128 end devices. (For more
information about backplane and expander connections, see page 27.)

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 controller to the backplane.

Disk drives on
backplane

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

Controller connected
to backplane with
fan-out cable

cabinet, reattach the power cord, then continue with Installing the Controller to a SAS

Expander on page 27.

Chapter 5: Installing the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives ● 27

Installing the Controller to a SAS Expander

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

To install the HostRAID controller to a SAS expander:

1 Using the appropriate cable, connect the HostRAID controller to a PHY connector on the

expander.

2 Connect a cable from a PHYconnector on the expander to a disk drive.

Internal SAS connector

Next Steps

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

Creating a Bootable Array on page 28.

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

Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System on page 37.

SAS fan-out cable

External SAS
connector

Creating a Bootable Array

In this chapter...

Setting the Boot Controller.................................................................................................... 29

Creating an Array ................................................................................................................... 29

Creating an Array with the ACU ........................................................................................... 29

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager ............................................................... 30

Making Your Array Bootable ................................................................................................. 31

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

Note:

If you are completing a standard installation onto an existing operating system, you
don’t have to complete this task. Skip to Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating

System on page 37.

6

Setting the Boot Controller

Note: If your system won't contain more than one bootable controllers, skip this section.

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

Selecting the boot controller is done under the system BIOS Setup Utility. Launching

Note:

the system BIOS Setup Utility varies, see the system BIOS user’s manual for more
information.

1

Enter the system BIOS Setup.

2 Navigate to the disk drive boot sequence.

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

Creating an Array

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 29

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

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

page 62).

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

that you can navigate with your mouse (see page 42).

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

Creating an Array with the ACU

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

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

View on page 46.

To create an array:

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

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

3 From the ACU Main menu, select Create Array.

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

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

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

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

displays. For Array Property Information see Assigning Array Properties on page 63

6 When you are finished, press Done.

Chapter 6: Creating a Bootable Array ● 30

Creating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager

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

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

Note:

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

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

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

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 ● 31

7 Review the information that is displayed.

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

Note:

(see page 11).

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

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

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

Adaptec Storage Manager builds the logical drive(s).

The configuration is saved on the Adaptec controller (as an “array,” see page 11) and on the
physical disk drives.

9 Partition and format your logical drive.

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

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

11 Remove the HostRAID Installation CD.

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

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

Making Your Array Bootable

Use the ACU to make the array bootable (see

Then continue with Installing the Driver and an Operating System on page 32.

Managing Bootable Arrays and Devices on page 67).

Installing the Driver and an Operating System

In this chapter...

Before You Begin .................................................................................................................... 33

Creating a Driver Disk ........................................................................................................... 33

Installing with Windows........................................................................................................ 33

Installing with Red Hat Linux ............................................................................................... 34

Installing with SuSE Linux..................................................................................................... 34

Installing with NetWare .........................................................................................................35

Installing with SCO OpenServer ........................................................................................... 36

This chapter explains how to install your HostRAID controller driver and an operating
system onto a bootable array (see page 28).

Note:

To install the driver on an existing operating system, see page 37.

7

Before You Begin

● Install and connect your HostRAID controller and internal disk drives (see page 23).

● Create a bootable array (see page 28).

● Create a driver disk (see next section).

Creating a Driver Disk

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

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

refer to your computer’s documentation.)

2 Click Create Driver Disk, from the Main Menu.

3 Select one of the operating systems from the list:

● Windows

● Linux

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 33

● Netware

● SCO OpenServer

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

5 Select the version of the operating system.

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

The system creates the driver disk.

7 Remove and label the driver disk.

8 Continue with the instructions for your operating system:

● For Windows, see next section.

● For Red Hat Linux, see page 34.

● For SuSE Linux, see page 34.

● For NetWare, see page 35.

● For SCO OpenServe, see page 36.

Installing with Windows

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

1 Insert your Windows CD, then restart the computer.

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

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

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

Note:

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

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 34

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

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

The computer reads the disk.

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

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

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

Installing with Red Hat Linux

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

1 Insert the first Red Hat Installation CD.

2 Restart your computer.

3 When the Red Hat Welcome screen displays, type

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

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

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

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

operating system.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

Installing with SuSE Linux

To install the HostRAID controller driver while installing SuSE Linux:

1 Insert the first SuSE Installation CD.

2 Restart your computer.

3 When the SuSE installation selection screen displays, do the following:

● For SLES 9 and 10—press the F6 key, select installation option from the Menu, then press

Enter.

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

linux dd

at the Boot: prompt.

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.

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

operating system.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

Installing with NetWare

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

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

documentation.)

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

2 Click Continue to load additional drivers:

a Select Modify when the storage adapters are displayed.

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

the floppy disk.

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

to add another driver.

4 Select Storage Adapters, then press Enter.

All recognized controllers are displayed.

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 35

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

6 Press the Delete key to remove it.

7 Press Insert to add another driver.

The available drivers are displayed.

8 Insert the driver floppy disk.

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

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

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

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

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

11 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System ● 36

Installing with SCO OpenServer

You will need the SCO OpenServer CD to complete this task. To install the driver when
installing OpenServer:

1 Insert the OpenServer Installation CD.

2 Restart your computer.

3 Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the OpenServer installation.

4 When prompted to load more HBA drivers, insert the driver disk, then select Ye s . (To load

more HBA drivers, repeat this step.)

5 Insert the driver diskette, then press Enter twice to load the driver.

6 If you are installing other third-party devices, install them now. Otherwise, select No.

7 Complete the SCO OpenServer installation, following the instructions included with your

operating system.

8 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System

In this chapter...

Before You Begin .................................................................................................................... 38

Creating a Driver Disk ........................................................................................................... 38

Installing on Windows ...........................................................................................................38

Installing on Red Hat or SuSE Linux .................................................................................... 39

Installing on NetWare ............................................................................................................ 39

Installing with SCO OpenServer ........................................................................................... 40

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

Note:

To install the driver while you’re installing an operating system, see page 32.

8

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System ● 38

Before You Begin

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

page 23).

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

Creating a Driver Disk

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

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

refer to your computer’s documentation.)

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

controller kit.

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

4 Click Create Driver Disk, from the Main Menu.

5 Select one of the operating systems from this list:

● Windows

● Linux

● Netware

● SCO OpenServer

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

7 Select the version of the operating system.

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

The system creates the driver disk.

9 Remove and label the driver disk.

10 Continue the driver installation for your operating system:

● For Windows, see next section.

● For Red Hat or SuSE Linux, see page 39.

● For NetWare, see page 39.

● For SCO OpenServer, see page 40.

Installing on Windows

To install the driver on Windows:

1 Start or restart Windows.

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

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

3 Click Next, then click Next again.

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System ● 39

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 41.

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—

SuSE—

2 Install the module RPM:

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

where
and

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

4 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom

mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom

mount-point

yyy.rpm

is the rpm file.

Installing on NetWare

Note: Before you begin, ensure that your NetWare operating system 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 From the NetWare server console prompt, type

3 From the Device types menu, select Continue

is the specific mount point on the Linux system,

load hdetect

,

then press Enter.

,

then press Enter.

xxx

is the driver path,

4 From the Device type option, select Modify

5 Select Storage Adapters

6 From the Additional Driver Options menu, select Modify

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

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

9 From the A:\

prompt, press Enter.

,

then press Enter.

,

then press Enter.

,

then press Enter.

The driver installs.

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

Enter.

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

12 After the driver loads, select Continue.

13 Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

,

then press

Chapter 8: Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System ● 40

Installing with SCO OpenServer

To install the driver on OpenServer:

1 Start your computer, then insert the driver disk.

2 Begin the driver package installer:

# pkgadd -d diskette1

OR

# pkgadd -d diskette1 adp94xx

3 At the installer prompt, type

4 Select 1 for the aacraid package.

5 When the installation is complete, select q to quit the installer.

6 Reboot your computer and remove the driver disk.

go

.

Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

Managing Your Storage Space

In this chapter...

About Adaptec Storage Manager........................................................................................... 42

Installing Adaptec Storage Manager...................................................................................... 42

About the HRCONF Command Line Utility........................................................................ 42

About the ARC Utility............................................................................................................ 43

About the AFU ....................................................................................................................... 43

Which Utility Should I Use? .................................................................................................. 43

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

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

9

About Adaptec Storage Manager

Adaptec Storage Manager is a full-featured software application that helps you build a storage
space for your online data, using HostRAID 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 improve 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 Adaptec Storage Manager is installed on a computer, the Adaptec Storage Manager agent
is also installed automatically. The agent is like a service that keeps your storage space running.
It’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 Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide or online Help.

Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space ● 42

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.

About the HRCONF Command Line Utility

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

With HRCONF, you can:

● Create and delete logical drives

● Modify and copy configuration settings

● Recover from disk drive failures and troubleshoot

Installing and Using the Command Line Utility on page 76, describes how to use HRCONF.

Note:

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

About the ARC Utility

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

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

and rescanning disk drives.

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

● Disk Utilities—For formatting or verifying disk drives.

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

ARC Utility on page 62.

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

Note:

configuration.

About the AFU

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

Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space ● 43

Caution:

!

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

Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging

Which Utility Should I Use?

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

For all subsequent storage management tasks, Adaptec recommends that you install and use
Adaptec Storage Manager (see page 42). As a full-featured software application with a graphical
user interface (GUI), it is the easiest to use and offers the widest range of management
functions.

Understanding Adaptec Storage Manager

In this chapter...

Features................................................................................................................................... 45

Overview ................................................................................................................................. 45

Changing How Drives are Displayed..................................................................................... 46

Collapsed and Expanded Views............................................................................................. 47

Component Views.................................................................................................................. 48

This chapter provides an overview of Adaptec Storage Manager, the user-friendly GUI that you
use to easily create and manage arrays. For more details on using Adaptec Storage Manager to
set up and manage arrays, refer to the online Help.

10

Features

You can use Adaptec Storage Manager to:

● Create, verify, modify, and delete arrays

● Add and remove hot spares

● View the RAID configuration

● View information about managed systems and subsystems such as arrays, logical drives,

● Notify systems of all events occurring on the local system

● Add or remove a remote system

Overview

Adaptec Storage Manager provides an expandable tree view of the systems and controllers you
are managing. You can perform most configuration and management tasks by selecting a
controller from the tree and working with related objects. The figure below shows how Adaptec
Storage Manager displays information about Physical and Logical devices.

Chapter 10: Understanding Adaptec Storage Manager ● 45

hot-spare drives, physical drives

Using the buttons in the Physical devices and Logical devices views, you can:

● Change how drives are displayed

● Collapse and expand a view

● Identify components of a logical device

● Create and delete hotspares

Chapter 10: Understanding Adaptec Storage Manager ● 46

Physical Devices View

This view displays information about the drives, enclosures, and other physical devices
attached to the controller. The devices are organized numerically. The display for each channel
or port includes information on maximum speed, the number of the channels on the
controller, and the number of devices attached to the controller.

Indicators, next to the controller name, report status of the fan and temperature modules on
SAF-TE (enclosure management) devices and other devices that monitor these conditions. The
indicator colors are:

● Blue—Normal

● Ye l l o w —Warning

● Red—Error

● Gray—Not applicable to the devices.

For example, the fan indicator changes to yellow when one fan fails; it changes to red when a
second fan fails and cooling is no longer adequate.

Logical Devices View

This view displays information about the logical devices created using the physical devices,
including the number of logical devices, the RAID level of each device, and whether a logical
device is protected by a hot spare.

You can create and delete logical devices in the Logical devices view by selecting the Create
option and using the Create wizard.

Changing How Drives are Displayed

You can choose how information is displayed in the Physical devices view by clicking one of the
following buttons in the Logical devices view.

Displays physical device information in text format. This is the default view.

Displays physical device information in full size capacity format. A full­length bar is displayed for each drive, regardless of capacity. A small
segment on each drive is reserved for the RAID signature; this area is
indicated by a gray cap at the end of each bar.

Note: Note: A drive shaded in light blue is not part of any disk

group.

Displays physical device information in relative size capacity format. A full­length bar is displayed for the largest drive; proportionally shorter bars are
displayed for other drives.

Chapter 10: Understanding Adaptec Storage Manager ● 47

Collapsed and Expanded Views

You can display a collapsed or expanded view of the system configuration. Initially, Storage
Manager displays a collapsed textual view of the configuration information in both the Logical
devices and Physical devices views.

In the Logical devices view...

Click to expand and collapse information about disk groups and logical
devices. The expanded display shows the following information about
each logical device:

● Disk group name and capacity (if available)

● Logical device size

● Logical device state

● Build progress

In the Physical devices view...

Click to expand and collapse information about physical drives. The
expanded display shows the following information about each drive:

● Capacity of the drive

● Drive ID

● Drive state

Component Views

When you click a physical or logical device in the device views, the related components are
highlighted in the other view.

● When you click a logical device in the Logical devices view, the physical drives that make

up the logical device are highlighted in the Physical devices view, and vice-versa.

Chapter 10: Understanding Adaptec Storage Manager ● 48

● When you click a hot spare, the logical devices protected by that spare are highlighted.

● In the graphical views, if the logical device uses only part of the available storage, only

those segments are highlighted (in dark blue).

Solving Problems

In this chapter...

Troubleshooting Checklist..................................................................................................... 50

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure................................................................................... 50

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

11

Troubleshooting Checklist

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

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

supply, the LED connector, and so on.

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

● Check that your HostRAID controller is installed in a compatible expansion slot (PCI-X).

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

Controller on page 12.

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

slot.

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

different PCI-X expansion slot. (See page 24 for instructions.)

● Did the driver install correctly?

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

Chapter 11: Solving Problems ● 50

Recovering from a Disk Drive Failure

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

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

● If the array was not protected by a hot spare (see page 51).

● If there is a disk drive failure in more than one array simultaneously (see page 51).

● If it is a RAID 0 array (see page 51).

● If multiple disk drives fail within the same array (see page 51).

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

Note:

(see page 11).

Failed Disk Drive Protected by a Hot Spare

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

To recover from the failure:

● Remove and replace the failed disk drive (following manufacturer’s instructions).

Chapter 11: Solving Problems ● 51

Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot Spare

When an array is not protected by a hot spare, if a disk drive in that array fails, remove and
replace the failed disk drive. The controller detects 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 size than the failed disk drive it’s replacing.

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

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

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

Spare in previous section.

Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 Array

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

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

Multiple Failures in the Same Array

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

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

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

Introduction to SAS

In this chapter...

Terminology Used in This Chapter ....................................................................................... 53

What is SAS? ........................................................................................................................... 53

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?................................................................................... 53

What’s a Phy?.......................................................................................................................... 54

What’s a SAS Port?.................................................................................................................. 54

What’s a SAS Address?............................................................................................................ 55

What’s a SAS Connector?....................................................................................................... 55

What do SAS Cables Look Like?............................................................................................ 55

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS?................................................................................ 55

What are the SAS Connection Options? ............................................................................... 55

How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI?............................................................................. 57

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

A

Note:

For technical articles and tutorials about SAS, refer to the SCSI Trade Association

TM

(STA

) Web site at

www.scsita.org

.

Terminology Used in This Chapter

For convenience, SAS HostRAID controllers are referred to generically in this chapter as SAS
cards. HBAs, HostRAID 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 in parallel (at the same
time), using the SCSI command set.

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

SAS 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 56.)

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 53

Although you can use both SAS and SATA disk drives in the same SAS domain (see page 56),
Adaptec recommends that you not combine SAS and SATA disk drives within the same array or
logical drive. The difference in performance between the two types of disk drives may adversely
affect the performance of the array.

Data can move in both directions simultaneously across a SAS connection (called a link—see
next section). Link speed is 600 MB/sec in full-duplex mode. A SAS 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 57.

How Do SAS Devices Communicate?

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

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 54

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

Narrow
Por t

Wide
Por t

Wide
Por t

Phy

SAS Device

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

What’s a Phy?

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

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Transmitter

link

SAS DeviceSAS Device

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

SAS Device

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Transmitter
Receiver

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Phy

Narrow

Por t

Wide

Por t

Wide

Por t

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

Phys are internal, within SAS connectors (see page 55).

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

What’s a SAS Port?

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

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

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

Each port has its own unique SAS address (see page 55), 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.

What’s a SAS Connector?

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

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

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 55

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 on page 54, the
4-wide internal SAS connector forms links with four independent disk drives.)

What do SAS Cables Look Like?

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

For an example of some internal SAS cables and an external SAS cable, see Selecting Cables on

page 20.

How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS?

In the BIOS and in the management utilities (see page 69), disk drives are identified with
numbers in this format:

XX:YY:ZZ

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

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

What are the SAS Connection Options?

You can connect end devices to each other through direct cable connections and through
backplane connections. When you use one or more expander devices (see page 56), you can
create large configurations.

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 56

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 attached to 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 25 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 55.)

Backplane Connections

In a backplane connection, disk drives and SAS cards are attached to and communicate with
each other through a system backplane. The figure on page 26 shows an example of backplane
connections.

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

Some backplanes support daisy-chain expansion to other backplanes. For example, you can
daisy-chain (connect one to the next) up to nine Adaptec S50 enclosures to a single SAS card in
a host system.

SAS Expander Connections

A SAS expander device literally expands the number of end devices that you can connect
together. Expander devices, typically embedded into a system backplane (see page 26), 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. (For more information about how SAS expanders work, refer
to the STA Web site at www.scsita.org.)

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

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).

Appendix A: Introduction to SAS ● 57

The following figure 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.

SAS DomainSAS Domain

Disk Drives

SAS

SAS Card

SAS

Edge

SAS

Disk Drives

SATA

Expander

Edge

Expander

SATA

Edge

Expander

Disk Drives

SATA

Disk Drives

SATA SAS

Fanout Expander

SAS Card

SAS

Disk Drives

Edge

SAS Card

Edge

SATA

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 storage space. SAS lets you mix SAS and SATA disk drives together,
and lets you connect many, many more devices.

SATA

Disk Drives

SATA

Expander

SATA

Disk Drives

SAS

Expander

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

Parallel SCSI Serial Attached SCSI

Parallel interface Serial interface

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

Supports SCSI devices only Supports SATA and SAS disk drives

Up to 16 devices per SCSI
channel

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

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 20)

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 56)

devices

Uses unique SAS addresses to
differentiate between devices

SAS addresses self-configured by
SAS devices

Understanding RAID

In this chapter...

RAID Technology Overview .................................................................................................. 59

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays).................................................................................................. 60

RAID 1 Arrays ........................................................................................................................ 61

RAID 10 Arrays ...................................................................................................................... 61

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

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

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

B

RAID Technology Overview

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

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

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

Understanding Drive Segments

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

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 59

Stripe-unit Size

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

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

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

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

Selecting a RAID Level and Tuning Performance

Disk arrays are used to improve performance and reliability. The amount of improvement
depends on the application programs that you run on the server and the RAID levels that you
assign to the logical drives.

Each RAID level provides different levels of fault-tolerance (data redundancy), utilization of
physical drive capacity, and read and write performance. In addition, the RAID levels differ in
regard to the minimum and maximum number of physical drives that are supported.

When selecting a RAID level for your system, consider the following factors.

Physical

RAID
Level

Data
Redundancy

Drive
Capacity
Utilization

0 No 100% Superior Superior No 1 4

1 Yes 50% Very high Very high No 2 2

10 Yes 50% Very high Very high No 4 4

Physical drive utilization, read performance, and write performance depend on the number of
drives in the array. Generally, the more drives in the array, the better the performance.

RAID 0 (Non-RAID Arrays)

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

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

Read
Performance

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 60

Write
Performance

Built-In
Spare Drive

Min Number
of Drives

Max Number
of Drives

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

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

250 GB

250 GB

400 GB

400 GB

Drive Segment Size (Smallest Disk Drive)

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

RAID 0 Logical Drive = 1000 GB

1

2

3

Not Used

4

Not Used

997

...

5

998

...

6

999

...

7

1000

...

8

Unused Space: 150 GB

Unused Space: 150 GB

RAID 1 Arrays

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

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

Disk Drive 1

Appendix B: Understanding RAID ● 61

Drive Segment Size (Smaller Disk Drive)

250 GB

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

RAID 10 Arrays

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

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

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

Disk Drive 1

400 GB

250 GB

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

1 – 250

1 – 250

Not Used

RAID 1 Logical Drive = 250 GB

Drive Segment Size (Smallest Disk Drive)

Unused Space: 150 GB

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

Disk Drives in Logical Drive

250 GB

400 GB

400 GB

Disk Drive 1

Disk Drive 2

Disk Drive 3

Disk Drive 4

RAID 10 Logical Drive = 500 GB

1

2

1

Not Used

2

Not Used

499

3

...

500

4

...

499

3

...

500

4

...

Unused Space: 150 GB

Unused Space: 150 GB

Using the ARC Utility

In this chapter...

Introduction to the ARC Utility ............................................................................................ 63

Running the ARC Utility........................................................................................................ 63

Creating and Managing Arrays.............................................................................................. 63

Using SerialSelect ................................................................................................................... 67

Formatting and Verifying Disk Drives .................................................................................. 69

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

Adaptec recommends that only advanced users familiar with working in a computer

Note:

BIOS use the

ARC utility

tools.

C

Introduction to the ARC Utility

The ARC utility comprises these tools:

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

and initialize and rescan disk drives.

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

● Disk Utilities—Used to format or verify disk drives (see page 69).

Running the ARC Utility

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

To run the Utility:

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

The ARC utility menu displays presenting these options:

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 63

● Array Configuration Utility (ACU)

● SerialSelect Utility

● Disk utilities

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

Creating and Managing Arrays

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

Creating a New Array

To create an array:

1 Select Create Array from the main ACU menu.

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

Note:

Understanding RAID on page 58.

2

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

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

displays.

Assigning Array Properties

Once the array is created and its properties are assigned, you cannot change the array
properties using the ACU. Instead, use Adaptec Storage Manager (See Chapter 10, for details.)

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 64

To assign properties to the new array:

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

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

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

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

(default).

It is recommended that you do not change the default.

Note:

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

4

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

RAID
Level

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

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

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

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

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

Create

RAID Via

When Appropriate

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

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

ensure that the new array contains no existing data.

new drive.

Note:

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

Otherwise, all data will be lost.

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

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

Disk Drives on page 67 to create a simple volume.

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

pressing Ctrl+R.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 65

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

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

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

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

5 When you are finished, press Done.

Managing Arrays

Select the Manage Arrays option to perform these tasks:

● Rebuild Arrays

● View Array Properties

● Delete Arrays

● Enable/Disable Write Cache

● Verify Arrays

The following sections describe these operations in greater detail.

Rebuilding Arrays

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

Note:

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

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

Note:

can rebuild an array. See Adding/Deleting Hotspares on page 66 before continuing your
rebuild.

● System Shutdown Rebuild

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

● Manual Rebuild

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

you want to rebuild.

b Press Ctrl+R to rebuild.

Viewing Array Properties

To view the properties of an existing array:

1 From the ACU menu, select Manage Arrays.

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

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

3 Press Esc to return to the previous menu.

Deleting Arrays

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 66

Caution:

!

array is lost. Deleted arrays cannot be restored.

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

To delete an existing array:

1 From the ACU menu, select Manage Arrays.

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

3 In the Array Properties dialog box, select Delete, then press Enter. The following prompt is

displayed:

For RAID 1 and 10 arrays:

War ning:

array? (Yes/No):

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

For RAID 0 arrays:

War ning:

(Yes/No):

4

If you press Ye s , select the member when the following prompt is displayed:

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

To delete the partition table, choose which member:
member #0, member #1, both, none

5 Press Esc to return to the previous menu.

Enabling/Disabling Write Cache

To Enable/Disable Write Cache for an array:

1 From the Main menu, select Manage Arrays.

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

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

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

Note:

may be very slow with Write Cache off.

Adding/Deleting Hotspares

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

1 From the ACU menu, select Add/Delete Hotspares.

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

then select Insert>Enter.

3 Press Ye s when the following prompt is displayed:

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

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

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 67

Managing Bootable Arrays and Devices

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

1 From the ACU menu, select Manage Boot Unit.

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

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

Configuring Disk Drives

Caution:

!

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

configure a drive that is part of a boot array. To determine which drives are associated
with a particular array, see Viewing Array Properties on page 65.

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

Note: Configuring disk drives makes a simple volume. A simple volume can be managed

like normal arrays by using the Manage Arrays option on your Main menu.

To configure drives:

1 From the menu, select Configure Drives.

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

Insert.

3 Repeat Step 2 if you want to add another drive to be configured.

4 Press Enter.

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

configure. Type

Using SerialSelect

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

For information on the SerialSelect options, see SerialSelect Options on page 68. To access
SerialSelect:

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

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

configure, then press Enter.

3 From the ARC menu, select SerialSelect Utility.

Y

to continue.

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

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

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

Controller Configuration screens.

6 To e xi t Se r ia l Select, press Esc until a message prompts you to exit (if you changed any

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

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 68

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

you made in SerialSelect take effect after the computer restarts.

SerialSelect Options

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

SerialSelect Options Available Settings Description

Controller Configuration

Runtime BIOS Enabled

Disabled
Disabled:Scan bus

BBS Support Device

Controller

RAID Support Enabled

Disabled

POST Banner Display Enabled

Disabled

CTRL-A Message Enabled

Physical Drives Display
during Post

PHY Configuration

PHY Rate Auto, 1.5, 3.0

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

Controller Properties

PCI Slot: Bus:
Device:Function

Interrupt (IRQ) Channel None Displays interrupt

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

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

None Displays the path of the storage devices in a

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

device. Disabling the BIOS allows another
suitable
device.

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

order. This is useful in a multi­controller configuration.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Host RAID controller.

HostRAID controller to act as the boot

HostRAID controller in the system boot

HostRAID controller, device, and each

HostRAID controller BIOS

HostRAID controller as an

HostRAID

HostRAID

Press <Ctrl> <A>

HostRAID

for

SerialSelect Options Available Settings Description

Device ID None Displays device ID

Controller Serial
Number

Controller WWN None Displays the controller WWN

None Displays controller serial number

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.)

Appendix C: Using the ARC Utility ● 69

Caution:

!

a disk drive.

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

To use the disk utilities:

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

2 From the ARC utility menu, select Disk Utilities.

3 Select the desired disk, then press Enter.

You are offered the following options:

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

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

Caution:

!

before performing this operation.

● Ver if y Di sk Me di a—Scans the media of a disk drive for defects.

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

Using the AFU for DOS

In this chapter...

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 71

Running the AFU from the GUI............................................................................................ 71

Running the AFU from the Command Line......................................................................... 72

AFU Command Line – Step-by-Step .................................................................................... 75

This chapter describes how to use the Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU), a text-based DOS utility
that you can use to update, save, or verify the HostRAID controller’s firmware BIOS.

D

Caution:

!

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

Managing Your Storage Space on page 41.

Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging

Introduction

The AFU is a DOS utility used to update, save, or verify the HostRAID controller’s firmware
BIOS.

The AFU is easy to use and contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging the
HostRAID controller’s flash contents. Still, you must be careful to use the AFU correctly,
otherwise, you could render the HostRAID controller inoperable.

The AFU is used to:

● Update—Updates all the flash components on a HostRAID controller with the flash image

data from a User Flash Image (UFI) file.

The AFU updates the HostRAID controller’s flash by reading UFI files and writing them to
the controller’s flash components.

● Save—Updates and verifies the BIOS image of the controller.

● Ve r i f y —Reads the contents of a HostRAID controller’s flash components and compares it

to the contents of the specified UFI file.

Appendix D: Using the AFU for DOS ● 71

The UFI includes the HostRAID controller’s type, thereby ensuring that the AFU

Note:

uses the correct file.

● Ve r s i o n —Displays version information about a HostRAID controller’s flash components.

● List—Lists all supported HostRAID controllers detected in your system.

System Requirements

The requirements for AFU are as follows:

● MS–DOS version 5.0 or later. It cannot run from a DOS command prompt window under

any version of Windows.

You cannot create a bootable floppy using Windows 2000.

Note:

● At least 8 MB of extended memory.

Compatibility

The AFU has the following compatibility issues:

● Supports HIMEM.SYS and is compatible with other DOS drivers running under

HIMEM.SYS (for example, SMARTDRV.SYS and SETVER.SYS).

● Does not support DOS extenders installed in memory, such as EMM386.SYS and

DOS4GW.

Running the AFU from the GUI

The easy way to run the AFU is to use its GUI. If you prefer to run the AFU from the command
line, see Running the AFU from the Command Line on page 72.

Appendix D: Using the AFU for DOS ● 72

To access the AFU:

1 Shut down your operating system and reboot to DOS from a bootable MS-DOS floppy

disk or from a DOS partition on a bootable drive. (You can use the drive connected to the
HostRAID controller you are updating.)

When updating the HostRAID controller flash, controller activity is not possible.

Note:

Before you can use the HostRAID controller again, complete the flash operation and restart
the computer.

2

At the DOS command prompt (typically A:\>) type

The AFU’s main menu is displayed.

3 Select Select Controllers, then select the Adaptec HostRAID controllers to be flashed.

When selecting a single controller, the system automatically selects it. When selecting
multiple controllers, use the spacebar, then press Enter.

4 Select Select an Operation and choose one of the available options, then follow the

on-screen instructions.

Running the AFU from the Command Line

AFU,

then press Enter.

At the DOS command prompt (typically A:\>), type

AFU

followed by a command and any
switches. The AFU processes the command, prompts you to insert additional floppy disks as
needed, exits, and reports success or an error message code. The following available commands
are summarized in alphabetical order.

HELP

The

HELP

command displays a summary of AFU functions and command switches.

Examples

The following are examples of command syntax that will work to get help:

A:\> AFU HELP
A:\> AFU /?

LIST

The

LIST

command displays the AFU-supported HostRAID controllers installed on your
computer. Use this command to see which HostRAID controllers are installed, or to identify
the ID numbers assigned to each physical controller.

You do not have to restart the computer after completing this command.

Example

This example shows a typical system response to a

A:\> AFU LIST
Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406

(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.
Controllers Detected and Recognized:
Controller #0 (03:01:00) Adaptec ASC-48300

LIST

command:

Appendix D: Using the AFU for DOS ● 73

SAVE

The

SAVE

command saves the contents of a HostRAID controller’s flash in a UFI file. The name
of the UFI file is based on the HostRAID controller type and cannot be changed.

Command Syntax

SAVE

The command syntax for the

AFU SAVE [/C<Controller ID>] [/D <UFI File Path>]

Command Switches

The following switches are available:

● /C <Controller ID> is one or more HostRAID controller IDs representing the set of

controllers on which to perform the specified command. The default is 0, which means
that if the computer has multiple HostRAID controllers, the AFU defaults to controller 0
unless you specify otherwise.

You can specify a single HostRAID controller ID, for example:

/C 0

command is as follows:

multiple IDs separated by commas, for example:

/C 0,2

or

ALL

to indicate all HostRAID controllers.

If you are using multiple HostRAID controllers, you must specify the controller

Note:

you want by using the /C switch; otherwise, the AFU displays an error message and
exits. You cannot select ALL HostRAID controllers when specifying SAVE.

● /D <UFI File Path> specifies the path (drive and directory) where the UFI files are located.

If you do not specify the /D switch, the AFU looks for, or creates, UFI files in the default
location.

You cannot specify the name of a UFI file, only its path. UFI filenames are

Note:

predefined, based on the HostRAID controller type.

Examples

In the following example, the AFU saves flash contents from HostRAID controller 0 to a UFI
file in the current default drive and directory:

A:\> AFU SAVE /C 0

In the following example, the AFU saves flash contents from Controller 1 to a UFI file in
C:\UFI_FILES.

A:\> AFU SAVE /C 1 /D C:\UFI_FILES

Appendix D: Using the AFU for DOS ● 74

UPDATE

The

UPDATE

image data in a UFI file. You can use the
controller’s flash components or to update multiple HostRAID controllers on your computer.

command updates a HostRAID controller’s flash components from the flash

UPDATE

command to update a single HostRAID

You must restart the computer following an

UPDATE

command.

Command Syntax

The command syntax for the

AFU UPDATE [/C<Controller ID>] [/D <UFI File Path>]

UPDATE

command is as follows:

Command Switches

For details on the /C and /D switches, see SAVE on page 73.

Examples

The following example shows a typical system response after an update has been performed:

A:\> AFU UPDATE /C 0
Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406

(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.
Updating Controller 0 (Adaptec ASC-48300)
Reading flash image file (Build 1406)
AFU is about to update firmware on controller(s) Adaptec ASC-48300
***PLEASE DO NOT REBOOT THE SYSTEM DURING THE UPDATE***
This might take a few minutes.
Writing Adaptec ASC-48300 (4MB) Flash Image to controller 0...OK.
Verifying...OK
Please restart the computer to allow firmware changes to take effect.

VERIFY

The

VERIFY

controller to the corresponding image in a UFI file and indicates whether they match. Use this
command to determine whether a HostRAID controller’s flash components are up-to-date
when compared to a specific UFI file.

Command Syntax

The command syntax for the

AFU VERIFY [/C<Controller ID>] [/D <UFI File Path>]

Command Switches

For details on the /C and /D switches, see SAVE on page 73.

command compares the contents of each of the flash components on a HostRAID

VERIFY

command is as follows:

Example

Appendix D: Using the AFU for DOS ● 75

The following example shows a typical system response after a
performed:

A:\> AFU VERIFY /C 0
Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406
(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.
Reading flash image file (Build 1406)
Controller #0: Adaptec ASC-48300
File: Checksum: 642C [VALID] (Build 1406)
File: Checksum: 642C [VALID] (Build 1406)
Verified Successfully

VERSION

The

VERSION

command displays version information about the flash components on a

HostRAID controller.

Command Syntax

The command syntax for the

AFU VERSION [/C<Controller ID>]

VERSION

command is as follows:

Command Switches

For details on the /C switch, see SAVE on page 73.

VERIFY

command has been

Example

The following example displays version information about all supported HostRAID
controllers:

A:\> AFU VERSION /C 0
Adaptec Flash Utility V1.0-0 B1406
(c)Adaptec Inc. 1999–2005. All Rights Reserved.
Version Information for Controller #0 (Adaptec ASC-48300)
ROM: Build 1406 [VALID]

AFU Command Line – Step-by-Step

This section provides step-by step instructions for updating the flash.

To update the flash using the AFU command line:

1 Shut down the computer.

2 Insert the bootable disk that contains the AFU utility.

3 Turn on t he com put er.

4 Enter the system setup utility and verify that your computer is set up to boot from the

bootable disk.

Appendix D: Using the AFU for DOS ● 76

5 If you have multiple HostRAID controllers only—At the DOS prompt, type

afu list,

then press Enter.

This command displays the Adaptec SAS HostRAID controllers in your system. Note the
HostRAID controller number for the controller you want to update; you may need it in
Step 6 to perform the update.

6 You can update the flash using any of the following alternatives:

a Updating the Flash on a Single HostRAID Controller—To flash the firmware on a

single HostRAID controller, type:

afu update /C <controller_number>

Where

controller_number

is the number of the controller whose firmware you are

updating. For example, to upgrade Controller 0, type:

afu update /C 0

b Updating the Flash on Multiple Controllers—To flash the firmware on multiple

HostRAID controllers, type:

afu update /C <controller_number_a>,<controller_number_b>

Where

<controller_number_a>

and

<controller_number_b>

are the number of one

of the Adaptec HostRAID controllers whose firmware you are updating.

To upgrade HostRAID controllers 0, 2, and 3 for example, type:

afu update /C 0, 2, 3

c Updating the Flash on All HostRAID Controllers Simultaneously—To flash the

firmware on all HostRAID controllers, type:

afu update /C all

Note: The UFI file identifies the appropriate HostRAID controllers, so you do not

have to worry about flashing the wrong controller.

7

The AFU prompts you to put in the first firmware disk.

When it detects that the disk is in the drive, the AFU reads the part of the firmware image
contained on the first disk.

8 When prompted, remove the first firmware disk and insert the second firmware disk.

9 If necessary, repeat Step 8 until the process is complete.

Safety Information

To ensure your personal safety and the safety of your equipment:

● Keep your work area and the computer clean and clear of debris.

● Before opening the system cabinet, unplug the power cord.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Caution: ESD can damage electronic components when they are improperly handled, and

!

can result in total or intermittent failures. Always follow ESD-prevention procedures when
removing and replacing components.

To p re ve n t E SD da m ag e :

● Use an ESD wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes skin contact. Connect the

equipment end of the strap to an unpainted metal surface on the chassis.

● If a wrist strap is not available, ground yourself by touching the metal chassis before

handling the controller or any other part of the computer.

● Avoid touching the controller against your clothing. The wrist strap protects components

from ESD on the body only.

● Handle the controller by its bracket or edges only. Avoid touching the printed circuit board

or the connectors.

E

● Put the controller down only on an antistatic surface such as the bag supplied in your kit.

● If you are returning the controller to Adaptec, put it back in its antistatic bag immediately.

Technical Specifications

In this chapter...

Environmental Specifications................................................................................................ 79

DC Power Requirements........................................................................................................ 79

Current Requirements............................................................................................................79

F

Environmental Specifications

Relative humidity 10% to 90%, noncondensing

Altitude up to 3,000 meters

Note: Forced airflow is recommended, but not required.

DC Power Requirements

Ripple and noise 50 mV peak-to-peak (max)

DC Voltage 3.3 V ± 10%

Current Requirements

Adaptec Model Maximum Current (A)

ASC-58300 0.56A

ASC-48300 1.322A

ASC-44300 .445A

Appendix F: Technical Specifications ● 79

Glossary

A

activity

See task.

ACU

Array Configuration Utility. An application used to create, configure, and manage arrays from the
controller’s BIOS or MS-DOS.

array

A logical disk created from available space and made up of one or more segments on one or more physical
disks. Arrays are typically used to provide data redundancy or enhanced I/O performance. See volume,

spanned volume, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10. Also known as a container.

array initialization

See configure.

ATA

AT Bus Attachment. Standard parallel interface to IDE hard disks typically used in desktop computers and
some entry-level servers. Serial ATA (SATA), is a successor to parallel ATA, which is sometimes referred to
as PATA.

available space/segment

Unused space on a configured disk from which logical devices (arrays) are created. When an array is
deleted, the space that it used is returned to the available space pool.

B

background consistency check

Option that forces the controller to constantly check all portions of disks used by all arrays to see if the disks
can return data from the blocks. See consistency check command.

bad segment

Segment that is in an unknown state.

bootable array

Array configured as the boot device.

Glossary ● 89

build

Background initialization of a redundant array. The array is accessible throughout. RAID 1 copies the
contents of the primary drive to a secondary drive. See clear.

bus

See channel.

C

cache

Fast-access memory on the controller that serves as intermediate storage for data that is read from, or
written to, drives.

capacity

Total usable space available in megabytes or gigabytes.

channel

Any path, or bus, used for the transfer of data and the control of information between storage devices and a
RAID controller. For SATA channels, each channel has a single drive capacity.

check point

A feature that enables you to exit the ACU when an operation is in progress and be able to continue without
interruption. The driver then resumes the operation from where the BIOS left off and the BIOS resumes the
operation where the driver left off.

chunk

See stripe.

clear

Foreground initialization of a fault-tolerant array. A clear operation zeros all blocks of the array. The array
is not accessible until the clear task is complete.

concatenation

Joining of physical or logical drives in sequential order.

configure

Process of preparing a disk for use by the controller. When a disk is configured, the controller records the
RAID signature on the disk.

configured array

An array that is ready for data reads and writes. Arrays can be configured by build or clear.

consistency check command

Command that reads all the blocks of a RAID 1 to determine if the blocks are consistent. Any inconsistent
blocks are fixed.

D

dead partition

See failed.

degraded

A redundant (for example, a RAID 1) array in which one or more members have failed. The data is intact
but redundancy has been compromised. Any further failure would cause the array to fail and result in data
loss.

disk

Physical disk drive. Randomly accessible, rewriteable data storage device. Also called hard disk.

Glossary ● 90

disk ID

Unique disk identifier that consists of the channel number, SATA ID. For example, (channel:ID:LUN)
1:04:0. See channel.

drive LED

Disk indicator LED that illuminates during read or write operations.

E

event

Notification or alert from the system, indicating that a change has occurred.

event log

File used to maintain information about prior controller activities or errors.

event notification

Process for transmitting events.

F

failed

State of a nonredundant array that has suffered a single drive failure, or a redundant array that has suffered
multiple drive failures. A failed array is inaccessible and data is lost.

fault-tolerant array

Refers to an array that can continue to function after a disk drive failure without loss of data. Fault tolerant,
or redundant arrays, include RAID 1 arrays. See redundant.

foreign disk

Disk that has previously been configured on another Adaptec RAID controller. The RAID signature on the
disk allows the RAID controller to identify whether or not the disk was configured on the controller it is
currently connected to.

H

hard disk drive

Basic unit of nonvolatile, nonremovable, magnetic storage media. See disk.

hot spare

A spare hard disk that automatically replaces a failed hard disk on any array associated with any HBA.

hot swap

To remove a component from a system, and install a new component while the power is on and the system
is running.

I

impacted

An impacted array is one which has been created but for some reason the initial build operation did not
complete. All member drives are present and operational, and all data written to the array is protected. To
optimize the array, run a Verify with Fix Task.

initialize

See configure.

Glossary ● 91

L

legacy disk

Disk that contained a valid partition table when connected to the controller. The controller manages the
disk as a legacy disk array where there is a one-to-one logical-to-physical mapping of array to disk.

logical device

Volume comprised of space from one or more physical drives and presented to the operating system as if it
were a single storage unit.

low-level format

Process performed by the drive firmware that completely cleans any data off the hard disk.

M

mirrored array/mirroring

See RAID 1, RAID 10.

monitoring

Process of receiving, displaying, and logging system events.

N

Native Command Queuing

Allows disk drives to arrange commands into the most efficient order for optimum performance.

O

offline array

Array that can no longer be accessed.

optimal

The state of an array when it is fully operational. For redundant arrays, the entire array is protected.

P

partition

A section of a disk storage device created by the operating system disk management program, in which data
and/or software programs are stored. Computers have a primary operating system partition that contains
the special files needed to boot the computer. Each operating system partition is assigned a unique drive
letter, such as C or D. A single disk device can have multiple partitions.

phantom object

Object that represents a component that cannot be configured by the controller management software; for
example, a missing drive.

Q

quick init

An array configured using the Quick Init option is available immediately, with no on-going background
controller activity. All data written to an array that has been quick configured is protected.

Glossary ● 92

R

RAID

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (alternative definition Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks).

RAID 0

A single-level array consisting of two or more equal-sized segments residing on different disks. RAID 0
distributes data evenly across its respective drives in equal-sized sections called stripes. RAID 0 arrays are
not redundant.

RAID 1

Single-level array consisting of two equal segments residing on two different drives. Provides redundancy
by storing identical copies on two drives. See mirrored array/mirroring.

RAID 10

Spanned array consisting of two or more equal-sized RAID 1 arrays. Provides redundancy by striping and
mirroring. Mirroring provides data protection, and striping improves performance. See mirrored array/

mirroring, RAID 0.

RAID signature

The area on each disk reserved for use by the RAID controller.

RAID volume

Concatenates two or more arrays of the same type.

rebuild

Background regeneration of redundant data on a RAID 1.

redundant

The ability of an array to maintain operability when one or more hardware failures occur. RAID 1 is
redundant. In the event of a drive failure, redundant arrays can be restored to normal operation by
replacing the failed drive and rebuilding the array.

rescan

Process of updating the current screen to show all currently available resources.

S

Serial ATA (SATA)

A successor to ATA that uses a serial, instead of parallel, interface.

simple volume

A volume made up of disk space from a single disk. It can consist of a single region on a disk, or
concatenated multiple regions of the same disk.

single-level array

Array created from one or more segments. See volume, spanned volume, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10.

snapshot

Instantaneous read-only copy of an array at a precise point in time.

spanned volume

A simple volume that spans two or more drives.

stripe

Contiguous set of data distributed across all the disks in an array. A striped array distributes data evenly
across all members in equal-sized sections called stripes.

Glossary ● 93

stripe size

The amount of data in each section of a striped array.

striped array

See RAID 0, RAID 10.

T

task

An operation that occurs only on the RAID controller, asynchronous to all other operations; for example,
initializing a disk or verifying an array. Some tasks can take an extended period of time, particularly if the
RAID controller is also performing intensive data I/O while the task is running.

V

verify

Low-level check that a drive, logical device, or hot spare is good. In a RAID 1, verify is a low-level check that
contents of both members’ segments are consistent and, optionally, corrects errors while assuming that the
master drive is correct. In a simple volume, verify performs a low-level check that the whole drive can be
read.

volume

See simple volume, spanned volume.

Index

A

ACU

creating arrays

Adaptec Flash Utility.

63

See

AFU
Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility.
Adaptec Storage Manager

installing

AFU

43

Array Configuration Utility.

42

See

ACU

arrays

creating (ACU)
non-RAID
RAID 1

61

RAID 10

63

60

61

B

backplane connections

26, 56

D

data striping
direct-attach connections
disk drives

connecting to SAS controllers
failure recovery

formatting
recovering from failure
SAS identifiers
verifying

drivers

installing on Linux
installing on NetWare

59

multiple arrays

51

multiple disk drives
with hot spare
without hot spare

69

69

50

51

55

39

25, 56

25

51

50

39

See

HRCONF

installing on Windows

38

E

electrostatic discharge
end devices

53

expander connections
expander devices

77

56

53

F

failed disk drives

multiple arrays
multiple disk drives
without hot spare

formatting disk drives

51

51

51

69

H

hard disk, hard disk drive, hard drive.

I

installation

disk drives (SAS)
SAS backplane
SAS direct-attach

25

26

25

L

links (SAS)
Linux

driver installation

53

39

N

NetWare

driver installation

non-RAID arrays

39

60

See

disk drives

Index ● 95

P

performance tuning

selecting a RAID level
stripe-unit size

phys

54

60

59

R

RAID

definition
performance tuning
RAID 0
RAID 1
RAID 10

59

60
60
61

61

recovering from disk drive failure
Red Hat

driver installation

39

Redundant Array of Independent Disks.
replacing failed disk drives

S

SAS

4-wide ports
backplane connections
cables
comparison to parallel SCSI
connectors
description
direct-attach connections
disk drive identifiers
edge expanders
end devices
expander connections
expander devices
fanout expanders
link speed
links

53

narrow connectors
narrow ports
phys

54

ports

53, 54

SAS address
SAS cards
SAS devices
SAS domain
terminology
transceivers
wide connectors
wide ports

SAS controllers

connecting disk drives

54

26, 56

55

57

55

53

25, 56

55

56

53

56

53

56

53

55

54

55

53

53

56
53

53

55

54

25

See

RAID

SAS devices

53

SCSI

comparison to SAS

Serial Attached SCSI.

Select

Serial

using settings

67

57

See

SAS

Small Computer System Interface.
storage management

ACU

63

AFU

43

SerialSelect
storage space
stripe, definition

67

11

59

stripe-unit size

definition

performance tuning

59

59

SuSE

driver installation

39

T

terminology

Adaptec Storage Manager

SAS
throughput
tools

ACU

AFU

ARC

disk utilities

SerialSelect

11

11

53

59

63
43
63

69

67

U

utilities

AFU

43

ARC

63

Disk Drive
SerialSelect

69

67

V

verifying disk drives

69

W

Windows

driver installation

38

See

SCSI

Adaptec, Inc.

691 South Milpitas Boulevard
Milpitas, CA 95035 USA

©2006 Adaptec, Inc.
All rights reserved. Adaptec and the Adaptec logo are
trademarks of Adaptec, Inc. which may be
registered in some jurisdictions.

Part Number: CDP-00138-01-A, Rev. B
JB 10/06