HighPoint 2220 User Manual

RocketRAID 2220 SATAII Host Adapter

User’s Guide

Revision: 1.0

Date: March 2005

HighPoint Technologies, Inc.

Copyright © 2005 HighPoint Technologies, Inc. This document contains materials protected by International Copyright Laws. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, transmitted or transcribed in any form and for any purpose without the express written permission of HighPoint Technologies, Inc.

Trademarks

Companies and products m entioned in this manual are for identification purpose only. Product names or brand names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective owners. Backup your important data before using HighPoint's products and use at your own risk. In no event shall HighPoint be liable for any loss of profits, or for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising from any defect or error in HighPoint's products or manuals. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of HighPoint.

Notice

Reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. HighPoint assumes no liability for technical inaccuracies, typographical, or other errors contained herein.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................3

ABOUT THIS GUIDE......................................................................................................5

INTRODUCING THE ROCK ETRAID 2220 HOST ADAPTER................................5

Product Features...............................................................................................................5

UNDERSTANDING RAID CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY .............................6

ROCKETRAID 2220 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION/INSTALLATION ..................8

RocketRAID 2220 Hardware ...........................................................................................9

1 – R ocketRAID 2220 Adapter Layout...........................................................................9

2 - LED Connections .......................................................................................................10

3 - Installing the RocketRAID 2220 Host Adapter ...................................................... 11

4 - Verifying Installation................................................................................................ 12

5 - Single-RAID Cross Adapter ..................................................................................... 12

ROCKETRAID 2220 BIOS UTILITY.......................................................................... 13

RocketRAID 2220 BIOS Utility ..................................................................................... 14

1 - BIOS Command Overview....................................................................................... 14

2 - Creating RAID Arrays.............................................................................................. 15

3 - Adding/Removing Spare Disks................................................................................. 16

ROCKETRAID 2220 DRIVER AND SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

MICROSOFT WINDOWS (2000, XP, 2003 SERVER )..............................................17

WINDOWS DRIVER INSTALLATION ..................................................................... 18

1 - Installing the RAID Management Console/ Interface Overview.......................... 19

2 - Software Interface - Overview of commands/functions .........................................20

3 - Creating an Array...................................................................................................... 21

4 - Deleting an Array ...................................................................................................... 22

5 - Configuring Spare Disks ........................................................................................... 22

6 - Recovering/Verifying Arrays.................................................................................... 23

7 – OCE/ORLM ..............................................................................................................23

8 - Misc. Array/Device Options...................................................................................... 24

9 - Managing Events ....................................................................................................... 25

10 - Configuring Remote Systems ................................................................................. 29

11 - Configuring Users and Privileges........................................................................... 32

LINUX DRIVER SUPPORT ......................................................................................... 34

Fedora Core 3 Linux installation Overview................................................................. 35

Red Hat Enterprise 3 Overview..................................................................................... 38

SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) installation Overview................................... 41

CUSTOMER SUPPORT ................................................................................................ 45

About this Guide

The RocketRAID 2220 SATAII Host Ad apter’s User’s Guide provides information about the functions and capabilities of the host adapter, and instructions for installing, configuring and maintaining RAID arrays hosted by the adapter.

Introducing the RocketRAID 2220 Host Adapter

The HighPoin t RocketRAID 2220 is an 8-channel Serial ATA II RAID controller. It utilizes a 64bit, 133MHz PCI-X interface . The RocketRAID 2220 solution is aimed at enterprise storage applications, NAS storage, workgroup and web servers, video streaming / video editin g workstations, back up, and security systems.

Product Features

Ÿ 8 Channels PCI -X to SATAII host adapter Ÿ Supports up to 8 SATA/SATAII hard disk drives Ÿ PCI-X 64-bit, 66/100/133MHz PCI bus Ÿ 64-bit LBA support for drive capacity over 2TB Ÿ Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and JBOD Ÿ Single RAID cross -adapter (up to 16 disks per array) Ÿ Supports Native Command Queuing (NCQ) Ÿ Online Capacity Expansion (OCE) Ÿ Online RAID Level Migration (ORLM) Ÿ Staggered drive spin-up support Ÿ S.M.A.R.T. monitoring of hard disk status for reliability Ÿ SAF-TE Enclosure management Ÿ Hot Swap and Hot Spare support Ÿ Audible alarm Ÿ LED support (disk activity and disk failure status) Ÿ Quick and Background initialization for quick RAID configuration Ÿ BIOS boot support Ÿ Command Line Interface for RAID management (CLI) Ÿ Graphical RAID Management Software (RAID Management Console) Ÿ Automatic RAID rebuild Ÿ SMTP support for email notification Ÿ Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Linux and FreeBSD support

Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology

The following concepts and terminology is commonly used when describing the functions of the Rocket RAID 2220 Host Adapter.

Disk initialization

Initializing a disk writes necessary RAID configuration information to that disk. Disks must be initialized before configuring them into RAID arrays. The initialization process will destroy all data on the disk.

Disk Status

New The disk contains no data and has not been initialized. Initialized The disk has been initialized and can be used for array creation. Configured The disk has be en assigned to one or more arrays, or configured as a spare disk. Legacy The disk was used on other controllers before use with the RocketRAID 2220 (see legacy

disk below).

Array initialization

A redundant array (RAID5, RAID1, RAID10) needs to be initialized to ensure full performance and reliability. Non-redundant arrays (RAID0, JBOD) do not need to be initialized.

When you create a redundant array using the RocketRAID 2220 controller’s BIOS Configuration Utility, it will create the array in un-initialized state. The initialization process can be completed after installing the

driver and management software. When creating an array using the HighPoint RAID Management Console software, you can specify an

initialization option (Skip initialization, foreground and background).

Foreground initialization

Foreground initialization will zero-out all data on the array. The array is not accessible by the operating system until initialization is complete.

Background initialization

Background initialization allows the array to be used immediately. For RAID1 and RAID10 arrays, initialization will results in data being duplicated identically to the mirror pair. For RAID5 arrays,

initialization will result in parity being generated from all array members. Note: An un-initialized RAID1 or RAID10 array can still provide redundancy in case of a disk failure. A

RAID5 array, however, is not fault-tolerant until initialization is finished.

Online Capacity Expansion (OCE)

This feature allows disks to be added to existing RAID arrays, in order to increase the array’s capacity, without fear of data loss. Any number of disks can be added to an array, at any time. Data can be accessed and utilized even while being redistributed.

Online RAID Level Migration

This term describes the ability to change one type of array (RAID level), into a different type of array (changing a RAID 1 array into a RAID 10 array for example). Data is still accessible during the migration process, and a base level of security is still active.

OCE, OLRM and the R ocketRAID 2220

The Rocket RAID 2220 supports both Online Capacity Expansion (OCE), and Online RAID Level Migration (ORLM). Both features are supported by a single function - an array can be transformed from

one RAID level to another RAI D level while simultaneously being resized, even under I/O load.

Spare disk

A spare disk is a single disk that can be used to automatically rebuild a redundant array in case of drive failure. Spare disk s may also be members of a RAID array. Any available space on these disks may be used to rebuild other broken arrays.

Legacy disk

Disks attached to the RocketRAID 2220 that contain valid partition tables will be identified as legacy disks. A legacy disk attached to the RocketRAID 2220 can be accessed by the operating system, but cannot be used to create RAID arrays. A legacy disk must be initialized before assigning it to an array.

RocketRAID 2220 Hardware

Description/Installation

Rocket RAID 2220 Hardware 1 – RocketRAID 2220 Adapter Layout

Port1- Port8

These represent the R ocketRAID 2220’s eight SATA channels. The SATA port furthest away from the surface of the adapter is always the odd numbered channel (1, 3, 5, 7), while the port closest to the adapter

is the even numbered channel (2, 4, 6, 8).

CON1 - CON3

LED connectors (disk-activity/disk-failure): The RocketRAID 2220 does not utilize CON1. CON2 is for use with hard disk activity LED’s, while CON3 provides disk failure LED support. LED support is discussed in greater detail in the LED Connection section (page 10), and in a separate document, the Rocket RAID 2220 LED guide (which discusses LED installation for specific server chassis, and will be available in downloadable form from our website).

JP1 and JP2 These jumpers enable cross -adapter RAID support. The RocketRAID 2220 includes a cable designed for use with these jumpers. Consult the Single-RAID Cross Adapter section (page 13) for more information.

Speaker

Alarm (speaker): the speaker emits and audible alarm in the case of disk/array failure.

JP5 I²C jumper/SAF-TE support: this support is dependent upon the system chassis. Not all chassis models

support SAF -TE features. Consult the chassis’s manual for more information.

2 - LED Connections

D1 through D8 represent SATA channels SATA1 through SATA8 respectively. The following diagrams describe the connector pin definitions for LED CON2 (disk activity), and CON3 (disk failure). CON1is not utilized by the R ocketRAID 2220.

CON2: Hard Disk Activity (D1 through D8)

CON3: Hard Disk Failure (D1 through D8)

RocketRAID 2220 LED Guide

For more information about LED support, and installation guides for various chassis configurations, consult the RocketRAID 2220 LED Guide.

3 - Installing the RocketRAID 2220 Host Adapter

Note: Make sure the system is powered-off before installing the RocketRAID 2220 host adapter. The Rocket RAID 2220 includes both standard and low-profile brackets. It may be necessary to attach the

low-profile bracket in place of the standard bracket, depending upon the chassis design.

1. Open the system chassis and locate an unused PCI-X slot.

2. Remove the PCI slot cover.

3. Gently insert the Rocket RAID 2220 into the PCI slot, and secure the bracket to the system chassis.

4. After installing the adapter, attach hard disks to the R ocketRAID 2220 using an SATA data cable.

SATA cables have universal connections – either end can be attached to the adapter or hard disk. Each Rocket RAID 2220 included eight SATA cables, and supports up to eight separate hard disks

drives.

5. Many server -level chassis include hard-disk hot-swap bays. For these system chassis, cables are

attached to the chassis backplane, rather than directly to each individual hard disk. Consult the chassis’s manual for proper installation procedures.

6. Close and secure the system chassis.

4 - Verifying Installation

Once the RocketRAID 2220 host adapter and hard disks have been installed into the chassis, boot-up the system to verify that the hardware is properly recognized.

1. Power on th e system. If the system detects the presence of the adapter, the RocketRAID 2220 BIOS

will be displayed.

2. Press Ctrl+H to access the R ocketRAID 2220 BIOS Utility.

The BIOS Utility will display information about hard disks attached to the adapter. Make sure all attached disks are detected by this utility. If any of the hard disks are not detected, power down the system and check the power and SATA cable connections.

5 - Single-RAID Cross Adapter

The Rocket RAID 2220 is capable of supporting RAID arrays created between hard disks attached to multiple host adapters. Up to sixteen hard disks can be assigned to a single RAID array, and these disks

can be attached to as many as four separate RocketRAID 2220 host adapters. This feature is referred to as “Single-RAID Cross Adapter” support.

Each Rocket RAID 2220 provides two jumpers dedicated to this feature (JP1 and JP2), and a single crossadapter cable designed for use with these jumpers. JP1 is a 3-pin jumper, while JP2 is a 4 -pin design. Each cross-adapter cable has a 3-pin and 4-pin connector, designed for insertion into JP1 and JP2 respectively.

Example installation:

For a 16 -hard disk, 2-card cross-adapter RAID configuration, install a second card into the next available PCI-X slot. Insert one end of the cross- adapter cable into the appropriate jumper on the first adapter (3-pin connector to JP1, 4-pin connector to JP2), and the remaining connector into the appropriate jumper on the second adapter. There is no particular connector-to-jumper requirement. Any given connector can be inserted into the corresponding jumper on either card.

RocketRAID 2220 BIOS Utility

The Rocket RAID 2220 's BIOS Utility can be accessed using the " Ctrl+H" command. This command should be displayed automatically when the Rocket RAID 2220's BIOS screen appears during the system's boot up procedure.

1 - BIOS Command Overview

The Rocket RAID 2220 BIOS Utility provides a wide selection of RAID related commands. These commands are displayed towards the top of the utility's interface.

Use the ← →arrow keys to scroll through the various commands, and the ↑ ↓ arrows to browse through the corresponding command menus. Use the ENTER key to execute the selected command. The ESC button can be used to cancel the selected command, or return to the previous command menu.

Create - this command is used to create RAID arrays. Section x - 2 discusses this command in detail. Delete - this command will delete the selected RAID array.

Warning: This comm and may result in permanent data loss - it should only be used if data stored on the target array is no longer relevant, or has been backed up to an alternate storage device.

Add/Remove Spare - this command is used to assign hard disks to function as spa re disks. The

controller is capable of using spare disks to automatically rebuild broken or faulted RAID arrays. Section x - 3 discusses this command in detail.

Settings Set Boot Mark - this function is used to designate a particular disk or RAID array to function as the

Rocket RAID 2220's boot device.

Note: This setting is only relevant if the motherboard's BIOS has set the RocketRAID 2220 to function as the system’s primary boot device.

Staggered spin up – This function is used to enable (or disable) staggered drive spin up support.

Staggered drive spin up, by default, is disabled. When enabled, the RocketRAID 2220 will power up the hard disks one at a time, approximately every two seconds.

View – this command is used to select between two views. Press the ENTER key to change the view.

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