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HighPoint 2224 User Manual

RocketRAID 2224 SATAII Host Adapter
User’s Guide

Revision: 1.0

Date: August 2005
HighPoint Technologies, Inc.
Copyright
Copyright © 2005 HighPoint Technol ogies, Inc. This document contains materials prote ct e d 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 mentioned 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.
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Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS GUIDE............................................................................................................ 1
INTRODUCING THE ROCKETRAID 2224 HOST ADAPTER................................ 1
Product Features.................................................................................................................... 1
UNDERSTANDING RAID CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY................................................ 2
ROCKETRAID 2224 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION/INSTALLATION.......................................4
RocketRAID 2224 Hardware........................................................................................... 5
1 – RocketRAID 2224 Adapter Layout...................................................................................... 5
2 - LED Connections............................................................................................................... 6
3 - Installing the RocketRAID 2224 Host Adapter ...................................................................... 7
4 - Verifying Installation .........................................................................................................8
ROCKETRAID 2224 BIOS UTILITY............................................................................ 9
RocketRAID 2224 BIOS Utility.............................................................................................. 10
1 - BIOS Command Overview................................................................................................ 10
2 - Creating RAID Arrays..................................................................................................... 11
3 - Adding/Removing Spare Disks ..........................................................................................12
ROCKETRAID 2224 DRIVER AND SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
MICROSOFT WINDOWS (2000, XP, 2003 SERVER).............................................. 13
DRIVER AND SOFTWARE CD............................................................................................ 14
WINDOWS DRIVER INSTALLATION................................................................................. 16
1 - Installing the RAID Management Console/ Interface Overview............................................. 17
2 - Software Interface - Overview of commands/functions ......................................................... 18
3 - Creating an Array............................................................................................................ 19
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4 - Deleting an Array ............................................................................................................ 20
5 - Configuring Spare Disks................................................................................................... 20
6 - Recovering/Verifying Arrays............................................................................................. 21
7 – OCE/ORLM................................................................................................................... 21
8 - Misc. Array/Device Options .............................................................................................. 22
9 - Managing Events............................................................................................................. 23
10 - Configuring Remote Systems........................................................................................... 27
11 - Configuring Users and Privileges ..................................................................................... 30
LINUX DRIVER SUPPORT.........................................................................................32
Fedora Core 3 Linux installation Overview .............................................................................33
Red Hat Enterprise 3 Overview.............................................................................................. 36
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) installation Overview.....................................................39
FREEBSD DRIVER SUPPORT.................................................................................... 43
CUSTOMER SUPPORT................................................................................................ 49
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About this Guide

The RocketRAID 2224 SATAII Host Adapter’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 2224 Host Adapter

The HighPoint RocketRAID 2224 is a 4-channel Interrnal, single-channel external Infiniband, Serial ATA II RAID controller. It utilizes a 64bit, 133MHz PCI-X interface. The RocketRAID 2224 solution is aimed at enterprise storage applications, NAS storage, workgroup and web servers, video streaming / video editing workstations, back up, and security systems.

Product Features

y 4 Channel internal/ 1 channel external PCI-X to SATAII host adapter y Supports up to 8 SATA/SATAII hard disk drives (4 internal, 4 external) y PCI-X 64-bit, 66/100/133M Hz PC I bus y 64-bit LBA support for drive capacity over 2TB y Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and JBOD y Supports Native Command Queuing (NCQ) y Online Capacity Expansion (OCE) y Online RAID Level Migration (ORLM) y SAF-TE Enclosure management ready y Staggered drive spin-up support y S.M.A.R.T. monitoring of hard disk status for reliability y Hot Swap and Hot Spare support y Audible alarm y LED support (disk activity and disk failure status) y Quick and Background initialization for quick RAID configuration y BIOS boot support y Command Line Interface for RAID management (CLI) y Graphical RAID Management Software (RAID Management Console) y Web-based RAID Management Software y Automatic RAID rebuild y SMTP support for email notification y Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Mac OSX, Linux, and FreeBSD support
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Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology

The following concepts and termi nology is commonly used when describing the functio ns of the RocketRAID 2224 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 been 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 2224 (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 2224 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.
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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, ORLM and the RocketRAID 2224
The RocketRAID 2224 supports both Online Capacity Expansion (OCE), and Online RAID Leve l Migration (ORLM). Both features are supported by a single function - an array can be transformed from one RAID level to another RAID 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 disks 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 2224 that contain valid partition tables will be identified as legacy disks. A legacy disk attached to the RocketRAID 2224 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.
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RocketRAID 2224 Hardware
Description/Installation
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RocketRAID 2224 Hardware

1 – RocketRAID 2224 Adapter Layout

Port1- Port4 These represent the RocketRAID 2224’s four internal SATA channels. The SATA port furthest away from the surface of the adapter is always the odd numbered channel (1, 3), while the port closest to the adapter is the even numbered channel (2, 4).
IB1
This represents the RR2224’s Infiniband port, which supports up to 4 hard disks installed into an external disk enclosure (such as our X4 SATAII disk enclosure).
CON2 - CON3
LED connectors (disk-activity/disk-failure): CON2 is designed 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 RocketRAID 2224 LED guide (which discusses LED installation for specific server chassis, and will be available in downloadable form from our website).
JP5 – SAF-TE for Disk Enclosures
This jumper is used to connect the RR2224 to an external disk enclosure, enabling SAF-TE (for enclosures that support this feature) and LED support.
Speaker
Alarm (speaker): the speaker emits and audible alarm in the case of disk/array failure.
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2 - LED Connections

D1 through D8 represent SATA channels SA TA1 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 RocketRAID 2224.
CON2: Hard Disk Activity
CON3: Hard Disk Failure
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3 - Installing the RocketRAID 2224 Host Adapter

Note: Make sure the system is powered-off before installing the RocketRAID 2224 host adapter. The RocketRAID 2224 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.
0. Open the system chassis and locate an unused PCI-X slot.
0. Remove the PCI slot cover.
0. Gently insert the RocketRAID 2224 into the PCI slot, and secure the bracket to the system chassis.
0. After installing the adapter, attach individual hard disks to the RocketRAID 2224 using an SATA data
cable, or an external disk enclosure to the Infiniband port.. SATA cables ha ve universal connections – either end can be attached to the adapter or hard disk. Each RocketRAID 2224 included 4 SATA cables for use with the 4 internal SATA channels..
0. 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.
0. Close and secure the system chassis.
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4 - Verifying Installation

Once the RocketRAID 2224 host adapter and hard disks have been installed into the chassis, boot-up the system to verify that the hardware is properly recognized.
0. Power on the system. If the system detects the prese nce of the adapter, the RocketRAID 2224 BIOS
will be displayed.
0. Press Ctrl+H to access the RocketRAID 2224 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.
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RocketRAID 2224 BIOS Utility

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RocketRAID 2224 BIOS Utility

The RocketRAID 2224's BIOS Utility can be accessed using the "Ctrl+H" command. This command should be displayed automatically when the RocketRAID 2224's BIOS screen appears during the system's boot up procedure.

1 - BIOS Command Overview

The RocketRAID 2224 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 command 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 spare disks. The
controller is capable of using spare disks to automatically rebuild broken or faulted RAID arrays. Page 12 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
RocketRAID 2224's boot device.
Note: This setting is only relevant if the motherboard's BIOS has set the RocketRAID 2224 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 2224 will power up the hard disks one at a time, approximately every two seconds.
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View – this command is used to select between two views. Press the ENTER key to change the view.
Devices – displays information about hard disks attached to the RocketRAID 2224. Use the ↑ ↓ arrow
keys to highlight the target hard disk, and press ENTER to view the information. RAID Arrays – displays information about RAID arrays attached to the RocketRAID 2224. Use the ↑ ↓ arrow keys to highlight the target array, and press ENTER to view the information.
Initialize - this function is used to prepare disks for use with RAID arrays.
Note: Arrays cannot be created between disks that have not been initialized. Section x - 2 discusses this command in detail.

2 - Creating RAID Arrays

Initializing Disks:
Before creating a RAID array, the disks must be initialized. Initialization writes necessary RAID configuration information to the hard disk. Use the ← →arrow keys to select the Initialize command, and press ENTER.
Warning: Initialization will destroy all pre- existing data on the selected hard disks.
Use the ↑ ↓ arrow keys to highlight the target hard disk(s) and press ENTER. Next, press the Y (yes) key to initialize the selected disk(s), or N (no) key to cancel the initialization process.
Once initialized, these disks can be utilized to create RAID arrays.
To create an array:
1. Use the ← → arrow keys to highlight the Create command, and press ENTER to open the Create
Menu.
2. Use the ↑ ↓ arrow keys to select the appropriate RAID level, then press ENTER.
3. Next, use the ↓ arrow key to highlight the Array Name option and press ENTER. The array name
dialogue box will appear. Use the keyboard to input a new Array Name, and press the Enter key.
Note: the Array Name command is optional – it is not necessary to name the array. The array can be named at a later time, and the name of the array can be changed at any time.
4. On the Create menu, use the ↓ arrow key to highlight the Select Devices item and press ENTER. A
device list will appear, and display all available hard disk drives.
5. Highlight the target disks that you want to use, and press ENTER to select them. After all of the disks
have been selected, press the ESC key to return to the Create Menu.
6. Next, Use the ↓ arrow key to highlight the Capacity (GB) option and press ENTER. The total
available capacity will be displayed. Press ENTER if you wish to use all available space.
7. If you wish to reserve disk space for additional arrays/single disks, use the keyboard to input the
amount of space (in GB) you wish to set aside for this particular array, and press ENTER.
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Note: Multiple arrays can be created using the same set of hard disk drives. The Capacity option allows you to set aside disk space that be used to create another array or set as a spar e disk.
8. To complete the creation procedure, use the ↓ arrow key to highlight the Start Creatio n item and
press ENTER.

3 - Adding/Removing Spare Disks

This command is used to assign a hard disk to act as a Spare Disk. Spare Disks are used to automatically rebuild Redundant RAID arrays (RAID 1, 5, 10) in the case of disk failure. To set a hard disk to act as a Spare Disk, use the ↑ ↓ arrow keys to select a disk, and press ENTER. To remove the Spare Disk setting from a hard disk, highl ig ht the spa re di s k, an d press ENTER.
Generally, single disks are designated to act as spares (disks that are not configured into RAID arrays). However, in some instances, disks that are members of RAID arrays may also be designated to act as a spare. If the disks in question are part of a RAID array that did not utilize the full available capacity at the time of creation, these disks may be used as spares. For example: a RAID 0 array was created between two 200GB hard disks, but only 200GB of space (out of a grand total of 400GB), was assigned to that array. In this example, 200GB of disk space remains unallocated. This unallocated space would allow these disks to be set as spares for a separate redundant array that falls into the same capacity range (200GB).
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RocketRAID 2224 Driver and Software
Installation Microsoft Windows (2000, XP, 2003
Server)
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