HighPoint RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G HBA Installation Manual

RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G HBA Series Data RAID

Installation Guide

Overview: This installation guide provides step and step instructions

on how to configure the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G storage to support a

Data RAID. This guide also provides troubleshooting tips when

problems occur.

Part 1 – What is a Data RAID Configuration?

Part 2 – Pre-requisite for Data RAID Configuration.

Part 3 – Hardware Installation Steps and Verification Steps

Part 4 – Software Package Installation and Verification Guide

Part 5 - Ready for the Experience

Part 1 – What is a Data RAID?

A Data RAID is setting up a RAID array (0, 1, 5,6, 10,50 or JBOD) on the RocketRAID
mini-SAS 6G series controller.

RAID arrays offers advantages of performance and protection with redundancy.

RAID Basics?

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Drives. This means taking
multiple matching drives and arranging them together to achieve large storage
space, speed, data protection, or any combination of the three. The RocketRAID
mini-SAS 6G series controller supports the following RAID types:

RAID 0 “Stripe”

Speed: Data is alternated across two or more drives to gain speed by essentially
distributing the workload.

Protection: No built-in protection.

Capacity: Usable space is the combined capacity of all the drives.

RAID 5 “Stripe & Protection”

Speed: Data is striped like in a RAID 0, so significant speed gains are seen. 

Protection: Utilizes mathematical parity to achieve data protection while taking up

a minimum of space. One drive can fail and all data will still be accessible.

Capacity: All but one drive worth of capacity is usable. Minimum three drives are
needed to create a RAID 5 array. In a three drive RAID 5 array, there is two drives
worth of usable space.

RAID 6 “Enhanced RAID5”

Speed: Data is striped like in a RAID 0, so significant speed gains are seen. 

Protection: Utilizes mathematical parity to achieve data protection while taking up

a minimum of space. Two drives can fail and all data will still be accessible.

Capacity: All but two drives worth of capacity is usable. Minimum four drives are
needed to create a RAID 6 array. In a four drives RAID 6 array, there is two drives
worth of usable space.

Combined RAIDs: RAID 10/50

Speed: Combines multiple RAID 1 or RAID 5 sets by using RAID 0 “Striping” to gain

speed. 

Protection: There are two RAID 1 or 5 “Mirrored” sets used in order to tolerate 1-2
drives failing depending on which drives they are.

Capacity: For RAID 10 its usable space is half of the combined capacity of all the
drives used, while for RAID 50 its usable space is each RAID5 capacity*RAID5
number.

RAID 1 “Mirror”

Speed: No speed benefits gained. 

Protection: One drive can fail and all data will still be accessible.

Capacity: One drive worth of usable space out of the two total drives used.

JBOD (Independent Drive Modes)

Speed: No significant speed gains. 

Protection: No built-in data protection. 

Capacity: In JBOD mode, the capacities are combined. When set up as independent

drives, each drive presents its stated capacity for use.

Part 2 - Pre-Requisite for Data RAID Configuration

Mac Pro Model

Core / CPU Speed GHz

EFI

Slot Number

2006

Quad Core / 2.0, 2.66, 3.0

32-bit

3,4

2006

Eight Core /3.0

32-bit

3,4

2008

Quad Core / 2.8

64-bit

2,3,4

2008

Eight Core/ 2.8, 3.0, 3.2

64-bit

2,3,4

2009

Quad Core / 2.66/2.93/3.33

64-bit

2,3,4

2009

Eight Core / 2.26, 2.66, 2.93

64-bit

2,3,4

2010

Quad Core / 2.9, 3.2

64-bit

2,3,4

2010

Six Core / 3.3

64-bit

2,3,4

2010

Eight Core / 2.4

64-bit

2,3,4

2010

Twelve Core / 2.66, 2.93

64-bit

2,3,4

Overview – The RocketRAID mini-SAS 6Gb/s series controller support Data RAID
configurations include RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 arrays. This document will include the
installations steps to configure and setup your hardware to support Data RAID
arrays.

The hardware and software pre-requests are listed below:

RocketRAID mini-SAS 6Gb/s series HBA
RocketRAID mini-SAS 6Gb/s for Mac drivers
Mac Pro system 2006 to Present
Multiple bay SATA/SAS external storage
Mac OS X 10.5.x and above

System Requirements

Mac Pro Hardware: Intel-based Mac with an available PCIe 2.0 or 1.0 slot capable

of supporting an x8 (8-lane) length PCIe card. For optimal performance, use a PCIe

2.0 slot running at x8 speeds or greater.

Slot recommendations for the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller.

Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5.x

Before, installing the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller make sure the
computer is turned off and unplugged from its power source. Take appropriate
electrostatic discharge precautions:

Your computer is a static-sensitive device. It is susceptible to invisible damage if not
protected during installation.

We recommend proper grounding by using a grounding strap. Make sure to work in
a clean and static-free area, and avoid wearing clothing that retains static charges.

Part 3 - Hardware Installation and Verification

Before installing the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller

Make sure computer is turned off and unplugged from its power source
Take appropriate electrostatic discharge precautions:.

Remove the PCIe slot cover.

Gently insert the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller into the PCIe slot and
secure the bracket to the computer chassis according to your chassis specifications.

After installing the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller, restart your computer.

After your computer has started, insert the Driver & Software Installation Disc to
install the necessary drivers for your computer’s operating system.

Hardware Verification

Verifying the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller is installed into the Mac Pro
system:

Step 1: Click on About this Mac

Step 2: Click on More Info

Step 3: Click on System Report

Step 4: Click on PCI Cards

Step 5: The RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller will be identified as SCSI.

Step 6: Verify the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G HBA is detected and no drivers are

installed.

In Mac OS X 10. x ,the Driver Installed will be “No”.

Once you have verified that the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller is
detected you can proceed to the Driver and Software Installation.

Troubleshooting Tip: If the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller is not
detected please try the following troubleshooting tips.

Step 1: Shut down the Mac Pro system then remove and insert the RocketRAID
mini-SAS 6G series controller then follow the steps from Hardware Verification.

Step 2: If Step 1 fails, then insert the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller into
a different PCIe slot.

Step 3: If Step 2 fails, try the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller in another
Mac Pro system.

Part 4 - Driver and Software Installation

The RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller comes with a disc containing the
drivers and software for Mac Pro system. For the latest drivers and software visit
the product page for the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller on
http://www.hptmac.com/

Mac OS X 10. x

Once you have installed the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller and booted
into your Mac, follow these instructions to install the drivers and the RocketRAID
mini-SAS 6G series controller software:

1. Insert the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G Card Install Disc into your Mac and navigate
to the “Mac OS X” folder.

2. Double-click on the file to mount the disc image containing the Mac OS X software
and drivers.

3. Double-click on the installer package to start the installation process.

4. Follow the on-screen steps to complete the installation process and you will be
prompted to restart your computer.

Verify Software Installation

Step 1: Click on About this Mac

Step 2: Click on More Info

Step 3: Click on System Report

Step 4: Click on PCI Cards

Step 5: The RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller will be identified as PCI RAID

Controller.

Step 6: Verify the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G HBA is detected and Driver Installed is
“Yes”.

dddddddddddddddd For Mac 10.x the driver and WebGUI are in one package so
once Driver Installed is verified as “Yes” ,the WebGUI will also need to be installed.
You can just start the browser to log in WebGUI.

Troubleshooting Tip: If the after installing the software package and the Driver
Installed is still “No”, please try the following troubleshooting tips.

Step 1: Confirm that you have the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller
software package and not another HighPoint RocketRAID series controller that
support Mac OS X.

Step 2: Run the uninstall script, reboot the Mac Pro system and reinstall the
RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller software once more.

Part 5 – Ready to Experience Log into web GUI

Log into the web GUI by entering opening a browser and entering the following URL

https://localhost:7402

Troubleshooting Tip: If you are not able to login to the URL, please check previous
troubleshooting steps to verify that the driver is install and that the RocketRAID
mini-SAS 6G series controller is detected.

Creating a Data RAID

Once you have logged into the web GUI you are ready to create a Data RAID. You will
see all of the hard drives attached to the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series controller.

Step 1: Examine available hard drives attached to the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G
series controller for Data RAID configuration.

Step 2. Initialize the drives before creating RAID.

Step 3: Select the hard drives attached to the RocketRAID mini-SAS 6G series
controller.

Step 4: Select the type of Data RAID you want to create RAID levels (0,1,5,6,10,50
and JBOD) are supported.

Step 5: Confirmation that the Data RAID is created.

Step 6: Format the newly created partition.