VIA VT8237A User Manual

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User Manual

VT8237A PATA/SATA Integrated Storage Controllers

Feature and Driver Support

Revision 0.85, March 27, 2007

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

OONNTTEENNTTS

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 9

1.1 Overview........................................................................................................ 10

1.2 Features of the VT8237A PATA Controller ............................................................ 12

1.3 Features of the VT8237A SATA Controller............................................................ 13

2 Driver Support.......................................................................................................... 14

2.1 Drivers Supported for Microsoft Windows............................................................ 14

2.2 Drivers Supported for Linux .............................................................................. 19

3 Driver Installation ..................................................................................................... 20

3.1 VIA mini-IDE Driver Installation......................................................................... 20

3.2 VIA V-RAID Driver Installation........................................................................... 29

2.1.1 Windows VT8237A PATA Controller Driver.................................................. 15

2.1.2 Windows VT8237A SATA Controller Driver ................................................. 15

2.1.3 Driver Packages..................................................................................... 17

2.2.1 Linux VT8237A PATA Controller Driver ...................................................... 19

2.2.2 VIA VT8237A Linux Kernel SATA Driver Source Patches............................... 19

4 RAID Basics.............................................................................................................. 37

4.1 RAID 0 (Striping) ............................................................................................ 37

4.2 RAID 1 (Mirroring)........................................................................................... 38

4.3 JBOD (Spanning)............................................................................................. 38

5 BIOS Configuration.................................................................................................... 39

5.1 Entering the BIOS Configuration Utility ............................................................... 39

5.2 Creating a New Disk Array................................................................................ 41

5.3 Deleting a Disk Array....................................................................................... 46

5.4 Setting Up a Bootable Array.............................................................................. 47

5.5 Viewing the Serial Number of a Hard Drive.......................................................... 48

5.6 Viewing the Array Status.................................................................................. 48

5.7 Duplicating a RAID 1 Array ............................................................................... 49

6 Using the VIA V-RAID Software................................................................................... 51

6.1 Getting Started ............................................................................................... 51

6.2 View Online Help............................................................................................. 53

6.3 View Controller and Device Status...................................................................... 54

6.4 Create Disk Array............................................................................................ 55

6.4.1 Create RAID 1 Disk Array........................................................................ 56

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

6.4.2 Create RAID 0 Disk Array........................................................................ 64

6.4.3 Create JBOD Disk Array.......................................................................... 72

6.4.4 Create RAID 0+1 Disk Array.................................................................... 79

6.4.5 Create RAID 5 Disk Array........................................................................ 84

6.5 Delete Disk Array ............................................................................................ 93

6.5.1 Using the Remove Array Wizard............................................................... 93

6.5.2 Using the Device Tree to Remove an Array ................................................ 97

6.6 Add and Remove Spare Disk Drive..................................................................... 98

6.6.1 Using the Add/Remove Spare Disk Wizard................................................. 98

6.6.2 Using the Device Tree to Add/Remove a Spare Disk...................................106

6.7 Check All Disks ..............................................................................................108

6.8 View Event Log ..............................................................................................111

6.9 Synchronize Mirror Disk...................................................................................113

6.10 Disk Error Detection........................................................................................116

6.11 Duplicate Critical RAID 1 Array.........................................................................117

6.12 Rescan Array Status........................................................................................118

7 Icon Glossary ..........................................................................................................119

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IISSTT OOFF

Figure 1-1: Module block of VT8237A SATA controller............................................................ 13

Figure 2-1: Safe-remove icon and safe remove hardware dialog of the SATA hard disk............... 15

Figure 2-2 : Device Manager View - Unknown RAID controller before installing VIA V-RAID driver 16

Figure 3-1: Before installing the VIA mini-IDE dri v e r............................................................. 20

Figure 3-2: Launching the VIA mini-IDE installer file............................................................. 21

Figure 3-3: The startup screen of the VIA mini-IDE installer................................................... 22

Figure 3-4: VIA mini-IDE license agreement ........................................................................ 23

Figure 3-5: Selecting the VIA mini-IDE driver package components for installation.................... 24

Figure 3-6: Confirmation screen before installing the VIA mini-IDE driver package.................... 25

Figure 3-7: Installation progress window of the VIA mini-IDE driver package............................ 25

Figure 3-8: Results of the VIA mini-IDE driver installation...................................................... 26

Figure 3-9: Finalizing the VIA mini-IDE installation ............................................................... 27

Figure 3-10: Device manager after installing the VIA mini-IDE driver ...................................... 28

Figure 3-11: Example of an unrecognized RAID controller...................................................... 29

Figure 3-12: Executing the setup file .................................................................................. 30

IIGGUURREES

Figure 3-13: VIA V-RAID setup options ............................................................................... 31

Figure 3-14: VIA V-RAID component selection options .......................................................... 32

Figure 3-15: VIA V-RAID driver installation confirmation........................................................ 33

Figure 3-16: VIA V-RAID driver installation results................................................................ 34

Figure 3-17: Option to reboot the computer......................................................................... 35

Figure 3-18: VIA V-RAID successfully installed..................................................................... 36

Figure 4-1: RAID 0 Disk Array Configuration........................................................................ 37

Figure 4-2: RAID 1 Disk Array Configuration........................................................................ 38

Figure 4-3: RAID JBOD Disk Array Configuration .................................................................. 38

Figure 5-1: Option to enter the RAID BIOS configuration utility .............................................. 39

Figure 5-2: Main menu of the RAID BIOS configuration utility................................................. 40

Figure 5-3: Creating an array using the RAID BIOS utility...................................................... 41

Figure 5-4: Selecting an array type in the RAID BIOS utility................................................... 42

Figure 5-5: Methods for creating disk arrays........................................................................ 43

Figure 5-6: Setting the stripe size in a RAID 0 array ............................................................. 44

Figure 5-7: Starting the array creation process .................................................................... 45

Figure 5-8: Deleting an array in the RAID BIOS utility........................................................... 46

Figure 5-9: Setting up a boot array in the RAID BIOS utility................................................... 47

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Figure 5-10: Displaying the disk array status in the RAID B IOS utility...................................... 48

Figure 5-11: Inconsistency in a RAID 1 array detected.......................................................... 49

Figure 5-12: Options for duplicating a RAID 1 array.............................................................. 50

Figure 6-1: VIA V-RAID system tray icon............................................................................. 51

Figure 6-2: Main interface of the VIA V-RAID ut i l i t y .............................................................. 51

Figure 6-3: Available options in the VIA V-RAID utility........................................................... 52

Figure 6-4: VIA V-RAID help information............................................................................. 53

Figure 6-5: Displaying the controller tree in the VIA V-RAID utility.......................................... 54

Figure 6-6: Creating an array using the VIA V-RAID utility..................................................... 55

Figure 6-7: Selecting a RAID 1 type with the VIA V-RAID utility.............................................. 56

Figure 6-8: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

............................................................................................................................... 57

Figure 6-9: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility............... 58

Figure 6-10: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a RAID 1 array creation

............................................................................................................................... 59

Figure 6-11: Notice of a failed RAID 1 array creation............................................................. 60

Figure 6-12: Existing data found on the source disk during array creation................................ 61

Figure 6-13: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility ...... 62

Figure 6-14: Successful mirror array created ....................................................................... 63

Figure 6-15: Selecting a RAID 0 type with the VIA V-RAID utility............................................ 64

Figure 6-16: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 0 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

............................................................................................................................... 65

Figure 6-17: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 0 array with the VIA V-RAID utility ............. 66

Figure 6-18: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a RAID 0 array creation

............................................................................................................................... 67

Figure 6-19: Notice of a failed RAID 0 array creation............................................................. 68

Figure 6-20: Existing data found on one of the disks being setup for RAID 0 array creation ........ 69

Figure 6-21: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 0 array with the VIA V-RAID utility ...... 70

Figure 6-22: Successful stripe array created ........................................................................ 71

Figure 6-23: Selecting a JBOD RAID type with the VIA V - RAID utility ...................................... 72

Figure 6-24: Selecting a controller and creation method for a JBOD RAID array with the VIA V-RAID

utility........................................................................................................................ 73

Figure 6-25: Selecting disks to be used in the JBOD RAID array with the VIA V-RAID utility........ 74

Figure 6-26: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a JBOD RAID array

creation .................................................................................................................... 75

Figure 6-27: Existing data found on one of the disks being setup for JBOD array creation........... 76

Figure 6-28: Final confirmation before creating the JBOD array with the VIA V-RAID utility......... 77

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Figure 6-29: Successful JBOD array created......................................................................... 78

Figure 6-30: Selecting a RAID 0+1 type with the VIA V-RAID utility........................................ 79

Figure 6-31: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 0+1 array with the VIA V-RAID

utility........................................................................................................................ 80

Figure 6-32: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 0+1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility ......... 81

Figure 6-33: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 0+1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility .. 82

Figure 6-34: Successful RAID 0+1 array created .................................................................. 83

Figure 6-35: Selecting a RAID 5 type with the VIA V-RAID utility............................................ 84

Figure 6-36: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 5 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

............................................................................................................................... 85

Figure 6-37: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 5 array with the VIA V-RAID utility ............. 86

Figure 6-38: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a RAID 5 array creation

............................................................................................................................... 87

Figure 6-39: Notice of a failed RAID 5 array creation............................................................. 88

Figure 6-40: Existing data found on one of the disks being setup for RAID 5 array creation ........ 89

Figure 6-41: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 5 array with the VIA V-RAID utility ...... 90

Figure 6-42: Successful RAID 5 array created ...................................................................... 91

Figure 6-43: A message box popping up to ask for prompting a system reboot......................... 92

Figure 6-44: Deleting an array using the Remove Array wizard............................................... 93

Figure 6-45: Selecting the array to be deleted ..................................................................... 94

Figure 6-46: Final confirmation before deleting an array with the VIA V-RAID utility .................. 95

Figure 6-47: Successful deletion of an array ........................................................................ 96

Figure 6-48: Deleting an array using the device tree............................................................. 97

Figure 6-49: Adding or removing a spare disk using the Add/Remove Spare Disk wizard ............ 98

Figure 6-50: Selecting a mirror array to add a spare disk....................................................... 99

Figure 6-51: Selecting a qualified spare disk for a mirror array..............................................100

Figure 6-52: Final confirmation before adding a spare disk to a mirror array............................101

Figure 6-53: Successful addition of a spare disk to a mirror array ..........................................102

Figure 6-54: Selecting a mirror array to remove a spare disk ................................................103

Figure 6-55: Final confirmation before removing a spare disk from a mirror array....................104

Figure 6-56: Successful removal of a spare disk from a mirror array ......................................105

Figure 6-57: Adding/removing a spare disk using the device tree...........................................106

Figure 6-58: Deleting a spare disk using the device tree.......................................................107

Figure 6-59: Starting the hard disk diagnostic wizard...........................................................108

Figure 6-60: Check All Disks wizard screen.........................................................................109

Figure 6-61: Viewing the results of the hard disk diagnostic..................................................110

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Figure 6-62: Starting the View Event Log wizard .................................................................111

Figure 6-63: Viewing event logs........................................................................................112

Figure 6-64: Synchronizing a mirror array using the device tree ............................................113

Figure 6-65: Synchronizing a mirror from the root node of a RAID 1 array ..............................114

Figure 6-66: Synchronizing all mirrors from the root node of a RAID 0+1 array .......................114

Figure 6-67: Synchronization in process.............................................................................115

Figure 6-68: Synchronization completed ............................................................................115

Figure 6-69: Disk error pop up message box.......................................................................116

Figure 6-70: Message box prompting for array synchronization..............................................117

Figure 6-71: Using the Rescan Array Status function............................................................118

Figure 6-72: Viewing the array status information ...............................................................118

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IISSTT OOFF

Table 1-1: Base class and Sub-Class code of all PCI mass storage controllers............................ 10

Table 1-2: Two integrated storage controllers in VT8237A...................................................... 11

Table 1-3: Channel types supported by the VT8237A PATA controller....................................... 12

Table 1-4: Channel type of VT8237A SATA controller............................................................. 13

Table 2-1: Storage drivers for Windows NT4, and 9x/ME........................................................ 14

Table 2-2: Storage drivers for Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 and Vista.................................. 14

Table 2-3: Software RAID enable/disable condition ............................................................... 16

Table 2-4: Linux storage driver support for VT8237A SATA controller....................................... 19

Table 4-1: RAID levels supported by the VT8237A SATA RAID controller .................................. 37

Table 6-1: Event log icons................................................................................................111

Table 7-1: Icon glossary ..................................................................................................119

AABBLLEES

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1 INTRODUCTION

This document is intended for use with the VIA PA T A/S A T A host controllers integr ated in the VT8237A South Bridge. This document focuses on the features and driver support of the storage controllers. The scope of this document covers the storage controllers mentioned below:

• VIA Bus Master IDE Controller (Device ID 0x0571)

• VIA SATA Controller (Device ID 0x0591)

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1.1 Overview

PCI-SIG defines various types of PCI mass storage controllers. Each type is classified into one class and sub-class. Chip venders (such as VIA T echnologies Inc.) who design PCI stor age controllers can specify one type for each controller in the controller’s PCI header registers. Upon reading the device’s PCI header registers, the operating system will determine the type of controllers and then search for corresponding drivers. Table 1-1 lists the base class and sub-class code of all PCI mass storage controllers.

Table 1-1: Base class and Sub-Clas s code of all PCI mass storage controllers

Base Class Code Sub-Class Code Meaning

01h

00h

01h IDE controller 02h Floppy disk controller 03h IPI bus controller 04h RAID controller

05h

06h Serial ATA Direct Port Access 80h Other mass storage controller

SCSI bus controller

ATA controller with single/chained DMA

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There are two host storage controllers integrated in the VT8237A South Bridge:

Table 1-2: Two integrated storage controllers in VT8237A

Item Name Device ID Configurable Class

VIA Bus Master IDE Controller

2 VIA SATA Controller – xxxx

0x0571

Depend on Sub-Class

Code

Base class = 01, sub-class= 01, IDE Controller Base class = 01, sub-class= 01, IDE controller

Base class = 01, sub-class= 04, RAID controller

The term “Configurable Class” refers to the possible base class and sub-class that may be configured for the controller. The controller can be configured in the BIOS settings. In Ta ble 1-2, the “VIA Bus Master IDE Controller” (VT8237A PATA Controller

) is not configurable because it only supports IDE

controller. The “VIA SATA controller- xxxx” (VT8237A SATA controller) can be dynamically configured to be

either an IDE or RAID controller. Within the SATA context, “IDE controller” refers to the SATA controller configured as the “IDE mode” . “RAID controller” refers to the SA TA controller configured as the “RAID mode” . Regarding the “xxxx” code, please refer to VIA VT8237A Data Sheet and VIA BIOS Porting Guide.

Throughout this document, the term “VT8237A PATA Controller” refers to “VIA Bus Master IDE controller” (Device ID 0x0571).

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1.2 Features of the VT8237A PAT A Controller

The VT8237A PA T A controller is a standard dual-channel IDE controller that can onl y be configured as an “IDE controller”. Microsoft Windows and Linux have provided default drivers for standard IDE devices. T o enable enhanced support for the A TA/A T API Ultra-DMA mode, VIA also pro vides mini-IDE drivers for VT8237A PATA controller (see section 2.2.1). The VT8237A PATA controller supports the following:

• Standard Dual Channel Bus master IDE controller.

• Transfer mode supports up to ATA 133 (Ultra DMA mode 6).

• AT Attachment with Packet Interface-6 (ATA/ATAPI-6).

Table 1-3: Channel types supported by the VT8237A PATA controller

Class Interface Type

IDE controller Two master/slave-mode Parallel ATA channels

Support up to four ATA/ATAPI devices.

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

1.3 Features of the VT8237A SAT A Controller

The VT8237A SA T A controller is an adv anced host controller that provides the functionalities of Serial AT A (SA T A). Figure 1-1 shows the function block of the SAT A module in the VT8237A SA T A controller. The default mode of the SATA module is active.

Figure 1-1: Module block of VT8237A SATA controller

As the SATA module of VT8237A SATA controller is in active mode, it can emulate a parallel ATA controller that is compatible to standard dual channel IDE controller. Therefore, the default IDE driver can be loaded.

Table 1-4: Channel type of VT8237A SATA controller

Class Interface Type

IDE controller Master/Master-mode SATA channels (ports)

Note that Slave ports are not provided by this chip.

RAID controller Master-only SATA ports.

For detailed driver support, see section 2.

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

2 DRIVER SUPPORT

2.1 Drivers Supported for Microsoft Windows

Table 2-1 and Table 2-2 list the status of current driver support for VT8237A storage controllers2.

Table 2-1: Storage drivers for Windows NT4, and 9x/ME

Class Device ID Module Windows NT4 Windows 9X/ME

0x0571 PATA 1. Microsoft - Default. 1. Microsoft - Default. IDE 0x5337 SATA3 1. Microsoft - N/A

2. VIA – N/A

RAID 0x0591 SATA VIA: V-RAID after v5.20C

(included)

1. Microsoft - N/A

2. VIA – N/A VIA: V-RAID after v5.20C (included)

Table 2-2: Storage drivers for Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 and Vista

Class Device ID Module Windows 2000/XP/Ser2003 Windows Vista

0x0571 PATA 1. Microsoft - Default.

2. VIA - VIAMiniIDE after v1.60 (included).

0x5337 SATA 1. Microsoft – Default

2. VIA - VIAMiniIDE after v1.60 (included).

RAID 0x0591 SATA4 VIA: V-RAID after V5.40a

(included)

Microsoft built-in VIA mini-IDE driver IDE

1. Microsoft – Default or In-Box VIA Bus/Master driver

2. VIA – VIA MiniIDE after v1.60 (included)

Note 3)

1. Microsoft – In-Box VIA Stor-Miniport RAID driver

2. VIA: VIA V-RAID v5.40a (included)

Last updated in February 2006.

SATA IDE mode is not su pported in Win9X/WinMe/NT4.0 . Only RAID mode can be used by configuring the controller into RAID mode through

BIOS setup menu in order to enable VIA V-RAID driver.

VIA has checked new RAID driver and new IDE Bus/Master driver into M ic rosoft Vista to become in-box default driver.

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

2.1.1 Windows VT8237A P ATA Controller Driver

For the VT8237A PA T A controller , Microsoft Windows has provided a default driver for the standard IDE controller . The VIA mini-IDE driver included in the driver package may also be installed. See section

2.1.3.1 for detailed information about the mini-IDE driver.

2.1.2 Windows VT8237A SAT A Controller Driver

The driver support for the VT8237A SATA controller is based on the configuration mode. When the controller is set to IDE mode, the IDE driver will be available.

When the VT8237A SA TA controller is set to the IDE class, the controller will be fully compatible with standard dual-channel IDE controllers. Microsoft Windows loads the default IDE driver to enable support for the VT8237A SATA controller.

The VIA mini-IDE driver may also be installed to improve the performance of the VT8237A SATA controller. When the VIA mini-IDE driver is installed, the SATA hard disks become hot-swappable. The driver enables automatic hot-plug detection of SATA drives. It also enables the saf e-remove feature for SATA hard disks (see Figure 2-1).

Figure 2-1: Safe-remove icon and safe remove hardware dialog of the SATA hard disk

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

When the VT8237A SA T A controller is set to RAID, Microsoft Windows d oes not load any default driver (see Figure 2-2). The VIA V-RAID driver must first be installed for the RAID to be recognized. For detailed information about installation, please refer to section 3.

Figure 2-2 : Device Manager View - Unknown RAID controller before installing VIA V-RAID driver

The driver will enable software RAID function according to current mode settings in the BIOS. When it is set to RAID mode, the driver enables the software RAID function.

Table 2-3: Software RAID enable/disable condition

SATA Controller Mode RAID Mode

Driver RAID function Enable

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

2.1.3 Driver P ackages

2.1.3.1 VIA Mini-IDE Driver Package

The mini-IDE driver is the vendor-provided driver that reports the capabilities of the IDE controller to Microsoft Windows. The mini-IDE driver exports interface functions for Windows to query and set the transfer mode of the host controller. Windows can perform the following actions shown below using the mini-IDE driver:

• Determine whether the channels are disabled or enabled.

• Determine the transfer modes the IDE controller supports.

• Set the current transfer mode to a specific mode.

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 has built-in support for VIA’s old IDE controller. However, Windows XP Service Pack 2 does not have built-i n support for the ne w VT8237A integr ated P ATA and SA TA IDE controllers. Windows XP will treat it as an unknown VIA IDE controller and assume that the controller can support transfer modes up to Ultra-DMA 6. Microsoft Windows works fine because both integrated controllers are backwards compatible and support transfer modes up to Ultra-DMA 6. For improving the performance of the new VIA VT8237A P A TA/S A TA IDE controller, it is recommended to install the VIA mini-IDE driver.

The VIA Mini-IDE driver Package (Version 1.30 or above) supports the mini-IDE driver for both PATA IDE and SATA IDE.

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

2.1.3.2 VIA RAID Driver Package

The VIA RAID driver is a SCSI-miniport driver that performs software RAID functions on VIA storage controller families. The driver supports the features mentioned below on the VT8237A SATA controllers:

• Supports four SATA ports at 3.0 Gb/s (300 MB/s).

• Supports hard disk drives larger than 137 GB (48-bits LBA).

• Supports SATA I, SATA II, Ultra DMA mode 6/5/4/3/2/1/0, DMA mode 2/1/0, and PIO mode

4/3/2/1/0.

• Supports RAID 0, 1 and JBOD.

• Bootable disk or disk array support

• Windows-based RAID configuration and management software tool. (Compatible with BIOS)

• Real-time monitoring of device status and error alarm with popup message box and beeping.

• Supports hot-swapping of a failed disk drive in a RAID 1 array.

• Mirroring and automatic background rebuild support.

• SATA and ATA S.M.A.R.T support.

• Microsoft Windows 98, Me, NT4.0, 2000, XP and Server 2003 operating system support.

• Event logging for easy troubleshooting.

• On-line help for RAID software.

For detailed information about VIA RAID Driver Package installation, please refer to section 4.

The VIA V-RAID OPROM should exist.

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

2.2 Drivers Supported for Linux

2.2.1 Linux VT8237A P A TA Controller Driver

The default Linux driver supports all South Bridge integrated parallel IDE controllers.

2.2.2 VIA VT8237A Linux K ernel SAT A Driver Source P atches

VIA has provided a package that includes the kernel driver source patches, examples, and documents for the VT8237A SATA controller to the Linux organization and customers. As Table 2-4 shows, the package is named as “VIA Linux Driver Patch package”. The driver patch package can be obtained directly from VIA by contacting josephchan@via.com.tw Currently, the Linux organization supports this package in the latest Linux Kernel. For more information about Linux Kernel, please refer to the release note published by the Linux organization. For Linux distributors’ OS information, please refer the release history or document published by each distributor.

or through the VIA Arena Web-site.

Table 2-4: Linux storage driver support for VT8237A SATA controller

Class Device ID Module Linux Kernel 2.4.X Linux Kernel 2.6.X

IDE 0x5337 SATA

See footnote

VIA Linux Driver Patch Package v1.30 or

above

VIA recommends Linux users to upgrade their kernel to Version 2.6.X. VIA will not provide VT8237A patches for kernel 2.4.X to end-user. If

there is any special request from thirty party hardware vendors, please contact josephchan@via.com.tw.

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

3 DRIVER INSTALLATION

3.1 VIA mini-IDE Driver Installation

TTEEPP

Prior to installing the VIA mini-IDE driver , first uninstall all existing non-default driver for the VT8237A PATA and SATA controllers. The VT8237A SATA controller should be set to IDE mode through the BIOS setup menu.

In Figure 3-1, “VIA Bus Master IDE Controller” is the default name of the VT8237A PA T A controller and “Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller” is the default name of the VT8237A SATA controller.

11:

EEFFOORREE

NNSSTTAALLLLIINNGG TTHHEE

VVIIA

MMIINNI

--IIDDE

RRIIVVEER

Figure 3-1: Before installing the VIA mini-IDE driver

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

TTEEPP

To start the installation, run the setup.exe file included in the driver package.

OOCCAATTEE AANNDD

22:

XXEECCUUTTEE TTHHEE

EETTUUP

EEXXEE

IILLE

Figure 3-2: Launching the VIA mini-IDE installer file

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

TTEEPP

Click on the “Next >” button to continue.

33:

TTAARRTT TTHHEE

NNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN

IIZZAARRD

Figure 3-3: The startup screen of the VIA mini-IDE installer

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

TTEEPP

After reading the license agreement, select “I Agree” and click on the “Next >” button to continue.

44:

EEAADD TTHHEE

IICCEENNSSEE

GGRREEEEMMEENNT

Figure 3-4: VIA mini-IDE license agreement

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

TTEEPP

Confirm that the driver package component is checked and cl ick on the “Next >” butto n to continue.

EELLEECCTT TTHHEE

55:

OOMMPPOONNEENNTTSS TTOO

NNSSTTAALLL

Figure 3-5: Selecting the VIA mini-IDE driver package components for installation

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

TTEEPP

The installation wizard will show a list of components to be installed. Click on the “Next >” button to continue. The installation process will start immediately after clicking on the “Next >” button .

OONNFFIIRRMM TTHHEE

66:

TTEEMMSS TTOO BBEE

NNSSTTAALLLLEED

Figure 3-6: Confirmation screen before installing the VIA mini-IDE driver package

Figure 3-7: Installation progress window of the VIA mini-IDE driver package

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

TTEEPP

After the installation is complete, the installation wizard will display the results.

NNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN

77:

EESSUULLTTS

Figure 3-8: Results of the VIA mini-IDE driver installation

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

TTEEPP

To complete the installation process, select the option to reboot the computer and then click on the “Next >” button to continue.

XXIITTIINNGG TTHHEE

88:

NNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN

IIZZAARRD

Figure 3-9: Finalizing the VIA mini-IDE installation

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

If the driver was successfully installed, then the device manager will display the proper names of the devices. The name of VT8237A PAT A controller should be changed to “VIA Bus Master IDE Controller

- 0571”. The name of VT8237A SATA controller should be changed to “VIA Serial ATA Controller 5337”.

Figure 3-10: Device manager after installing the VIA mini-IDE driver

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

3.2 VIA V-RAID Driver Installation

TTEEPP

Unless the VIA V-RAID driver has been installed, the operating system will not recognize the RAID controller. Additionally, the VT8237A SATA controller must be set to RAID mode in the BIOS setup menu in order for the operating system to recognize the RAID controller.

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Figure 3-11: Example of an unrecognized RAID controller

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TTEEPP

To start the installation, run the setup.exe file included in the driver package.

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Figure 3-12: Executing the setup file

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TTEEPP

To install the driver, select “Install/Update”. To remove a previously in stalled VIA V-RAID driver, select “Remove” Click “Next” to continue.

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Figure 3-13: VIA V-RAID setup options

If the driver has been installed before, it is recommended to remove previous installation first before installing the driver again.

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TTEEPP

Select the components to be installed. By default both components will be checked. Click “Next” to continue.

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Figure 3-14: VIA V-RAID component selection options

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TTEEPP

The components to be installed will be shown before the actual installation begins. Click “Back” to make corrections to the installation options. Click “Next” to continue.

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Figure 3-15: VIA V-RAID driver installation confirmation

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TTEEPP

When the installation has been completed, the driver setup wizard will show a summary of the installed components. Additionally, the summary will show if any components failed to install properly.

NNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN

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Figure 3-16: VIA V-RAID driver installation results

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TTEEPP

After the installation is completed, the setup wizard gives the option to reboot the computer. It is recommended to reboot immediately to complete the installation process. Otherwise, the RAID functions will be available the next time the computer is restarted.

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Figure 3-17: Option to reboot the computer

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TTEEPP

T o verify that the VIA V-RAID driver has been successfully installed, open the device manager. There should now be an entry under “SCSI and RAID Controller” listed as “VIA VT8237A SATA RAID controller” .

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Figure 3-18: VIA V-RAID successfully installed

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4 RAID BASICS

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of combining two or more hard disk drives into one logical unit. The advantage of an array is to provide better performance or data fault tolerance. Fault tolerance is achieved t hrough data redundant operation, where if one disk drive fails, a mirrored copy of the data can be found on another drive. This can prevent data loss if one hard disk fails. The individual disk drives in an array are called “members”. The configuration information of each member is recorded in the “reserved sector” that identifies the drive as a member. All disk members in a formed disk array are recognized as a single physical drive to the operating system.

Hard disk drives can be combined together through a few different methods. The different methods are referred to as different RAID levels. Different RAID levels represent different performance levels, security levels and implementation costs. The RAID levels supported by the VT8237A SATA RAID controller are RAID 0, 1 and JBOD. The table below briefly introduces these RAID levels.

Table 4-1: RAID levels supported by the VT8237A SATA RAID controller

RAID Level No. of Drives Capacity Benefits

RAID 0 (Striping) 2 to 4 Number drives * Smallest size Highest performance without

data protection RAID 1 (Mirroring) 2 Smallest size Data protection JBOD (Spanning) 2 to 4 Sum of all drives No data protection and

performance improving, but

disk capacity fully used.

4.1 RAID 0 (Striping)

In RAID 0, sectors of data are interleaved between multiple drives. If any disk member fails, the entire array will be affected. The disk array data capacity is equal to the number of drive members times the capacity of the smallest member. The striping block size can be set from 4KB to 64KB. RAID 0 does not support fault tolerance.

Disk0 Disk1

A C

C E

E G

Figure 4-1: RAID 0 Disk Array Configuration

B D

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4.2 RAID 1 (Mirroring)

In RAID 1, the system writes duplicate data onto a pair of drives and reads both sets of data in parallel. If one of the mirrored drives suffers a mechanical failure or does not respond, the remaining drive will continue to function. Due to the data redundancy, the drive capacity of the array is the capacity of the smallest drive. Under a RAID 1 setup, an extra drive called the “spare drive” can be attached. Such a drive will be activated to replace a failed drive that is part of a mirrored array . Due to the fault tolerance, if any RAID 1 drive fails, data access will not be affected as long as there are other working drives in the array.

Disk0 Disk1

A B

C D

Figure 4-2: RAID 1 Disk Array Configuration

C D

4.3 JBOD (Spanning)

A spanning disk array is equal to the sum of all drives in the array . Spanning stores data on to a drive until it is full and then proceeds to store files onto the next drive in the array. When any disk member fails, the failure affects the entire array. JBOD is not really a RAID and does not support fault tolerance.

Disk0

A B

B C

C D

Disk1

E F

G H

Figure 4-3: RAID JBOD Disk Array Configuration

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5 BIOS CONFIGURATION

5.1 Entering the BIOS Configuration Utility

When the system powers on, the following information will appear on the screen. Press the “T ab” key to enter the BIOS configuration utility.

Figure 5-1: Option to enter the RAID BIOS configuration utility

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The main menu of the BIOS configuration utility is shown in Figure 5-2. Some of the options may not be selectable depending upon the system’s current configuration. To navigate the menu, use the arrow keys.

Figure 5-2: Main menu of the RAID BIOS configuration utility

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5.2 Creating a New Disk Array

TTEEPP

Select Create Array and press <Enter> to continue.

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Figure 5-3: Creating an array using the RAID BIOS utility

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TTEEPP

A list of array modes will appear. Highlight the target array mode that you want to create, and press <Enter> to confirm the selection. If RAID 1 or RAID 0/1 is selected, an option list will pop up and enable the users to select Create only or Create and duplicat e. Create only will allow the BIOS only to create an array. The data on the mirroring drive may be different from the source drive.

Create and duplicate allows the BIOS to copy the data from the source to the mirroring drive.

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Figure 5-4: Selecting an array type in the RAID BIOS utility

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TTEEPP

After the array mode is selected, there are two methods to create a disk arr ay . One method is “Auto Setup” and the other one is “Select Disk Drives”.

Auto Setup allows the BIOS to select the disk drives and create arrays automatical ly but it does not

duplicate the mirroring drives even if the user selected Create and duplicate for RAID 1. When using this option, using new disk drives is recommended.

Select Disk Drives enables the user to select the array hard drives according to their requirements. When using Select Disk Drives, the channel column will be activated. Highlight the drives that will be used and press <Enter> to select them. After all drives have been selected, press <Esc> to return to the main menu.

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Figure 5-5: Methods for creating disk arrays

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If RAID 0 was selected in step 2, the block size of the arr ay can also be selected. Use the arrow key to highlight Block Size and press <Enter>. Then select a block size from the popup menu. The block size can be 4 kB to 64 kB.

Figure 5-6: Setting the stripe size in a RAID 0 array

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TTEEPP

Use the arrow key to highlight Start Create Process and press <Enter> to continue. A confirmation message will appear. Press Y to finish the creation, or press N to cancel the creation.

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Figure 5-7: Starting the array creation process

Important:

All existing content in the hard drive will be erased during array creation.

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5.3 Deleting a Disk Array

A RAID array can be deleted after it has been created.

TTEEPP

T o delete a RAID , first select Delete Array from the main menu and press <Enter> to continue. The channel column will be activated.

TTEEPP

Select the member of the array to be deleted and press <Enter> to continue. A warning message will display. Press Y to delete or press N to cancel.

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Figure 5-8: Deleting an array in the RAID BIOS utility

Deleting a disk array will destroy all the data on the disk array except in RAID 1 arr ays. When a RAID 1 array is deleted, the data on the member disk drives will be reserved. The member disk drives will be converted to normal disk drives.

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5.4 Setting Up a Bootable Array

Disk arrays may be used as boot devices if an operating system will be installed on the array.8

TTEEPP

Highlight the Select Boot Array item, then press <Enter> to continue. The channel column will be activated.

TTEEPP

Highlight the target disk array and press <Enter> to continue.9

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Figure 5-9: Setting up a boot array in the RAID BIOS utility

Bootable disk arrays cannot be selected if the operating system does not boot from the disk array.

If disk array that has a boot mark is selected, its boot setting will be canceled.

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5.5 Viewing the Serial Number of a Hard Drive

Highlight Serial Number View and press <Enter> to continue. Use the arrow keys to select a disk drive. The selected drive’s serial number

can be viewed in the last column.

5.6 Viewing the Array Status

Press the F1 key to show the array status on the screen. If there are no disk arrays, then nothing will be displayed on the screen.

Figure 5-10: Displaying the disk array status in the RAID BIOS utility

The serial number is assigned by the manufacturer of the disk drive.

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5.7 Duplicating a RAID 1 Array

When booting up the system, the BIOS will detect if the RAID 1 array has any inconsistency between the source and mirror disk drives. If the BIOS detects any inconsistency, it will prompt the user to press Ctrl+C to enter the critical process window. The status of the disk array will be marked as critical and the BIOS will prompt the user to duplicate the RAID 1 array to make the mirrored data consistent with the source data.

Figure 5-11: Inconsistency in a RAID 1 array detected

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After entering the critical process window, there are two ways to duplicate the source data. The disk array can be duplicated immediately by using the Duplicating Now option. Alternatively, the disk array can be duplicated after the OS boots by choosing the Continue to boot option.

Figure 5-12: Options for duplicating a RAID 1 array

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6 USING THE VIA V-RAID SOFTWARE

6.1 Getting Started

After installing the GUI software, it will be launched automatically every time Windows is started. An icon

running.

Double click on the system tray icon to launch the main interface of the utility.

will appear in the system tray of the tool bar to indicate that GUI software is currently

Figure 6-1: VIA V-RAID system tray icon

Figure 6-2: Main interface of the VIA V-RAID utility

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There are three windowpanes in the main window: the Tree windowpane, the Information windowpane, and the Operation windowpane.

The top-left windowpane contains the Tree windowpane. There are two types of trees: the device tree and the controller tree. To view the device tree, click on the

button. The

device tree displays all arrays and non-arra y disks in the system. To vi ew the controller tree, click on the

button. The controller tree displays the RAID controllers, IDE channels, and

physical locations of all disks. The right windowpane contains the Informati on windowpane. The Information windowpane displays

the details of the controller or disk drives selected in the Tree w indowpane. The bottom-left windowpane contains the Operation windowpane. The Operation windowpane

displays the main functions of the VIA V-RAID tool. Click on these Operation item to execute specific functions.

Create Array

Add/Remove Spare

View Event Log

Remove Array

Check All Disks

VIA V-RAID Help

Rescan Array Status

Figure 6-3: Available options in the VIA V-RAID utility

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6.2 View Online Help

Click on to launch the Help Topics. It is recommended to read through the help articles before using the RAID utility.

Figure 6-4: VIA V-RAID help information

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

6.3 View Controller and Device Status

Click on or buttons to display in the Tree windowpane.

Figure 6-5: Displaying the controller tree in the VIA V-RAID utility

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VIA Storage Controller Family – VT8237A

6.4 Create Disk Array

To create an array, click the Create Array button in the Operation windowpane.

Figure 6-6: Creating an array using the VIA V-RAID utility

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6.4.1 Create RAID 1 Disk Arra y

TTEEPP

RAID Mode lists all available RAID types according to the number of available free-disks. Select the RAID 1(Mirror) and click on “Next >>” to continue.

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Figure 6-7: Selecting a RAID 1 type with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

A list of available controllers will be listed in Select Controller. Select a controller to create the array.

Below Select Controller are two options: Auto and Custom. Selecting Auto will cause the VIA V-RAID utility to automatically select the disks to be used for the array. Selecting Custom will cause the VIA V-RAID utility to list all available disks. Wh en the list is displayed, select the disks for the array manually.

The selected disks may be modified manually in both cases.

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Figure 6-8: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

The disks that will be selected for the array will be limited to the selected controller.

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TTEEPP

Select the disks for the array you are creating.

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T o add a disk into the array , select an av ailable disk from Available List, then click press the right arrow key). The array disks will be added in the following order: Source, Mirror, and Spare disk. A spare disk can also be added or removed after a mirror array is created. Refer to the Add and Remove Spare Disk Drive section for details.

To remove a disk from the array, select the array disk, then click arrow key).

Whenever a disk (array disk or available disk) is selected, its capacity and physical location will be shown below Available List.

button (or press the left

button (or

Figure 6-9: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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If any of the disks selected for the array contains an oper ating system, the following information will be displayed.

Figure 6-10: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a RAID 1 array creation

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If the mirror disk is smaller than the source disk the following warning notice will be displayed.

Figure 6-11: Notice of a failed RAID 1 array creation

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If any data is found on the source disk, a confirmation dialog box will appear . Checking the Keep the data on Source Disk option will prevent the data from being erased.

Figure 6-12: Existing data found on the source disk during array creation

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TTEEPP

T o finalize the steps and begin the array creation, click on the “Next >>” button. As soon as the “Next >>” button is clicked, the data on the hardware disk will be permanently erased. There is no undo option after clicking “Next >>”.

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Figure 6-13: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

If the array creation was successful, the following dialog box will be displayed. Other possibilities include: a message box popping up to ask for confirmation and prompting a system reboot or a message box popping up to ask for synchronization. Click on the “OK” button to close and exit the wizard.

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Figure 6-14: Successful mirror array created

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6.4.2 Create RAID 0 Disk Arra y

TTEEPP

RAID Mode lists all available RAID types according to the number of available free-disks. Select the RAID 0(Stripe) and click on “Next >>” to continue.

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Figure 6-15: Selecting a RAID 0 type with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

A list of available controllers will be listed in Select Controller. Select a controller to create the array.

The selected disks may be modified manually in both cases.

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Figure 6-16: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 0 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

The disks that will be selected for the array will be limited to the selected controller.

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TTEEPP

Select the disks for the array you are creating.

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T o add a disk into the array , select an av ailable disk from Available List, then click press the right arrow key). The array’s disk order will be the same as the order it was added.

To remove a disk from the array, select the array disk, then click arrow key).

Whenever a disk (array disk or available disk) is selected, its capacity and physical location will be shown below Available List.

To set the stripe size for the array , select the desired stripe size from the Stripe Si ze drop-down list.

button (or press the left

button (or

Figure 6-17: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 0 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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If any of the disks selected for the array contains an oper ating system, the following information will be displayed.

Figure 6-18: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a RAID 0 array creation

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If the total capacity required for data migration is not enough, the follow ing warning notice will be displayed.

Figure 6-19: Notice of a failed RAID 0 array creation

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If there are no disks containing an operating system but there is data found on t he Stripe013 disk, a confirmation dialog box will appear . Checking the Keep the data on Stripe0 option will prevent the data from being erased.

Figure 6-20: Existing data found on one of the disks being setup for RAID 0 array creation

Stripe0 is the first disk in the array.

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TTEEPP

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Figure 6-21: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 0 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

If the array creation was successful, the following dialog box will be displayed. Other possibilities include: a message box popping up to ask for confirmation and prompting a system reboot or a message box popping up to ask for data migration. Click on the “OK” button to close and exit the wizard.

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Figure 6-22: Successful stripe array created

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6.4.3 Create JBOD Disk Arra y

TTEEPP

RAID Mode lists all available RAID types according to the number of available free-disks. Select the SPAN(JBOD) and click on “Next >>” to continue.

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Figure 6-23: Selecting a JBOD RAID type with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

A list of available controllers will be listed in Select Controller. Select a controller to create the array.

The selected disks may be modified manually in both cases.

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Figure 6-24: Selecting a controller and creation method for a JBOD RAID array with the VIA V-RAID utility

The disks that will be selected for the array will be limited to the selected controller.

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TTEEPP

Select the disks for the array you are creating.

EELLEECCTTIINNGG TTHHEE

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T o add a disk into the array , select an av ailable disk from Available List, then click press the right arrow key). The array’s disk order will be the same as the order it was added.

To remove a disk from the array, select the array disk, then click arrow key).

Whenever a disk (array disk or available disk) is selected, its capacity and physical location will be shown below Available List.

button (or press the left

button (or

Figure 6-25: Selecting disks to be used in the JBOD RAID array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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If any of the disks selected for the array contains an oper ating system, the following information will be displayed.

Figure 6-26: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a JBOD RAID array creation

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If any data is found on the Span015 disk, a confirmation dialog box will appear. Checking the Keep the data on Span0 option will prevent the data from being erased.

Figure 6-27: Existing data found on one of the disks being setup for JBOD array creation

Span0 is the first disk in the array.

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TTEEPP

IINNAALL CCOONNFFIIRRMMAATTIIOON

44:

Figure 6-28: Final confirmation before creating the JBOD array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

If the array creation was successful, the following dialog bo x will be displayed. A message box may also pop up to ask for confirmation and prompt for a system reboot. Click on the “OK” button to close and exit the wizard.

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Figure 6-29: Successful JBOD array created

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6.4.4 Create RAID 0+1 Disk Arra y

TTEEPP

RAID Mode lists all available RAID types according to the number of available free-disks. Select the RAID 0+1 and click on “Next >>” to continue.

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Figure 6-30: Selecting a RAID 0+1 type with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

A list of available controllers will be listed in Select Controller. Select a controller to create the array.

The selected disks may be modified manually in both cases.

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Figure 6-31: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 0+1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

The disks that will be selected for the array will be limited to the selected controller.

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TTEEPP

Select the disks for the array you are creating.

EELLEECCTTIINNGG TTHHEE

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IISSKKS

T o add a disk into the array , select an av ailable disk from Available List, then click press the right arrow key).

To remove a disk from the array, select the array disk, then click arrow key).

Whenever a disk (array disk or available disk) is selected, its capacity and physical location will be shown below Available List.

To set the stripe size for the array , select the desired stripe size from the Stripe Si ze drop-down list.

button (or press the left

button (or

Figure 6-32: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 0+1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

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Figure 6-33: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 0+1 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

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Figure 6-34: Successful RAID 0+1 array created

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6.4.5 Create RAID 5 Disk Arra y

TTEEPP

RAID Mode lists all available RAID types according to the number of available free-disks. Select the RAID 5 and click on “Next >>” to continue.

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Figure 6-35: Selecting a RAID 5 type with the VIA V-RAID utility

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TTEEPP

A list of available controllers will be listed in Select Controller. Select a controller to create the array.

The selected disks may be modified manually in both cases.

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Figure 6-36: Selecting a controller and creation method for a RAID 5 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

The disks that will be selected for the array will be limited to the selected controller.

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TTEEPP

Select the disks for the array you are creating.

EELLEECCTTIINNGG TTHHEE

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IISSKKS

T o add a disk into the array , select an av ailable disk from Available List, then click press the right arrow key). The array’s disk order will be the same as the order it was added.

To remove a disk from the array, select the array disk, then click arrow key).

Whenever a disk (array disk or available disk) is selected, its capacity and physical location will be shown below Available List.

button (or press the left

button (or

Figure 6-37: Selecting disks to be used in the RAID 5 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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If any of the disks selected for the array contains an oper ating system, the following information will be displayed.

Figure 6-38: Notice regarding disks containing an operating system during a RAID 5 array creation

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If the total capacity required for data migration is not enough, the follow ing warning notice will be displayed.

Figure 6-39: Notice of a failed RAID 5 array creation

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If any data is found on the Stripe018 disk, a confirmation dialog box will appear. Checking the Keep the data on Stripe0 option will prevent the data from being erased.

Figure 6-40: Existing data found on one of the disks being setup for RAID 5 array creation

Stripe0 is the first disk in the array.

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TTEEPP

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Figure 6-41: Final confirmation before creating the RAID 5 array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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If the array creation was successful, the following dialog box will be displayed. Other possibilities include: a message box popping up to ask for confirmation and prompting a system reboot or a message box popping up to ask for data migration. Click on the “OK” button to close and exit the wizard.

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Figure 6-42: Successful RAID 5 array created

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A message box will pop up to ask for prompting a system reboot. Click on the “Yes” to reboot the system or click “No” to skip reboot. The new disk array setting will take effect only after system reboot

Figure 6-43: A message box popping up to ask for prompting a system reboot

There is no need to reboot for operation systems such as Windows 2000 or above.

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6.5 Delete Disk Array

There are two ways to delete a disk array. One way is by using the Remove Array wizard. The other way is by using the device tree in the Tree windowpane.

6.5.1 Using the R emove Arr ay Wizard

To remove a disk array, click on Remove Array in the Operation windowpane. Follow the Remove

Array wizard to complete the operation.

Figure 6-44: Deleting an array using the Remove Array wizard

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The Remove Array wizard will display a list of avail able arr a ys to cho ose from. Select the array to be deleted and click on “Next >>” to continue.

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Figure 6-45: Selecting the array to be deleted

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To finalize the deletion of the array , cl ick on the “Next >>” button. As soon as the “Next >>” button is clicked, the data on the hardware disk will be permanently erased. There is no undo option after clicking “Next >>”.

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Figure 6-46: Final confirmation before deleting an array with the VIA V-RAID utility

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If the array deletion was successful, the following dialog box will be displayed. Click on the “OK” button to close and exit the wizard.

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Figure 6-47: Successful deletion of an array

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6.5.2 Using the Device Tree to Remove an Array

Another way to remove an array is by deleting it from the device tree. First, select the array's root node in the device tree. Then, right click the array node and select Remove Array on the shortcut menu. A message box will then pop up to ask for confirmation and prompt a system reboot. The system must be rebooted to actually delete the disk array.

Figure 6-48: Deleting an array using the device tree

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6.6 Add and Remove Spare Disk Drive

There are two ways to add/remove a spare disk to an existing mirror array. One way is by using the Add/Remove Spare Disk wizard. The other way is by using the device tree in the Tree windowpane.

6.6.1 Using the Add/R emove Spare Disk Wizard

To add/remove a spare disk to/from an existing mirror array, click on Add/Remove Spare Disk in the Operation windowpane. Follow the Add/Remove Spare Disk wizard to complete the oper ation.

Figure 6-49: Adding or removing a spare disk using the Add/Remove Spare Disk wizard

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6.6.1.1 Adding a Spare Disk

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The Add/Remove Spa re Disk wizard will display a list of existing mirror arrays20. Select the array to be modified and click on “Next >>” to continue.

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Figure 6-50: Selecting a mirror array to add a spare disk

In the Array Information area, the “Array DiskNum” w ill have a value assigne d to it. If the value is “2” , then clicking on “N ext >>” will activate

the add spare disk wizard.

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The Add/Remove Spare Disk wizard will display a list of all qualified21 free disks attached on the RAID controller. Select a free disk to be added as the spare disk. All existing data on the free disk will be erased in order to make it a spare disk.

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Figure 6-51: Selecting a qualified spare disk for a mirror array

In order to be a qualified spare disk, a free disk's data capacity must be larger than or equal to the smallest disk in the mirror array. The

Add/Remove Spare Disk wizard will pick out all qual ified free disks automatically.

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