XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
User Manual
v.1.2 (January, 2010)
With regard to this manual
Thank you for using the product of Xtendlan Technology Inc.
This manual will introduce XTENDLAN XL-RAID-SATA2-USB. Before starting to use XTENDLAN XL-
RAID-SATA2-USB, we suggest you to first read this manual. Although the information in the manual
have been carefully confirmed before publication, but the actual product specifications will base
according to delivery. For any updated information related to product specifications, please inquire our
website www.XtendLan.com directly, our company will give no further notification.
Should you have any doubts regarding Xtendlan Technology’s product, or should you need to know
the latest product information, application manual or firmware, please contact us at
sales@Xtendlan.com, we would reply you as soon as possible.
Note: Xtendlan Technology would only provide technical support and service to agents and dealers
that purchased the product directly from us. For general consumers or customers who did not purchase
the product from us directly, please contact the dealer or store where you bought the product in order to
get better support and faster response. If you did not purchase the product directly from our company,
please avoid contacting us directly as you would probably not receiving any reply from us.
Index
Chapter 1 An introduction to RAID............................................................ 4
1.1 What is RAID?................................................................................. 4
1.2 Comparison of RAID 0 and RAID 1................................................. 4
Chapter 2 Characteristics and specifications......................................... 5
2.1 Product appearance and accessories guide....................................5
2.2 Product detailed specifications........................................................ 8
2.3 Precautions before application......................................................... 9
Chapter 3 Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB……............................ 9
3.1 Installation of hard disk.................................................................... 9
3.2 Product connection and booting..................................................... 10
3.3 Hard disk formatting and disk drive establishing............................ 10
3.3.1 Windows operating system.............................................................. 11
3.3.2 MAC operating system..................................................................... 14
3.4 An introduction to other functions.................................................... 17
3.4.1 LCD monitor operation guide........................................................... 17
3.4.2 LCD monitor message guide........................................................... 18
3.4.3 GUI software.................................................................................... 19
Appendix A Frequently asked questions.................................................. 20
4
An introduction to RAID
Chapter 1 An introduction to RAID
1.1 What is RAID?
The idea of RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) was first proposed by David A. Patterson,
Garth Gibson and Randy H. Katz at University of California, Berkeley in 1988. The purpose of RAID
is to store the same data in multiple hard disks at different places, and to improve the performance of
storage system. The advantages of RAID are to provide better productivity effectiveness and data error
tolerance, and these can be done by distributing workload parallelly to a number of disk drive entities to
achieve better performance. And through multi-operation of data, whenever one (or several) hard disk
or magnetic area has a problem, we can still find the mirror copy of data in another hard disk, and so to
achieve error tolerance.
Not only does RAID controller be able to assist users in ensuring that they can see their operating
system in logical disk drive, they can also feel at ease without having to worry on how to manage this
complicated construction. Generally, in order to get better result, we suggest users to choose a hard
disk in same brand and same model while installing them in RAID, as a matching performance of these
hard disks would allow the array to operate better than a single hard disk.
1.2 Comparison of RAID 0 and RAID 1
RAID 0: Striping (fast speed but has no error tolerance; two hard disks are required)
RAID 0 is currently the fastest RAID. It is a type of performance-oriented disk mirroring method. The
function of RAID 0 is that it is able to combine two or more hard disks to work as a large hard disk.
While all the hard disks are reading or writing under Stripe mode, they will be started up
simultaneously. Assuming that you are writing a 10MB file and you have two hard disks to work under
Strip. At this instant, every disk will start up simultaneously to write this file and sub-divide it into two
equal parts, and simultaneously write it in two hard disks (each in writing 5MB). Therefore, the writing
time is only half the original time. When you want to retrieve this file, you only need to retrieve 5MB
each from two hard disks vice versa, and so, the time needed is only half. As reading and writing of file
by each hard disk is only half the original time, therefore, the reading and writing performances are the
fastest among all RAIDs. However, as RAID 0 array does not backup data, whenever one of the disks
is damaged, the entire array will be malfunctioned to result with all data lost in the array. Thus, we can
say that RAID 0 does not have any error tolerance capability at all.
The computing method of RAID 0 hard disk capacity:
[total capacity] = [hard disk number] x [minimum capacity of hard disk]
Ex: 2 × 500GB HDD=2 × 500GB=1000GB
1 × 500GB HDD+1× 200GB HDD=2×200GB=400 GB
RAID 1: Mirroring (possesses error tolerance capability; two hard disks are required)
As RAID 1 is composed of two hard disks, it can be referred to as disk mirroring. Each data will
simultaneously be written in two disks and that the data in two disks are exactly the same. Whenever
one of the disks fails, the system is still able to operate normally. RAID 1 features excellent data
security, and is most commonly and widely used among all the RAID levels, and most compliance to
the original design concept.
The computing method of RAID 1 hard disk capacity: [total capacity] = [minimum capacity of hard disk]
Ex: 2 × 500GB HDD=500GB
1 × 500GB HDD+1× 200GB HDD=200GB
Characteristics and specifications
5
The following is a comparison of two RAID levels:
RAID Level
Basic operation
principle
Disk applicable
space
Data reliability
Data transmit
rate
Minimum
hard disk
requirement
0
Partition storage
Total hard disk
capacity
Low
Fast 2
1
Mirroring
Minimum hard
disk capacity
High
Slow 2
Chapter 2 Characteristics and specifications
2.1 Product appearance and accessories guide
Front view
3
ESC PWR
5
ENTER ALAR M
4
8
6
9
1
7
2
1. LCD panel
Display different product messages including RAID mode, fan speed, product interior temperature,
and hard disk status.
2. UP/DOWN selection key
The operation key for function setting (options: cycle function).
3. Cancel key (ESC)
The operation key for function setting (options: abandon function).
4. Confirm key (ENTER)
The operation key for function setting (options: confirm function).
5. Power lamp (blue)
It will light up continuously after power ON.
6
Characteristics and specifications
6. Failure warning light(red)
It will light up when there is an interior fault, including three status of hard disk failure, fan failure, and
when temperature is too high.
7. Hard disk tray handle
8. Hard disk tray button
The operation key for removing the hard disk tray
9. Hard disk reading/writing light (blue)
Display different product messages including RAID mode, fan speed, product interior temperature,
and hard disk status.
Mute
ON
OFF
3
5
USB
e-S ATA
Rear view (XL-RAID-SATA2-USB)
1 2
6
4
Please ens ure each plug i s pr operly
co nnected before turin g on power.
1. AC power socket
2. Power switch
3. Warning sound effect switch (Mute)
The product is built in with a buzzer. Whenever there is an error during the application process, apart
from lighting up the warning light at the front, the product will also emit a warning sound. If users do
not want the warning sound, they can switch this off.
4. 6cm fan
5. USB port
6. eSATA port
7. Security lock hole
If users want to secure the product in a specific place permanently, they can buy themselves a lock
to secure the lock at this position.
7
Characteristics and specifications
7
Rear view (XL-RAID-SATA2-USB-2S-WBS2)
Mute
1 2
3
ON
OFF
USB2.0
5
e-SATA
6
1394B
4
7
P lease e nsu re e ach plug is pro perly
conne cte d before turin g on powe r.
1. AC power socket
2. Power switch
3. Warning sound effect switch (Mute)
The product is built in with a buzzer. Whenever there is an error during the application process, apart
from lighting up the warning light at the front, the product will also emit a warning sound. If users do
not want the warning sound, they can switch this off.
4. 6cm fan
5. USB port
6. eSATA port
7. 1394b port
8. Security lock hole
If users want to secure the product in a specific place permanently, they can buy themselves a lock
to secure the lock at this position.
8
8
Characteristics and specifications
Parts list
Item
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB main unit
AC power cord
USB 2.0 connecting cable
eSATA connecting cable
1394b connecting cable
Quick installation guide
CD (user guide)
Screw pack
Model
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
ASIC
SR2045
Host Chip
SR2045
Host Interface
eSATA & USB 2.0
Supporting Hard Disk
SATA 3.0 Gb/s
Hard Disk Supporting Number
2 pieces
Hard Disk Size
3.5 inches
Hard Disk Maximum Supporting Capacity
2TB
Product Maximum Storage Capacity
Under 4TB / RAID 0 status
RAID Level
RAID 0 & RAID 1
Hot Swap Hard Disk
yes
Auto-rebuilding
yes
LCD Display
yes
Status Indicator Light
yes
Error Status Warning Sound
yes
Environmental Detection
yes /abnormal temperature
and fan operation
Cooling Fan
DC-12V / 6cm / 4600 rpm
Power Input
AC 100~240V
Built-in Power Supply
DC 12V & 5V / 70W
Operating System
Windows & Mac & Linux
Quality Certification
CE & FCC
※
After opening the package of this product, please ensure that the related accessories of the model
you purchased are complete with nothing missing, and the appearance and functions are all intact.
Should you discover any problem with the product, please contact the store or agent where you
bought the product as soon as possible.
2.2 Product detailed specifications
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
9
2.3 Precautions before application
1. Although XL-RAID-SATA2-USB allows users to use hard disks of different capacities, but if you want
to get best application performance and best product compatibility, we suggest you to use brand new
hard disks of same specifications, model number and brand.
2. If you want to install XL-RAID-SATA2-USB in two used hard disks, before installation, please first
backup data in
these hard disks to other hard disk to avoid data loss in the setting process later on.
3. Please ensure that the two hard disks do not contain bad track as a precaution if one of them fails, it
may cause a system crush or a risk to lose all data.
4. The factory default value of this product is RAID 1, we suggest users to first consider the application
before using it. If your requirement is data security, please set it as RAID 1 mode; and if your
consideration is to expand storage capacity, please set it as RAID 0 mode. Should you need
resetting later on, it would destroy the data in the disks.
5. RAID 0 has no data backup function, but it is capable of combining all the hard disks to form a largecapacity hard disk with faster transmission performance. But whenever one of the hard disks fails, it
would destroy the data in all the hard disks.
6. Users are able to set RAID level and XL-RAID-SATA2-USB basic functions through the LCD monitor
and the right
keys at the front of the product.
Chapter 3 Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
3.1 Installation of hard disk
1. Press the hard disk tray button
※
Press the hard disk tray button and pull out the hard disk tray
ESC PWR
ENTER ALAR M
10
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
2. Install two brand new SATA hard disks in the hard disk trays and secure each of them with screws at
four positions as indicated in the diagram using the screw pack provided. Finally, insert the hard disk
trays into XL-RAID-SATA2-USB.
3.2 Product connection and booting
1. Connect AC power cord to your power outlet and XL-RAID-SATA2-USB.
2. Choose the interface (USB & eSATA & 1394b) that you want, and hook up your computer with the
connecting cable.
※
Choose only one type of interface to hook up with your computer.
3. Switch on the power of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB, when the LCD displays Pri HDD: OK and Sec HDD: OK
after about
20~30 seconds, it indicates that XL-RAID-SATA2-USB has been booted.
※
The factory default value of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB is RAID 1 mode.
XL-RAID-SATA2USB
RAID - 1
V100.0812
Pri HDD :
Sec HDD : OK
XL-RAID-SATA2USB-2S-WBS2
RAID - 1
V100.0812
3.3 Hard disk formatting and disk drive establishing
※
The teaching model adopted by this operation manual is two 500GB hard disks.
Pri HDD :
Sec HDD : OK
OK
OK
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
11
3.3.1 Windows operating system
1. Enter into device manager of your computer.
※
Use the mouse to click on My Computer and then click the right mouse button to select
Management option.
※
Click on Disk Management
12
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
2. Add in XL-RAID-SATA2-USB hard disk and format it.
※
During the setting process, we suggest you to choose NTFS format.
※
Move the mouse to the upper region of Non-configured area and click the right button; it will
display the list of New Disk Partition
※
According to Disk Management Wizard instructions, click Next to proceed the process until finish.
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
13
3. Setting is finished, you can start using this product.
※
After finish setting and formatting the hard disk, it will display a disk drive code (I:) as shown in
the diagram.
※
After finish setting, your computer will display a disk code (I:) to note that you can now use
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB normally.
14
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
3.3.2 MAC operating system
1. Enter into Disk Utility of your computer.
※
Click on this hard disk device
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
15
2. Add in XL-RAID-SATA2-USB hard disk name and do formatting operation.
※
Choose hard disk formatting and disk drive name setting (can be set as XL-RAID-SATA2-USB)
※
Click on Erase key
※
After finish setting the disk drive, click Erase key
1
and start formatting the hard disk.
2
and start formatting the hard disk.
1
2
16
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
3. Setting is finished, you can start using this product.
※
After finish formatting the hard disk, it will display the disk drive name XL-RAID-SATA2-USB.
※
The desktop will automatically create a disk drive name XL-RAID-SATA2-USB, you can start using
this product.
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
17
2
3.4 An introduction to other functions
3.4.1 LCD monitor operation guide
※
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
XL-RAID-SATA2USB Booting ...
Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD : OK
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
RAID - 1 V090707.1
Down
Down
SYSTEM TEMP
35 C
Down
SYSTEM FAN
4600 RPM
1
PASSWORD
0000
Enter
3
4
5
Down
Enter
6
CHANGE RAID MODE
YES
NO
Down
SETUP PASSWORD
YES
Up
NO
1. After power ON and before entering standby screen, click on ENTER key, you will enter into product
function setup options (product default password is: 0000)
2. Upon booting, the standard standby screen will display the hard disk operation status.
3. It will display product model/RAID level/firmware edition.
4. It will display system temperature.
NO
Up
NO
Enter
Enter
7
RAID - 0 MODE
YES
PASSWORD
0000
Enter
Enter
DATA WILL LOSE
YES
NO
PASSWORD : 0000
YES
NO
NO
Enter
Enter
Raid Mode Changed
Pls Reboot Sys
SETUP PASSWORD
OK
5. It will display fan rotation.
CHANGE RAID MODE
YES
Down
6
SETUP PASSWORD
YES
8
6. There are two functional setup options, one of them is RAID level setting, and the other is login
password setting.
7. The factory default setting of RAID level is RAID-1, therefore, upon entering, you will be asked
whether or not to change RAID-0. A change of RAID level would cause the original hard disk data to
get lost, please pay special attention to it.
18
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
2
1
1
2
3 4
5
8. Use UP/DOWN key to input custom password. Password changing is to allow users to customize
their personal preferences. After it has been changed, please record the password personally.
Should you forget about it, it would cause disturbances to application.
※
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB-2S-WBS2
XL-RAID-SATA2-
USB-2S-WBS2
RAID
- 1
V100.0812
1. Upon booting, the standard standby screen will display the hard disk operation status.
Pri
HDD : OK
Sec HDD : OK
XL-RAID-SATA2-USB-2S-
WBS2
RAID
Down
- 1
V100.0812
Down
SYSTEM TEMP
35 C
Down
SYSTEM
FAN
4600 RPM
2
3
4
Down
2. It will display product model/RAID level/firmware edition.
3. It will display system temperature.
4. It will display fan rotation.
3.4.2 LCD monitor message guide
Pri HDD :
Sec HDD : OK
OK
Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD : MISSING
Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD :
FAILED
Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD : OK
F
Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD : OK
Common messages
1. OK: hard disk status is normal.
2. Missing: You have not installed hard disk
T
Installation of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB
19
3. Failed: You have installed hard disk, but it has failed to operate.
4. F: When F appears on the top right corner of monitor, it represents that the fan has already
malfunctioned and is not working.
Please visual inspect whether or not the fan has stopped working. If the malfunction is confirmed,
please return it to original factory to repair.
5. T: When T appears on the right bottom corner of monitor, it represents that the interior temperature
of product is too high (exceeding 60℃). If it is being used for a long period of time under an
overheated condition, it would damage the hard disks. We suggest you to switch off the power to
allow the temperature to drop before rebooting.
3.4.3 GUI software
Should you discover any problem while using the product, you may seek solutions to the problem
through the customer service staff sales@XtendLan.com. The customer service staff will provide you
with a new firmware and this software to allow you to update the firmware through this software. There
is no need for you to install this software, its main functions are simple hardware monitoring and
firmware updating, and it currently only supports Windows version of operating system.
1
※
Click
※
FW updating
2
Click
Starting GUI function
2
1
20 Appendix A Frequently asked questions
2
3
4
5
6
7
Appendix A Frequently asked questions
Q: Is it alright to use RAID 1 to do hard disk backup function?
A: Yes. RAID 1 is a mirror function itself. If your hark disk requires RAID 1 to do backup function,
please place your hard disk containing data in Pri HDD (Source) position to set as RAID 1, and after
booting, place the new hard disk in Sec HDD (Target) position. The system will do data backup
function automatically. After XL-RAID-SATA2-USB has finished rebuilding, the data in two hard disks
would be exactly the same.
Q: Is it alright to use a single hard disk under RAID 1?
A: Yes, but it would completely loss its originally RAID 1 data security function. We suggest you to
use two hard disks under RAID 1 mode to ensure data security. Under a single hard disk, RAID 1 is
unable to perform mirroring function. If one hard disk is damaged, the interior data would be
destroyed completely. Whenever one hard disk is damaged, we suggest you to replace it with a new
one as soon as possible.
Q: If XL-RAID-SATA2-USB LCD monitor displays an error in hard disk, what should I do?
A: If you are using RAID 0 mode, please ensure which hard disk has caused the error and switch off
the power of XL-RAID-SATA2-USB, remove the damaged hard disk and replace it with a new one.
After rebooting, the system will rebuild RAID 0 system, but the original data would all be lost.
If you are using RAID 1 mode, you can remove the damaged hard disk and replace it with a new
one directly without having to switch off power. After the new hard disk has been inserted, the
system will start to “rebuild” program automatically. After finish rebuilding, you can then use it
normally. Please note that during the process of system data rebuilding, do not remove any hard
disk to ensure an integrity of data.
※
Under RAID 1 status, the data “rebuild”process.
Under the circumstance that Sec HD is damaged …
Pri
HDD
: OK
1
Sec HDD
: FAILED
Pri
HDD
: OK
Sec HDD
: MISSING
Pri
HDD
Sec HDD
: OK
: INSERT
Pri
HDD
Rebuild
Pri
= Y
ESC
=> Sec
= N 10s
ENT
Rebuilding
Pri => Sec 00%
......
Pri
HDD
Sec HDD
: OK
: OK
Sec HDD
: OK
:FAILED
Appendix A Frequently asked questions 21
1
2
3
4
5 6 7
1. Sec HDD has found to be damaged
2. Remove the damaged Sec HDD
3. Insert a new hard disk into Sec HDD position
4. After about 5 seconds, the system will ask you whether or not to rebuild? If you do, please click on
ENTER key; if not, please click on ESC key.
5. After confirming to rebuild data, XL-RAID-SATA2-USB will start to copy hard disk data and display the
working
progress.
6. After finish copying the data, it will return to standby screen.
7. If you choose to abandon data rebuilding, the screen will return to a screen that reminds user that
Sec HDD has been destroyed (same as screen 1).
Under the circumstance that Pri HDD is damaged …
Pri
HDD : FAILED
Sec HDD
: OK
Pri
HDD : MISSING
Sec HDD
: OK
Pri
HDD : INSERT
Sec HDD
: OK
Pri
Rebuild
Sec =>
ESC
Pri
= N 10s
ENT
= Y
Rebuilding
Sec
......
=> Pri 00%
1. Pri HDD has found to be damaged
Pri
HDD
Sec HDD
: OK
: OK
2. Remove the damaged Pri HDD
3. Insert a new hard disk into Pri HDD position
4. After about 5 seconds, the system will ask you whether or not to rebuild? If you do, please click on
ENTER key; if not, please click on ESC key.
HDD : FAILED
Sec HDD
: OK
22 Appendix A Frequently asked questions
5. After confirming to rebuild data, XL-RAID-SATA2-USB will start to copy hard disk data and display the
working
progress.
6. After finish copying the data, it will return to standby screen.
7. If you choose to abandon data rebuilding, the screen will return to a screen that reminds user that Pri
HDD has been destroyed (same as screen 1).
Q: Do XL-RAID-SATA2-USB Series have volume limitation?
A: If you want to use XL-RAID-SATA2-USB with the volume over 2200GB (RAID 0 mode), please
make sure that your computer and the operating system are both 64-bit or above. Or the
computer may
not work well with XL-RAID-SATA2-USB. (Due to the hardware limitation, the 32 bit PC and OS can
only
support storage volume under 2200GB.)
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