Serial ATA Bios Setting Utility Introduction

4-1-4 Serial ATA BIOS Setting Utility Introduction

RAID Levels

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of combining two 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 through data redundant operation, where if one drives fails, a mirrored copy of the data can be found on another drive. This can prevent data loss if the operating system fails or hangs. 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 which the nVIDIA® nForce4 chipset supports are RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+RAID 1 and JBOD.

RAID 0 (Striping)

RAID 0 reads and writes sectors of data interleaved between multiple drives. If any disk member fails, it affects the entire array. 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 128KB. RAID 0 does not support fault tolerance.

RAID 1 (Mirroring)

RAID 1 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 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.

RAID 0+1 (Striping + Mirroring)

RAID 0+1 combines the performance of data striping (RAID 0) and the fault tolerance of disk mirroring (RAID 1). Data is striped across multiple drives and duplicated on another set of drives.

JBOD (Spanning)

A spanning disk array is equal to the sum of the all drives when the drives used are having different capacities. Spanning stores data onto a drive until it is full, 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.

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Appendix

GA-K8NE specifications

The Gigabyte GA-K8NE is a motherboard that stands out in the realm of Socket 754-based systems, catering primarily to AMD's Athlon 64 and Sempron processors. Renowned for its stability and reliability, the GA-K8NE is ideal for users seeking to build a budget-friendly yet robust computing solution.

One of the main features of the GA-K8NE is its support for single-channel DDR400 memory, accommodating up to 2GB of RAM. This allows for decent multitasking capabilities, making it suitable for various applications from basic computing tasks to more demanding multimedia processing. The motherboard features two DIMM slots, ensuring flexibility in memory upgrades.

In terms of connectivity, the GA-K8NE is equipped with an array of PCI slots, including a PCI Express x16 slot for dedicated graphics cards. The inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet controller enables high-speed internet access, essential for both gaming and media streaming. Additionally, users can take advantage of multiple USB 2.0 ports for peripheral connectivity, enhancing overall usability.

The GA-K8NE also includes a variety of storage options, featuring four SATA connectors for modern hard drives along with PATA options for legacy devices. This versatility ensures that users can integrate both contemporary and older storage technologies seamlessly.

When it comes to audio, the motherboard is integrated with Realtek's ALC655 chipset, providing 6-channel audio output. This feature enriches the multimedia experience, making it suitable for home theater setups or gaming applications where sound quality is paramount.

Another notable technology included in the GA-K8NE is Gigabyte's patented DualBIOS technology, which provides an extra layer of security against BIOS failures. Should a primary BIOS be corrupted, the backup BIOS can auto-recover, ensuring reliable system operation and peace of mind for users.

With its balance of performance, capacity for upgradeability, and key features like robust audio and solid networking capabilities, the Gigabyte GA-K8NE remains a commendable choice for budget-conscious users looking to build a capable home or office PC. Its combination of technological advancements and practical features makes it a noteworthy option in the competitive motherboard market.