RAID Levels

English

4-1-4 Serial ATA BIOS Setting Utility Introduction

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 VIA VT8237R chipset supports are 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 64KB. 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.

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.

GA-K8VT890-9 Motherboard

- 62 -

GA-K8VT890-9 specifications

The Gigabyte GA-K8VT890-9 is a noteworthy motherboard known for its performance and robust feature set, designed primarily for AMD Athlon 64 processors. As part of the Socket 754 platform, it supports a variety of AMD CPUs, making it versatile for users looking to build or upgrade their systems around the 64-bit architecture.

One of the main features of the GA-K8VT890-9 is its utilization of the Via K8T890 chipset, which provides reliable performance for both gaming and general computing needs. The motherboard supports DDR memory with a maximum capacity of up to 4GB running at 400MHz. This allows for efficient multitasking and enhances the overall speed and responsiveness of the system.

In terms of expansion capabilities, the motherboard offers multiple PCI slots, including PCI Express x16 for graphics cards, allowing users to take advantage of modern GPUs for enhanced graphical performance. Additionally, there are PCI Express x1 and standard PCI slots for other peripherals, ensuring there's ample opportunity for system upgrades.

Storage options are comprehensive, with support for SATA 1.5 Gb/s connections. The GA-K8VT890-9 comes with several SATA ports for connecting hard drives and SSDs, promoting faster data transfer rates compared to traditional IDE interfaces. Moreover, it includes RAID support, extending its functionality for users who require data redundancy or improved performance from their storage solutions.

On the connectivity front, this motherboard features integrated audio with Realtek ALC655 codec for 5.1-channel sound output, allowing users to enjoy high-quality audio without the need for an additional sound card. Networking capabilities are provided through an integrated 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller, ensuring reliable internet and network connectivity for online activities.

The GA-K8VT890-9 also showcases a user-friendly BIOS that allows for easy adjustments to system settings, making it suitable for novice users and overclocking enthusiasts alike. With its combination of performance, expandability, and user-friendly features, the Gigabyte GA-K8VT890-9 stands out as a solid foundation for building a capable AMD-based system suitable for various applications. Overall, it is a dependable choice for users looking to harness the power of the AMD platform while still enjoying modern technological benefits.