Serial ATA Bios Setting Utility Introduction

4-1-3 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® nForce3 250Gb/250 Ultra 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-K8NSC-939 specifications

The AMD GA-K8NSC-939 motherboard is an advanced platform designed to support AMD's 64-bit processors, particularly those based on the K8 architecture. This motherboard, built by Gigabyte, is a standout choice for enthusiasts and gamers seeking a balance between performance and functionality.

One of the main features of the GA-K8NSC-939 is its chipset, the NVIDIA nForce3 250. This chipset enhances the motherboard's capabilities, offering improved memory bandwidth and better overall system performance. The GA-K8NSC-939 supports AMD's Socket 939, which allows users to install various processors, including the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX series. This compatibility ensures users can leverage enhanced processing power while taking advantage of the extended memory support up to 4GB of DDR RAM.

In terms of memory, the motherboard supports Dual Channel DDR400, enhancing the overall data transfer rates and system responsiveness. The Dual Channel configuration facilitates simultaneous data access, making it particularly beneficial for running demanding applications such as gaming, video editing, and content creation.

Another notable characteristic is the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6100 GPU, which provides decent graphics performance without requiring a dedicated graphics card. This feature is ideal for users engaging in casual gaming or multimedia tasks, while still allowing for the addition of a higher-end graphics solution through its PCI Express x16 slot when needed.

The GA-K8NSC-939 motherboard also includes several connectivity options that cater to modern users. It features a mix of SATA and IDE ports for connecting storage drives, ensuring compatibility with a host of devices. Additionally, the built-in Gigabit Ethernet offers high-speed internet connectivity, essential for online gaming and streaming.

Moreover, the motherboard is equipped with multiple USB 2.0 ports, enabling users to connect various peripheral devices easily. This connectivity flexibility ensures that users can expand their computing experience without hassle.

Power and thermal management are also addressed with solid capacitors and an efficient PCB design. This ensures stability and longevity while keeping the system cool during operation.

In conclusion, the GA-K8NSC-939 motherboard is a versatile and reliable choice for users looking to build a robust system based on AMD's 64-bit technology. Its combination of advanced features, solid performance, and expandability makes it a viable option for gaming, multimedia, and general computing needs. Whether for a budget build or a performance-oriented system, this motherboard remains a compelling choice.