Adaptec 48300 About the ARC Utility, About the Adaptec Flash Utility, Which Utility Should I Use?

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Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space l 52

About the ARC Utility

The Adaptec RAID Configuration (ARC) utility is a BIOS-based utility that you can use to create and manage controllers, disk drives and other devices, and arrays. The ARC utility comprises these tools:

●Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—For creating and managing arrays, and initializing and rescanning disk drives.

●SerialSelect Utility—Used to change device and HostRAID controller settings.

●Disk Utilities—For formatting or verifying disk drives.

The ARC utility is included in your controller’s BIOS. For more information, see Using the ARC Utility on page 68.

The ARC utility is primarily intended for pre-operating system installation configuration.

About the Adaptec Flash Utility

The Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU) is a text-based DOS utility that you can use to update, save, or verify your HostRAID controller’s firmware BIOS and Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM). For more information, see page 80.

!Caution: Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging your RAID controller’s flash contents, it is still important to use the AFU carefully and correctly to avoid rendering your RAID controller inoperable.Adaptec recommends that only advanced users familiar with working in DOS use the AFU.

Which Utility Should I Use?

To create a bootable array, Adaptec recommends that you use the BIOS-based ARC utility.

For all subsequent storage management tasks, Adaptec recommends that you install and use Adaptec Storage Manager (see page 51). As a full-featured software application with a graphical user interface (GUI), it is the easiest to use and offers the widest range of management functions.

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Contents SAS and Sata HostRAID Controller Copyright Adaptec Customer Support Limited 3-Year Hardware Warranty Regulatory Compliance Statements Contents Getting Started Managing Your Storage Space Using the ARC Utility Safety Information What You Need to Know Before You Begin About This GuideConventions Used in This Guide How to Find More InformationWhat You Need to Know Before You Begin Terminology Used in this GuideAbout This Guide l About Your HostRAID Controller Array Level Features HostRAID Controller FeaturesAbout Your HostRAID Controller l PCI-X About the Adaptec 58300 ControllerAbout the Adaptec 48300 Controller About the Adaptec 44300 Controller About the Adaptec 1430SA Controller About the Adaptec 1420SA Controller About the Adaptec 1220SA Controller About the Adaptec 1225SA Controller Kit Contents and System Requirements System Requirements Kit ContentsInstalling the HostRAID Controller Disk Drives Before You Begin Installing the HostRAID ControllerSelecting SAS Cables Selecting Disk DrivesInstalling the HostRAID Controller and Disk Drives l Selecting Sata Cables Connecting Disk Drives to SAS HostRAID ControllersConnecting to a Backplane Connecting Directly to the HostRAID ControllerConnecting Disk Drives to Sata HostRAID Controllers Installing the SAS HostRAID Controller to a SAS ExpanderChecking Your Controller and Devices Setting the Boot Controller Next Steps Getting Started Choosing a RAID Level Choosing Installation OptionsBasic Installation Steps Installing with an Operating SystemInstalling on an Existing Operating System Creating a Bootable Array Creating an Array Creating an Array with the ACUCreating an Array with Adaptec Storage Manager Select Express configuration..., then click Next Making Your Array BootableInstalling the Driver and an Operating System Creating a Driver Disk Installing with WindowsInstalling with Suse Linux Installing with Red Hat LinuxInstalling with NetWare Installing the Driver on an Existing Operating System Creating a Driver Disk or an Array Installing on Windows XP or WindowsInstalling on Windows Vista Installing on Red Hat or Suse LinuxInstalling on NetWare Continue with Managing Your Storage Space on Managing Your Storage Space About the Hrconf Command Line Utility Installing Adaptec Storage ManagerAbout Adaptec Storage Manager About the ARC Utility About the Adaptec Flash UtilityWhich Utility Should I Use? Solving Problems Failed Disk Drive Not Protected by a Hot Spare Troubleshooting ChecklistRecovering from a Disk Drive Failure Failed Disk Drive Protected by a Hot SpareMultiple Failures in the Same Array Resetting the ControllerFailure in Multiple Arrays Simultaneously Disk Drive Failure in a RAID 0 ArraySolving Problems l Understanding RAID Stripe-Unit Size RAID Technology OverviewRAID 0 Non-RAID Arrays Understanding Drive SegmentsRAID 10 Arrays RAID 1 ArraysSelecting the Best RAID Level Introduction to SAS Terminology Used in This Appendix What is SAS?How Do SAS Devices Communicate? What’s a Phy?What’s a SAS Port? How are Disk Drives Identified in SAS? What’s a SAS Connector?What’s a SAS Address? What do SAS Cables Look Like?SAS Expander Connections What are the SAS Connection Options?Direct-Attach Connections Backplane ConnectionsSAS Domain How is SAS Different from Parallel SCSI?Parallel Scsi Serial Attached Scsi Using the ARC Utility Creating a New Array Introduction to the ARC UtilityRunning the ARC Utility Creating and Managing ArraysQuick Init Creating a RAID 0 on new drives Managing Arrays Rebuilding ArraysViewing Array Properties Adding/Deleting Hot Spares Deleting ArraysEnabling/Disabling Write Cache Atapi Support Using SerialSelectManaging Bootable Arrays and Devices Configuring Disk DrivesDevice SerialSelect OptionsPHY Configuration Using SATASelectSATASelect Options Formatting and Verifying Disk DrivesIdentifying Disk Drives Locating Disk DrivesViewing the Event Log DOS Using the Adaptec Flash Utility forIntroduction Compatibility InformationObtaining the Firmware Running the AFU Creating the Firmware Kit On Floppy DisksRunning the Menu-Based AFU AFU Commands Running the AFU from the Command LineExamples Command Syntax Command SwitchesExample Update \ AFU Verify /C Updating Flash Using AFU Command LineTo update a single HostRAID controller HostRAID Controller LED and I2C Connector Reference Adaptec 48300 Activity LED Connector Specification Adaptec 58300 Activity LED Connector SpecificationAdaptec 1430SA Activity LED and I2C Connector Specification Adaptec 44300 Activity LED Connector SpecificationLedsum Adaptec 1420SA Activity LED and I2C Connector SpecificationAdaptec 1225SA Activity LED Specification Adaptec 1220SA Activity LED Connector SpecificationElectrostatic DischargeESD Safety InformationTechnical Specifications Environmental Specifications DC Power RequirementsCurrent Requirements Glossary Build ConfigureConfigured array Consistency check commandEvent Fault-tolerant arrayDisk ID Drive LEDLow-level format Native Command QueuingLegacy disk Logical deviceRebuild RAID volumeSimple volume RAID signatureTask VolumeStripe size Striped arrayACU IndexSATASelect SerialSelect utilities SATASelect Adaptec, Inc

1430SA, 1225SA, 1420SA, 1220SA, 48300 specifications

Adaptec, a prominent name in the world of storage solutions, offers a diverse array of RAID controller cards aimed at enhancing data storage and management in both consumer and enterprise markets. Among its acclaimed products are the Adaptec 1220SA, 1430SA, 44300, 1225SA, and 1420SA. These cards ensure increased data protection, improved performance, and greater scalability.

The Adaptec 1220SA is a robust SATA RAID controller designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It supports RAID levels 0, 1, 1E, 5, and 10, providing flexibility for users to optimize data redundancy and performance. With the capability of handling up to four SATA drives, it guarantees an efficient and reliable setup while minimizing potential data loss. The controller also features an intuitive web-based management interface, making it easier to administer and configure.

The Adaptec 1430SA extends similar functionality with enhanced features. It is designed to accommodate up to eight SATA drives and supports the latest 3 Gbps SATA technology. This model includes optional battery backup for preserving critical data during unexpected power outages, ensuring that users maintain data integrity and protection at all times.

In the enterprise domain, the Adaptec 44300 shines as a high-performance RAID controller. It offers support for 12 SATA drives, which allows for expansive storage scalability, crucial for data-intensive applications. The advanced RAID features include support for RAID 6, providing dual parity data protection. The controller is built with a powerful processor and memory, allowing for faster data processing and enhanced throughput.

The Adaptec 1225SA is another noteworthy model. Designed for entry-level RAID applications, it offers a balanced combination of performance and reliability. Supporting up to four SATA drives, the 1225SA is particularly well-suited for environments where uptime is critical, delivering functionalities such as hot-swapping. This feature allows users to replace failed drives without shutting down the system, significantly reducing downtime.

Lastly, the Adaptec 1420SA caters to users who require a cost-effective but reliable storage solution. With support for RAID 0, 1, and JBOD, it is a versatile option for enthusiasts and small businesses. The controller can manage up to two SATA drives, making it ideal for basic applications where simplicity and efficiency are paramount.

Collectively, these Adaptec controllers showcase cutting-edge RAID technology and storage management features, reinforcing their position as reliable options for users ranging from home users to enterprise-level organizations seeking optimal data storage solutions.
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