Appendix C: Software Installation Instructions
Appendix C
Installing Software Drivers and Windows
Operating System
After all the hardware has been installed, you must first configure the
Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA RAID Driver before you install the Windows
operating system. The necessary drivers are all included on the Supermicro
bootable CDs that came packaged with your motherboard. (*The following section provides information on Adaptec's SATA RAID Driver based on the Intel Hance Rapids ICH Controller. For additional information regarding the Adaptec SATA Host RAID driver based on the Marvell 88SX5041 Controller, please refer to Adaptec's SATA Host RAID Utility User's Guide included in Supermicro's bootable CD. You can also access Adaptec's User's Guides on our web site at www.supermicro.com. Please also note that the Marvell Controller is only available for the P4SCT+ and the P4SCT+II boards.)
Serial ATA (SATA)
Serial ATA(SATA) is a physical storage interface. It uses a single cable with
aminimum of four wires to create a
150MBps. Because the serial cables used in SATA are thinner than the
traditional cables used in Parallel ATA(PATA), SATA systems have better
airflow and can be installed in smaller chassis than Parallel ATA. In addition,
the cables used in PATA can only extend to 40cm long, while Serial ATA
cables can extend up to one meter. Overall, Serial ATA provides better
functionality than Parallel ATA.
Introduction to the Intel 6300ESB (Hance Rapids) I/O Controller Hub
Located in the South Bridge of the Intel Canterwood (875P) and Canterwood ES (E7210)Chipset, the 6300ESB (Hance Rapids) I/O Controller Hub provides the I/O subsystem with access to the rest of the system. It supports