LSI D815-000319-00, ICH6R manual Chapter Overview, RAID Benefits, Improved I/O

Page 15

Chapter 1

Overview

This manual describes the Embedded SATA Software RAID for ICH6R. This chapter provides an overview of this product and contains the following sections:

Section 1.1, “RAID Benefits,” page 1-1

Section 1.2, “Product Features,” page 1-2

The Embedded SATA Software RAID supports four Serial ATA ports, providing a cost-effective way to achieve higher transfer rates and reliability. Embedded SATA Software RAID supports

RAID level 0 data striping for improved performance

RAID level 1 data mirroring for improved data reliability

RAID level 10 data striping and mirroring for high data transfer rates and data redundancy

1.1RAID Benefits

RAID has gained popularity because it can improve I/O performance or increases storage subsystem reliability. RAID 0 provides better performance, while RAID 1 provides better reliability through fault tolerance and redundant data storage. RAID 10 combines both striping and mirroring to provide high data transfer rates and data redundancy.

1.1.1Improved I/O

Although hard drive capabilities have improved drastically, actual performance has improved only three to four times in the last decade. Computing performance has improved over 50 times during the same time period. RAID 0 and RAID 10 allow you to access several disks simultaneously.

Embedded SATA Software RAID

1-1

Copyright © 2004 by LSI Logic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Image 15
Contents October USER’S GuideCopyright 2004 by LSI Logic Corporation. All rights reserved Iii Copyright 2004 by LSI Logic Corporation. All rights reserved Organization Package ContentsPreface AudienceConventions Used in This Manual Notation Example Meaning and UseFd1sp Preface Vii ViiiPreface RAID Copyright 2004 by LSI Logic Corporation. All rights reserved Copyright 2004 by LSI Logic Corporation. All rights reserved Xii Xiii Xiv Chapter Overview RAID BenefitsImproved I/O Sata Ports Product FeaturesBios Features Increased ReliabilityDriver Features Manageability/Disk Console RAID Chapter RAID LevelsRAID 0 Array RAID 10 Array RAID Levels Configuring Arrays Chapter Bios Configuration UtilityMaximizing Logical Drive Performance Configuration StrategiesMaximizing Fault Tolerance Assigning RAID LevelsPerforming a Quick Configuration Configuring Physical Arrays and Logical Drives Configuring Arrays and Logical DrivesStarting the Bios Configuration Utility Selecting a Configuration MethodParameter Description Easy ConfigurationLogical Drive Parameters Logical Drive Parameters and DescriptionsConfiguration Menu Screen New Configuration and View/Add Configuration Logical Drive Configuration ScreenAarray number-drive number. For example, Onlin Initializing Logical Drives Logical Drive Submenu Rebuilding Failed DisksInserting a Previously Removed Drive from a RAID 1 Array Checking Data ConsistencyUsing a Pre-loaded System Drive Using a Pre-loaded System Drive Bios Configuration Utility Windows 2000/2003/XP Driver Installation Chapter Operating System InstallationUpdating the Windows 2000/2003/XP Driver Confirming the Windows 2000/2003/XP Driver InstallationDOS Driver Installation Linux Driver InstallationObtaining the Driver Image File Using a Windows Operating System Preparing the Installation Disks for LinuxUsing a Linux Operating System Red Hat Linux Driver Installation on a New SystemSuSE Linux 9.0 Driver Installation on a New System SuSE 8.2 Driver Installation Novell NetWare Driver Files Description Novell NetWare Driver InstallationSuSE SLES8 Driver Installation New Novell NetWare System Driver InstallationPress Delete to remove the highlighted filename Existing Novell NetWare System Driver Installation Novell NetWare Driver Installation Operating System Installation General Description Chapter Hyper Configuration UtilityUsing HyperCFG Installing HyperCFGOptions Description HyperCFG Options and AttributesThis option is used to configures arrays for RAID 0, 1, HyperCFG Options and Attributes HyperCFG Options and Attributes $Filename OptionsRAID Information Configuration FilePhysical Drive Information Logical Array InformationReturn Codes on Error Condition Return Codes on Error ConditionsReturn Code Description Return Codes on Error Condition Hyper Configuration Utility Starting or Stopping Spy Service under Windows 2000, XP, or Chapter Spy ServiceControl Panel Screen Installing and Running Spy Service under Novell NetWare Installing Spy Service under LinuxErase error log Uninstalling Spy ServiceSpy Service Icon Stop monitor media errorSpy Service Icon Spy Service Problem Suggested Solution Chapter TroubleshootingProblems and Suggested Solutions Problems and Suggested SolutionsEmbedded Sata Software RAID Problem Report Form Embedded Sata Software RAID Problem Report Form Embedded Sata Software RAID ConfigurationSystem Information 4Troubleshooting Customer Feedback Good Average Fair Poor Reader’s Comments