Promise Technology S150 user manual Installing the Hard Drives

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Chapter 2: Installation

Installing the Hard Drives

Important

If you wish to include your current bootable Serial ATA drive using the Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating system as part of a bootable Mirrored (RAID 1) array on your FastTrak Serial ATA RAID card, do NOT connect the hard drive to the FastTrak yet.

You MUST install the Windows NT4, 2000, or XP driver software first onto this drive while it is still attached to your existing hard drive controller.

The FastTrak Serial ATA RAID card supports up to four Serial ATA hard drives. For optimal performance, install four identical Serial ATA drives of the same model and capacity. The drives’ matched performance allows the array to function better as a single drive.

If you are striping (RAID 0) for performance, use up to four new drives. If mirroring (RAID 1) for protection, you can use two new drives OR use an existing drive and a new drive (the new drive must be the same size or larger than the existing drive).

1.Install the hard drives into the hard drive bays of your system, including the power cables.

Caution

Use of removable hard drive enclosures other than Promise Technology’s SuperSwap is not supported and may result in performance loss or other undesired results.

2.Attach one Serial ATA data cable to each hard drive. Then attach the other ends of the cables to the connectors on the FastTrak Serial ATA RAID card.

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Contents Fasttrak S150 TX4 Important Data Protection Information CopyrightTrademarks Contents Page FastTrak S150 TX4 IntroductionPromise Array Management Utility PAM Features Benefits Key Features and BenefitsCompatibility Unpacking Your FastTrak Card InstallationInsert the FastTrak card into an open PCI slot Installing the FastTrak CardInstalling the Hard Drives FastTrak S150 TX4 card Creating Your Disk Array Creating a Performance Array Creating a Security Array with New Drives Creating a Security Array with an Existing Data Drive Seagate S380023AS Creating a Security Array with Quick Initialization Viewing FastTrak S150 TX4 Bios Screen Using FastBuild Configuration UtilityUsing the Main Menu Navigating the FastBuild Setup MenuPerformance Creating Arrays AutomaticallyOptimize Array for Security and Performance SecurityCreating Multiple Arrays Using a Hot Spare DriveViewing Drive Assignments Manually Creating an Array Selecting Stripe Block Selecting Array TypeAssigning Drives to Array Gigabyte BoundaryCreating a Striped Array Creating a Mirrored Array Using New DrivesAdding Fault Tolerance to an Existing Drive Drive Model Capacity MB How FastTrak S150 TX4 Saves Array Information Creating a Hot Spare Drive for Mirrored ArraysHow FastTrak S150 TX4 Orders Arrays Deleting an Array Array Stripe 160048 Rebuilding a Mirrored Array 80024 Page Procedure Number Installing Software DriversNew Windows XP Installation Confirming Windows XP Driver Installation Existing Windows XP InstallationNew Windows 2000 Installation Confirming Windows 2000 Driver Installation Existing Windows 2000 InstallationNew Windows ME Installation Confirming Windows ME Driver Installation Existing Windows ME InstallationNew Windows NT4.0 Installation Removing Driver from Windows NT4.0 Existing Windows NT4.0 InstallationNew Windows 98 Installation Confirming Windows 98 Driver Installation Existing Windows 98 InstallationPage About FastTrak S150 TX4 About Adapter BiosFastBuild Auto Menu Setup Disk Array ConceptsDisk Array Member RAID Level Performance Fault Capacity No. Tolerance DrivesDisk Array Terms Disk Array DescriptionStriping RAID About RAID LevelsData Mirror Disk Drives Mirroring RAIDStriping / Mirroring RAID 0+1 Failed Array Event Drives Status Why? About Dual Data RedundancyIntermittent data problems Troubleshooting & TipsMotherboard Issues Configuring PCI IRQ resourcesUsing an Onboard IDE Card with FastTrak S150 TX4 System Cmos IssuesSystem Cmos displays C or D drive failure during Startup Drive-Related ErrorsCritical Array Status Error Reported during Boot Drive cannot be formed into an arrayUnable to Partition or Format Array Cannot Rebuild Mirrored RAID 1 Array Promise Windows driver does not appear in Device Manager Operating System-Related IssuesTroubleshooting & Tips Optimize Array for Performance Performance TipsChange Setting of PCI Bus Utilization Page Pre-Installation Appendix a Frequently Asked QuestionsRAID 1 Mirror Drive IssuesRAID 0 Stripe Appendix a FAQs Post-Installation Installation IssuesEuropean Tech Support Technical Support ServicesAppendix B Technical Support USA Tech Support CenterChina Office Pacific Rim Sales OfficeDisclaimer of other warranties Limited WarrantyYour Responsibilities Returning Product for Repair

S150 specifications

Promise Technology S150 is an advanced storage solution designed to meet the data management needs of modern businesses. This high-performance storage appliance is characterized by its scalability, reliability, and user-friendly management interface, making it an optimal choice for organizations looking to optimize their data storage strategies.

One of the standout features of the S150 is its support for multiple RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. This ensures that businesses can tailor their storage configurations based on their specific redundancy and performance requirements. The S150's software-defined storage capabilities provide flexibility in allocating resources, enabling organizations to manage their data efficiently and improve overall performance.

In terms of connectivity, the Promise S150 offers a range of options, including high-speed 10GbE and Fibre Channel interfaces. These technologies ensure that data transfer rates remain high, minimizing latency and allowing seamless access to applications and data. Additionally, the device supports hot-swappable drives, allowing users to replace or upgrade components without downtime, further enhancing productivity.

The management of the S150 is simplified through the Promise Management software, which provides intuitive controls and monitoring capabilities. Users can easily configure storage settings, monitor performance metrics, and maintain data integrity using the built-in tools. The software's graphical user interface makes it straightforward even for those without extensive IT experience, reducing the administrative burden on staff.

Another notable characteristic of the S150 is its robust security features. It provides options for data encryption both at rest and in transit, ensuring that sensitive information is protected against unauthorized access. Advanced user authentication protocols further enhance security, making it suitable for enterprises dealing with confidential data.

The S150 is also designed with energy efficiency in mind. Its intelligent cooling system and power management features help to reduce overall energy consumption, which is crucial for organizations looking to lower operational costs and reduce their environmental impact.

In summary, Promise Technology S150 stands out in the storage market due to its combination of scalability, versatility, and robust management features. With its support for multiple RAID configurations, high-speed connectivity options, intuitive management software, and strong security protocols, the S150 is well-equipped to support the data demands of businesses today and into the future. It represents a reliable and efficient solution for those looking to enhance their data storage infrastructure.