Promise Technology S150 user manual Disk Array Terms, Disk Array Description, Disk Array Member

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FastTrak S150 TX4 User Manual

Disk Array Terms

Disk Array Description

A disk array is formed from a group of two or more disk drives that appear to the system as a single drive. The advantage of an array is to provide better throughput performance and/or data fault tolerance.

Better performance is accomplished by sharing the workload among multiple physical drives.

Fault tolerance is achieved through data redundancy operation where if one (or more) drive fails or has a sector failure, a mirrored copy of the data can be found on another drive(s).

For optimal results, select identical Ultra ATA/133 drives or Serial ATA drives to install in disk arrays. The drives’ matched performance allows the array to function better as a single drive.

Disk Array Member

The individual disk drives in an array are called members. Each member of a specific disk array has coded in its reserved sector configuration information that identifies the drive as a member. All disk members in a formed disk array are recognized as a single physical drive to the system.

Disk Array Types

For most installations, the FastBuild setup Auto Setup (1) option will configure your system.

There are three disk array types (RAID 0, 1, and 0+1) in two categories that can be installed on the FastTrak S150 TX4 card. Striping is in the Performance category while Mirroring and Striping/Mirroring are in the Fault Tolerance category.

Disk arrays within the Performance and Fault Tolerance categories conform to the Redundant Array of Independent Disks technology, or RAID. The RAID levels supported are 0, 1, and 0+1.

RAID Level

Performance

Fault

Capacity

No. of

Tolerance

Drives

 

 

 

RAID 0

Highest

No

No. Drives x

2 to 4

(Striping)

Smallest Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAID 1

Normal

Yes

Smallest Size

2

(Mirroring)

Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAID 0+1

High

Yes

2X Smallest

4

(Stripe/Mirror)

Size Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Contents Fasttrak S150 TX4 Important Data Protection Information CopyrightTrademarks Contents Page Introduction FastTrak S150 TX4Promise Array Management Utility PAM Key Features and Benefits Features BenefitsCompatibility Installation Unpacking Your FastTrak CardInstalling the FastTrak Card Insert the FastTrak card into an open PCI slotInstalling 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 Using FastBuild Configuration Utility Viewing FastTrak S150 TX4 Bios ScreenNavigating the FastBuild Setup Menu Using the Main MenuPerformance Creating Arrays AutomaticallyOptimize Array for Security Security and PerformanceUsing a Hot Spare Drive Creating Multiple ArraysViewing Drive Assignments Manually Creating an Array Selecting Array Type Selecting Stripe BlockGigabyte Boundary Assigning Drives to ArrayCreating a Mirrored Array Using New Drives Creating a Striped ArrayAdding 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 Installing Software Drivers Procedure NumberNew Windows XP Installation Existing Windows XP Installation Confirming Windows XP Driver InstallationNew Windows 2000 Installation Existing Windows 2000 Installation Confirming Windows 2000 Driver InstallationNew Windows ME Installation Existing Windows ME Installation Confirming Windows ME Driver InstallationNew Windows NT4.0 Installation Existing Windows NT4.0 Installation Removing Driver from Windows NT4.0New Windows 98 Installation Existing Windows 98 Installation Confirming Windows 98 Driver InstallationPage Disk Array Concepts About Adapter BiosFastBuild Auto Menu Setup About FastTrak S150 TX4Disk Array Description RAID Level Performance Fault Capacity No. Tolerance DrivesDisk Array Terms Disk Array MemberAbout RAID Levels Striping RAIDMirroring RAID Data Mirror Disk DrivesStriping / Mirroring RAID 0+1 About Dual Data Redundancy Failed Array Event Drives Status Why?Configuring PCI IRQ resources Troubleshooting & TipsMotherboard Issues Intermittent data problemsSystem Cmos Issues Using an Onboard IDE Card with FastTrak S150 TX4Drive cannot be formed into an array Drive-Related ErrorsCritical Array Status Error Reported during Boot System Cmos displays C or D drive failure during StartupUnable to Partition or Format Array Cannot Rebuild Mirrored RAID 1 Array Operating System-Related Issues Promise Windows driver does not appear in Device ManagerTroubleshooting & Tips Performance Tips Optimize Array for PerformanceChange Setting of PCI Bus Utilization Page Appendix a Frequently Asked Questions Pre-InstallationRAID 1 Mirror Drive IssuesRAID 0 Stripe Appendix a FAQs Installation Issues Post-InstallationUSA Tech Support Center Technical Support ServicesAppendix B Technical Support European Tech SupportPacific Rim Sales Office China OfficeLimited Warranty Disclaimer of other warrantiesYour 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.