Promise Technology S150 user manual Appendix a Frequently Asked Questions, Pre-Installation

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Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions

This section lists frequently asked questions involving pre-installation, drive issues, installation, and post-installation.

Pre-Installation

(Speed, Device Types, Capacity, Cabling)

Q: What kind of hard drives can I use for a FastTrak S150 TX4 array?

A:You can use any Serial ATA hard drive(s) to create arrays on the FastTrak S150 TX4. You should use matching drives for multiple-drive arrays to maximize capacity usage as well as performance.

Q: Will ACPI work with HDDs on the FastTrak S150 TX4?

A:Yes.

Q: Can I use ATAPI devices on the FastTrak S150 TX4 controller?

A:No. The FastTrak S150 TX4 controller does not support ATAPI devices.

Q: Will the FastTrak S150 TX4 work with 66MHz PCI bus speed?

A:Yes, the FastTrak S150 TX4 is designed to accommodate the newer PCI bus speed and is backward compatible with 33MHz speeds.

Q: How can I change the resources that the FastTrak uses?

A:The FastTrak S150 TX4 is fully PnP. This means all the resources that it uses are given to it by the PnP BIOS on the motherboard. The FastTrak S150 TX4 does support IRQ sharing, but this will not work unless ALL the concerned devices support the feature. If your motherboard allows you to control the assignment of these resources, you may be able to remedy the problem by:

Changing the IRQ assignments to the PCI slots in the motherboard BIOS during boot up.

Reset the configuration data in your CMOS. This is usually an option in the PnP section of your CMOS.

Otherwise, switch the FastTrak S150 TX4 card to a different PCI slot.

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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 FastBuild Auto Menu Setup About Adapter BiosDisk Array Concepts About FastTrak S150 TX4Disk Array Terms RAID Level Performance Fault Capacity No. Tolerance DrivesDisk Array Description Disk Array MemberStriping RAID About RAID LevelsData Mirror Disk Drives Mirroring RAIDStriping / Mirroring RAID 0+1 Failed Array Event Drives Status Why? About Dual Data RedundancyMotherboard Issues Troubleshooting & TipsConfiguring PCI IRQ resources Intermittent data problemsUsing an Onboard IDE Card with FastTrak S150 TX4 System Cmos IssuesCritical Array Status Error Reported during Boot Drive-Related ErrorsDrive cannot be formed into an array System Cmos displays C or D drive failure during StartupUnable 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 IssuesAppendix B Technical Support Technical Support ServicesUSA Tech Support Center European Tech SupportChina 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.