Promise Technology TX4000 user manual Drive Issues, RAID 0 Stripe, RAID 1 Mirror, RAID 0+1 Mirror

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FastTrak TX4000 User Manual

Q:How does the FastTrak TX4000 RAID controller provide storage and/or data protection with their arrays?

A:FastTrak TX4000 implements three different RAID levels as follows:

RAID 0 (Stripe)

For capacity – The FastTrak TX4000 array will be as big as the smallest HDD in the array times however many HDDs are in the array. Any larger HDDs will simply be truncated. The truncated space on the bigger HDDs will then be unusable.

For sustained data transfers – Using FastTrak TX4000, a RAID 0 array consisting of two HDDs will transfer at about twice the speed of the slowest HDD in the array. A RAID 0 array consisting of four HDDs will transfer at about three times the speed of the slowest HDD in the array.

RAID 1 (Mirror)

For fault tolerance – The FastTrak TX4000 array will be one-half as big as the smaller HDD in the array. The larger HDD will simply be truncated. The truncated space on the bigger HDD will then be unusable.

For sustained data transfers – The FastTrak TX4000 array will write data at the rate of the slowest HDD in the array. The FastTrak TX4000 array will read data at twice the rate of the slowest HDD in the array.

RAID 0+1 (Mirror)

For capacity and fault tolerance – The FastTrak TX4000 array will be equal to one-half the number of drives times the capacity of the smallest HDD in the array. Larger HDDs will be truncated and that space will be unusable.

For sustained data transfers – The FastTrak TX4000 array will read and write data at twice the rate of the slowest HDD in the array.

Drive Issues

Q:Can I add a drive to a FastTrak TX4000 RAID array via hot-swap and dynamically adjust the array size/configuration?

A:No. The FastTrak TX4000 system does not support dynamically adjustable RAID size/configurations.

Q: Do the HDDs on the FastTrak TX4000 have to be the same size?

A:The HDDs that you use with the FastTrak TX4000 do not have to be the same size. If the sizes differ, the FastTrak TX4000 will truncate the bigger HDD so the drives match. The resulting difference in HDD space is unusable, so avoid using HDDs of significantly different capacities.

Q:I already have an array on an older FastTrak controller. Can I move that array to my new FastTrak TX4000 controller?

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Contents Fasttrak TX4000 Important Data Protection Information CopyrightTrademarks Contents Page What is the FastTrak TX4000 RAID Card? IntroductionPromise Array Management Utility PAM Keys Features and Benefits Features BenefitsCompatibility Quick Start Installing the FastTrak TX4000 Card Insert the FastTrak TX4000 card into an open PCI slotInstalling the Hard Drives IDE Creating Your Disk Array Creating an Array for Performance Creating a Security Array with New Drives Creating a Security Array with an Existing Data Drive QUANTUMCR8.4A Page Using FastBuild Configuration Utility Viewing FastTrak TX4000 Bios ScreenNavigating the FastBuild Setup Menu Using the Main MenuCreating Arrays Automatically Optimize Array for Defining Typical Application UsagePerformance SecurityUsing a Hot Spare Drive Creating Multiple Disk ArraysViewing Drive Assignments Manually Creating an Array Selecting Array Type Selecting Stripe BlockGigabyte Boundary Assigning Drives to ArrayCreating a Mirrored Array Using New Drives Adding Fault Tolerance to an Existing Drive Source Disk Channel Drive ID Drive Model Capacity MB Making a FastTrak TX4000 Disk Array Bootable How FastTrak TX4000 Saves Array Information Creating a Hot Spare Drive for Mirrored ArraysHow FastTrak TX4000 Orders Arrays Deleting an Array QUANTUMCR8.4A Rebuilding a Mirrored Array QUANTUMCR8.4A Installing Software Drivers Procedure NumberNew Windows Server 2003 Installation Existing Windows Server 2003 Installation Confirming Windows Server 2003 Driver InstallationNew Windows XP Installation Existing Windows XP Installation Confirming Windows XP Driver InstallationNew Windows 2000 Installation Confirming Windows 2000 Driver Installation Existing WindowsNew Windows ME Installation Existing Windows ME Installation Confirming Driver Installation in Windows MENew Windows NT4.x Installation Existing Windows NT4.x Installation Removing the Driver from Windows NT4.xNew Windows 98 Installation Existing Windows 98 Installation Confirming Driver Installation in WindowsPage About Adapter Bios FastBuild Auto Menu SetupDisk Array Concepts About FastTrak TX4000RAID Level Performance Fault Capacity No. Tolerance Drives Disk Array TermsDisk Array Description Disk Array MemberAbout RAID Levels Striping RAIDMirroring RAID Data Mirror Disk DrivesStriping / Mirror RAID 0+1 About Dual Data Redundancy Failed Array Event Drives Status Why?Troubleshooting & Tips Motherboard IssuesConfiguring PCI IRQ resources System locks up during boot up or when Windows startsSystem Cmos Issues Miscellaneous problems such asIntermittent data problems Using an Onboard IDE Card with FastTrak TX4000Drive-Related Errors Critical Array Status Error Reported during BootDrive 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 IssuesDifferent drive lettering under Windows NT Troubleshooting & Tips Optimize Array for Performance Re-Configure PCI Latency SettingPerformance Tips Change Setting of PCI Bus Utilization Page Appendix a Frequently Asked Questions Pre-InstallationWill Acpi work with HDDs on the FastTrak TX4000? Can I use Atapi devices on the FastTrak TX4000 controller?Drive Issues RAID 0 StripeRAID 1 Mirror RAID 0+1 MirrorHow do I partition/format my FastTrak TX4000 RAID array? Installation Issues Post-InstallationUSA Tech Support Center Technical Support ServicesAppendix B Technical Support China Office European Tech SupportPacific Rim Sales Office Limited Warranty Disclaimer of other warrantiesYour Responsibility Returning Product for Repair