Promise Technology FASTTRAK SX4300, SX8300 RAID 5 Block Striping with Distributed Parity

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FastTrak SX4300, SX8300 User Manual

RAID 5 – Block Striping with Distributed Parity

RAID level 5 organizes data across the disk drives of the logical drive, and distributes parity information across the disk drives along with the data blocks. This organization allows increased performance by accessing multiple disk drives simultaneously for each operation, as well as fault tolerance by providing parity data. In the event of a disk drive failure, data can be re-calculated by the RAID system based on the remaining data and the parity information.

The adjustable block size of the RAID 5 logical drive allows for performance tuning based on the typical I/O request sizes for your system. The block size must be set at the time the logical drive is created and cannot be adjusted dynamically.

RAID 5 makes efficient use of hard drives and is the most versatile RAID Level. It works well for file, database, application and web servers.

Distributed Parity

Data

Blocks

Disk Drives

Figure 3. RAID 5 Stripes all drives with data and parity information

The capacity of a RAID 5 logical drive is the smallest disk drive size multiplied by the number of disk drives, less one. Hence, a RAID 5 logical drive with four 100 GB disk drives will have a capacity of 300 GB. A logical drive with two 120 GB disk drives and one 100 GB disk drive will have a capacity of 200 GB.

RAID 5 logical drives on the FastTrak SX4300 consist of 3 or 4 disk drives.

RAID 5 logical drives on the FastTrak SX8300 consist of 3 to 8 disk drives.

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Contents SX4300, SX8300 Copyright TrademarksImportant data protection information RecommendationsRadio Frequency Interference Statement May cause undesired operationPage Contents Troubleshooting & Tips SupportIntroduction About This ManualHot-Swapping Product OverviewXOR Acceleration WebPAM Management Software Page SX8300 InstallationSX4300 Installing the FastTrak Card Installing the Disk Drives RAID JbodLED Pins Create a Logical Drive Page Installation Page FastTrak Bios FastBuild UtilityMain Menu View Drive Assignments Create a Logical Drive One Logical Drive Two Logical Drives FastBuild Utility View Drive Assignments, Split Disk Drives Delete Logical Drive Controller Configuration System Resources Logical Drive ProblemsHalt On Error Page RAID 0 and Jbod Page Installing Software Drivers Windows Server Install Driver During New OS InstallationInstall Driver in an Existing System Confirm Installation Windows XPInstall Driver in an Existing System Windows Red Hat Linux 8.0, 9.0, EL 3.0, EL SuSE Linux 9.1, 9.2, ES Install Driver During New OS Installation Single ProcessorInstall Driver During New OS Installation Multi-Processor Install Driver in an Existing System Adapter Bios ConceptsAbout FastTrak Introduction to RAIDRAID 0 Stripe RAID 0 Stripe interleaves data across multiple drivesRAID 1 Mirror RAID 1 Mirrors identical data to two drivesRAID 5 Block Striping with Distributed Parity RAID 5 Stripes all drives with data and parity informationRAID 10 Mirror / Stripe About Dual Data Redundancy CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4RAID 50 Striping of Distributed Parity RAID 50 Striping of Distributed Parity logical drivesAdvantages Disadvantages Choosing a RAID LevelJbod Single Drive Implemented as a mirrored logical drive Other Logical Drive Features Stripe Block SizeHot Spare Drive Gigabyte BoundaryInitialization Fast Init Cache Settings Logical Drive ExpansionRAID Level Migration Level Current Number Possible Number DrivesFrom Increase Redundancy Capacity Add LoseRanges of Disk Array Expansion Current LD Size Maximum LD Sector Size Expansion Size Page Troubleshooting & Tips Motherboard IssuesSystem Cmos Issues Drive-Related ErrorsOperating System-Related Issues Drive cannot be formed into an logical drivePerformance Tips Promise Windows driver does not appear in Device ManagerSupport Frequently Asked QuestionsPre-Installation Speed, Device Types, Capacity, Cabling Drive Issues How can I change the resources that the FastTrak uses?Other array configurations will not work for this purpose Installation Issues Capacity, Booting Post-InstallationUnited States Technical Support ServicesContact Technical Support Italy Europe, Africa, Middle EastGermany China Limited WarrantyTaiwan Disclaimer of other warranties Return Product For Repair Your ResponsibilitiesOr retailer
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SX8300, FASTTRAK SX4300 specifications

Promise Technology has established itself as a leader in data storage solutions, particularly with its cutting-edge SX4300 and SX8300 series. These enterprise-grade solutions cater to businesses seeking high-performance, reliable, and scalable storage systems.

The Promise SX4300 and SX8300 are built around the M.2 NVMe interface, providing exceptional data transfer speeds and low latency, which are crucial for applications requiring rapid data access. Both models leverage PCIe Gen 3 technology, ensuring that they can handle the demands of modern workloads with ease, whether in cloud storage, media production, or enterprise databases.

One of the standout features of the SX4300 is its ability to support up to four NVMe M.2 SSDs. This configuration allows for impressive storage capacities ranging from 3.2TB to 12.8TB. It also includes advanced features like parity RAID for data redundancy, safeguarding against drive failures and ensuring data integrity. The SX4300 is particularly well-suited for users looking for a compact solution that does not compromise on performance.

In contrast, the SX8300 takes performance a step further with support for up to eight NVMe M.2 SSDs. This expansion allows for scalable storage solutions tailored to the evolving needs of growing enterprises. The SX8300 also implements advanced cooling technologies that prevent thermal throttling during intense operations, thus maintaining optimal performance across extended periods.

Both models support Promise Technology’s proprietary RAID management software which simplifies configuration and monitoring. Users can easily manage their storage environments, enhancing performance and monitoring the health of their drives in real time. Additionally, these devices are designed to be compatible with a wide range of operating systems, making them versatile solutions for various IT infrastructures.

Regarding connectivity, the SX4300 and SX8300 provide robust options, ensuring high availability for mission-critical applications. Their compact, rack-mounted design promotes effective space utilization in data centers, adhering to modern IT demands for efficiency.

In summary, Promise Technology's SX4300 and SX8300 series deliver exceptional performance, scalability, and reliability, making them ideal choices for enterprises looking to enhance their storage capabilities. With advanced RAID technology, immense storage capacity, and easy-to-use management software, these systems are positioned to meet the high demands of today’s data-intensive environments. Choosing between the SX4300 and SX8300 ultimately depends on the required capacity and scalability needs, but both models exemplify Promise Technology’s commitment to innovation in data storage solutions.