Promise Technology FASTTRAK SX4300 Installation Issues Capacity, Booting, Post-Installation

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FastTrak SX4300, SX8300 User Manual

How do I partition/format my FastTrak SX Series RAID logical drive?

The FastTrak Controller represents the logical drive as a single disk drive to your system. Therefore, anything that you can do to a single disk drive you can do to a FastTrak logical drive.

For example, you should use the FDISK and FORMAT utilities to partition and format the logical drive. You can format the logical drive with any file system you wish.

Installation Issues (Capacity, Booting)

How can I change the system boot sequence in order to boot from the FastTrak SX Series logical drive?

The boot sequence is controlled by the system BIOS. As far as the system BIOS is concerned, the FastTrak Controller and defined logical drives are categorized as a SCSI device. This allows you to set the boot sequence in your BIOS setup utility to boot from SCSI first, rather than IDE.

If there are multiple SCSI add-in controllers in the system, then the boot sequence among them will be determined exclusively by their PCI/PCI-X slot priority. PCI slot #1 will be first, slot #2 second, etc. Put the FastTrak Controller in the PCI-X slot where it will be accessed ahead of other SCSI controllers if you want to boot from the logical drive.

How can I change the boot sequence between a PCI SCSI card and the FastTrak SX Series RAID logical drive?

Since all PCI and PCI-X devices are PnP, it is difficult to determine which device is addressed first. Most motherboard BIOSes have advanced options that identify devices and allow you to select which device will be assigned resources first. Otherwise you may have to physically switch the device cards on the PCI/PCI-X slots so that the boot device is in the highest priority slot number (see previous question).

Post-Installation

Why can’t I see the drives on the FastTrak SX Series under FDISK?

You have not created a logical drive yet. Without a logical drive, the system will not recognize the disk drives attached to the FastTrak Controller.

How can I obtain the latest FastTrak drivers?

Download the latest drivers from the Promise Technology website at www.promise.com. Click on Support, then on Download.

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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 ManualXOR Acceleration Product OverviewHot-Swapping WebPAM Management Software Page SX4300 InstallationSX8300 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 Halt On Error Logical Drive ProblemsSystem Resources Page RAID 0 and Jbod Page Installing Software Drivers Install Driver in an Existing System Install Driver During New OS InstallationWindows Server Confirm Installation Windows XPInstall Driver in an Existing System Windows Red Hat Linux 8.0, 9.0, EL 3.0, EL Install Driver During New OS Installation Multi-Processor Install Driver During New OS Installation Single ProcessorSuSE Linux 9.1, 9.2, ES 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 drivesJbod Single Drive Choosing a RAID LevelAdvantages Disadvantages Implemented as a mirrored logical drive Other Logical Drive Features Stripe Block SizeInitialization Fast Init Gigabyte BoundaryHot Spare Drive 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 ManagerPre-Installation Speed, Device Types, Capacity, Cabling Frequently Asked QuestionsSupport 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-InstallationContact Technical Support Technical Support ServicesUnited States Germany Europe, Africa, Middle EastItaly Taiwan Limited WarrantyChina 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.