Promise Technology TX4, TX8 user manual Appendix B Frequently Asked Questions

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Appendix B - Frequently Asked Questions

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

Q.What kind of hard drives can I use for an UltraTrak100 array?

A.You can use any Ultra ATA/100, Ultra ATA/33/66, or EIDE hard drive(s) to create arrays on the UltraTrak100. You should use matching drives for multiple-drive arrays to maximize capacity usage as well as performance. Ultra ATA/100 drives are recommended for highest performance.

Q.Can I add a drive to an UltraTrak100 RAID array via hot-swap and dynamically adjust the array size/configuration?

A.No. The UltraTrak100 does not support dynamically adjustable RAID size/configurations.

Q.Can I take a set of drives that make up an array created on one UltraTrak100 and move it to another UltraTrak100?

A.Yes. All UltraTrak100’s read the arrays the same way. Once the drives are all connected, you must restart the system for it to recognize the newly-inserted array configuration.

Q.Can I take a drive used in an UltraTrak100 array and access it directly with a different controller, such as the one integrated on the motherboard?

A.Yes, but only under certain configurations. The following array configurations will allow the drive(s) to be accessed individually on another controller: mirror (RAID 1), or single drive striped (RAID 0). Multiple drives striped will not work.

Q.How can I be sure that write-back cache has flushed before I reboot after partitioning and formatting an array?

A.A cache flush is always triggered immediately following any write from the int 13h BIOS. This level of array support is what FDISK and FORMAT use to access the drive from MSDOS. With no delay in the write operation, there is no cached data waiting to be written. If you are running from Windows NT/2000 or other operating systems, as usual, make sure to shut down Windows properly so that the operating system can trigger and flush the cache as necessary. NOTE: powering off before a proper shutdown is complete may result in the loss of unwritten data in the cache, possibly causing problems in a subsequent boot or access to the data that was unwritten.

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Contents ULTRATRAK100 TX4 ULTRATRAK100 TX8 Important Data Protection Information CopyrightTrademarks Radio Frequency Interference Statement Table of Contents RAID Page Architectural Description IntroductionFeature Benefit Features and BenefitsConfiguration Install Hard DrivesGetting Started Unpack ULTRATRAK100UltraTrak100 Disk Drive Access TX4 Shown Back of UltraTrak100 TX4 see for TX8 Connecting the Scsi CablesDaisy Chaining Several UltraTrak100s Together Assign a Scsi ID Connect Power Cable and Switch Power onConfigure the ULTRATRAK100 Press SEL to Save Changes Advantages Disadvantages Choosing a RAID LevelRAID 0+1 Characteristics/Advantages DisadvantagesJbod Partition and Format the ArrayDrive Status Indicators MaintenanceIndicator Color Meaning Critical & Offline ArraysReplacing a Disk Drive Module REBUILDING/SYNCHRONIZING Fault Tolerant ArraysWhen a Disk Drive Fails Drive Carrier Drive ReplacementReplacing a Power Supply Module TX8 only Connecting Cables to Disk DriveBack of UltraTrak100 TX8 Type of Interface Name Comments ULTRATRAK100 Front Panel InterfaceConfiguration Mode Error ModeLCD Messages Array FunctionalView Status View Status Configure Array Configure CacheConfigure Scsi View Cache Stats View Controller InfoView Array Information View EnclosureView Controller Information Array 0 Size 12GB Temperature 30C/86FRAID 0 Functional 5009 RPMCreate/Cancel Press SEL to Create Press Exit to Cancel What you can do Auto Array SetupView Drive Assignments Define Array Delete ArrayMaxtor Asng In Ary IBM Asng In Ary No Free Disk What you can doRAID Level 4KB 8KB IBM Assigned Maxtor Free Maxtor FreeWipe out disk Synchronize Array Disable Buzzer Rebuild/Sync Pri. Low Array IDWrite Cache What you can do Write CacheWrite Back Write Thru What you can do Write BackID Selected ModePress Or to move these items on the LCD What you can do Scsi IDContacting Promise Support Technical Support ServicesUSA Tech Support Center European Tech SupportChina Office Pacific Rim Sales OfficeDisclaimer of Other Warranties Limited WarrantyPage Returning Product for Repair USA & Canada Your Responsibilities Introduction to RAID Appendix a Technology BackgroundRAID 1 Mirroring RAID 0+1 STRIPING/MIRROR RAID 3 Block Striping with Parity Drive RAID 5 Block and Parity Striping Jbod Spanning Appendix B Frequently Asked Questions Why can’t I see the drives on the UltraTrak100 under FDISK?
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