Enabling Sata RAID, Serial ATA Sata | SUPER MICRO Computer H8DII+

Chapter 2: Installation

2-11 Enabling SATA RAID

Now that the hardware is set up, you must install the operating system and the SATA RAID drivers, if you wish to use RAID with your SATA drives. The installation procedure differs depending on whether you wish to have the operating system installed on a RAID array or on a separate non-RAID drive. See the instructions below for details.

Serial ATA (SATA)

Serial ATA (SATA) is a physical storage interface that employs a single cable with a minimum of four wires to create a point-to-point connection between devices. This connection is a serial link that supports a SATA transfer rate from 150 MBps. The serial cables used in SATA are thinner than the traditional cables used in Parallel ATA (PATA) and can extend up to one meter in length, compared to only 40 cm for PATA cables. Overall, SATA provides better functionality than PATA.

Installing the OS/SATA Driver

Before installing the OS (operating system) and SATA RAID driver, you must decide if you wish to have the operating system installed as part of a bootable RAID array or installed to a separate non-RAID hard drive. If on a separate drive, you may install the driver either during or after the OS installation. If you wish to have the OS on a SATA RAID array, you must follow the procedure below and install the driver during the OS installation.

Building a Driver Diskette

You must ﬁrst build a driver diskette from the Supermicro CD-ROM that was included with the system. (You will have to create this disk on a computer that is already running and with the OS installed.) Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive and start the system. A display as shown in Figure 2-6 will appear. Click on the icon labeled "Build Driver Diskettes and Manuals" and follow the instructions to create a ﬂoppy disk with the driver on it. Once it's been created, remove the ﬂoppy and insert the installation CD for the Windows Operating System you wish to install into the CD- ROM drive of the new system you are about to conﬁgure.

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H8DII+, H8DI3+, H8DII+-F, H8DI3+-F specifications

Super Micro Computer, a leader in high-performance server solutions, offers a range of motherboards designed for demanding enterprise applications. Notable models include the H8DI3+-F, H8DII+-F, H8DI3+, and H8DII+. These motherboards incorporate advanced technologies tailored for reliability, flexibility, and scalability, making them ideal for data centers, virtualization, and high-performance computing tasks.

The H8DI3+-F and H8DII+-F motherboards are optimized for dual AMD Opteron processors, delivering exceptional processing power with support for both single and dual-socket configurations. This flexibility allows users to tailor their systems according to specific application needs, whether they require a compact setup or a more extensive, scalable infrastructure.

Key features include support for DDR4 memory, which enhances bandwidth and energy efficiency. The H8DI3+-F and H8DII+-F motherboards support up to 1TB of RAM through 16 DIMM slots, enabling the hosting of memory-intensive applications with ease. This is complemented by advanced error-correcting code (ECC) memory support, ensuring data integrity and stability in mission-critical environments.

Both motherboards include several PCIe slots, facilitating the integration of high-performance GPUs and storage solutions. This modularity is crucial for businesses looking to harness the power of GPU computing for tasks such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics.

Storage options are robust, with support for multiple 2.5” or 3.5” drives and RAID configurations, allowing for rapid data access and redundancy. These features ensure that organizations can maintain high availability and minimize downtime.

Additionally, the H8DI3+ and H8DII+ models boast integrated dual 10Gb/s Ethernet ports for high-speed network connectivity, essential for optimizing data transfers and ensuring seamless communication across distributed systems.

In terms of reliability, Super Micro emphasizes military-grade components and extensive testing, providing peace of mind to users in critical environments. Each model supports comprehensive management features, including remote access capabilities and thermal monitoring, contributing to reduced operational costs.

Overall, Super Micro's H8DI3+-F, H8DII+-F, H8DI3+, and H8DII+ motherboards represent the pinnacle of server technology, combining robust performance, extensive scalability, and innovative features designed to address the evolving demands of modern enterprise computing. These motherboards are ideal for organizations seeking powerful, flexible systems that can adapt to future technological advancements.