Chapter 9: Managing Your Storage Space 81

About the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility

The Adaptec RAID Configuration (ARC) utility is a BIOS-based utility that you can use to create and manage controllers, disk drives and other devices, and arrays. The ARC utility comprises these tools:

Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—For creating and managing arrays, and initializing and rescanning disk drives.

SerialSelect—For modifying your controller and disk drive settings.

Disk Utilities—For formatting or verifying disk drives.

The ARC utility is included in your controller’s BIOS. For more information, see Using the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility on page 104.

Note: The ARC utility is primarily intended for preoperating system installation configuration.

About the Adaptec Flash Utility

The Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU) is a text-based DOS utility that you can use to update, save, or verify your RAID controller’s firmware BIOS and Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM).

!Caution: Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally damaging your RAID controller’s flash contents, it is still important to use the AFU carefully and

correctly to avoid rendering your RAID controller inoperable. We recommend that only advanced users familiar with working in DOS use the AFU. You can also use Adaptec Storage Manager to update the controller firmware/BIOS. See the Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide for more information.

Which Utility Should I Use?

To create a bootable array, we recommend that you use the BIOS-based ACU (See Using the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility on page 104).

For subsequent storage management tasks on most supported operating systems, we recommend that you install and use Adaptec Storage Manager (see page 80). As a full-featured software application with a graphical user interface, it is the easiest to use and offers the widest range of management functions.

Note: If your Adaptec RAID controller is connected to a VMware system, your choice of management utilities varies, depending on which version of VMware you are running; see Which Utility Should I Use on VMware? on page 81 for more information.

Which Utility Should I Use on VMware?

VMware storage management options vary, depending on which version of the operating system you are running:

On VMware ESX 4.1 and VMware ESX 4.0 systems:

You can install the Adaptec Storage Manager Agent (only) on the VMware ESX system, then from a Windows or Linux machine running the Adaptec Storage Manager GUI, you can connect to the VMware system and configure and manage arrays from the remote ASM GUI.

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Adaptec 2268300R manual About the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility, About the Adaptec Flash Utility

2268300R specifications

The Adaptec 2268300R is a robust and versatile RAID controller designed for enterprise-level storage needs. Ideal for environments demanding high availability, performance, and data protection, this controller provides organizations with the ability to manage large volumes of data while ensuring reliability.

One of the standout features of the Adaptec 2268300R is its support for various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. This flexibility allows users to choose the configuration that best suits their performance and redundancy requirements. By combining multiple drives into a single logical unit, the controller enhances data throughput and ensures data safety through redundancy.

The controller is built on a SATA and SAS architecture, allowing it to connect directly to both SATA and SAS drives. This broad compatibility is crucial for businesses looking to leverage existing hardware while also scaling their storage infrastructure. The Adaptec 2268300R is equipped with a powerful onboard processor that significantly boosts performance, driving down latency and increasing transaction speeds across connected drives.

Additionally, the Adaptec 2268300R features cache memory with a non-volatile option that enhances data integrity during unexpected power outages. This feature is essential for mission-critical applications where data loss can have severe repercussions. Moreover, the controller supports advanced caching algorithms, optimizing write and read performance to meet the demands of modern applications.

The controller also integrates seamlessly with Adaptec's management suite, providing users with a graphical interface to monitor and manage their storage solutions effectively. The web-based management tool allows administrators to configure RAID settings, monitor disk health, and perform troubleshooting, all from a centralized platform.

Security is another critical aspect of the Adaptec 2268300R. The controller comes equipped with encryption capabilities, enabling users to secure sensitive data at rest—protecting information from unauthorized access. Furthermore, with features like hot-spare drive support and automatic rebuilds, the controller assures continued operation even in the event of a disk failure.

In conclusion, the Adaptec 2268300R is a powerful RAID controller that delivers significant advantages in performance, flexibility, and reliability. With its support for multiple RAID levels, SAS and SATA compatibility, robust caching, and advanced management tools, it stands out as an ideal solution for businesses needing to safeguard and manage their vast data assets efficiently. Whether for enhancing data security or optimizing storage performance, the Adaptec 2268300R remains a sound choice in today’s data-driven landscape.