5.4RAID configurations

The motherboard comes with two RAID controllers that allow you to configure Serial ATA hard disk drives as RAID sets.

The Intel® ESB2E Southbridge RAID includes a high performance SATA RAID controller that supports RAID 0, 1, and 5 for six independent Serial ATA channels.

The JMicron® JMB363 RAID includes a high performance SATA RAID controller that supports RAID 0, 1, and JBOD for two external Serial ATA channels.

5.4.1RAID definitions

RAID 0 (Data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write data in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone, thus improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives is required for this setup.

RAID 1 (Data mirroring) copies and maintains an identical image of data from one drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of the data in the other drive. This RAID configuration provides data protection and increases fault tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an existing drive and a new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same size or larger than the existing drive.

RAID 5 stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard disk drives. Among the advantages of RAID 5 configuration include better HDD performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. The RAID

5 configuration is best suited for transaction processing, relational database applications, enterprise resource planning, and other business systems. Use a minimum of three identical hard disk drives for this setup.

JBOD (Spanning) stands for Just a Bunch of Disks and refers to hard disk drives that are not yet configured as a RAID set. This configuration stores the same data redundantly on multiple disks that appear as a single disk on the operating system. Spanning does not deliver any advantage over using separate disks independently and does not provide fault tolerance or other RAID performance benefits.

Intel® Matrix Storage. The Intel® Matrix Storage technology supported by the ESB2E chip allows you to create a RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5 function to improve both system performance and data safety. You can also combine two RAID sets to get higher performance, capacity, or fault tolerance provided by the difference RAID function. For example, RAID 0 and RAID 1 set can be created by using only two identical hard disk drives.

ASUS Z7S WS

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Asus Z7S WS manual RAID configurations, RAID definitions

Z7S WS specifications

The Asus Z7S WS is a workstation motherboard designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability for a variety of professional applications, particularly in fields such as graphic design, 3D rendering, and scientific computing. This motherboard stands out with its robust features and cutting-edge technologies, making it an ideal choice for users who require high levels of performance and stability.

One of the cornerstone features of the Asus Z7S WS is its support for dual Intel Xeon processors, allowing users to take advantage of the impressive multi-threading capabilities offered by these powerful CPUs. This makes the Z7S WS suitable for multitasking and handling demanding workloads, enabling professionals to run multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing performance degradation.

In terms of memory support, the Z7S WS is compatible with up to 64GB of DDR3 RAM. This extensive memory capability is essential for memory-intensive tasks, ensuring that users can work with large datasets or complex projects without running into limitations. The motherboard also supports ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory, which helps to enhance data integrity and system reliability, crucial for mission-critical applications.

The Asus Z7S WS embraces advanced storage technologies, featuring multiple SATA 6Gb/s ports and support for RAID configurations. This enables users to establish a reliable storage environment with improved performance and data protection. Additionally, the motherboard is equipped with an onboard SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) controller, allowing for enterprise-grade storage solutions and improved data transfer rates.

Connectivity is another strong suit of the Z7S WS. The motherboard provides a wide array of expansion slots, including PCIe slots for high-performance graphics cards and other add-on cards. This flexibility allows users to configure their workstation to meet specific needs, whether it's for gaming, professional graphics work, or computational tasks.

Moreover, the Asus Z7S WS features high-definition audio and multiple USB ports, catering to users who require audio capabilities and extensive peripheral connectivity. The robust power delivery system is designed to ensure stability even under heavy loads, making this motherboard a reliable choice for professional use.

Finally, Asus emphasizes durability and longevity in the design of the Z7S WS, incorporating high-quality components that can withstand prolonged usage. Overall, the Asus Z7S WS is a powerful workstation motherboard that provides the performance, reliability, and versatility needed for demanding professional environments.