Compaq 3200 manual The Array Configuration Utility, Working with Drive Arrays, Features

1-6Features

The Array Configuration Utility

The Array Configuration Utility is an easy-to-use, graphic-interface software program for setting up arrays and fault tolerance, and for expanding or changing drive array configurations. The utility:

■Provides a graphical representation of drive array configurations

■Uses Wizards to help optimize your array configuration

■Allows express or custom initial configuration

■Allows online spare (hot spare) configuration

■Supports RAID 0, 0+1, 1, 4, and 5 fault-tolerant configurationsAllows separate fault-tolerance configuration on a logical drive basis

■Allows user-selectable stripe-size

■Allows online stripe size migration

■Allows online RAID level migration (between any two RAID levels)

■Allows online logical drive capacity extension

■Enables easy online capacity expansion

■Sets drive rebuild and capacity expansion priorities

Working with Drive Arrays

Drive array technology distributes data across a series of hard drives to unite these physical drives into one or more higher-performance logical drives. Distributing the data makes it possible to access data concurrently from multiple drives in the array, yielding I/O rates faster than those of non-arrayed drives. Each logical drive in the array can be set to a different fault-tolerant configuration. The Smart Array 3200 Controller manages the drive array, independent of the host processor.

There may be several ways to configure each set of hardware. The Array Configuration Utility software helps configure the hardware to your needs.

Refer to Appendix E for more information on drive arrays. Refer to Chapter 5, “Running the Array Configuration Utility,” for information on configuring your drive arrays.