RAID Levels

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Serial ATA BIOS Setting Utility Introduction

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of combining two hard disk drives into one logical unit. The advantage of an Array is to provide better performance or data fault tolerance. Fault tolerance is achieved through data redundant operation, where if one drives fails, a mirrored copy of the data can be found on another drive. This can prevent data loss if the operating system fails or hangs. The individual disk drives in an array are called members. The configuration information of each member is recorded in the reserved sector that identifies the drive as a member. All disk members in a formed disk array are recognized as a single physical drive to the operating system.

Hard disk drives can be combined together through a few different methods. The different methods are referred to as different RAID levels. Different RAID levels represent different performance levels, security levels and implementation costs. The RAID levels which the nVIDIA nForce3 Ultra chipset supports are RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and JBOD.

RAID 0 (Striping)

RAID 0 reads and writes sectors of data interleaved between multiple drives. If any disk member fails, it affects the entire array. The disk array data capacity is equal to the number of drive members times the capacity of the smallest member. The striping block size can be set from 4KB to 64KB. RAID 0 does not support fault tolerance.

RAID 1 (Mirroring)

RAID 1 writes duplicate data onto a pair of drives and reads both sets of data in parallel. If one of the mirrored drives suffers a mechanical failure or does not respond, the remaining drive will continue to function. Due to redundancy, the drive capacity of the array is the capacity of the smallest drive. Under a RAID 1 setup, an extra drive called the spare drive can be attached. Such a drive will be activated to replace a failed drive that is part of a mirrored array. Due to the fault tolerance, if any RAID 1 drive fails, data access will not be affected as long as there are other working drives in the array.

RAID 0+1 (Striping + Mirroring)

RAID 0+1 combines the performance of data striping (RAID 0) and the fault tolerance of disk mirroring (RAID 1). Data is striped across multiple drives and duplicated on another set of drives.

JBOD (Spanning)

A spanning disk array is equal to the sum of the all drives when the drives used are having different capacities. Spanning stores data onto a drive until it is full, then proceeds to store files onto the next drive in the array. When any disk member fails, the failure affects the entire array. JBOD is not really a RAID and does not support fault tolerance.

GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Motherboard

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GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 specifications

The Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 is a high-performance motherboard designed for AMD's Athlon 64 and Opteron processors, which made significant strides in the computing world during the early 2000s. This motherboard harnesses the power of Socket 939, allowing users to unlock the full potential of AMD's 64-bit architecture, delivering enhanced performance and speed for demanding applications and gaming.

One of the standout features of the GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 is its support for dual-channel DDR SDRAM. This motherboard accommodates up to 4GB of memory across its four DIMM slots. With the dual-channel configuration, users experience increased memory bandwidth, allowing for faster data transfer rates essential for modern multitasking and high-performance computing scenarios.

Gigabyte’s proprietary technologies, such as its 8-phase Power Phase Design, significantly improve system stability and reliability by providing clean and steady power to the CPU. This design is particularly beneficial when overclocking, allowing users to push their systems to higher performance levels without compromising stability.

The motherboard features an NForce3 250Gb chipset, known for its impressive capabilities in enhancing system performance and providing support for various peripheral technologies. This chipset enables integrated Gigabit Ethernet, ensuring fast networking speeds suitable for gaming and data-intensive tasks.

Expansion capabilities are another highlight of the GA-K8NS ULTRA-939. It offers several PCI slots along with a PCI Express x16 slot, allowing users to upgrade their graphics cards for enhanced gaming performance. Additionally, the motherboard features 4 SATA connectors, supporting RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 configurations, enabling improved data redundancy and speed for storage solutions.

Connectivity is further enhanced with USB 2.0 support, providing multiple ports for peripherals, and integrated audio solutions, delivering decent sound quality for media consumption and gaming. Moreover, the Realtek ALC850 codec ensures that users can easily connect and enjoy high-quality audio.

The GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 also incorporates Gigabyte’s patented DualBIOS technology, which provides a backup BIOS that safeguards against corruption, ensuring system reliability and extended product longevity. This feature, along with a rich selection of configuration options in the BIOS, gives users the flexibility and control they need to optimize their computing experience.

In conclusion, the Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 represents a solid choice for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich motherboard to complement AMD’s Socket 939 processors. With its robust power design, extensive memory support, and a comprehensive array of features, it remains a memorable piece of hardware that contributed to the evolution of home computing.

Gigabyte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 user manual Serial ATA Bios Setting Utility Introduction, RAID Levels

Models: GA-K8NS ULTRA-939