4 Intel Rapid Storage Technology

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports the following Recovery features.

Advanced Host Controller Interface

The Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) is a specification that allows the storage driver to enable advanced SATA features such as Native Command Queuing and hot plug capability. AHCI must be enabled in the Computer Setup (BIOS) for these features to apply (see Enable RAID using the Computer Setup (BIOS) (f10) on page 12). AHCI is enabled by default on supported HP Business computers.

Native Command Queuing

A read/write drive head writes data to a hard drive platter in concentric circles (tracks) based on the order in which the write request was received. Because applications rarely request data in the same order that it was written to the platter, long delays (latency) would result if the drive head had to locate data in the exact order that the hard drive receives read requests. Native Command Queuing (NCQ) allows SATA hard drives to accept multiple commands and change their execution order to improve performance. This is analogous to the way an elevator reorders floor requests to minimize travel time and mechanical wear. Similarly, NCQ reduces the latency and unnecessary drive head movement required to execute multiple outstanding read/write requests, resulting in increased performance and reliability. NCQ requires support from the Computer Setup (BIOS), SATA controller, and controller driver.

Hot plug capability

Hot plug capability allows the SATA recovery hard drive to be removed or inserted while the computer is running. Hot plug capability is supported when the recovery hard drive is connected to the eSATA port or located in the docking station's SATA-swappable bay. For example, the recovery hard drive in the docking station's SATA-swappable bay can be removed while the computer is running if you need to temporarily insert an optical drive in the bay. Hot plug capability also allows you to dock and undock the computer at any time.

Intel Smart Response Technology (select models only)

NOTE: Intel® Smart Response Technology requires that the SATA controller be set to RAID mode in Computer Setup (BIOS). Typically, SRT is already enabled and in RAID mode from the factory, and no further user configuration is required.

Intel Smart Response Technology (SRT) is an Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) caching feature that significantly improves computer system performance. It allows a user to configure computer systems with an SSD mSATA module used as cache memory between the hard disk drive and system memory. This configuration provides the advantage of having a hard disk drive (or a RAID volume) for maximum storage capacity while simultaneously delivering an enhanced system performance experience.

NOTE: Intel Smart Response Technology caching is implemented as a single drive-letter solution. No additional drive letter is required for the SSD device used as a cache. Typically, SRT is enabled from the factory, and no further user configuration is required. SRT is not supported when used with SSD or SED drives.

Advanced Host Controller Interface

9