RAID
RAID Overview
The 650 is unique in that it is the only integrated POS computer to currently implement an integrated RAID function. The 650 uses the Intel Matrix Storage Technology to allow the two internal 2.5 inch hard drives to be configured as a RAID array. The 650 supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and Intel Matrix RAID which combines the benefits of two RAID volumes in a single RAID array.
If you are not currently familiar with RAID arrays Intel has a good white paper on the subject at: http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/applnots/310855.htm
There are a number of benefits to using the RAID feature.
Protection is one benefit. When using a RAID 1 array, data is protected by mirroring. The primary RAID volume is duplicated automatically on the second drive, a mirror image of the first. If one of the two hard drives fails the system will still keep working. The bad hard drive can be replaced while the system is running. This is called hot swapping or hot plug. The new drive will automatically be updated to a mirror image of the working drive.
Performance is another feature RAID can provide. When configured as a RAID 0 array the two drives in the RAID array are striped. With striping, data is split between two drives. This allows the 650 to read the data more than twice as fast as with a single drive. The performance can be more than twice as fast because the Intel RAID driver also uses the AHCI NCQ function built into the SATA drives.
Protection and Performance can be mixed using an Intel Matrix RAID configuration, whereby a RAID 1 and RAID 0 can be setup on the same RAID array. Mission critical data can be stored in the RAID 1 volume and data requiring performance can be stored on the RAID 0 volume.
AHCI
AHCI stands for Advanced Host Controller Interface and is a feature of the SATA interface that allows for Hot Swapping and Native Command Queuing (NCQ). NCQ allows multiple commands to be sent to the hard drive at one time. The drive decides the best way to order the commands for the best performance from the drive. AHCI is enabled when RAID mode is selected in the BIOS setup.
To use AHCI drivers from Intel the BIOS must be set to RAID, not AHCI. The AHCI mode uses the same drivers as used for RAID. Follow the instruction for install the RAID drivers but set the HDD as a
650 System Manual (Draft) | 59 |
Version 0.4 August 20, 2008 |
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