Chapter 2: Getting Started

Gigabyte Boundary

The Gigabyte Boundary feature is designed for mirrored arrays (RAID 1 or RAID 0+1) in which a drive has failed and the user cannot replace the drive with the same capacity or larger. Instead, the Gigabyte Boundary feature permits the installation of a replacement drive that is slightly smaller (within 1 gigabyte) than the remaining working drive (for example, an 80.5 GB drive would be rounded down to 80 GB).

This can be helpful in the event that a drive fails and an exact replacement model is no longer available. Without this feature enabled, FastTrak S150 TX4 will NOT permit the use of a replacement drive that is slightly smaller than the remaining working drive.

For the Gigabyte Boundary feature to work, the Gigabyte Boundary feature must be set to ON when the original mirrored array is created. When enabled, the Gigabyte Boundary feature rounds the drive capacity of both drives to the common whole GB drive size. For example, with the Gigabyte Boundary feature enabled, the remaining working drive can be 80.5 GB and the replacement drive can be 80.3, since both are rounded down to 80GB.

This permits the smaller drive to be used. Please note that users will lose a small amount of available storage capacity from both drives in order to arrive at a common drive size.

Note

Gigabyte Boundary is automatically disabled when creating a mirrored array (RAID 1) from an existing drive (versus using two brand new drives). This protects the existing drive’s partition table in order to maintain data integrity.

Assigning Drive(s) to Array

1.Under the Drive Assignments section, highlight a drive by pressing the ↑ and ↓ keys.

2.Press the Spacebar to change the Assignable option to Y to add the drive to the disk array.

3.Press Ctrl-Y to save the disk array information. Depending on the array type selected, the following scenarios will take place:

•If choosing a Striping or Mirroring/Striping array, the initial Define Array Menu screen will appear with the arrays defined. From there you may ESC to exit and return to the Main Menu of FastBuild.

•If you selected a Mirroring array for two drives, there is an additional window that appears as described in order to create the array. To do this you will use either two brand new drives, or one drive that contains existing data that you wish to mirror.

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Promise Technology S150 user manual Gigabyte Boundary, Assigning Drives to Array
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S150 specifications

Promise Technology S150 is an advanced storage solution designed to meet the data management needs of modern businesses. This high-performance storage appliance is characterized by its scalability, reliability, and user-friendly management interface, making it an optimal choice for organizations looking to optimize their data storage strategies.

One of the standout features of the S150 is its support for multiple RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. This ensures that businesses can tailor their storage configurations based on their specific redundancy and performance requirements. The S150's software-defined storage capabilities provide flexibility in allocating resources, enabling organizations to manage their data efficiently and improve overall performance.

In terms of connectivity, the Promise S150 offers a range of options, including high-speed 10GbE and Fibre Channel interfaces. These technologies ensure that data transfer rates remain high, minimizing latency and allowing seamless access to applications and data. Additionally, the device supports hot-swappable drives, allowing users to replace or upgrade components without downtime, further enhancing productivity.

The management of the S150 is simplified through the Promise Management software, which provides intuitive controls and monitoring capabilities. Users can easily configure storage settings, monitor performance metrics, and maintain data integrity using the built-in tools. The software's graphical user interface makes it straightforward even for those without extensive IT experience, reducing the administrative burden on staff.

Another notable characteristic of the S150 is its robust security features. It provides options for data encryption both at rest and in transit, ensuring that sensitive information is protected against unauthorized access. Advanced user authentication protocols further enhance security, making it suitable for enterprises dealing with confidential data.

The S150 is also designed with energy efficiency in mind. Its intelligent cooling system and power management features help to reduce overall energy consumption, which is crucial for organizations looking to lower operational costs and reduce their environmental impact.

In summary, Promise Technology S150 stands out in the storage market due to its combination of scalability, versatility, and robust management features. With its support for multiple RAID configurations, high-speed connectivity options, intuitive management software, and strong security protocols, the S150 is well-equipped to support the data demands of businesses today and into the future. It represents a reliable and efficient solution for those looking to enhance their data storage infrastructure.
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