Promise Technology user manual Introduction, FastTrak S150 TX4

Models: S150

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Thank you for purchasing Promise Technology’s FastTrak S150 TX4 RAID controller card. The PC which you are using either already contains FastTrak S150 TX4 installed by a third-party or you have acquired a FastTrak S150 TX4 retail product for your existing PC and plan to install the card yourself.

For PC owners wishing to install their FastTrak S150 TX4 RAID controller card, go to Chapter 2: Installation on page 5.

For PCs with a FastTrak S150 TX4 RAID controller card already installed, and you are experiencing any difficulties with the hard drive being recognized by the card go to the Chapter 6: Troubleshooting on page 51.

If your operating system has crashed for some reason or you have downloaded updated drivers from the Promise website (www.promise.com), you may wish to reinstall software drivers for the FastTrak S150 TX4 RAID controller card. See Chapter 4: Installing Drivers on page 33.

FastTrak S150 TX4

Promise originally designed the FastTrak S150 TX4 as a cost-effective, high performance RAID controller card that adds performance and/or reliability to PC desktops and/or servers using Serial ATA drives.

FastTrak S150 TX4 has three independent data channels to support a maximum of four Serial ATA drives. FastTrak S150 TX4 supports:

Striping (RAID 0) – Identical drives can read and write data in parallel to increase performance.

Mirroring (RAID 1) – Mirroring increases read performance through load balancing and elevator sorting while creating a complete backup of your files.

Striping / Mirroring (RAID 0+1) – Combining striping with mirroring offers both high read/write performance and fault tolerance

A FastTrak S150 TX4 striped array can double the sustained data transfer rate of Serial ATA drives.

FastTrak S150 TX4 offers fault tolerant, data redundancy for entry-level network file servers or simply for desktop PC users wanting to continually protect valuable data on their PC. Each model offers RAID 1 mirroring (for two drives) and RAID 0+1 mirroring plus striping (for four drives) to protect data.

Should a drive that is part of a mirrored array fail, FastTrak S150 TX4 uses the mirrored drive (which contains identical data) to assume all data handling. When a new replacement drive is later installed, FastTrak S150 TX4 rebuilds data to the new drive from the mirrored drive to restore fault tolerance.

FastTrak S150 TX4 bootable BIOS supports individual drives larger than 137 GB. With FAT32 and NTFS partitioning, the array can be addressed as one large single volume.

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Promise Technology user manual Introduction, FastTrak S150 TX4

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.