H8DCT-HLN4F/HIBQF SERVERBOARD USER'S MANUAL

2-11 Enabling SATA RAID

Now that the hardware is set up, you must install the operating system and the SATA RAID drivers, if you wish to use RAID with your SATA drives. The installation procedure differs depending on whether you wish to have the operating system installed on a RAID array or on a separate non-RAID drive. See the instructions below for details.

Serial ATA (SATA)

Serial ATA (SATA) is a physical storage interface that employs a single cable with a minimum of four wires to create a point-to-point connection between devices. This connection is a serial link that supports a SATA transfer rate from 150 MBps. The serial cables used in SATA are thinner than the traditional cables used in Parallel ATA (PATA) and can extend up to one meter in length, compared to only 40 cm for PATA cables. Overall, SATA provides better functionality than PATA.

Installing the OS/SATA Driver

Before installing the OS (operating system) and SATA RAID driver, you must decide if you wish to have the operating system installed as part of a bootable RAID array or installed to a separate non-RAID hard drive. If on a separate drive, you may install the driver either during or after the OS installation. If you wish to have the OS on a SATA RAID array, you must follow the procedure below and install the driver during the OS installation.

Building a Driver Diskette

You must first build a driver diskette from Supermicro drivers for your system. Drivers can be found at ftp://ftp.supermicro.com. (You will have to create this disk on a computer that is already running and with the OS installed.)

Building a Driver Diskette

1.Install your system drives from the FTP website. A display as shown in Figure 2-7 will appear.

2.Click on the icon labeled “Build Driver Diskettes and Manuals” and follow the instructions to create a floppy disk with the drivers on it.

3.Once it’s been created, remove the floppy and insert the installation CD for the Windows Operating System you wish to install into the CD-ROM drive of the new system you are about to configure.

Note: You need to have an external USB floppy when building the driver diskette. Window’s Vista, Windows 2008 or later Windows OS systems can use a USB stick instead of a floppy.

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SUPER MICRO Computer H8DCT-HLN4F user manual Enabling Sata RAID, Serial ATA Sata, Installing the OS/SATA Driver
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H8DCT-HLN4F specifications

SUPER MICRO Computer H8DCT-HLN4F is a powerful and versatile server motherboard designed to meet the demanding requirements of enterprise-class applications and high-performance computing environments. Built for reliability and efficiency, this motherboard provides a robust platform for a wide range of configurations, making it a popular choice for businesses looking to enhance their IT infrastructure.

One of the main features of the H8DCT-HLN4F is its support for AMD Opteron processors, specifically the 6100 and 6200 series, which allows for high core counts and excellent multi-threading capabilities. This platform is designed to handle data-intensive operations and demanding workloads, making it suitable for virtualization, database management, and other enterprise applications.

The motherboard features eight DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 256GB of memory. This significant memory capacity, combined with error-correcting code (ECC) support, ensures data integrity and enhances the reliability of mission-critical applications. Additionally, the H8DCT-HLN4F supports a memory speed of up to 1866 MHz, providing a performance boost in data processing tasks.

Storage options on the H8DCT-HLN4F are robust, featuring multiple SATA and SAS ports. It can accommodate up to eight SATA 6Gb/s or SAS connections, allowing for extensive storage capabilities. This is particularly beneficial for businesses needing to manage large amounts of data safely and efficiently.

In terms of connectivity, the motherboard provides multiple PCI Express slots for expanded I/O capabilities. This means that users can install additional network cards, RAID controllers, or graphics cards to enhance performance as needed. The integrated dual Gigabit Ethernet ports also allow for efficient networking, ensuring that data can be transferred quickly and reliably across the network.

The H8DCT-HLN4F motherboard is designed with advanced thermal management features, including support for Supermicro’s proprietary thermal sensors. These sensors monitor system temperatures and adjust fan speeds accordingly, ensuring optimal cooling performance. This feature contributes significantly to the longevity and stability of the system.

In conclusion, the SUPER MICRO Computer H8DCT-HLN4F motherboard is an ideal choice for organizations seeking a flexible and scalable solution for their server needs. With its combination of powerful processing capabilities, ample memory support, reliable connectivity options, and advanced thermal management, this motherboard is constructed to support the demanding workloads of today’s enterprise environments. As businesses continue to evolve technologically, the H8DCT-HLN4F provides a strong foundation for future growth and innovation.
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