Appendix D: Adaptec HostRAID Setup Guidelines

The Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA with HostRAID Controller Driver

The Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA RAID Controller adds SATA/RAID functionality and performance enhancements to a motherboard. RAID striping (RAID 0) allows data to be written across multiple drives, greatly improving hard disk I/O perfor- mance. RAID mirroring (RAID 1) allows data to be simultaneously written to two drives, improving data security even if a single hard disk fails. A Stripe of Mirrors (RAID 10) provides multiple RAID 1 mirrors and a RAID 0 stripe, maximizing data security and system effi ciency. By incorporating the Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA into the motherboard design, Supermicro's X7DBT/X7DBT-INF/X7DGT/X7DGT-INF offers the user the benefi ts of SATARAID without the high costs associated with hardware RAID applications.

Using the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility (ARC)

The Adaptec RAID Confi guration Utility, an embedded BIOS Utility, includes the following:

*Array Confi guration Utility: Use this utility to create, confi gure and manage ar- rays.

* Disk Utilities: Use this option to format or verify disks.

To run the Adaptec RAID Confi guration Utility, you will need to do the following:

1.Enable RAID functions in the system BIOS (refer to Chapter 4 for System BIOS Confi gurations).

2.Press the <Ctrl> and <A> keys simultaneously when prompted to do so during system boot. (Refer to the previous page for detailed instructions.)

A. Using the Array Configuration Utility (ACU)

When you press <Ctrl> and <A> keys simultaneously at the prompt during system bootup, the main menu will appear.

(*Note: To select an option, use the arrow keys to highlight the item and then press the <Enter> key to select it. To return to the previous menu, press the <ESC> key. Press the <Insert> key to select a drive. When a drive is highlighted (selected), press the <Delete> key to de-select it.)

D-3

Page 101
Image 101
SUPER MICRO Computer XDGT, X7DGT-INF, X7DBT-INF user manual Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA with HostRAID Controller Driver

X7DBT, X7DBT-INF, XDGT, X7DGT-INF specifications

Super Micro Computer, a leader in high-performance computing solutions, offers a diverse range of server motherboards tailored for various business needs. Among these, the Supermicro X7DGT-INF, X7DGT, X7DBT-INF, and X7DBT stand out for their robust architectures and advanced features.

The Supermicro X7DGT-INF motherboard is designed for dual processor systems utilizing Intel's Xeon processors. It supports up to 64GB of DDR2 memory, providing significant flexibility for memory-intensive applications. The X7DGT-INF features six SATA ports, enabling efficient data storage solutions with RAID configurations. Additionally, it offers integrated IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) functionality, which allows remote management of the motherboard, enhancing system uptime and reliability.

The X7DGT shares many features with the INF model but enhances connectivity options with PCI Express slots, making it ideal for virtualization and embedded applications. This dual-CPU motherboard allows for up to 128GB of memory, catering to businesses that require high computational power and substantial memory bandwidth, particularly for tasks such as data analysis and enterprise resource planning.

Meanwhile, the Supermicro X7DBT-INF is notable for its dual-broadband capabilities, which facilitate high throughput for networking tasks. Like its siblings, it supports Intel Xeon processors and DDR2 memory but goes a step further with onboard dual Gigabit Ethernet and a dedicated IPMI controller. Its design emphasizes optimal thermal management, ensuring that power-hungry applications remain stable under heavy workloads.

The X7DBT also supports dual processors and provides a robust memory architecture. It is engineered for high-performance computing environments. Featuring multiple PCI Express slots, this motherboard is ideal for applications such as cluster computing and high-frequency trading where low latency and high-speed networking are essential.

Overall, the Supermicro X7DGT-INF, X7DGT, X7DBT-INF, and X7DBT motherboards epitomize reliability and performance. Their compatibility with Intel’s Xeon processors, extensive memory options, and advanced connectivity features make them superb choices for enterprise-level applications, data centers, and research institutions that demand uncompromising performance and efficiency in their computing solutions.