Configuring The Raid Controller - NEC Express5800 series User Manual

Configuring the RAID Controller

The RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Devices) option available for your
system is the dual channel SecuRAID 320 (Mylex AcceleRAID 352) RAID
controller board, which gives your system the added security of fault tolerance.
If you order a system with an Operating System (OS) hot load and a RAID
controller, the system is pre-configured at the factory according to Table 3-3.
Number of
Hard Drives
1 small and
several large
capacity drives
2 small and
several large
capacity drives
2 or more
same capacity
drives
To complete the RAID configuration or if you want to change the RAID level or
add additional hard disks to the array, use the RAID configuration utility. The
RAID configuration utility is included with the RAID controller.
If you are adding the RAID controller to an existing system, the RAID
configuration utility allows you to configure your disk array before reinstalling
your network operating system. The RAID controllers support various versions
of RAID technology (referred to as RAID levels). To use any RAID level, you
must configure the RAID controller using the RAID configuration utility prior
to installing your Network Operating System. For an explanation of this utility,
refer to the documentation on the MYLEX CDROM that was shipped with the
RAID controller. It describes RAID technology and provides tips on making
your array perform well in your specific application. It also covers array
hardware preparation, configuration, and initialization. After completing the
steps in the manual, you can install your Network Operating System.
If you want to remotely configure the array (from a PC client); increase array
capacity online; or monitor statistics on disk and controller activity, you must
install the array manager provided with your RAID subsystem. Increasing array
capacity is covered in the user's guide shipped with the option.
Table 3-3 RAID Configurations
RAID Level Hard Drives in
Configured Array
7 All
1 2
5 3
Description of RAID Configuration
JBOD (RAID 7) Known as Just a Bunch
of Drives, JBOD allows the controller to
access the drives independently. This
configuration has no redundancy and does
not use striping.
Mirroring (RAID 1) Drives are paired and
mirrored. All data is 100% duplicated on
an equivalent drive (fully redundant). This
array can sustain a single drive failure.
Striping with Rotary Parity (RAID 5)
Drives are striped with data, including
rotary parity information. This array can
sustain a single drive failure.
Configuring Your System 3-24