Adaptec AAR-1420SA Instruction sheet

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README.TXT
Adaptec Serial ATA II RAID AAR-1420SA Controller
as of March 11, 2005
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Please review this file for important information about issues
and erratas that were discovered after completion of the standard
product documentation. In the case of conflict between various
parts of the documentation set, this file contains the most
current information.
NOTE: The AAR-1420SA Controller is SATA II ready. It was tested
with SATA devices available at the time of program release. For
software updates, the latest BIOS, and documentation, please visit
the Adaptec website at www.adaptec.com. They can be downloaded
from the website when they become available.
The following information is available in this file:
1. Software and Documentation
1.1 Controller & Utility Software
1.2 Documentation on this CD
2. Installation Instructions
3. General Cautions
4. Known Limitations
4.1 Changing a RAID configuration
4.2 RAID Rebuilds
4.3 Forward metadata compliance support
4.4 RHEL 3.0 Limitation with Adaptec Storage Manager
4.5 Four Drive RAID 0
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1. Software and Documentation
1.1. Controller & Utility Software
Note: The latest versions of BIOS and driver software
can be downloaded from www.adaptec.com when they become
available.
- BIOS
- Windows Drivers
o Windows 2000, Advanced Server, Standard, Professional
o Windows 2003 Server, Enterprise, Standard, Web Edition
o Windows XP Professional
- Linux Drivers
o RHEL AS 21., OOB, QU5
o RHEL AS 3.0, OOB, x86, 32-bit, and QU4 x86-AMD 64 bit
o RHEL AS 3.0, OOB Athlon Processor, QU4
o SuSE Linux Professional 9.1 x86, 32-bit and 64-bit
o SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9.0, SP1, x86, 32-bit

and 64-bit
o United Linux 1.0, OOB, SP3, 32-bit
- Novell NetWare 6.5
1.2. Documentation on this CD
- Adaptec Serial ATA II RAID 1420SA Controller
Quick Installation Guide (online and printed)
- Adaptec Serial ATA II RAID 1420SA Controller
Installation and User's Guide
- Adaptec Serial ATA II RAID 1420SA Controller
README.TXT file
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2. Installation Instructions
- The Adaptec Serial ATA II RAID 1420SA Controller Installation
and User's Guide contains complete installation information for
the controllers and drivers, as well as complete instructions
for all utilities and Adaptec Storage Manager software.
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3. General Cautions
- While an array is being built or cleared, DO NOT remove and
reinsert any drive from that array. Doing so may cause
unpredictable results for any of the controller's arrays.
- While a drive is being cleared, DO NOT try to include it in a
new array. Doing so may cause unpredictable results.
- DO NOT move drives containing an array or volume from one
controller to another while the power is on. Doing so could
cause the loss of the array configuration or data, or both.
Instead, power off both affected controllers, move the drives,
and then restart.
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4. Known Limitations
4.1 Changing a RAID configuration
If a RAID configuration is changed, such a member of
RAID 1 is removed during hibernation or standby modes,
the results can be unpredictable from the stand point of
the state of RAID subystem.
4.2 RAID Rebuilds
If a RAID is rebuilding, do not remove the source of
the rebuild, or the RAID will become offline. If you

try to re-insert the source of the rebuild, the
operation will have un-predictable results.
4.3 Forward metadata compliance support
Forward metadata compliance is supported for RAID 0 and 1
only (not for simple volumes) from HostRAID to ARC but not
from ARC to HostRAID. This is provided that the correct
device drivers are installed for ARC.
4.4 RHEL 3.0 Limitation with Adaptec Storage Manager
For RHEL 3.0, OOB, 32-bit Athlon and Intel systems, you must
install "Legacy Software Development" package for
Adaptec Storage Manager to work properly.
4.5 Four Drive RAID 0
It is strongly advised to create a four drive R0
(bootable or non bootable) throug the BIOS instead of through
Adaptec Storage Manager or Boot CD.
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(c) 2005 Adaptec, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This software contains the valuable trade secrets of Adaptec or its
licensors. The software is protected under international copyright
laws and treaties. This software may only be used in accordance with
the terms of its accompanying license agreement.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
written consent of Adaptec, Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd.,
Milpitas, CA 95035.