AMD Xpert 98 - Inc. Xpert 98 8MB PCI User manual

RAIDXPERT
USER MANUAL
Version 2.1

RAIDXpert User Manual
ii
Copyright
© 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD). No part of this manual may
be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed, written
permission of AMD.
Trademarks
AMD and the AMD are registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other
product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
Important data protection information
You should back up all data before installing any drive controller or storage
peripheral. AMD is not responsible for any loss of data resulting from the use,
disuse or misuse of this or any other AMD product.
Notice
Although AMD has attempted to ensure the accuracy of the content of this
manual, it is possible that this document may contain technical inaccuracies,
typographical, or other errors. AMD assumes no liability for any error in this
publication, and for damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental, consequential
or otherwise, that may result from such error, including, but not limited to loss of
data or profits.
AMD provides this publication “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express
or implied, including, but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose.
The published information in the manual is subject to change without notice.
AMD reserves the right to make changes in the product design, layout, and driver
revisions without notification to its users.
This version of the User Manual supersedes all previous versions.
Recommendations
In this User Manual, the appearance of products made by other companies,
including, but not limited to software, servers, and physical drives, is for the
purpose of illustration and explanation only. AMD does not recommend, endorse,
prefer, or support any product made by another manufacturer.

iii
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
RAIDXpert Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
RAIDXpert Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Java Runtime Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Operating System Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Browser Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Chapter 2: Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Windows with RAID Ready Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Installation under Windows and Linux, continued . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Chapter 3: Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Logging into RAIDXpert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Choosing a Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Accessing the Host PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Making the Recommended Initial Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Administrator’s Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Creating a New Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Logging out of RAIDXpert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Connecting to RAIDXpert from the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Running RAIDXpert without Network Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Chapter 4: RAIDXpert User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Banner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Tree View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Management Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Event Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Current Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Chapter 5: Monitoring and Managing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Logging into RAIDXpert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Choosing a Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Logging out of RAIDXpert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

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Chapter 5: Monitoring and Managing, cont.
User Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Adding a User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Setting up Email Event Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Deleting a User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Changing a User’s Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Changing a User’s Email Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Changing a User’s Access Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Host Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Utility Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Making Utility Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Choosing Utility Configuration Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Viewing Controller Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Making Controller Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Viewing Controller Scheduled Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Locking the Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Physical Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Viewing Physical Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Merging a Physical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Scheduling Media Patrol – All Physical Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Viewing Physical Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Making Physical Drive Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Running Media Patrol – One Physical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Viewing the Physical Drive Bad Sector Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Deleting Physical Drive Backup Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Logical Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Viewing Logical Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Creating a Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Deleting a Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Viewing Logical Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Making Logical Drive Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Backing up a RAID Ready Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Migrating a Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Rebuilding a Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Synchronizing All Logical Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Synchronizing One Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Initializing a Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Logical Drive Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Managing a Critical or Offline Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Contents
v
Chapter 5: Monitoring and Managing, cont.
Spare Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Viewing Spare Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Creating a Spare Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Deleting a Spare Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Chapter 6: Technology Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Physical and Logical Drive Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Port Multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Introduction to RAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
RAID 0 – Stripe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
RAID 1 – Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
RAID 5 – Block Striping with Distributed Parity . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
RAID 10 – Mirror/Stripe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
RAID Ready – Single Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
JBOD – Concatenation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Choosing a RAID Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
RAID 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
RAID 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
RAID 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
RAID 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
RAID Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
JBOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Choosing Stripe Block Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Gigabyte Boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Hot Spare Drive(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Partition and Format the Logical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Ranges of Logical Drive Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Media Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Appendix B: Partition and Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

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1
Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter includes the following topics:
• RAIDXpert Components (page 2)
• Operating System Support (page 3)
• Browser Support (page 3)
• About This Manual (page 3)
The AMD RAIDXpert software offers local and remote management and
monitoring of all logical drives on the AMD Chipset SATA Controller wherever
they exist on the network.
Figure 1. RAIDXpert in a browser window
Its browser-based GUI provides email notification of all major events or alarms,
memory cache management, drive event logging, logical drive maintenance,
rebuild, and access to all components in the RAID configuration—server,
controller, logical drives, and physical drives.
RAIDXpert is designed to work with the AMD Chipset SATA RAID Controller.
Other brands of RAID controllers are not supported.

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RAIDXpert Components
The RAIDXpert installation software installs two major components:
• RAIDXpert management and networking software
• Java Runtime Environment (in a private folder)
RAIDXpert Software
The RAIDXpert software installs on the PC with the AMD Chipset SATA
Controller (the “Host PC”).
Figure 2. RAIDXpert on a network
Java Runtime Environment
The RAIDXpert installation program installs a private JRE in folder _jvm under
the same directory where RAIDXpert is installed. RAIDXpert uses this private
JRE to avoid incompatibility issues with any other JREs that may be present on
your system.
Desktop PC
withInternet
browser
Laptop PC
with Internet
browser
The
Internet
Networked PC
with Internet browser
Router & Firewall
Host PCs with the AMD Chipset SATA Controller and RAIDXpert
File Server

Chapter 1: Introduction
3
Operating System Support
On the Host PC with the AMD Chipset SATA Controller, where you install
RAIDXpert, AMD recommends 32-bit or 64-bit versions of:
These operating systems support RAIDXpert. Choose one of them to take full
advantage of RAIDXpert’s features and functions.
Browser Support
On the Host PC with the AMD Chipset SATA Controller, where you install
RAIDXpert, you must have one of the following browsers:
• Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer
• Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or newer
• Netscape Navigator 6.1 or newer
If you do not have one of the above browsers, install the browser first and make it
the default browser. Then install RAIDXpert.
You must use one of the browsers listed above on your networked PC in order to
access RAIDXpert over the network.
About This Manual
This User Manual describes how to set up and use the RAIDXpert software to
maintain your RAID system.
This manual includes a full table of contents, chapter task lists, and numerous
cross-references to help you find the specific information you are looking for.
Also included are four levels of notices:
• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows XP
• Windows Server 2003
• Red Hat Enterprise 4.8
• Red Hat Enterprise 5.4
• SuSE Linux ES 10 SP3
• SuSE Linux ES 11
Note
A Note provides helpful information such as hints or alternative
ways of doing a task.

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Important
Important calls attention to an essential step or point required to
complete a task. Important items include things often missed.
Caution
A Caution informs you of possible equipment damage or loss of
data and how to avoid them.
Warning
A Warning notifies you of probable equipment damage or loss of
data, or the possibility of physical injury, and how to avoid them.

5
Chapter 2: Installation
This chapter includes the following topic:
• Windows (below)
• Windows with RAID Ready Backup (below)
• Linux (page 6)
On Windows PCs and Servers, you can install the RAIDXpert software with or
without the RAID Ready Backup feature. RAID Ready Backup enables you to
create and maintain a mirror of your RAID Ready logical drive.
For more information, see “Backing up a RAID Ready Logical Drive” on page 68
and “RAID Ready – Single Drive” on page 99.
Windows
Follow these steps to install RAIDXpert on your Windows-based PC or Server.
1. Boot the PC or server, launch Windows, and log in as the Administrator.
If the computer is already running, exit all programs. If you are not logged in
as the Administrator, log out, then log in again as the Administrator.
1. Insert the software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Double-click the Install CD’s icon to open it.
3. Double-click the Installer icon to launch it (right).
The first RAIDXpert installation dialog box appears.
4. Follow the prompts in the installation dialog boxes.
Windows with RAID Ready Backup
Follow these steps to install RAIDXpert with the RAID Ready Backup feature on
your Windows-based PC or Server.
1. Boot the PC or server, launch Windows, and log in as the Administrator.
If the computer is already running, exit all programs. If you are not logged in
as the Administrator, log out, then log in again as the Administrator.
2. Insert the software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
3. Click the Start menu and choose Run...
4. In the Run dialog box, type d:\Setup.exe /z"SBD" and click the OK button.
If your CD ROM has a different drive letter, type that letter in the place of d.
The first RAIDXpert installation dialog box appears.
5. Follow the prompts in the installation dialog boxes.

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Linux
Follow these steps to install RAIDXpert on your Linux-based PC or Server.
1. Boot the PC or server, log in as root, and launch the Linux GUI.
If the computer is already running, exit all programs. If you are not logged in
as root, log out, then log in again as root.
2. Insert the software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
3. In the CD window, double-click the RAIDXpert...bin icon to
begin installation (right).
4. When the Run or Display? dialog box appears, click Run in
Terminal.
After several moments, the first RAIDXpert installation dialog box appears.
5. Follow the prompts in the installation dialog boxes.
Installation under Windows and Linux, continued
1. When the first installation screen appears, choose an installer language from
the dropdown menu.

Chapter 2: Installation
7
2. When the Welcome screen appears, click the Next button.
3. When the License Agreement screen appears, click the “I accept the terms
of the license agreement” option to proceed with installation. Then click the
Next button to continue.
Note: If you leave the “I do not accept the terms of the license” option
selected, the installation will quit when you click Next.

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4. When the Choose Install Folder screen appears, make your selection of a
folder for the RAIDXpert applications you are installing.
For example, the Windows default folder is:
C:\Program Files\AMD\RAIDXpert
If you want a different folder, type its location or click the Browse... button
and select a new location.
Click the Next button when you are finished.
5. When the Check HTTP SSL screen appears (next page), you can choose to
apply security to external connections, that is, connections involving the
Internet or outside your company firewall. Security options are invisible to
authorized users.
External Http Security – Check the box to install Secure Socket Layer
(SSL) support for external connections to RAIDXpert.
AMD provides a default certificate for the server as well as for internal data
communication. However, in some cases it is better to install and verify your
own certificate for the webserver. And, if possible, verify your certificate by
certificate authority like Verisign or Thwate. See your MIS Administrator for
guidance.

Chapter 2: Installation
9
Click the Next button when you have made your choice.
6. When the Ready to Install screen appears, click the Install button to
continue.

RAIDXpert User Manual
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7. When the Install Complete screen appears, click the Finish button.
This completes the RAIDXpert installation. Go to “Chapter 3: Setup” on page 11

11
Chapter 3: Setup
This chapter includes the following topics:
• Logging into RAIDXpert (below)
• Choosing a Language (page 14)
• Accessing the Host PC (page 14)
• Making the Recommended Initial Settings (page 15)
• Creating a New Logical Drive (page 18)
• Logging out of RAIDXpert (page 22)
• Connecting to RAIDXpert from the Internet (page 23)
• Running RAIDXpert without Network Connection (page 23)
After installation, the next step is to log into and configure RAIDXpert.
Logging into RAIDXpert
Windows PCs: In the Windows Start menu, choose
Programs > AMD > RAIDXpert > RAIDXpert.
Linux PCs: Choose RAIDXpert in the Applications menu.
Or, log on manually with your browser:
1. Launch the Browser.
2. In the Browser address field, type the entry explained below.
If you did not choose the External Security option during RAIDXpert
installation (see page 8), use the Regular connection.
If you chose the External Security option during RAIDXpert installation (see
page 8), use the Secure connection (on the next page).
Regular Connection:
• RAIDXpert uses an HTTP connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..http://
• Enter the Host PC’s IP address. . . . . . . . . . . .127.0.0.1 or localhost
• Enter the Port number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :25902
• Add to launch RAIDXpert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . /amd
Together, your entry looks like this:
http://127.0.0.1:25902/amd or http://localhost:25902/amd

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Secure Connection:
• RAIDXpert uses a secure HTTP connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . .https://
• Enter the Host PC’s IP address. . . . . . . . . . . .127.0.0.1 or localhost
• Enter the Port number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :8443
• Add to launch RAIDXpert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . /amd
Together, your entry looks like this:
https://127.0.0.1:8443/amd or https://localhost:8443/amd
Note that the IP address shown above applies to a log-in at the Host PC.
When you log in over a network, enter the Host PC’s actual IP address or
hostname.
3. Press the Enter key.
4. When the login screen appears, type admin in the Login ID field.
Type admin again in the Password field.
The RAIDXpert login and password are case sensitive.
5. Click the Sign in button.

Chapter 3: Setup
13
After sign-in, the RAIDXpert opening screen appears.
Note
Make a Bookmark (Netscape Navigator) or set a Favorite (Internet
Explorer) of the Login Screen so you can access it easily next
time.

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Choosing a Language
RAIDXpert can display in multiple languages.
To choose your language:
1. Click the currently displayed language in the RAIDXpert banner.
A list of available languages displays.
2. Click the language you prefer.
The RAIDXpert GUI displays in the language selected.
Accessing the Host PC
RAIDXpert includes a navigation tree or Tree View in the left frame of the browser
window. Click the + icons to expand the tree. A Host PC’s RAID system is made
up of:
•Administrative Tools – User and Host Management, and Utility
Configuration
•AMD RAIDXpert – Controller, Physical Drives, Logical Drives, and Spare
Drives
If you do not see these details in the Tree View and you are connecting over a
network, it means your network connection to the Host PC is not working.
Restore your connection before proceeding.
If you do not see RAIDXpert at all, lower your browser’s security settings.
A detailed discussion of RAIDXpert graphic user interface is found in Chapter 4
on page 25.
Notes
• You can also choose the language at the Login Screen.
• To display some of the supported languages, you might have
to install additional fonts or other files to your operating
system.