G-Technology Mini User manual

Table of Contents
Introduction
Safety Precautions
System Requirements
What’s in the Box
G-RAID mini Overview
Installing G-RAID mini
G-RAID mini Warning LED Operation
RAID Levels Explained
Conguring G-RAID mini
Conguring G-RAID mini for RAID 1 mode
Conguring G-RAID mini for RAID 0 mode
Initializing G-RAID mini
Conguring G-RAID mini for Cross-Platform Use
Disconnecting G-RAID mini
Optimizing Performance
Technical Support
Limited Warranty

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the G-RAID™ mini from
G-Technology™, G-RAID mini hard drives from G-Technology
are the ideal storage solutions for professionals on the go.
G-RAID mini is a high-speed, low-cost portable RAID
designed specically for professional content creation
applications. G-RAID mini features either RAID 0
(performance) or RAID 1 (protection) operation, a high-speed
quad interface and storage capacities up to 1TB.
G-RAID mini is the ideal portable storage solution for safe-
guarding content transferred from professional tapeless
video cameras. Its compact size and tough, all-aluminum
enclosure makes it perfect for capturing and editing on the
go or while working on location.
G-RAID mini is capable of delivering an unprecedented 120+
MB/second transfer rate when connected via eSATA in RAID 0
mode. G-RAID mini is FireWire™ bus-powered even when
connected via eSATA so you do not need to be connected to
AC power.
G-RAID mini has 120+ MB/second data transfer rates via the
eSATA port. It supports multi-stream HDV, DVCPro™ HD,
XDCAM™ HD, ProRes™ 422 and uncompressed SD workows.
Access G-RAID mini by its high-speed Interface eSATA,
FireWire 800 (FireWire 400 via included cable) or USB 2.0
ports.
NOTE: G-RAID mini is formatted for the Mac OS
and will mount on the desktop right out of the
box. For details on reinitializing the G-RAID
mini, using the G-RAID mini on Windows®, or
for using the G-RAID mini for both Windows
and Mac, click here.
Safety Precautions
The disk drive contained in your G-RAID mini is a delicate
electronic instrument and is susceptible to damage due to
excessive physical shock. Place the unit in a vented area away
from moisture or liquids. Please handle the unit with care. Do
not open the case. Doing so will void the warranty. If the
product is returned with damage caused by improper handling,
the warranty will be void and liability will rest with the user.
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System Requirements
• eSATA/FW800/FW400/ USB 2.0 operation
• Mac OS X 10.2.4 or higher
• Windows XP/ Vista/ Windows 7
What’s in the Box
Note: Take a moment to ensure that the
following items are included in the box.
G-RAID mini
•G-RAID mini disk array (eSATA/FW800/FW400/ USB 2.0)
•Installation CD-ROM
•eSATA cable
•FireWire 800 Cable (9 Pin to 9 Pin)
• FireWire 800 to 400 cable (9 Pin to 6 Pin)
•USB 2.0 cable
•External Power Supply
If anything is missing, please call G-Technology at
[phone]. For more details on this, click here.
G-RAID mini Overview
Note the various features of the G-RAID mini. There is a Power
and Activity LED and a Yellow Drive Failure LED on the front of
the unit and a cooling fan on the bottom. On the rear of the
unit is 1 eSATA port, 2 FireWire 800 ports, a USB 2.0 port, an
On/OffSwitch and a Power Connector.
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Attention Mac OS X Users
G-RAID mini is set up at the factory for use with
Mac OS X systems. If you are running Mac OS X,
G-RAID mini will mount on the OS X desktop
right out of the box as one large disk. If it
becomes necessary to re-format G-RAID mini for
Mac OS X, go here.
Attention Windows Users
G-RAID mini must be formatted for the Windows
Operating System before using the G-RAID mini.
For more information about using the G-RAID
mini for Windows XP/ Vista/ Windows 7 use,
please visit: http://www.g-technology/support/windows
Attention Cross-Platform Users
G-RAID mini can be used on both Mac and PC
systems by formatting the drive “FAT32.” There
are some limitations when using FAT 32.
Alternatively you can install software on the
Windows Machine such as “MacDrive”which will
allow you to mount Mac formatted drives on
your PC.
For more information about using the G-RAID
mini for cross-platform use, go here.
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Installing G-RAID mini
G-RAID mini attaches to your computer via an eSATA, USB 2.0
or FireWire 800 port. FireWire 400 connectivity is handled by a
9 to 6 pin cable (included). With the computer powered
down, choose the connection appropriate for your system
and connect G-RAID mini with the supplied cable. Connect
the supplied power cord to the Power Supply and plug the
other end into a surge protector or wall outlet. Power up your
computer and the G-RAID mini will mount on the desktop.
Note: When using FireWire 800, it is not necessary to use the
power adapter. You can use the FireWire 800 cable to power
the unit for eSATA connectivity, but you must install the
eSATA cable before connecting the FireWire cable.
G-RAID mini LED Operation
G-RAID mini contains LEDs for operations for the following:
System Boot Up, System Activity, Disk Activity and Disk Drive
Failure. The following table will guide you in understanding
the meaning of each combination of LEDs on the unit.
Activity/
Power LED
Drive Failure
LED
System Boot Up
Flashing
On
System Ready
On
Off
Disk Activity
Flashing
Off
Disk Drive Failure
On
On
NOTE: In the event of a disk drive failure, the Yellow Drive
Failure LED located behind the front panel of G-RAID mini will
illuminate. If the unit was congured in fail-safe RAID 1 mode
all the data stored on the system is intact. If congured in
RAID 0 mode all data will be lost. Please contact
G-Technology Technical Support if the Drive Failure LED
illuminates for corrective action.
RAID Levels Explained
G-RAID mini can be congured in RAID 0 (Performance) mode
or RAID 1 (Fail-Safe) mode. The following table will explain
the advantages and disadvantages for each RAID level.
RAID Level
Storage
Capacity
Protection
Level
Ideal For:
0
100%
Low
Video
Editing
1
50%
High
Sensitive
Data
Configuring G-RAID mini
G-RAID mini is set up at the factory for use with Mac OS X
systems. If you are running Mac OS X, G-RAID mini will mount
on the OS X desktop right out of the box. If it becomes
necessary to re-format G-RAID mini, follow the instructions
below.
Note: G-RAID mini ships from the factory in RAID 0 mode.
• For Mac OS X congurations see below
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• For Windows XP/Vista /Windows 7 installations go here:
http://www.g-technology/support/windows
• For cross-platform use, go here.
Conguring G-RAID mini for Mac OS X
Please refer to the instructions below when conguring
G-RAID mini.
RAID 0: If you need RAID 0 mode, it is not necessary to
change anything, as G-RAID mini comes from the factory in
RAID 0 mode. If you need to re-congure a G-RAID mini from
RAID 1 to RAID 0, then follow the instructions here.
RAID 1: If you need RAID 1 mode for G-RAID mini, then follow
the instructions below.
The Congurator:
You will need a
software Utility from
G-Technology called
The Congurator to
change the RAID level
for your G-RAID mini.
The Utility is available
on the enclosed CD or
you can download it
from the support area of the G-Technology website here.
NOTE: It is important that you are connected via USB 2.0
while using The Congurator with your G-RAID mini. If you
are connected any other way, the utility will not function
correctly.
NOTE: It is important that you copy The Congurator to your
Applications folder by Option + dragging it there prior to
running it. You can also launch the utility directly from the
mounted Disk Image. The Congurator will not work if you
merely drag the application to the Applications Folder and
then attempt to launch it.
Conguring G-RAID mini for RAID 1 Mode
Follow the directions below to congure G-RAID mini in
fail-safe RAID 1 (mirroring) mode.
WARNING: Changing the RAID level will erase any data
stored on G-RAID mini.
To congure G-RAID mini for RAID 1, do the following.
1. Launch the G-Technology Congurator utility located on
the CD that ships with the unit. The following window will
appear.
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2. Click on the Continue button. The following window will
appear.
NOTE: Since you are connected via USB, the search process
may take a few minutes.
3. Once the utility nds your G-RAID mini, the following
window will appear.
4. Select the RAID 1 (Protected) radio button as shown
below and click the Congure button to continue.
5. The following window will appear. Click on the OK button
to continue.
6. The following window will appear. Click on the Yes
button to continue.
7. The following window will appear.
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8. After the following window appears, your G-RAID mini is
congured in RAID 1 mode.
9. Since you don’t have a partition set up for G-RAID mini,
the following window will appear. Click on the Initialize
button to continue.
After clicking the Initialize button, Apple Disk Utility will
launch. Refer to the following section for information on
initializing G-RAID mini for use with Mac OS X.
Initializing G-RAID mini
If the Disk Insertion dialog did not launch, you’ll need to
open Apple Disk Utility in order to initialize the disk for Mac
OS X. Apple Disk Utility is in the Utilities Folder located in
the Applications Folder on the Macintosh HD (or press
Shift + Command + U to open the Utilities folder).
After launching Disk Utility, a window like the following will
appear.
A USB icon representing the G-RAID mini will be displayed
in the left-hand column.
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3. Click on the Partition button. Under Volume Scheme,
choose 1 Partition.
17. Click the Options button to choose the proper partition
scheme. Click the radio button for GUID Partition Table,
then click OK.
18. Rename the Volume: G-RAID mini or any other name you
wish in the Name eld.
19. Click the Apply button.
20. The Partition Disk dialog launches, warning you that all
data will be erased. Click the Partition button.
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21. Apple Disk Utility begins the formatting process. Upon
completion, the G-RAID mini is fully functional. However, you
will want to restore the original G-RAID mini icon.
Restoring the G-SPEED Q Icon
You will see the standard icon for USB
after completing the formatting
process. If you desire to return the
standard G-RAID mini icon, complete
the following steps.
Restore the icon by doing the following:
1. Go to the G-Technology website and
download the “icon package”. Click here
to download the package.
2. Once downloaded, select the icon for the G-RAID mini in
the G-Technology Icons disk.
3. Press Command + C to copy the icon.
4. Select the G-RAID mini USB icon on the Desktop and press
Command + I.
5. Select the USB Icon in the “Get Info”window (left)
6. Press Command + V to paste the icon into the Get Info
window (right).
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