HighPoint RocketRAID 2640X4 User manual

RocketRAID 2640X4
SAS Host Adapter
User’s Guide
Revision: 1.0
Date: March 2008
HighPoint Technologies, Inc.

Copyright
Copyright © 2008 HighPoint Technologies, Inc. This document contains materials
protected by International Copyright Laws. All rights reserved. No part of this
manual may be reproduced, transmitted or transcribed in any form and for any
purpose without the express written permission of HighPoint Technologies, Inc.
Trademarks
Companies and products mentioned in this manual are for identification purpose only.
Product names or brand names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered
trademarks or copyrights of their respective owners. Backup your important data
before using HighPoint’s products and use at your own risk. In no event shall
HighPoint be liable for any loss of profits, or for direct, indirect, special, incidental or
consequential damages arising from any defect or error in HighPoint’s products or
manuals. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of HighPoint.
Notice
Reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is
accurate. HighPoint assumes no liability for technical inaccuracies, typographical, or
other errors contained herein.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction
1 - About this Guide ...................................................................................................1-1
2 - Introducing the RocketRAID 2640X4 HostAdapters ...........................................1-1
3 - Product Features ...................................................................................................1-1
4 - Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology ................................................1-2
Chapter 2
Hardware Description/Installation
1 - RocketRAID 2640X4 HostAdapter layout............................................................2-1
2 - LED Connections ..................................................................................................2-1
3 - Pin Connections ....................................................................................................2-1
4 - Installing the RocketRAID Host Adapter .............................................................2-3
5 - Verifying Installation .............................................................................................2-4
Chapter 3
BIOS Utility
1 - BIOS Command Overview .....................................................................................3-1
2 - Creating RAIDArrays ...........................................................................................3-2
3 -Adding/Remove Spare Disks ................................................................................3-4
4 - Updating the BIOS ................................................................................................3-4
5 - BIOS –Additional Settings ...................................................................................3-7
Table of Contents
I

Table of Contents
Chapter 4
Driver and Software Installation Microsoft Windows
1 - Driver and Software CD ........................................................................................4-1
2 - Windows Driver Installation .................................................................................4-3
3 - WindowsVistaDriverInstallation..................................................................................4-4
Chapter 5
Web-RAID Management Interface
1 - Web RAID Management Interface........................................................................5-1
2 - Preparing Hard disks .............................................................................................5-2
3 -Array Management ...............................................................................................5-2
4 - Device Management .............................................................................................5-7
5 - Configuring Spare Disks .....................................................................................5-10
6 - Managing Events and Tasks...............................................................................5-11
7 - Setting ................................................................................................................5-13
Chapter 6
LinuxDriverSupport
1 - Fedora Core Linux installation Overview ..............................................................6-1
2 - Red Hat Enterprise/CentOS Linux Overview .......................................................6-10
3 - SuSE Linux Overview ..........................................................................................6-17
Chapter 7
FreeBSD Driver Support
1 - Overview ...............................................................................................................7-1
2 - Installing FreeBSD on RocketRAID 26xx Controller..............................................7-1
3 - Installing the RocketRAID 2640X4 Driver on an Existing System.........................7-5
4 - Updating the Driver ..............................................................................................7-8
5 - Installing RAID Management Software ................................................................7-8
6 - Uninstalling the Driver ..........................................................................................7-9
II

Table of Contents
III
Chapter 8
Mac OSX Driver and RAID Management Software
1 - Installing the driver and RAID utility ....................................................................8-1
Appendix
CustomerSupport
Customer Support .................................................................................................... A-1

Chapter 1
Introduction
Contents of this Chapter:
About this guide
Introducing the RocketRAID 2640X4 SAS HostAdapter
Product Features
Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology

About this Guide
The RocketRAID 2640X4 SAS HostAdapter’s User’s Guide provides information
about the functions and capabilities of this host adapter product, and instructions for
installing, configuring and maintaining RAID arrays hosted by this adapter cards.
Introducing the RocketRAID 2640X4 Host Adapters
The RocketRAID 2640X4 is high-performance SAS RAID solutions, delivering
reliability to demanding data-intensiveapplications such as tiered storage
environments(disk-to-disk or disk-to-disk-to-tape backup), security and surveillance,
video editing, and digital content creation.
Support for both SAS and SATA3Gb/s drives on the same controller maintains
configuration optimization for performance based on the characteristics of SAS and
SATA drives available today.
HostAdapterArchitecture
PCI-Expressx4
4 Internal SAS/SATA3Gb/s Device Ports
Up to 4 SAS/SATAHard Drives
NCQ (Native Command Queuing)
LowProfile
Advance RAID Features
Support RAID 0,1,5,10 and JBOD
Multiple RAID support
Multiple logical drive support
BIOS booting support
OnlineArray roaming
Automatic drive (insert / remove) detection
Automatic RAID rebuild
64bit LBA support greater than 2TB per volume
Array Monitors,Alerts and Indicators
Hard Drive LED Indicators (Activity and Failed)
EmailNotification
Introduction
1-1

Introduction
Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology
The following concepts and terminology is commonly used when describing the
1-2
Alarm/Buzzer alerts for drive/array failure
Enclosure Management support with I2C and SPGIO
RAID Management
Online Capacity Expansion (OCE) and Online RAID Level Migration
(ORLM)
Quick and Background initialization for instant RAID configuration
Write Back and Write Through support
API library for customization
CLI(Command LineInterface)
Web GUI RAID management (local and remote monitoring)
SHI (Drive analysis driven from S.M.A.R.T)
Operating System Support
Windows (2000, XP, x64, 2003, 2008, Vista (32 and 64) bit)
Linux (Fedora Core, Red Hat Enterprise / CentOS,SuSE)
Mac OS X 10.4.x and above
FreeBSD
Linux Open Source
PHYSICALSPECIFICATIONS
Size: Size: (87.8mm x 64.3mm) 3.45¡±L x 2.53¡±W
EMI : FCC Part 15 Class B and CE
ThermalandAtmospheric Characteristics:
Work Temperature Range : +5 C ~+ 55 C
Relative Humidity Range : 5% ~ 60% non condensing
Storage Temperature : ~20 ~ 80 C
MTBF:920,585Hours
Electrical Characteristics:
PCI-e : 3.3V
Power: 5W

Introduction
functions of the RocketRAID Host Adapter cards.
Disk Status
New The disk contains no data and has not been initialized.
Initialized The disk has been initialized and can be used for array creation.
Configured The disk has been assigned to one or more arrays, or configured as a
spare disk.
Legacy The disk was used on other controllers before use with the
RocketRAID 2640X4.
Arrayinitialization
A redundant array (RAID5, RAID1, RAID10) needs to be initialized to ensure full
performance and reliability. Non-redundant arrays (RAID0, JBOD) do not need to be
initialized.
When you create a redundant array using the host adapter’s BIOS Configuration
Utility, it will create the array in un-initialized state. The initialization process can be
completed after installing the driver and management software.
When creating an array using the HighPoint RAID Management Console software,
you can specify an initialization option (Skip initialization, foreground and
background).
Foregroundinitialization
Foreground initialization will zero-out all data on the array. The array is not accessible
by the operating system until initialization is complete.
Backgroundinitialization
Background initialization allows the array to be used immediately. For RAID1 and
RAID10 arrays, initialization will results in data being duplicated identically to the
mirror pair. For RAID5 arrays, initialization will result in parity being generated from
all array members.
Note: An un-initialized RAID1 or RAID10 array can still provide redundancy in
case of a disk failure. A RAID5 array, however, is not fault-tolerant until initializa-
tion is finished.
1-3

Spare disk
A spare disk is a single disk that can be used to automatically rebuild a redundant
array in case of drive failure. Spare disks may also be members of a RAID array. Any
available space on these disks may be used to rebuild other broken arrays.
Legacy disk
Disks attached to the host adapter that contain valid partition tables will be identified
as “legacy” disks. A legacy disk attached to the host adapter can be accessed by the
operating system, but cannot be used to create RAID arrays. A legacy disk must be
initialized before assigning it to an array.
Introduction
1-4
Online Capacity Expansion (OCE)
This feature allows disks to be added to existing RAID arrays, in order to increase the
array’s capacity, without fear of data loss. Any number of disks can be added to an
array, at any time. Data can be accessed and utilized even while being redistributed.
Online RAID Level Migration
This term describes the ability to change one type of array (RAID level), into a
different type of array (changing a RAID 1 array into a RAID 10 array for example).
Data is still accessible during the migration process, and a base level of security is
still active.
OCE, ORLM and the RocketRAID 2640X4
This host adapter support both Online Capacity Expansion (OCE), and Online RAID
Level Migration (ORLM). Both features are supported by a single function - an array
can be transformed from one RAID level to another RAID level while simultaneously
being resized, even under I/O load.

Chapter 2
Hardware Description/Installation
Contents of this Chapter:
RocketRAID2640X4Hardware
1 - RocketRAID 2640X4 HostAdapter Layout
2 - LED Connections
3 - Installing the RocketRAID Host Adapter
4 - Verifying Installation

RocketRAID 2640X4 Hardware Description/Installation
1 – RocketRAID 2640X4 Host Adapter layout
RocketRAID 2640X4
Port1- Port4
These represent the host adapter’s four SAS channels.
2 – LED Connections
LED connectors (disk-activity/disk-failure): LED support is discussed in greater detail
in the LED Connection section. The RocketRAID 2640X4 host adapter has two LED
jumpers that are used to indicate the activity and failure status of hard disks attached
to the card’s four SAS channels.
3 – Pin Connections
J1, J2
J1 provides LED support for Disk Activity, while J2 supports Disk Failure.
2-1
Pins 1-4 represent each SAS channel/port (Pin 1 = Port 1, Pin 2 = Port 2, etc.).

RocketRAID 2640X4 Hardware Description/Installation
2-2
Pins defined as follows:
Pin 1: NC; Pin 2: SDATAIN; Pin 3: GND; Pin 4: SDATAOUT; Pin 5: SLOAD; Pin 6:
GND; Pin 7: SCLOCK; Pin 8: NC.
J5
These jumper can be used to select PCI-E work model.As following:
Connect Pin 1 and Pin 2 support PCI-E X1, and connect Pin 2 and Pin 3 support PCI-E
X4.
BEEP1-Speaker
Alarm (speaker): the speaker emits and audible alarm in the case of disk/array failure.
J7
This support SAF-TE interface(I2C).
J3
This jumper is SGPIO signal.The following diagram describes the connector pin
definitions.
Pins defined as follow:
Pin 1: SCL; Pin 2: GND ; Pin 3: SDA.

RocketRAID 2640X4 Hardware Description/Installation
4 - Installing the RocketRAID Host Adapter
Note: Make sure the system is powered-off before installing the RocketRAID host
adapter.
The RocketRAID 2640X4 include both standard and low-profile brackets. It may be
necessary to attach the low-profile bracket in place of the standard bracket, depend-
ing upon the chassis design. The RocketRAID 2640X4 is a full-height card, and is not
designed for use with low-profile chassis.
1. Open the system chassis and locate an unused PCI-Express x4.
2. Remove the PCI slot/bracket cover.
3. Gently insert the RocketRAID card into the PCI-Express slot, and secure the
bracket to the system chassis (illustration below shows RR2640X4).
2-3

RocketRAID 2640X4 Hardware Description/Installation
4. After installing the adapter, attach hard disks to the host adapter using the data
cable. The RocketRAID 2640X4 model utilizes standard Internal SATAto SAS
cables – four are included in each retail box. This card can support up to four
SAS/SATAhard disk drives.
The RocketRAID 2640X4 includes 4 internal SATAto SAS cables. It can
support up to four SAS/SATA hard disk drives.
Note: Many server-level chassis include hard-disk hot-swap bays. For these
system chassis, cables are attached to the chassis backplane, rather than
directly to each individual hard disk. Consult the chassis’s manual for proper
installation procedures.
5. Close and secure the system chassis.
5 - Verifying Installation
Once the host adapter and hard disks have been installed into the chassis, boot-up
the system to verify that the hardware is properly recognized.
1. Power on the system. If the system detects the presence of the adapter, the
RocketRAID BIOS Utility will be displayed during bootup.
2. Press Ctrl+H to access the RocketRAID adapter’s BIOS Utility.
The BIOS Utility will display information about hard disks attached to the adapter.
Make sure all attached disks are detected by this utility. If any of the hard disks are
not detected, power down the system and check the power and cable connections.
2-4

Chapter 3
BIOS Utility
Contents of this Chapter:
RocketRAID2640X4 BIOSUtility
1 - BIOS Command Overview
2 - Creating RAIDArrays
3 -Adding/Remove Spare Disks
4 - Updating the BIOS
5 - BIOS –Additional Settings

RocketRAID BIOS Utility
Access the RocketRAID host adapter’s BIOS utility using the “Ctrl + H”.
This command should be displayed automatically when the host adapter’s BIOS
screen appears during the system’s boot up procedure.
1 - BIOS Command Overview
The BIOS Utility provides a wide selection of RAID related commands. These
commands are displayed towards the top of the utility’s interface.
Use the ←→arrow keys to scroll through the various commands, and the ↑↓
arrows to browse through the corresponding command menus. Use the ENTER key
to execute the selected command.
The ESC button can be used to cancel the selected command, or return to the previ-
ous command menu.
Create - this command is used to create RAID arrays. Section 2 discusses this
command in detail.
Delete - this command will delete the selected RAID array.
Warning: This command may result in permanent data loss - it should only be used
if data stored on the target array is no longer relevant, or has been backed up to an
alternate storage device.
3-1
RocketRAID 2640X4 BIOS Utility

RocketRAID 2640X4 BIOS Utility
Add/Remove Spare - this command is used to assign hard disks to function as
spare disks. The controller is capable of using spare disks to automatically rebuild
broken or faulted RAID arrays.
Section 3 discusses this command in detail.
Settings
Set Boot Mark - this function is used to designate a particular disk or RAID array
to function as the host adapter’s boot device.
Note: This setting is only relevant if the motherboard’s BIOS has set the host
adapter to function as the system’s primary boot device.
Staggered drive spin up – This function is used to enable (or disable) staggered
drive spin up support This setting, by default, is disabled. Enabling staggered drive
spin up will power up the hard disks one at a time, approximately every two seconds.
View – this command is used to select between two views. Press the ENTER key to
change the view.
Devices – displays information about hard disks attached to the host adapter. Use
the ↑↓arrow keys to highlight the target hard disk, and press ENTER to view the
information.
RAID Arrays – displays information about RAID arrays attached to the host adapter.
Use the ↑↓arrow keys to highlight the target array, and press ENTER to view the
information.
Initialize - this function is used to prepare disks for use with RAID arrays.
Note: Arrays cannot be created between disks that have not been initialized.
The following section discusses this command in detail.
2 - Creating RAID Arrays
Initializing Disks:
Before creating a RAID array, the disks must be initialized.
3-2

RocketRAID 2640X4 BIOS Utility
Initialization writes necessary RAID configuration information to the hard disk.
Use the ←→arrow keys to select the Initialize command, and press ENTER.
Warning: Initialization will destroy all pre- existing data on the selected hard
disks.
Use the ↑↓arrow keys to highlight the target hard disk(s) and press ENTER. Next,
press the Y(yes) key to initialize the selected disk(s), or N(no) key to cancel the
initialization process.
Once initialized, these disks can be utilized to create RAID arrays.
To create an array:
1. Use the ←→arrow keys to highlight the Create command, and press ENTER to
open the Create Menu.
2. Use the ↑↓arrow keys to select the appropriate RAID level, then press ENTER.
3. Next, use the ↓arrow key to highlight the Array Name option and press ENTER.
The array name dialogue box will appear. Use the keyboard to input a new Array
Name, and press the Enter key.
Note: the Array Name command is optional – it is not necessary to name the
array. The array can be named at a later time, and the name of the array can be
changed at any time.
4. On the Create menu, use the ↓arrow key to highlight the Select Devices item and
press ENTER.Adevice list will appear, and display all available hard disk drives.
5. Highlight the target disks that you want to use, and press ENTER to select them.
After all of the disks have been selected, press the ESC key to return to the
Create Menu.
6. Next, Use the ↓arrow key to highlight the Capacity (GB) option and press
ENTER. The total available capacity will be displayed. Press ENTER if you wish
to use all available space.
7. If you wish to reserve disk space for additional arrays/single disks, use the
keyboard to input the amount of space (in GB) you wish to set aside for this
particular array, and press ENTER.
3-3

RocketRAID 2640X4 BIOS Utility
Note: Multiple arrays can be created using the same set of hard disk drives.
The Capacity option allows you to set aside disk space that be used to create
another array, set as a spare disk, or partitioned to act as a single disk (by the
operating system).
8. To complete the creation procedure, use the ↓arrow key to highlight the Start
Creation item and press ENTER. Press the Y(yes) key to create the array, or N
(no) key to cancel the creation process.
3 - Adding/Remove Spare Disks
This command is used to assign a hard disk to act as a Spare Disk.
Spare Disks are used to automatically rebuild Redundant RAID arrays (RAID 1, 5, 10)
in the case of disk failure. To set a hard disk to act as a Spare Disk, use the ↑↓arrow
keys to select a disk, and press ENTER.
To remove the Spare Disk setting from a hard disk, highlight the spare disk, and press
ENTER.
Generally, single disks are designated to act as spares (disks that are not configured
into RAID arrays).
However, in some instances, disks that are members of RAID arrays may also be
designated to act as a spare. If the disks in question are part of a RAID array that did
not utilize the full available capacity at the time of creation, these disks may be used
as spares.
For example: a RAID 0 array was created between two 200GB hard disks, but only
200GB of space (out of a grand total of 400GB), was assigned to that array. In this
example, 200GB of disk space remains unallocated. This unallocated space would
allow these disks to be set as spares for a separate redundant array that falls into the
same capacity range (200GB).
4 - Updating the BIOS
BIOS updates are released periodically, and posted on our website for download.
There are several ways to flash the host adapter’s BIOS.
3-4