MicroNet SCB-1000GB4 User manual

Owner’s Guide
www.MicroNet.com
SANCube800™
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SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 2
Federal Communications Commission
Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on. The user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
Only use shielded cables, certified to comply with FCC Class B limits, to attach this equipment. Failure to install this
equipment as described in this manual could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Canadian Department of Communications Compliance: This equipment does not exceed Class B limits per radio
noise emissions for digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of the Canadian Department of
Communications. Operation in a residential area may cause unacceptable interference to radio and TV reception
requiring the owner or operator to take whatever steps are necessary to correct the interference.
Conformite aux regiements du Department Canadien de Communications: Cet equipement n’excede pas les limites de
Classe B concernaut les bruits des emissions de radio pour le dispositif digital etablies par le Reglement d’Interference
de Radio du Departement Canadien de Communications. L’operation de cet equipement dans un quartier residential
peut occasionner des parasites inacceptables dans la reception de la radio ou de la television exigeant le proprietaire
ou l’operateur de faire routes les necessaires pour corriger cet interference.
FTZ/BTZ German Postal Service Notice: We hereby certify that the ADV, SB, SBS, SS, SBX, SBT, MO, MS, MR, MT, MD, CPK,
CPKT, CPKD, DD and DDW products are in compliance with Postal Regulation 1046/1984 and are RFI suppressed. The
marketing and sale of the equipment was reported to the German Postal Service. The right to retest this equipment to
verify compliance with the regulation was given to the German Postal Service.
Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs: Hiermit wird bescheinigt, daB der/die/das: SB, SBS, SS, SBX, SBT, MO, MS,
MR, MT, MD, CPK, CPKT, CPKD, DD, DDW in Ubereinstimmung mit den Bestimmungen der: VFG1046, VFG243 funk-
enstort ist. Der Deutschen Bundespost wurde das Inverkehrbringen dieses Gerates angezeigt and die Berechtigung zur
Uberprdfung der Serie auf Einhaltung der Bestimmungen eingeraumt MicroNet Technology, Inc.
SANCube and SANCube800™ are covered under US Patent #6,763,402 among others.
FCC Compliance Statement

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 3
Limitations of Warranty and Liability
MicroNet Technology has tested the hardware described in this manual and reviewed its contents.
In no event will MicroNet or its resellers be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential
damage resulting from any defect in the hardware, software, or manual, even if they have been
advised of the possibility of such damages. In particular, they shall have no liability for any program
or data stored in or used with MicroNet products, including the costs of recovering or reproducing
these programs or data.
During the specified warranty period, MicroNet guarantees that the product will perform according
to specifications determined by the manufacturer, and will be free of defects. Parts and labor of the
received product, and replacement parts and labor are guaranteed during the specified warranty
period. The warranty covers defects encountered in normal use of the product, and does not apply
when damage occurs due to improper use, abuse, mishandling, accidents, sand, dirt, excessive dust,
water damage, or unauthorized service. The product must be packed in its original packing material
when shipped, or the warranty will be void. In all cases, proof of purchase must be presented when
a warranty claim is being made.
This manual is copyrighted by MicroNet Technology. All rights are reserved. This documentation
may not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any
electronic medium or machine readable form without prior consent in writing from MicroNet.
MicroNet and the MicroNet logo are registered trademarks of MicroNet Technology. FireWire, the
FireWire logo, Macintosh, and the Mac OS Logo are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Microsoft
Windows and the Windows Logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Technical Support Policy
If you have a problem installing your system or suspect it is malfunctioning, please contact the
Authorized MicroNet Reseller from whom you purchased the system. If the reseller fails to resolve
the problem, call MicroNet’s Help Desk for assistance at [phone]. Please have the model,
serial number, date of purchase, and the reseller’s name available before calling. If possible, call
from a telephone near the system so we can more readily direct you to make any necessary system
corrections, should they be required.
Returning Materials
If a reseller or MicroNet Technician finds it necessary to have the system returned for testing or
servicing, a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number will be issued. The RMA number must
be placed on the outside of the carton in large, visible letters near the address label. Return the
complete system including all cables and software. The system must be packed in the original
packing materials and shipped prepaid. MicroNet will repair the system and return it prepaid by
similar common carrier and priority. Please record the RMA number and make reference to it when
inquiring on the status of the system. A returned unit found to be fault-free will carry a $65.00
charge for service and repackaging.
Warranty

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 4
MicroSAN™ End-User License Agreement
1. License. The software and documentation accompanying this License, known as MicroSAN™
(Software), whether on disk, in read-only memory, or contained on any other media and the related
documentation are licensed to you by Intech Software Corporation (Intech) and it’s Licensor(s).
You own the disk on which the Software is recorded, but Intech retains title to the Software and
related documentation. This license allows you to use the Software on a single computer and make
one copy of the Software retained by you for backup purposes only. You may transfer your license
rights of the Software and related documentation, the Software backup copy which you may have
made, and a copy of this license to another person, provided the other person agrees to accept the
terms of this license after reading its complete text and conditions.
2. Restrictions. You may not, in whole or part, copy, photocopy, reproduce, translate, reverse
compile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reduce to any electronic or machine-readable form, or
otherwise reduce to a human perceivable form (except for a backup copy, as stated in paragraph
1), the Software or related documentation without the prior written consent of Intech. You may
not change, rent, lease, loan, distribute or create derivative works based upon the Software in any
form, in whole or in part. This prohibition includes transmission of the Software over a network
from one computer to another. THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE IN THE OPERATION
OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION, COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, OR AIR TRAFFIC
CONTROL MACHINES IN WHICH CASE THE FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE COULD LEAD TO
DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.
Your rights under this License will terminate automatically without notice if you fail to comply with
any term(s) of this License.
3. Service or Support. By using the Software and agreeing to this license, you understand and
agree that Intech may not offer you any technical support regarding use of the Software or related
products.
Intech reserves the right to revise the Software and documentation without obligation to notify any
person or organization of any such changes or revisions.
4. Warranty Disclaimer. By using the Software and agreeing to this license, you expressly acknowledge
and agree that use of the Software is at your sole risk. The Software and related documentation
are provided ìAS ISî and without warranty of any kind. INTECH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL
WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. INTECH
DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR
REQUIREMENTS, OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR
ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE SOFTWARE OR RELATED DOCUMENTATION WILL BE
CORRECTED. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION OR ADVICE PROVIDED
BY A INTECH REPRESENTATIVE SHALL ESTABLISH A WARRANTY OR EXPAND THE SCOPE OR
TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY. IF THE SOFTWARE IS DEFECTIVE, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIRS, OR CORRECTIONS. Some jurisdictions do
not allow for exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. The
Software may not work properly with modified versions of your computers operating system,
certain resident software applications, or hardware that is not 100% compatible with that provided
by the computers manufacturer.
End User License Agreement

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 5
5. Limited Warranty Regarding Media. Intech warrants that the diskette(s) on which the Software
are recorded shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a
period of ninety (90) days from the date of your purchase of the Software, as established by your
receipt. Intech’s and MicroNet’s entire liability, as well as your sole and exclusive remedy, will be
replacement of the diskette(s) which are defective. The diskette(s) must be returned to Intech with
a copy of your receipt. This warranty does not include diskette(s) damaged by accident, abuse, or
misapplication. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ON THE DISKETTE(S) ARE LIMITED TO A PERIOD OF
NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF DELIVERY TO YOU. THIS LIMITATION INCLUDES IMPLIED
WARRANTIES SUCH AS THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state.
6. Limitation on Liability. IN NO EVENT WILL INTECH BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OR INABILITY
TO USE THE SOFTWARE OR RELATED DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF INTECH HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. INTECH SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY HARDWARE,
SOFTWARE OR DATA STORED OR USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING
THE COSTS OF REPAIRING, REPLACING, OR RECOVERING SUCH HARDWARE, SOFTWARE OR
DATA. Under no circumstances shall Intech’s total liability to you for all damages, losses, and causes
of action (whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise) exceed the amount paid
by you to obtain the Software and related documentation.
7. Severability. Should a court of competent jurisdiction declare this license agreement, or any
portion of this license agreement, to be unenforceable, that portion shall be enforced to the
maximum extent possible so as to effectuate the intent of the parties, and the remainder of the
agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
8. Complete Agreement. This license constitutes the entire agreement among the parties regarding the
use of the Software and related documentation. This license agreement replaces and supersedes any
prior understandings or agreements, whether oral or written. No contemporaneous understandings
or agreements were entered into in conjunction with this license agreement. No change to this
licensing agreement will be effective against Intech or MicroNet unless it is in writing and signed
by an authorized representative of Intech Software Corporation.
End User License Agreement

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 6
We are pleased that you have chosen the SANCube800™. Our systems are designed
for speed, reliability, compatibility, and performance. We think you will find the
system easy to install, and a productive addition to your computer system.
This manual presumes that you are familiar with standard computer operations; this
includes copying files, opening documents, clicking with the mouse, and organizing
files or folders within other folders. If you are unfamiliar with these operations,
please consult the User’s Guide that was supplied with your computer system. Your
computer dealer and local user’s groups are also good sources of information. After
you are comfortable with the operation of your computer, continue reading this
manual which describes hardware installation and operation.
Thank you again for choosing a MicroNet system. Please fill out the enclosed
registration card and mail it to the address below. Mailing the registration card
registers your system and provides us with helpful information. Alternatively, You
may also register your product online at www.MicroNet.com.
Your comments assist us in improving and updating our products. Please feel free to
share them with us. Please send comments to:
MicroNet Technology
Attn: Customer Service
19260 Van Ness Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
Internet: http://www.MicroNet.com
Welcome From MicroNet Technology
Welcome

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 7
FCC Compliance Statement
Warranty Information
Technical Support and Return Policy
MicroSAN™ End User License Agreement
Welcome Note
Table of Contents
Introduction to SAN
What is SAN?
What is MicroSAN™ for SANCube800™?
How MicroSAN™ for SANCube works
Chapter 1- Preinstallation Checklist
Features and Benefits
System Requirements and Compatibility
What’s Included
Unpacking the SANCube800™
Choosing a place for your SANCube800™
The SANCube800™ Interface Components
Communications and Control
Hot Plug Drive Replacement
Chapter 2- Getting a Fast Start
Installation Guidelines
Starting the SAN
SAN Configuration
Creating/Changing Volumes
Chapter 3- Understanding RAID
RAID
RAID 0
RAID 1
RAID 10
RAID 3
RAID 5
RAID Set
Volume Set
Online Capacity Expansion
Hot Swappable Disk Support
Instant Availability/Background Initialization
Array Roaming
Online RAID Level and Stripe Size Migration
Hot Spare Drives
Hot Swap Disk Rebuild
Chapter 4- RAID Configuration Methods
1. Overview
2. Using the front panel touch-control interface
3. VT-100 Terminal (using the controller’s serial port)
4. Confirming Changes
Chapter 5- Quick RAID Setup
1. Overview
2. Main Menu Options
3. Configuring RAID Sets and Volume Sets
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 8
4. Designating Drives as Hot Spares
5. Using Quick Volume and RAID Set Setup
6. Creating a RAID Set using Quick Volume and RAID Setup Configuration
7. Using RAID Set and Volume Set Functions
Chapter 6- Navigating the RAID Controls
Conventions
Login Procedure
The Main Menu Configuration Tree
1. Quick Volume/RAID Setup (A)
2. Raid Set Functions (B)
3. Volume Set Functions (C)
4. Physical Drive Functions (D)
5. RAID System Functions (E)
6. Show System Events
7. Clear all Event Buffers
8. Hardware Information
9. System Information
Chapter 7- Using MicroSAN™
1. Preinstallation Checklist
2. Installation
3. Setting Up Volumes
4. The MicroSAN™ Interface
5. Mounting Volumes
6. Refreshing and Synchronizing Volumes
7. Shared and Single User Modes
8. Quitting MicroSAN™
Chapter 8- Troubleshooting
Daily Use Tips
General Use Precautions
Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix A- Getting Help
Appendix B- RAID Level Comparison Table
Appendix C- Terminal Session Setup
Appendix D- Glossary of RAID Terms
Appendix E- Product Specifications
Table of Contents
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SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 9
Introduction to SAN
What is SAN?
Storage Area Network (“SAN”) is a framework that allows connecting multiple host
computers to a shared single or multiple storage devices over a storage bus such as
Fibre Channel or FireWire. The benefit of SAN to a workgroup is twofold- by requiring
no “server” to arbitrate data access to a given dataset, all hosts are free to process user
applications, and by utilizing direct storage bus topologies transfer rates are much
greater than traditional networking protocols.
What is MicroSAN™ for SANcube?
Modern operating systems are not designed to account for any other computers
accessing their local storage without going through networking protocols.
Consequently, if multiple users attempted to write to the same area of a storage
device simultaneously without any additional protocol, file system errors and/or data
corruption would occur as systems in a shared storage group are not immediately
aware of the activity of other systems in the shared storage group. Attempting to
write a file from several systems to the same storage volume would result in data
being written to one area of the volume by one system, then overwritten by the other
system, resulting in data corruption.
In order to facilitate a SAN, SANCube utilizes a SAN Management software called
MicroSAN™. MicroSAN™ prevents errors and corruption by coordinating access to
shared volumes, allowing users to access shared storage and enhancing workgroup
productivity by facilitating shared storage groups.
How MicroSAN™ for SANcube Works
MicroSAN™ contains a special driver that allows multiple systems to log in to
the SANCube800™. Without MicroSAN™, the SANCube will not mount on any
computer, ensuring that no unmanaged host can connect to the storage and cause
data corruption. SANCube Volumes are marked as managed on the SAN level, not
on the machine level. For each managed volume there can be only one “Owner”
which can write as well as read information from the volume. All other members of
the SAN can read information from the volume but cannot write to it. However, the
“Owner” of a volume can dynamically change during the normal operation of a SAN,
thus allowing multiple machines to write to the same volume at different moments
in time.
Introduction to SAN

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 10
Chapter 1 - Preinstallation Checklist
Thank you for purchasing The MicroNet SANCube800™ storage solution. With speed, high capacity,
ease of use, and support for numerous applications, SANCube800™ is the ideal solution for all of
your data storage needs.
Please take advantage of the information contained within this manual to ensure easy setup and
configuration. If at any time you require technical assistance, MicroNet’s Help Desk is available at
310-320-0772 or email us at [email protected]
Features and Benefits
SANCube800™ is a versatile and low cost storage solution, allowing it to be utilized in several different
configurations:
• As a high speed FireWire Storage Area Network for multiple workstations
• As a high speed local storage device for a dedicated workstation
• As a high-speed storage device attached to your server
• As a backup station for multiple workstations
Your SANCube800™ warranty can be found on the included documentation CD. You may send
registration information electronically over the web or print out the registration form for mailing.
System Requirements and Compatibility
The SANCube800™ is designed for Apple Macintosh G4 and newer desktops and laptops featuring
FireWire 800 and Mac OS X 10.3 Panther or newer. For the latest qualifications and compatibility
statement. Please see www.MicroNet.com/comp.html
What’s Included
Your SANCube800™ comes with the following items:
1 SANCube800™ unit
5 Disk Drive Modules
1 SANCube800™ CD which contains this manual in PDF format, warranty information, registration
and marketing materials
1 MicroSAN™ SAN Management Software CD
1 power cord
(X) IEEE1394-B FireWire 800 cables (1 per host connection)
1-Preinstallation Checklist

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 11
Unpacking the SANCube800™
Please unpack your SANCube800™ in a static free environment, carefully making sure not to
damage or discard any of the packing material. If the RAID subsystem appears damaged, or if any
items of the contents listed below are missing or damaged, please contact your dealer or distributor
immediately.
In the unlikely event you may need to return the SANCube800™ for repair or upgrade, please use
the original packing material to ensure safe transport.
Choosing a place for your SANCube800™
When selecting a place to set up your Disk Array, be sure to follow these guidelines:
• Place on a flat and stable surface capable of supporting at least 25lbs
• Place the Disk Array close enough to the computers for the FireWire 800 cables to reach them.
• Use a grounded wall outlet.
• Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or automatic timers. Accidental disruption of
the power source may wipe out data in the memory of your computer or Disk Array.
• Keep the entire system away from potential sources of electromagnetic interference, such as
loudspeakers , cordless telephones, etc.
!CAUTION! Avoid direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, or dust
1-Preinstallation Checklist

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 12
Power Connector
IEEE1394B FireWire 800 ports
Fan Exhaust Vents (DO NOT BLOCK!)
RS232 Serial Control Port
The SANCube800™ interface components
The following figures illustrate the connector locations for the RAID subsystems.
FRONT VIEW
REAR VIEW
1-Preinstallation Checklist
Voltage, Temperature, and Fan Indicator lights
Front Panel Display
Front Panel Interface buttons
Power Button
Disk Drive Activity/Fault Indicator Lights
Disk Drive Trays
System Power, Activity, and Fault Indicator lights
Disk Drive Tray release latch (1 per tray)
Disk Drive Tray Locking Mechanism (1 per tray)

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 13
Communication and Control
RAID functions including creation, modification, and monitoring can be accomplished through the
front panel or via an RS232 link through a VT-100 terminal session to access the text-based Setup
Menu. The LED status lights informs you of the Disk Array’s current operating status at a glance, as
shown here:
LED Normal State Problem State
Power LED Bright Green This LED does not light up after power switched on
Host Access LED Blink Green during host computer
accessing the RAID subsystem. LED never flickers
Disk Activity LED This LED blinks during hard drive
read and write activity LED not light up
Disk drive Fail LED LED never light up This LED will blink amber if there is a disk error.
Disk Activity LED This LED blinks during hard drive
read and write activity LED not light up
Voltage LED LED light up bright green This LED will blink if there is a voltage error.
Temperature LED LED light up bright green This LED will blink if there is a fan problem
Fan LED LED light up bright green This LED will blink if the internal temperature rises above
the Spec setting
Hot plug Drive Replacement
In the event of a drive failure, the RAID subsystem supports the ability to hot-swap drives without
powering down the system. A disk can be disconnected, removed, or replaced with a different
disk without taking the system off-line. In a fault tolerant array, the RAID rebuilding will proceed
automatically in the background (see Section II-Understanding RAID for more information.)
A drive failure will illuminate the amber indicator light above the failed drive on the front of RAID
subsystem. To replace a drive, please follow these steps:
1. Make sure the drive locking mechanism (see page 12, “The SANCube800™ Interface
components”) is in the up-down position (use a small flathead screwdriver to turn the lock
mechanism.)
2. Press down on the drive release latch (see page 12, “The SANCube800™ Interface
components”) to release the drive tray
3. Gently pull out the disk drive tray handle and slide out the drive tray.
4. To replace: Slide in the replacement drive tray with the tray handle open. When the tray is slid
all the way into the SANCube800™, push the tray handle closed.
IMPORTANT: NEVER remove a drive tray without replacing it. Operating the RAID with
a drive tray missing will disrupt airflow and may cause the SANCube800™ to fail.
!
1-Preinstallation Checklist

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 14
Starting the SAN
1) Install any applicable PCI FireWire800 host bus adapters into your workstations.
2) Install The MicroSAN™ software by launching the installer on the MicroSAN™ CD on each
workstation.
3) Power on the SANCube800™ system using the power switch on the SANcube800.
4) Connect the FireWire cables to your Macintosh systems within the FireWire SAN. The following
diagram illustrates a possible configuration:
5) Select your MicroSAN™ for SANCube800™ access privileges
as needed. Access privileges can be changed at any time for
an available volume.
SAN Configuration
Your SANCube has been preconfigured as a single
volume set with a single partition. You can leave
the configuration in its current state or customize
volume sets and partitions to your requirements. The
SANCube800™ requires no special volume formats
and will operate in any partition scheme required. For more information about volume sets, please
see Chapter 3, “Understanding RAID.”
Note:
Only one user can have write access to
a given volume at a time.
2-Getting A Fast Start
!
STOP! Before proceeding, please review the following guidelines:
• Ensure that all Macintosh Systems in the FireWire SAN have a unique name, settable through
Mac OS X System Preferences-Sharing control panel. Please see the Chapter 6:”Installing
and Using MicroSAN™” for more details.
• SANCube800™ requires the MicroSAN™ software to operate. MicroSAN™ is compatible
with Mac OS X 10.3 and newer. Your SANCube800™ is designed to ignore host connections
from computers not running MicroSAN™, and will not mount volumes on such host computers.
This assures that no data corruption can occur due to an unmanaged data write.
• MicroSAN™ must be installed on each Macintosh system of the FireWire SAN. Please refer
to the MicroSAN™ for SANCube800™ ownerʼs manual for software installation instructions.
• Your SANCube800™ comes preconfigured with a single RAID 5 RAIDset and one single
volumeset containing the entire available RAIDSet capacity. If you wish to reconfigure the
RAIDset or create dual logical volumes, please proceed to chapter 5, “Quick RAID Setup.”
Chapter 2 - Getting A Fast Start
Note:
There are two FireWire 800
ports on the back of the
SANCube800™. To connect 3 or more
computers, install a PCI FireWire 800
into one computer, and use the card’s
additional ports to connect additional
computers. Please note that your
Macintosh’s internal FireWire ports
would not be accessible to the SAN.

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 15
Creating/Changing Volumes
The SANCube800™ offers tremendous flexibility in performance and data integrity options. Some
thought must go into how you wish to setup the SANCube800™ for your workflow. Although write
privileges of each volume may be reassigned to other users, partitions cannot be added or changed
without data loss. Always backup your data before making any configuration changes.
!
Before you begin, please make sure you are logged in with administrative privileges. If you
are unsure about your privilege level, please consult your Macintosh OS-X user manual or
with your system administrator.
Before a volume partition scheme can be created, MicroSAN™
must be set in a special single user mode. In single user
mode the system has access the SANCube as if it was locally
connected and completely available to Apple’s Disk Utility.
To activate single user mode, please make sure only ONE
computer is connected to the SANCube800™ and launch
MicroSAN™. Press the “User Mode” button and click the
“Single User Mode” radio button in the drawer underneath.
The system will prompt you to reboot.
After rebooting, launch the “Disk Utility”
application located in the Applications/Utilities
folder. Highlight your SANCube800™ (XXXX
GB MicroNet) and click the partition tab at the top of the
operations pane. Select the number of partitions to create
in the volume schemes pulldown, and enter the name,
format, and desired capacity for each volume. When all the
partitions have been defined, press
the “Partition” button.
The partitioning will take effect
immediately, and will be accessible
to all members of the SAN as soon
as Single User Mode is switched
to Shared Mode. To return the
SANCube800™ to shared operation
mode, launch MicroSAN™, press
the “User Mode” button and click the
“Shared Access Mode” radio button
in the drawer underneath. The system
will prompt you to reboot to activate
changes.
2-Getting A Fast Start

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 16
Chapter 3 - Understanding RAID
The SANCube800™ controller subsystem is a high-performance IDE drive bus disk array Controller.
When properly configured, the RAID subsystem can provide non-stop service with a high degree
of fault tolerance through the use of RAID technology and advanced array management features.
The RAID subsystem controller connects to the host systems through an IEEE1394B FireWire 800
interface.
The RAID subsystem can be configured to RAID levels 0, 1 (0+1), 3, and 5. RAID levels other than 0
are able to tolerate a Hard Disk failure without impact on the existing data, and failed drive data can
be reconstructed from the remaining data and parity drives. RAID configuration and monitoring
can be done through the LCD front control panel or serial port. The SANCube800™ features the
following high availability functions:
• RAID Levels 0,1,0+1,3,5 Support
• Online Capacity Expansion
• Online RAID Level Migration
• Logical Drive Capacity Extension
• Array Roaming
• Global Online Spare
• Automatic Drive Failure Detection
• Automatic Failed Drive Rebuilding
• Hot Spare Disk Drives
• Instant Availability/Background
Initialization.
This section will help you gain understanding of how these functions can serve your needs best.
RAID
RAID is an acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. It is an array of multiple
independent hard disk drives that provide high performance and fault tolerance through support
of several levels of the Berkeley RAID techniques. An appropriate RAID level is selected when the
volume sets are defined or created, and is based on disk capacity, data availability (fault tolerance
or redundancy), and disk performance considerations. The RAID subsystem controller makes the
RAID implementation and the disks’ physical configuration transparent to the host operating
system, which means that the host operating system drivers and software utilities are not affected
regardless of the RAID level selected.
3-Understanding RAID
FYI:
The Berkeley RAID levels are a family of disk array data
protection and mapping techniques described by Garth
Gibson, Randy Katz, and David Patterson in papers written while
they were performing research into I/O subsystems at the University
of California at Berkeley. There are six Berkeley RAID Levels,
usually referred to by the names RAID Level 1, etc., through RAID
Level 6.

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 17
RAID 0 (Striping)
This RAID algorithm writes data across multiple
disk drives instead of just one disk drive. RAID 0
does not provide any data redundancy, but does
offer the best high-speed data throughput. RAID
0 breaks up data into smaller blocks and then
writes a block to each drive in the array.
Pros: Disk striping enhances both read and
write performance because multiple
drives are accessed simultaneously,
Cons: The reliability of RAID Level 0 is less than
any of its member disk drives due to its
lack of redundancy.
RAID 1 (Disk Mirroring)
RAID 1, also known as “disk mirroring”, distributes
duplicate data simultaneously to two disk drives.
Pros: RAID 1 offers extremely high data reliability
as all the data is redundant. If one drive
fails, all data (and software applications)
are preserved on the other drive.
Read performance may be enhanced
as the array controller can access both
members of a mirrored pair in parallel.
Cons: RAID 1 volume requires double the raw
data storage capacity
During writes, there will be a minor
performance penalty when compared to
writing to a single disk.
RAID 10
RAID 10 is a combination of RAID 0 and RAID
1, combing striping with disk mirroring. RAID
Level 10 combines the fast performance of
Level 0 with the data redundancy of Level 1.
In this configuration, data is distributed across
several disk drives, similar to Level 0, which are
then duplicated to another set of drive for data
protection. RAID 10 provides the highest read/
write performance of any of the Hybrid RAID
levels, but at the cost of doubling the required
data storage capacity.
Pros: Fastest read/write performance of any of the Hybrid RAID levels
High data reliability as all the data is redundant
Cons: Requires double the raw data storage capacity
3-Understanding RAID

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 18
RAID 3
RAID 3 provides disk striping and complete
data fault tolerance though a dedicated parity
drive. RAID 3 breaks up data into smaller blocks,
calculates parity on the blocks, and then writes
the blocks to all but one drive in the array. The
parity data created is then written to the last
drive in the array. If a single drive fails, data is still
available by computing the inverse operation on
the data and parity of the contents corresponding
strips of the surviving member disk. RAID 3 is
best for applications that require very fast large
block data transfer rates or long data blocks
Pros: Very good large file transfer performance
Fault tolerant
Cons: Not well suited for transaction processing or other I/O request-intensive applications.
RAID 5
RAID 5 is sometimes called striping with parity
at byte level. In RAID 5, the parity information
is written to all of the drives in the subsystems
rather than concentrated on a dedicated parity
disk. If one drive in the system fails, the parity
information can be used to reconstruct the data
from that drive. All drives in the array system
can be used to seek operation at the same time,
greatly increasing the performance of the RAID
system. RAID 5 is the most often implemented
RAID algorithm in RAID arrays.
Pros: Very good general transfer performance
Fault tolerant
Cons: Can be slower then RAID 3 at large size file transfers
RAID Set
A RAID Set is a group of disks containing one or more volume sets. The MicroNet Platinum RAID
supports as follows:
• Up to two RAID Sets are supported on the SANCube800™. Please note that multiple RAID
Sets on the same disks are not supported.
• From one to five drives can be included in an individual RAID Set.
• A Volume Set must be created either on an existing RAID set or on a group of available
individual disks (disks that are not yet a part of a RAID set). If there are pre-existing RAID sets
with available capacity and enough disks for specified RAID level desired, then the volume
set will be created in the existing RAID set of the user’s choice.
3-Understanding RAID

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 19
Volume Set
A Volume Set is seen by the host system as a single logical device. It is organized in a RAID level
with one or more physical disks. RAID level refers to the level of data performance and protection
of a Volume Set. A Volume Set capacity can consume all or a portion of the disk capacity available
in a RAID Set. Multiple Volume Sets can
exist on a group of disks in a RAID
Set. Additional Volume Sets created in a
specified RAID Set will reside on all the
physical disks in the RAID Set. Thus each
Volume Set on the RAID Set will have its
data spread evenly across all the disks in
the RAID Set.
• Volume Sets of different RAID
levels may coexist on the same
RAID Set.
• The maximum addressable size of a single volume set is 2 Terabytes.
• Up to two volume sets can be created in a RAID set.
Online Capacity Expansion
Online Capacity Expansion makes it possible to add one or more physical drives to a volume set,
while the server is in operation, eliminating the need to store and restore after re-configuring the
RAID set. When disks are added to a RAID set, unused capacity is added to the end of the RAID
set. Data on the existing volume sets residing on that RAID set is redistributed evenly across all the
disks. A contiguous block of unused capacity is made available on the RAID set. The unused capacity
can create additional volume set. The expansion process is illustrated as following figure:
Disk 1
200GB
Disk 2
200GB
Disk 3
200GB
Disk 1
200GB
Disk 2
200GB
Disk 3
200GB
Disk 4
200GB
Free Space
200GB
Vol 1 (200GB)
Vol 2 (200GB)
Free Space
400GB
Vol 1 (200GB)
Vol 2 (200GB)
Before Expansion: Disk Array A, 600GB After Disk Expansion: Disk Array A, 800GB
The RAID subsystem controller redistributes the original volume set over the original and newly added disks, using the same fault-
tolerance configuration. The unused capacity on the expanded RAID set can then be used to create additional volume sets, with a
different fault tolerance setting if required.
A 4 Disk RAIDset may contain two volumes. Volume 1 can be
assigned a RAID 5 level of operation while Volume 2 might be
assigned a RAID 0+1 level of operation.
Free Space
Volume 1
Volume 2
Disk 1 Disk 2 Disk 3 Disk 4
3-Understanding RAID
Hot Swappable Disk Support
Your SANCube800™ has a built in protection circuit to support replacement of disk drives without
having to shut down or reboot the RAID. In case of drive failure, the failed drive can be removed
from the SANCube800™ and replaced with a new drive without disrupting dataflow to the host
computer.

SANCube800™ Owner’s Manual 20
Instant Availability/Background Initialization
RAID 0 and RAID 1 volume set can be used immediately after the creation, whereas RAID 3 and
5 volume sets must be initialized to generate parity information. SANCube800™ features both
foreground and background initialization modes for RAID 3 and RAID 5 volumes- In background mode,
the initialization proceeds as a background task and the volume set is fully accessible for system reads
and writes without requiring a reboot or initialization completion. Furthermore, the RAID volume set
is also protected against a single disk failure while initializing. Background initialization takes longer to
complete and host disk access will be slower during the initialization process. Foreground Initialization
must be completed before the volume set ready for system accesses, but the format is faster.
Array Roaming
The RAID subsystem stores configuration information both in NVRAM and on the disk drives, and
can protect the configuration settings in the case of a disk drive or controller failure. Array roaming
allows the administrator the ability to move a complete RAID set to another system without losing
RAID configuration and data on that RAID set. Should the SANCube800™ cease to function, the RAID
set disk drives can be moved to another SANCube800™, inserted in any order, and become instantly
available.
Online RAID Level and Stripe Size Migration
Users can migrate both the RAID level and stripe size of an existing volume set, while the
SANCube800™ is online and the volume set is in use. Online RAID level/stripe size migration can
prove helpful during performance tuning activities as well as at the addition of physical disks to the
RAID subsystem. For example, in a system using two drives in RAID level 1, you could add capacity
and retain fault tolerance by adding one drive. With the addition of third disk, you have the option of
adding this disk to your existing RAID logical drive by migrating from RAID level 1 to 5. The result
would be parity fault tolerance and double the available capacity without taking the system offline.
Hot Spare Drive
A hot spare drive is an unused online available drive, which is ready for replacing a failed disk drive.
In a RAID level 1, 0+1, 3, or 5 RAID set, any unused online available drive installed but not belonging
to a RAID set can be defined as a hot spare drive. Hot spares permit you to replace failed drives
automatically without powering down your SANCube800™. When your SANCube800™ detects a
drive failure, the system will automatically and transparently rebuild using any available hot spare
drive(s). The RAID set will be reconfigured and rebuilt in background, while the RAID subsystem
continues to handle system requests. During the automatic rebuild process, system activity will
continue as normal, but system performance and fault tolerance will be affected.
Hot Swap Disk Rebuild
This function is used to rebuild disk drives in arrays with data redundancy such as RAID level
1(0+1), 3, and 5. If a hot spare is not available at time of drive failure, the failed disk drive must be
replaced with a new disk drive so that the data on the failed drive can be rebuilt. If a hot spare
is available, the rebuild starts automatically when a drive fails. The RAID subsystem automatically
and transparently rebuilds failed drives in the background with user-definable rebuild rates. The
RAID subsystem will automatically restart the system and the rebuild if the system is shut down or
powered off abnormally during a reconstruction procedure condition. Please note that the system
may no longer be fault tolerant during degraded operation or the rebuild process- Fault tolerance
will be lost until the damaged drive is replaced and the rebuild operation is completed.
3-Understanding RAID