Raidon SOHORAID Series SR3500 User manual

SOHORAID Series SR3500
User’s Guide
Date : Sep, 10, 2003
Version: 1.0

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Index
Chapter 1:Introduction…………………………………………..3
1-1. Functions and Features… .…………………………..4
1-2. Product Specifications………………………………..6
Chapter 2:Hardware Installation………………………………7
2-1. Package Contents………………………………………..7
2-2. System Requirements…………………………….…….8
2-3. Environment Requirements and Cautions…….….9
2-4. Installing HDD in the Carrier…………………………10
2-5. Connect SR3500 to Computer……………………….11
Chapter 3:How to use SR3500…………………………………12
3-1. RAID Level Setup……………………………………….12
3-2. Windows PC Operation……………………………….16
3-3. Macintosh Operation…………………………………..18
3-4. HDD Status on LCD…………………………………….19
Chapter 4:System maintenance.......................................22
4-1. Hot Swappable and Auto Rebuilding of RAID1.21
Appendix A: Questions and Answer........................................25

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Chapter 1
Introduction
SOHORAID (Redundant Arrays of Independent Drives) SR3500
provides disk mirror function (RAID Level 1) to secure data or RAID 0
to combine two drives’capacity for small offices or home offices.
SR3500 provides you the most economic and reliable external IDE
RAID subsystem connected with 1394a/1394b and USB2.0 interfaces
to expand capacity or ensure the data security for enjoying digital IT
network.

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1-1Functions and Features
With individual microprocessor hardware RAID design, SR3500 is the
most economic and beneficial choice for you to expand capacity that
assure the data security and will not reduce system efficiency.
By connecting host interface of Firewire (1394a or 1394b) and USB 2.0
which enable SR3500 system not only easy to have the transfer rate
up to 50~80MB/sec but also plug and play function with double
advantages.
Human factor interface
※Plug & play
Designing for removable, easy installation and maintenance.
Using high quality stainless handle (SUS 302) for Removable.
Carrier to Hot plugto EIDE connector without interface card.
The two IDE hard disks can simultaneously perform mirroring or
RAID 0 with synchronization.
※Hot Swap Design
Once the hard disk failed, SR3500 allows replacement when the
system is online at RAID Level 1.
※Auto Rebuilding
One of the two hard disks can function as source, and the other
as target for back up purpose. Providing online rebuilding function
without gives any command and without interrupting system

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operation at RAID Level 1.
※Duplication Hard Disk
SR3500 can also use as hard disk duplication, fit on the usage of
system duplicate and monitoring system offline data reserve at
RAID 1.
※Independent OS, Easy Installation
Compatible with all systems which support firewire (1394a or
1394b) and USB2.0 operation system like Windows 98 SE,
Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Mac 8.6 later.
※LCD (Liquid crystal display) Screen
LCD screen providing HDD operating status, Fan status, and
temperature status in order to monitor the system.

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1-2Product Specifications
SR3500-WA SR3500-WB
Hardware RAID 8032 microprocessor RAID ASIC
RAID level RAID 0, 1
Host interface 1394a 1394b+ USB2.0
Host transfer rate 50/56 MB/sec 80/56 MB/sec
HDD interface ATA133/UDMA133 E-IDE
Hot swappable trays 2 x (1” height E-IDE drive)
Cooling Fan 6cm Ball Bearing Fan
Operating temperature
0℃∼55℃
Input voltage 90 –240V
Dimension (mm) 147(W) x 270(L) x 115(H)
Weight 4.5kg(HDD excluded)
Material Aluminum Case
LCD display Blue light
HD Hot swappable Yes
Auto rebuilding Yes

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Chapter 2
Hardware Installation
2-1Package Contents
Your SR3500 package includes the following：please contact our
distributors in case of any missing or damaged items.
Item Quantity
SR3500 1
1394 cable and USB cable 2
Removable Carrier 2
Simple User's Guide 1
RAIDGuide CD 1
Power code 1
Accessories bag 1
(Including 8 x 6#-32 screwsand key x 1 )

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2-2 System Requirements
※Hardware Requirements
1. Macintosh or PCs with FireWire IEEE-1394 Interface or USB
2.0 interface
2. HDD with standard EIDE/IDE Interface
※O.S. Requirements
1394a: Mac OS 8.6 or higher
Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
USB2.0: Mac 10.2.6 or higher
Window 98SE/ME/2000/XP
1394b : Mac 10.1.2or higher
Window2000/XP

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2-3 Environment Requirements and Cautions
1. Certainly, you can use two different drives in SR3500, but it will
get optimum performance and greatest convenience to use two
identical hard disks. We highly recommend using HDDs with the
same brand name at RAID 0 Mode.
2. We highly recommend you to decide the RAID Mode before
using SR3500. Unless you want to expand the capacity of
external hard disk, we recommend you to use the factory default
RAID 1 Mode for data security.
3. Use two hard disks in perfect conditions without any damaged
sectors with a minimum capacity of 3.2GB Ultra DMA 33/66.
4. No matter the primary or secondary disk, please set up both
Hard Disks in SR3500 to MASTER mode,or else HDD will not be
detected.

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2-4 Installing HDD in the Carrier
ŸSet Master/Slave jumpers to MASTER (factory default).
ŸConnect the power cord and the Removable Carrier’s EIDE/IDE
interface cable to the HDD.
ŸInset the HDD into the Removable Carrier.
ŸFasten the HDD with the attached 6#-32 screws in their four
locations. Place the power cord and the EIDE/IDE interface cable
right than the surface of the HDD in order to avoid any hindrance
when taking out the HDD. Please refer to the following illustration.

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2-5.Connect SR3500 to Computer
ŸTurn the SR3500 power off.
ŸConnect power cord and 1394 interface cable to the host 1394
connector port or USB interface cable to the host USB connector
port.
ŸTurn the SR3500 power on.
ŸTurn the host power on.
Notice: Please make sure your system has installed the 1394 or
USB2.0 interface and Driver.

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Chapter 3
How to Use SR3500
3-1 RAID Level Setup
SR3500 can be set for RAID 1 or RAID 0. It is unchangeable when it
has been set, otherwise the data will be damaged. Therefore, before
setting please consider your SR3500 system is going to be usedto
ensure the “data security” or “ expand storage capacity”.
The setting up method of RAID level
A switch on the SR3500 rear panel and it is set for default value RAID
1, if you want to change to RAID 0 mode which only need to adjust the
switch to another side.
Factory Default
ŸOperation Mode Switch RAID 1
Setup RAID 1
ŸInstalling two new Hard Disks
1. Install two Removable Carriers with hard disk into the
SR3500.
2. Use the Disk manager software at the control panel of
the O.S. to make up the partition and formatting
procedure.
5Install other required software. (Refer to RAIDGuide
Installation)
6. When the two installed hard disks have different
capacities, SR3500 will auto detect and set the capacity
according to the smaller one. This way your computer

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will suppose that the SR3500 has a smaller capacity.
ŸInstalling an old HDD and a new one
If installing an old HDD with a new one, please purchase the same
brand and choose a disk capacity greater than or equal to the
original one. SR3500 will automatically format a new HDD. The
Auto-Rebuild Function will copy data to the new target HDD at
RAID 1.
1. Install the original HDD into either the primary or the
secondary bay of SR3500.
2. In the event of no HDD inside, SR3500’s buzzer begins to
sound after computer is started. To switch off the alarm, use a
sharp pointed object to turn off the buzzer on the front panel.
The Access LED under the LCD screen will be on. (Note 1)
3. After SR3500 ready, insert the Removable Carrier with the new
HDD into the empty bay of the SR3500. The capacity of the
new HDD should be equal to or greater than the original one.
4. Wait a few seconds, after which the SR3500 will automatically
perform the Auto-Rebuild function. (Refer to Chapter 4
Automatic Rebuild Function).
5. After the Auto-Rebuild, use a sharp pointed object to turn on
the buzzer on the front panel. The alarm LED will be off. (Note
2)

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Setup RAID 0
If replacing an old HDD with a new one, we recommend to
purchase the same brand disk for the usage of RAID 0 Mode.
ŸThe capacity of the two drives is combined to become one
logical drive.
ŸThe capacity of the logical drive is the double capacity of the
minimum physical drive.
ŸRAID 0 does not provide data redundancy.
ŸRAID 0 Mode cannot be performed when SR3500 perform
RAID 1 mode. In other words, you can only choose one
between the two Mode RAID 1 or RAID 0 at the starting.
ŸWhen choosing RAID 0 Mode, do not turn the power on
unless you have installed the two HDDs in the removable
carrier and insert them to fix well.
ŸIt is highly recommended that you should replace new HDDs if
you want to change RAID 0 Mode to RAID 1 unless all the
stored data will be destroyed.

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Notice:
1. Before you turn off the SR3500 or unplug the IEEE 1394 or
USB cable, be sure to click the Stop or Eject device icon
(located in the lower right corner on windows desktop) and
stop the device first.
2. If there are other IEEE 1394 devices connected to SR3500
you need to keep SR3500 power-on so the signal may pass
through the SR3500 to the other IEEE 1394 devices.
3.As using RAID 0, in case of one disk failed, all data in SR3500
will be lost.

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3-2 Windows PC Operation
Once the SR3500 Hardware installation is complete, you can start
connect the device to your PC.
1. Find the IEEE 1394 or USB2.0 port on the rear panel of your
PC.
2. Connect the IEEE 1394 cable to the IEEE 1394 port of
SR3500 or the USB2.0 cable to the USB2.0port of SR3500.
3. Connected RS232 cable to your PC COM port and RS232
port on the rear panel of SR3500.
4. Attach the power cord to the SR3500.
5. Power on your PC. (if it is off)
6. Power on the SR3500 and make sure LCD display right.
7. Wait a few seconds, then Windows 98SE / Windows ME /
Windows 2000 or Windows XP will detect the device
automatically. If running Windows SE, you maybe asked to
insert the Windows 98 SE CD-ROM. This will update the
device drivers.
8. Check on Stop or Eject device icon on the task bar to verify
the device is present.
9. If running Windows 98 SE, you need to download the update
patch from Microsoft web site at
http://windowsupdate.micrsoft.com
http://www.micrsoft.com/windows98/downloads/corparate.asp

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and click on Windows 98 Second Edition 1394 Storage
Supplement item, then follow the instructions to download the
update patch. Remember to select the appropriate language
before start download.
10. The SR3500 is now ready to use. You can use disk
management to partition or format SR3500 like a single hard
disk.

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3-3Macintosh Operation
Once the SR3500 Hardware installation is complete, you can
start connect the device to your Macintosh.
1. Locate the built-in the 1394 and USB2.0 port for your Mac G4,
G3, iBook or iMac DV. Connect the 1394 cable to the 1394
port or connect the USB2.0 cable to the USB2.0 port.
2. Connect the other end of the 1394 cable to the 1394 port of
SR3500.
3. Attach the power cord to the SR3500.
4. Power on the SR3500.
5. Power on your Macintosh (if it is off.)
6. Install the 1394 or USB2.0 devicedriver for your device.
7. Install the 1394 or USB2.0HDD drive (Refer to Appendix A for
details)
8. Restart you Macintosh computer.
9. The SR3500 is now ready to use.
Notice:
If there are other 1394 devices connected to SR3500,you need
to keep SR3500 power on so the signal may pass through the
SR3500 to the other 1394 devices.

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3-4HDD Status on LCD
ŸDisk failed on the primary deck : Fail
Disk ready on the secondary deck: OK
ŸDisk ready on the primary deck : OK
Disk failed on the secondarydeck:Fail
ŸAll Disk failed on SR3500
ŸDisk ready on the primary deck :OK
Disk ready on the secondary deck :OK
Pri HDD：Fail
Sec HDD：OK
Pri HDD：OK
Sec HDD：Fail
Pri HDD：Fail
Sec HDD：Fail
Pri HDD：OK
Sec HDD：OK

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Wrong Capacity
PRI > SEC
Wrong Capacity
SEC > PRI
ŸPri.Disk capacity > Sec.Disk capacity, wrong massage as
SR3500 auto rebuild data from primary disk to secondary
disk at RAID 1.
ŸSec.Disk capacity >Pri.Disk capacity, wrong massage as
SR3500 auto rebuild data from secondary disk to primary
disk at RAID 1.
ŸDisk not present on the primary deck : off
Disk ready on the secondary deck: OK
Pri HDD：off
Sec HDD
：
OK