StarTech.com PCISATA2P4 User manual

Serial ATA II RAID Controller
PCISATA2P4 Instruction Manual
Actual product may vary from photo
4 Port SATA II RAID Controller with RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 0+1 Support

FCC Compliance 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
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does 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:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other
Protected Names and Symbols
This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other
protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to
StarTech.com Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and
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manual and related documents are the property of their respective holders.

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installing the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Accessing the RAID Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Configuring an Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Installing the Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Verifying Your Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Accessory Products from StarTech.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Instruction Manual
i

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com Serial ATA II RAID controller card. This
product allows you to safeguard your data using multiple SATA or SATA II hard drives.
With support for RAID levels 0, 1, and 0+1, you can enjoy a great deal of flexibility to
configure a solution that meets your needs and your budget. If you are looking to add
the speed of SATA devices to your computer but aren’t ready to implement your array
yet, you can use the PCISATA2P4 as a typical four port SATA II controller without using
the RAID function.
Features
•Supports SATA II data transfer rates of up to 300 MBytes/sec., and is backwards-
compatible with first generation SATA drives at a data transfer rate of 150
MBytes/sec.
•Offers the ability to implement RAID levels 0, 1, and 0+1
•You can install a “spare” drive (RAID 1+S) alongside a mirrored array (RAID 1) that
will allow the system to function seamlessly, even if the boot drive fails
•Functions as a regular SATA controller when a RAID is not configured
Before You Begin
WARNING! PCI cards, like all computer equipment, can be severely damaged by static
electricity. Be sure that you are properly grounded before opening your computer case or
touching your PCI card. StarTech.com recommends that you wear an anti-static strap
when installing any computer component. If an anti-static strap is unavailable, discharge
yourself of any static electricity build-up by touching a large grounded metal surface
(such as the computer case) for several seconds. Also be careful to handle the PCI card
by its edges and not the gold connectors.
System Requirements
•An IBM-compatible computer with an available PCI or PCI-X slot (standard or low-
profile)
•OS Support: Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003 Server
Contents
This package should contain:
•1x PCI SATA II RAID controller card
•1x Low profile replacement bracket (used in small form factor case designs only)
•1x Installation CD
•1x Instruction Manual
Instruction Manual
1

Installation
This section will guide you through the installation of your RAID card. Please read
through the instructions carefully and complete each step in the order listed. If you are
installing the card in a low profile slot, remove the standard size bracket and
replace it with the included low profile replacement bracket before completing
these instructions.
Installing the Card
1. Make sure that your system is unplugged and you are grounded.
2. Remove the cover of your system (see your computer’s user manual for details, if
necessary) and gently turn your computer onto its side.
3. Locate an empty PCI or PCI-X slot (usually white in color) and remove the metal plate
that covers the rear bracket. (PCI-X slots are slightly longer than a standard PCI
slot.) You may need a Phillips screwdriver to perform this step. Retain this screw!
You will need it to secure the card later.
4. Gently insert the PCI card into the empty slot, making sure it is firmly seated.
5. Secure the card in place using the screw you removed in Step 3.
6. Install your SATA drive(s) according to their installation instructions.
7. Put the computer case back on.
Accessing the RAID Utility
The PCISATA2P4 comes with an integrated BIOS-level configuration utility that allows
you to configure the RAID setup, rebuild your array in the event of failure, and resolve
conflicts with the arrays you have setup. Once you have installed the card according to
the instructions and attached the SATA drives you wish to use with the card, you can
then configure the type of array you would like to use. If you are using the the card as
a SATA controller without a RAID, proceed directly to the “Installing the Drivers”
section on page 5 now.
Instruction Manual
2
PCI
Slots

To enter the configuration utility, press and hold [CTRL] and [S] at the same time (or
press [F4]) when you see the following prompt:
NOTE: At least one SATA drive must be installed for you to access the RAID utility.
Once you access the utility, you will be presented with the following menu:
The Main Menu option allows you to carry out various tasking related to configuring and
maintaining your RAID. You can navigate the menu using the arrow keys on the
keyboard and select an item by pressing [Enter]. The Main Menu options are described
below:
Create RAID set: Create a RAID for the first time, or change the configuration of an
array after deleting a previous setup. See below for more details and an explanation of
the RAID levels available with the card.
Delete RAID set: Delete an existing RAID. Depending on your configuration, this may
cause data loss or cause the computer to become unbootable. It is highly recommended
that you have a complete, good backup prior to using this option.
Rebuild Raid1 set: If a drive has failed in a RAID1 configuration (mirroring), this option
allows you to synchronize the data between the new replacement drive and the
remaining good hard drive that contains a copy of the data.
Resolve Conflicts: If you have installed a drive that was previously used in another
array, this option will resolve any metadata conflicts that could cause your array not to
function or produce erratic behavior.
Low Level Format: This feature completely overwrites the data on the selected drive(s)
with zeros; this is essentially a comprehensive deletion tool. This will destroy all data on
the drive, including partition information. Ensure you have a complete, good backup
before using this option.
Instruction Manual
3
Physical Drives
connected to the
card
Configuration
Options
How the RAID will
appear to the
computer
Adescription of
the selected option
Navigation
Commands

Logical Drive Info: This displays information how the logical drive will appear to the
computer and the operating system. In all RAID configurations, the drives in your array
will appear to be a single physical drive. If you wish, you can partition the logical drive
space into multiple partitions using your operating system.
IMPORTANT: If you want your computer to boot from your RAID, you must configure
your computer’s BIOS to use the drives connected to the PCISATA2P4 in your boot
sequence. Depending on the options available, you must set your boot sequence to
include RAID or SCSI to use the RAID as the boot drive, particularly if you have ATA
hard drives connected to the motherboard’s IDE controller. Depending on the
configuration of the computer, you may not need to make any changes to the BIOS if you
do not have any ATA hard drives installed on the onboard IDE controller. Consult your
computer or motherboard documentation for more details on including the RAID card in
your boot sequence.
Configuring an Array
When you choose Create a RAID set from the Main Menu of the RAID utility, you will be
presented with the following menu:
The requirements for each option/RAID level are described here:
RAID0: Also called “disk striping,” where multiple physical drives are merged to create a
single logical volume.
Minimum number of drives: 2
Maximum number of drives: 4
Fault tolerance: None
Performance: Excellent; improves both read and write performance
Other considerations: None
RAID1: Also called “drive mirroring,” where a drive has an exact duplicate copy of data
maintained on another disk.
Minimum number of drives: 2 (per array)
Maximum number of drives: 2 (per array)
Fault tolerance: Excellent; complete redundancy
Performance: Good; some reduction in write performance
Other considerations: 50% reduction in useable space as the drive containing
the mirror is not available to the user; drives must be identical
RAID10: Also called RAID 0+1, this is a combination of disk striping (RAID 0) and
mirroring (RAID 1). Two disks are striped together in a single volume, with a mirrored
striped set for redundancy.
Minimum number of drives: 4
Instruction Manual
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Maximum number of drives: 4
Fault tolerance: Excellent; complete redundancy
Performance: Good; some reduction in write performance
Other considerations: 50% reduction in useable space as the drives containing
the mirror is not available to the user; drives must be identical
SPARE DRIVE: This is used in conjunction with RAID 1 (mirroring) and allows the
computer to keep running in the event of a drive failure without user intervention, even if
it is the boot drive that has failed. Also referred to as RAID 1+S.
Minimum number of drives: 1 (requires an associated RAID 1 array)
Maximum number of drives: 1 (requires an associated RAID 1 array)
Fault tolerance: Adds seamless disaster recovery to a RAID 1 configuration
Performance: Not applicable
Other considerations: Drive is not available to the user; drive must be identical
to the models used in the associated RAID 1 array
After you select which RAID level you wish to use, you will have to select drives to
include in the array. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the configuration. If you
wish to use the RAID 1+S (“spare drive”) option, you must configure a RAID 1 array first.
Deciding which RAID solution to implement has some important implications for the
performance of your system and the safety of your data. This is intended as a guide
only, so you should investigate the wealth of information available on the Internet or
consult with a computer system professional for further assistance in deciding which
solution will best meet your needs.
Installing the Drivers
Windows 2000/XP
1. Windows will launch the Add New Hardware Wizard. Click Next.
2. Choose the Search for a suitable driver... option and click Next.
3. Check only the CD-ROM drives option. Ensure the installation CD is inserted in
the CD-ROM or other optical drive. Click Next..
4. Windows will display a message stating that “Windows has found a driver for this
device”. Click Next. Choose Yes or Continue Anyway if you are warned that the
driver file has not been digitally signed.
5. WIndows will display a message that states “Windows has finished installing software
for this device”. Click Finish.
6. Windows will continue to detect and install any remaining new devices. If the Add
New Hardware Wizard is launched again, repeat steps 1 through 5 from above.
Windows NT 4.0
Consult the readme.txt file in the
\SATAII3Gbps_ Raid_4Port\Sil3124\WinXP_2000_2003_NT\drivers folder on the
installation CD for instructions on how to configure the card for use in Windows NT 4.0.
Instruction Manual
5

Verifying Your Installation
Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server
1. Go to Start >Settings >Control Panel.
2. Double click System.
3. Click the Hardware tab and choose Device Manager.
4. If the card does not appear with a red xor yellow exclamation point (!) next to it,
Windows has not detected a problem with the installation and the card should
function normally.
Glossary
array
Two or more disk drives working in tandem as a single device. Sometimes used as a
synonym for RAID (see below).
BIOS
Abbreviation for Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is the device that manages the
devices that are installed in the computer and can be used to control the computer’s
configuration, including startup options and any integrated peripherals.
logical drive
When a RAID is created, it collects information about the drives actually connected to the
controller and reports them as a single drive to the computer: the result of this process is
the logical drive. The size of the logical drive compared to the total capacity of the disks
actually installed (the “physical” drives) may vary considerably based on the RAID level
implemented for the solution. Note that this is not the same as a “logical drive” in the
sense of an operating system (software-based) partitioning of a hard drive, since this
translation is handled on a hardware level and is transparent to the end user. Since a
RAID appears to the computer and the operating system as a single drive, it can be
formatted and partitioned as though it were a single disk.
metadata
Literally interpreted to mean “data about data.” Since RAID configurations present the
hard disks contained within them (array) to the computer as a single drive, the records of
how the array is bound together between the drives (where the data is stored, the order
of the drives in the array, and the information needed to rebuild a failed drive) are all
considered metadata.
mirroring; mirrored set [of disks]
Aprocess where one drive automatically keeps an exact copy of another disk (RAID 1).
physical drive
Adrive that is physically installed in the computer and connected to the RAID controller.
RAID
Abbreviation for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. This technology allows users to
Instruction Manual
6

pool their hard drives in order to improve speed, fault tolerance, or both. RAID is
available in several different versions, commonly referred to as “levels.” The phrase
“level” suggests that there is a hierarchy between levels, which is not strictly the case.
The many implementations of RAID each have their own advantages, disadvantages,
and technical requirements. RAID can be implemented through software or hardware.
Hardware solutions are generally preferred for a higher degree of performance and
reliability.
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA or SATA)
Serial ATA is a relatively new method of connecting hard drives and other devices to a
computer (particularly hard drives), and is designed to replace the older IDE standard
(sometimes referred to as ATA or PATA, for Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment).
striping; striped set [of disks]
Striping is a process where two or more disks are combined and presented to the
computer as a single device (a “logical” drive): this is the process used in RAID 0.
Specifications
Instruction Manual
7
Form Factor/Interface PCI (32-bit, 33/66 MHz) or PCI-X (64-bit, 133 MHz)
Full-sized or low profile slot
Maximum Data Transfer Rate 300 MBytes/sec. (SATA II)
SATA Ports: 4 x 7-pin male (internal)
RAID Levels Supported 0, 1, 0+1, 1+S, also configurable as a typical SATA controller
OS Support Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003 Server
Regulatory and Other Certifications FCC Class B, CE, UL, Microsoft WHQL