StarTech.com PCISATA4R1 User manual

Serial ATA RAID Controller
PCISATA4R1 Instruction Manual
Actual product may vary from photo
4 Port SATA 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
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do not represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an
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manual and related documents are the property of their respective holders.

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Installing the Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Accessing the RAID Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Create RAID set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Delete RAID set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Rebuild RAID1 set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Resolve Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Low Level Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Logical Drive info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Configuring an Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Deleting a RAID set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Rebuilding a RAID set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Resolving Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Low Level Formatting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Logical Drive information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Allocating Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
SataRaid GUI Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Devices and Information windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Smart configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Identify data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Event Viewer and Events Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
SATARaid Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Accessory Products from StarTech.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Instruction Manual
i

IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn
Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com Serial ATA RAID controller card. This product
allows you to safeguard your data using multiple SATA hard drives. With support for
RAID levels 0, 1, 0+1, 5 and JBOD features, 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 PCISATA4R1 as a typical four port SATA controller without using the
RAID function.
FFeeaattuurreess
• Offers up to four high-speed Serial ATA interface ports, each supporting 1st and 2nd
generation SATA data transfers up to 1.5Gbps/3Gbps
• Provides RAID 0 (Striping) to greatly increase the performance of data transfers by
simultaneously writing data to two drives
• Provides RAID 1 (Mirroring) to protect the data from a disk failure by writing identical
data on two drives
• Provides RAID 0+1 (Mirrored Striping) to provide both the performance
enhancements that come from striping and the data availability and integrity that
comes from mirroring
• Supports RAID 5 (Distributed Parity RAID) and JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks)
• Supports 133 MHz PCI-X with 64-bit data
• Supports four independent Serial ATA channels
• Supports SATA II First-party DMA commands for Native Command Queueing (NCQ)
• Hot-pluggable
• Includes drivers for Linux, Windows 2000, XP and 2003 Server
• 48 bits LBA offers support for HDD larger than 137GB
• Fully compliant with Serial ATA specifications
• Compliant with PCI specification, revision 2.2
• Four Pin header on board for LED connection
• Functions as a regular SATA controller when a RAID is not configured (optional)
Instruction Manual
1

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
• A PC with an available PCI or PCI-x slot (standard or low-profile)
• OS Support: Windows 98/98SE/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003 Server and Linux
Contents
This package should contain:
• 1 x PCISATA4R1 PCI SATA RAID controller card
• 1 x Low profile replacement bracket (used in small form factor case designs only)
• 1 x Regular size bracket
• 1 x Installation CD
• 1 x Instruction Manual
IMPORTANT NOTE:
1.Before installing PCISATA4R1, it is recommended that you consult the SATA RAID 5
manual, located on the included Drivers CD. This manual contains more information
on RAID architecture, features, installation and settings, as well as management
software for the RAID5 GUI (Graphical User Interface).
2.Following driver installation, the SATARAID5 GUI for RAID management can be
installed. Prior to installation, remove any existing SATARAID GUI (or Java SATA
RAID GUIs),to ensure that the software functions as intended.
3.RAID sets can be created and managed by either the BIOS utility setting, or the SATA
RAID 5 GUI setting in Windows.
4.The BIOS utility allows random RAID creation, however, the GUI only supports building
by sequential SATA Port 1, Port 2, Port 3
Instruction Manual
2

IInnssttaallllaattiioonn
This section will guide you through the installation of your PCI SATA RAID card. Please
read through the instructions carefully and complete each step in the order listed.
Please note: 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. Also, please ensure that the PCI SATA RAID card is
not contacting any of the surrounding motherboard components.
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 corresponding rear bracket. 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.
Installing the Drivers
Windows 98/98SE/ME
1. Windows will detect that new hardware has been installed and launch the Add New
Hardware Wizard. Click Next and choose the Search for the best driver for your
device (Recommended) option. Click Next. Ensure the installation CD is inserted.
2. On the next screen select only Specify a location. Choose Browse.
3. In the file selection box, double click folders under your CD-ROM in the following
order: SATA Raid_4Port >Sil3114 >Win98_me_2000_xp_nt4.0 >driver. Click
OK.
4. The file location box under Specify a location will now contain the path to the files.
Click Next.
5. The Wizard will inform you that “Windows is now ready to install the best driver for
this device...” Click Next. The Wizard will complete the installation. Click
Finish.
6. If the Add New Hardware Wizard appears again, repeat steps 1 through 5 above to
complete the installation.
Instruction Manual
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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 \SATAII 3Gbps_Raid_4Port\SiI3124\Win
XP_2000_2003_NT\Drivers folder on the installation CD for instructions on how to
configure the card for use in Windows NT 4.0.
Verifying Your Installation
Windows 98SE/ME
1. Go to Start >Settings >Control Panel.
2. Double click System.
3. Click the Hardware tab.
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.
Windows 2000/XP
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.
Instruction Manual
4

AAcccceessssiinnggtthheeRRAAIIDDUUttiilliittyy
The PCISATA4R1 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.
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 tasks 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. For more details and an explanation of the RAID
levels available with the card, please see page 7.
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 available prior to using this option.
Instruction Manual
5
Help Window
Logical Drive
Properties
Main Menu
Physical Drive
Properties

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.
Logical Drive Info: This displays information on 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. For further information,
please consult the SATARaid User's Manual located on the accompanying Drivers disk.
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 PCISATA4R1 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
Instruction Manual
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for each option/RAID level are as follows:
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
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. Please
note: 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
Instruction Manual
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