WiebeTech ProSATA SS8 User manual

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ProSATA™
SS8
Quick Start Guide
Revised January 23, 2008
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Installation 2
Box contents 2
Identifying the parts of the ProSATA SS8 2
Installing hard drives 3
Using the configuration GUI 3
Creating RAIDs and volumes 4
Connecting to the SCSI host 5
Working with volumes over 2TB in size 5
Warnings and Notices 6
Frequently Asked Questions 7
Technical Specifications 8
Warranty Information 8
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing WiebeTech’s ProSATA™ SS8, a high-performance RAID subsystem
with the ultimate in data-protection capabilities! This Quick Start Guide covers the essentials for
getting your ProSATA up and running quickly. For more comprehensive technical
information, see the full user manual on the CD accompanying this product.

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Installation
Step 1: Unpack
Unpack and install the hardware in a static-free environment. The ProSATA SS8 is packed
inside an anti-static bag between two foam supports. Remove it and inspect it for damage. If the
unit appears damaged, or if any of the contents listed below are missing or damaged, please
contact your dealer or distributor immediately.
Checklist
The ProSATA SS8 kit should include the following items:
ProSATA SS8 unit
8 removable drive trays (inside the foam above the unit).
These will be pre-configured with drives if so ordered
Packet of keys and screws
SCSI terminator
RS232 cable
Power cord
User’s manual and warranty statement (on CD)
In addition to these things, you’ll also need a SCSI host card installed inside your computer, and
a SCSI cable to connect the ProSATA to the card. Note: The ProSATA SS8 uses an HD68 type
SCSI connector.
If you purchased the ProSATA SS8 in the full bundle configuration, the card and cable are
included.
Step 2: Identify the parts of the ProSATA SS8
Front View of ProSATA SS8: Back View of ProSATA SS8:
Power LED
Access LED
Power Input
Power Switch
RS
-
232 Port
SCSI to Host
Terminator
Ethernet Port
Voltage Switch

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Bottom View of ProSATA SS8: Removable drive trays:
If you purchased your ProSATA SS8 with pre-configured drives, you may skip ahead to the last
step: Connecting to the SCSI host.
Step 3: Install SATA drives
If you purchased the ProSATA SS8 without hard drives pre-installed, please follow the
instructions below to install your own drives.
1. Loosen the ProSATA’s front panel using the two built-screws, and then open it.
2. Remove a drive tray from the foam packaging. If the trays are already inside the
ProSATA unit, gently remove one tray at a time by pressing the release button and then
pulling the handle. You may need to unlock the trays first using the key provided.
3. Insert the drive into the tray with the connectors directed toward the open rear of the
tray.
4. Align the mounting holes of the drive with the tray.
5. Secure the drive to the tray with the included screws.
6. Slide the drive tray back into the empty slot of the ProSATA SS8. Make sure the handle
clicks into place.
7. Once it is seated firmly, you may lock the tray with the included key for added security.
8. Repeat these steps for each of the other drive trays.
9. After installing all the drive trays, close the ProSATA’s front panel and secure it using the
two built-in screws.
Step 4: Use a web browser to access the GUI
1. Connect the power cord to the ProSATA. Plug the other end into a grounded electrical
outlet. Do not turn on the power yet.
2. Connect the ProSATA unit to your network or directly to your computer using an ethernet
cable. If connecting to an ethernet hub, use a straight ethernet cable. If connecting
directly to your computer, use a crossover cable.
3. Turn on the ProSATA.
4. Place the ProSATA on its left side (looking at it from the front), so you can access the
LCD interface.
5. Check the LCD to see what IP address the ProSATA is using.
The remaining instructions for this step vary slightly depending on your ethernet setup.
Serial
Number
LCD Control
Module

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NOTE: If the total capacity of your volume exceeds
2TB, it is likely you will encounter problems using that
volume on most current operating systems. If that is the
case, you will most likely wish to divide the capacity into
two or more volumes of less than 2TB each. Please
see the section labeled, "Working with volumes > 2TB."
Connecting to a DHCP-enabled network
On DHCP networks, a new IP address is dynamically assigned to the ProSATA SS8 as soon as
the network detects it. Simply type this IP address into a web browser on your computer. This
will access the ProSATA’s GUI, which you will use to configure the unit.
Connecting to a static network or directly to a computer
1. Check your computer’s IP address. To do this in Windows, open Network Connections
in the Control Panel. Double click on your network and then click on the Support tab.
Your computer’s IP address will be displayed.
2. On the ProSATA’s LCD interface, press ENT and then scroll up or down to Change IP
Setting.
3. Press ENT and find Static.
4. Press ENT again and change the IP address to closely match what your computer is
using. For example, if your computer's IP address is 192.168.000.009 you could change
the ProSATA's IP to 192.168.000.007. Everything but the last set of three digits must be
the same! When changing the IP address you'll notice that a box flashes over the digit
to be changed. While the digit is selected, press up or down to change it. Press ENT to
move to the next digit. After the IP is set, press ENT all the way to the end and confirm
the settings change. To confirm, press up for yes and then press ENT again.
5. Type the ProSATA’s new IP address into a web browser on your computer. This will
access the ProSATA’s GUI, which you will use to configure the unit.
Not sure what type of network you have?
If the IP address displayed on the LCD starts with 169.254 or 192.168, this indicates that the
network is probably not DHCP-enabled. Use the instructions for a static network.
Step 5: Configure the RAID
You will use the built-in browser-based GUI to set up a RAID and create logical volumes on the
ProSATA. To launch the GUI, open a web browser on your computer and then type the
ProSATA’s IP address into the URL bar. (See previous step.)
The GUI’s main page should load, displaying a picture of the ProSATA with several options to
the right. When you click on any option, you will be prompted for a user name and password.
The user name is "admin" and the default password is "1234."
1. Click on Volume Group, then Volume Config.
2. Choose New. Select the RAID level you would like to use (usually RAID 5). If there is
an error saying "Disk is not enough" you'll need to go to Physical Disk, select all of the
disks you wish to include in the Volume group, and press the "Free Disk" button.
3. Click on Select PD. Select all the hard drives you wish to put into the new RAID set.
You’ll need to confirm your choice.
4. Now go to User Data Volume and
choose New. Select the capacity
you want for this UDV (User Data
Volume).

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NOTE: If you're using a card that would normally support
RAID functionality, you will need to disable any and all RAID
settings on the card for the ProSATA to be detected. If you
cannot disable the RAID settings, select JBOD mode.
5. The rest of the details can be left at the default setting. You’ll need to confirm several
times.
6. You should wind up back at the main UDV screen. Select the check box next to the UDV
you just created and then click Attach LUN.
7. Use the default settings on the next few screens. You’ll need to confirm several times.
8. The RAID will begin initializing. You'll need to wait for this process to finish. Depending
on the RAID type and size, this could take several hours.
Step 6: Connect the ProSATA to your SCSI host
1. Connect the power cord to the ProSATA. Plug the other end into a grounded electrical
outlet.
2. Connect the ProSATA unit to the SCSI host card in your computer.
3. Connect the SCSI terminator to the other SCSI port on the back of the ProSATA.
4. Turn on the ProSATA’s power.
Installation is now complete. If you did not purchase the ProSATA with preconfigured drives,
you will need to format the volume(s) before using them.
Working with Volumes over 2TB in size
Although the ProSATA SS8 can create volumes larger than 2TB, operating systems cannot
usually access such volumes. This is because most systems support only 32-bit LBA (Logical
Block Addressing).
Newer operating systems (Windows Server 2003, Vista, Mac OS 10.5.x) should be able to use
2TB+ volumes without difficulty. You will simply need to do one of the following two things while
creating the UDV (User Data Volume):
•Change the LBA to 64-bit
•Increase the block size to 4096
Neither option will work for Windows versions before Server 2003. You will need to make more
than one UDV, giving each a different LUN. To do this, simply change the capacity when
creating the UDV.
Although Mac OS 10.4.x supports only 32-bit LBA, increasing the block size to 4096 will allow
you to create a 2TB+ volume that is usable by the OS.
Versions of Linux vary, but using one of the above methods may allow you to create a 2TB+
volume that your distribution can use.

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Warnings and Notices
•Use only hard drives that are in perfect condition. Avoid using drives that have ever
developed bad sectors during previous usage. This could lead to possible device failure
or loss of data.
•The ProSATA SS8 supports SATA hard drives of various specifications and different
capacities. However, we recommend using drives of the same brand and type for
optimal performance. If drives of different capacities are used, the capacity of the
smallest drive will determine how much of each drive is used. The additional capacity on
the larger drives will not be used by the RAID.
•RAID level 0 will allow you to use the full combined capacity of the drives, and offers the
best data transfer speeds. However, RAID 0 offers no protection for the data. If one
drive fails in a RAID 0, the data on all of the drives is irretrievably lost. Before creating a
RAID, investigate the various RAID types and choose the one that is best for your needs.
•Before starting any type of hardware installation, please ensure that all power switches
have been turned off and all power cords have been disconnected to prevent personal
injury and damage to the hardware.
•To avoid overheating, ProSATA SS8 should be operated in a well-ventilated area and in
such a way that sufficient airflow is maintained across the controller chips.
•Static electricity can damage electronic components. To guard against such damage:
oWork in a static-free environment
oWear a grounded anti-static wrist strap
oStore uninstalled components in anti-static bags
oHandle PCBs by their edges and avoid touching chips and connectors.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I've connected my ProSATA SS8 and can see the drives using the Web-based GUI, but I can't
add the drives to a volume group. What's wrong?
A: Before drives can be added to a volume group they must be set to the status "Free Disk". To do this,
browse to the "Physical Disk" page under the "Volume Config" heading. From here select the drives you
would like to use and click "Free Disk". Once you've done that you should be able to configure the Free
Disks into any setup you like.
Q: My ProSATA does not mount when I turn it on.
A: Because the ProSATA utilizes an internal operating system, it's important to let it completely initialize
before mounting the drive to a computer. The ProSATA should take 2-3 minutes to initialize each time
you start it up. The unit will let you know this process is complete with a short, 3-toned beep code (high-
low-high). After the beep code sounds, you will need to restart your computer before the ProSATA will
mount. Your computer's OS should detect the SCSI device during boot up and your ProSATA should be
mounted and ready for use once you reach the desktop.
Q: Can I remove the sides for better access?
A: Some users of the ProSATA may want to remove the side panels of the unit to allow for better access
to internal components. However, doing this puts the unit at risk of overheating. Without the sides in place
the fans are unable to provide the proper air flow necessary to keep the drives cool. When the unit is fully
assembled, the fans are able to create a wind tunnel effect that constantly pushes fresh air through the
unit and over the drives, keeping them from overheating.
Q: What happens when the beep alarm goes off?
A: If the unit starts to emit a regular beeping alarm, this is probably caused by a problem with the fan.
Check the fan to make sure it is spinning. If so, make sure the wires connected to the fan are fully
connected and are not caught in the fan's blades.
Q: What type of cable connector plugs into the Ultra-320 SCSI port on the back of this product?
A: The Ultra-320 SCSI port on the ProSATA SS8 is of the HD68 (female) connector type. A SCSI cable
with a HD68 male connector will plug into the ProSATA.
Q: I set up my ProSATA with a volume larger than 2TB, but when I connect to the Mac to format,
Disk Utility shows the volume as exactly 2TB.
A: This problem has to do with the block size that the ProSATA's volume is using. This option is set
during the creation of a User Data Volume. The only way to change the block size is to delete the current
UDV and re-create a new one. Use block size 4096 for volumes larger than 2TB and your Mac should
have no trouble seeing the full capacity.
Q: Can I move my drives from one ProSATA SS8 to another?
A: Changing a set of trays/drives from one ProSATA to another is tricky. You must reattach the LUN
(Logical Unit Number) in the GUI after swapping the drives. LUN is the identifying number assigned to a
UDV (User Data Volume) that allows the host system to distinguish between different UDVs.

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Technical Specifications
Product Name/Code ProSATA (SS8)
Supported RAID Levels RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 3, 5, 6 & JBOD
Host Interface Ultra320 SCSI
Drive Compatibility SATA1 and SATA2 hard disk drives
RAID Processor Intel IOP80331 500MHz 64-bit RISC Processor
Memory 512MB DDR333 DIMM
RAID Management Web browser & SNMP
Remote Management Via Ethernet Port
OS Independent &
Transparent Yes
Security Separate key lock for each HDD
LED Indicators Drive failure indicator for each drive
Drive access indicators for each drive
Thermal Monitoring Built-in heat and fan sensor with mutable alarm
Cooling Fan 1 x 8cm Hot-Swappable fan
Power Supply (300W)
Input Range: 100 to 240 VAC. 10%
Voltage: +5V/25A +12V/10A 47-63Hz
Agency Approval: EMI/RFI, CE, FCC B, BSMI
Safety: UL, CUL, CB, TUV, CCC
Operating Temperature 10°C ~ 35°C (50°F ~ 95°F)
Non-operating Temperature 10°C ~ 50°C
Operating Humidity 5% to 95% noncondensing
Supported Operating
Systems
Windows 98, NT, 2000, Millennium, XP, 2003
Mac 9.1 and above, including OSX, OSX Server, XSERVE
Linux (all latest builds) which support SCSI.
Shipping Weight 32 pounds = 14.51kg (with drives)
Dimensions 12" x 6" x 17.5" (H x W x D)
Certification FCC, CE
Warranty
3-year limited warranty with advance replacement within first 90 days
after purchase. See warranty statement for details and limitations. 90
days of free phone support. For support by email, contact
[e-mail].
ProSATA is a trademark of WiebeTech LLC. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2006 WiebeTech LLC. All rights reserved.
FCC Compliance Statement: “This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.”
In the event that you experience Radio Frequency Interference, you should take the following steps to resolve the problem:
1) Ensure that your unit is plugged into a grounded electrical outlet, on a separate circuit from the affected equipment.
2) Use cables with RFI reducing ferrites on each end.
3) Use a power supply with an RFI reducing ferrite approximately 5 inches from the DC plug.
Tested to comply
with FCC standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE