XtendLan XL-RAID-SATA User manual

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XL-RAID-SATA
Data Backup System
User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introduction ...........................................................1
1-1 Functions and Features.......................................................... 1
1-2 Product Specification ............................................................ 2
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation...........................................3
2-1 Contents in the product package ........................................... 3
2-2 System Requirement ............................................................. 4
2-3 Operation Requirement and Caution..................................... 4
2-4 Detail Description ................................................................. 5
2-5 Installing Hard Drive.............................................................6
2-5 Installing Hard Drive.............................................................7
2-6 Connecting XL-RAID-SATA to your computer ................. 10
Chapter 3 How to Operate XL-RAID-ATA........................13
3-1 Setting the Hard Drive Array Mode .................................... 13
3-2 Computer Set Up................................................................. 15
3-3 LCD Display Message After Turning the Machine On....... 15
Chapter 4 System Maintenance............................................17
4-1 Hot Swap & Auto Rebuilding ............................................. 17
4-2 Firmware Update................................................................. 19
Chapter 5 Installing RAIDGuide.........................................22
5.1 Software Introduction .......................................................... 22
5.2 Installing RAIDGuide.......................................................... 23
Appendix ATrouble Shooting Q&A
Appendix B Pin Definitions for each connection port
Appendix C LCD Display Symbol Definition Chart

Chapter 1 Introduction
1 -1 Functions and Features
The XtendLan disk array XL-RAID-SATA provides both RAID 1 and
RAID 0 functions with its independent disk array microprocessor chips.
It is considered as the best choice for storage expansion and instant
online backup.
 No hardware driver needed and applicable to all operating
systems
XL-RAID-SATA is equipped with the standard SATA
Type 1 and ATA133 connection interfaces. The XL-RAID-
SATA system not only possesses high transfer rate but also
does not require specific system drivers. Therefore, it can
be simply applied to any computer system without any
concerns about incompatibility.
 Supports both SATA and E_IDE hard drive
XL-RAID-SATA comes with removable hard drive
carrier that is compatible with these two types of enclosure
module. It can be applied to hard drives with E_IDE interface
or to the SATA hard drives.
 Hot Swappable Drive
Under the mirroring mode (RAID 1), when one hard drive is
damaged, XtendLan allows the system to switch hard drive
without pausing the system operations.
 Auto Data Rebuilding
Under the mirroring mode (RAID 1), XL-RAID-SATA will treat
one hard drive as the source hard drive and the other as the
target hard drive. Therefore, it does not require any specific
command or system interruption to rebuild the hard drive while
the computer system is still running.
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 Hard Drive Backup
Under the mirroring mode (RAID 1), XtendLan can serve as
hard drive backup. It can also be used as system backup or
off-line data backup to avoid any virus attack.
 LCD Display Screen
The LCD display screen will allow users to monitor and to
maintain the system operations.
 System Failure Buzzer
When system failure occurs, XtendLan will not only display the
damage status on the LCD display screen but will also generate
system alarm as well. The XtendLan system also utilizes
Windows version graphic user interface monitoring software
which will allow remote maintenance via internet. XtendLan
will notify system maintenance technicians once malfunction is
detected for immediate repair services.
 Aluminum Alloy Frame
The aluminum alloy frame gives strong and durable structure
and serves as the best heat sink.
1-2 Product Specification
Disk Array Hardware Include disk array chips with individual
microprocessor
Disk Array Type: RAID 0,1
Connection Interface: SATA Type1 and ATA133
Connection Transfer Rate: Up to 150 MB/ Up to 133 MB Hard drive
Interface: SATA Type 1 or ATA 133
Hot Swappable Drive: 2 x (1 inch IDE Hard Drive)
Cooling Fans: 5.2 cm ball bearing fan
Operating Temperature: 0 ～55°C
Power Input: 12V 4 A, 5V 4 A
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Dimension (MM): 146(width) x 238(length) x 85(height)
Weight: 4kg(Hard Drive excluded)
Aluminum Alloy Frame: Yes
LCD Display: Yes
Online Hot Swappable Drive: Yes
Auto Rebuild: Yes
System Driver Needed: No
Certificates: CE, FCC Certificate
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
2-1 Contents in the product package
The XL-RAID-SATA package contains:
Object Quantity
XL-RAID-SATA 1
RS232 Cable 1
Removable Carriers 2
User’s Guide 1
RAIDGuide CD 1
Attachment Pack 1
(includes 6#-32 screws x 8 pcs , Key for keylock x 2 )
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2-2 System Requirement
 Hardware Requirement
1. Computers or servers with SATA Type 1 or E_IDE interface.
2. Hard drive with SATA Type 1 or E_IDE interface.
3. The computer or server must run on the Windows system and
has RS232 port to install the RAIDGuide GUI software.
2-3 Operation Requirement and Caution
1. XL-RAID-SATA’s brilliant design allows the user to
simultaneously utilize two hard drives manufactured by
different companies. However, if the user expects better
efficiency, we strongly recommend the users to use hard
drives manufactured by the same manufacturers.
2. Please carefully select the mode of disk array (RAID 0 or RAID
1) prior to usage. Unless high transfer rate and large storage
capacity is needed, otherwise, please use the manufacturer’s
default mirror setting (RAID 1). Changing the disk array mode
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after the system setting is completed will result in complete loss
and damage to the stored data.
3. Since the system uses more stringent factors to determine the
disk corruption in the hard drive, please use noncorrupted hard
drive with minimum storage capacity of 20 GB.
4. Please set the first and second hard drive (IDE drives) in XL-
RAID-SATA
to MASTER or Single Drive mode. Otherwise, the system will
not be able to detect the hard drives.
5. The SATA and E_IDE interfaces can not be used simultaneously.
If the system detects the E_IDE interface, the system will prefer
to use the E_IDE interface.
6. The XL-RAID-SATA had undergone strict hard drive
compatibility test. The result shows that it is compatible with
most hard drives on the market such as Maxtor, Western
Digital, Seagate, Fujitsu, Hitachi, and etc. However, due to the
new types of hard drives appearing on the market, if your
hard drive is not compatible with the system, please contact
us at www.xtendlan.com or download the latest firmware
updates.
The XL-RAID-SATA is equipped with a 5.2 cm ball bearing
cooling fan that will provide effective cooling for the 7200 rpm hard
drive. We highly recommend using computer chassis with effective
cooling design to avoid disk array crashing due to ineffective
cooling.
2-4 Detail Description
Front View
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Rear View
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2-5 Installing Hard Drive
1. Insert key to the lock located at the right side of the tray handle.
Turn the key clockwise to open the tray handle.
2. Pull the handle of the removable hard drive carrier.
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3. Remove the removable hard drive carrier.
4. Connect the IDE cables on the removable hard drive carrier to
the pins on the hard drive.
5. Secure the hard drive on the removable hard drive carrier by
the screws provided in the accessory pack.
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6. Insert the removable hard drive carrier back to XL-RAID-SATA.
7. Lock the screen by turning the key counter clockwise.
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2-6 Connecting XL-RAID-SATA to your computer
•Set the Jumper at the back of XL-RAID-SATA
•Connect DC12V&4V power cables and SATA or ATA133
cables to XL-RAID-SATA.
•Secure RS232 set on the XL-RAID-SATA machine
•Connect XL-RAID-SATA to the motherboard COM 1 with
RS232 cables included in the accessory pack as shown in the
picture.
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Note
We do not recommend users to disassemble the machine without
proper instructions and authorization. The manufacture warranty will
not cover damage caused by unauthorized disassembling.
If exchange the parts of XL-RAID-SATA is absolutely necessary,
please refer to the diagram in the user’s guide.
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Chapter 3 How to Operate XL-RAID-SATA
3-1 Setting the Hard Drive Array Mode
XL-RAID-SATA can be set on either the mirror (RAID 1) or striping
(RAID 0) mode. Once the hard drive array mode is selected, it
can not be changed because any changes made afterwards will
damage the data stored in the hard drive. Therefore, prior to
selecting the hard drive array mode, please ensure the function
desired for the XL-RAID-SATA – whether it is used to protect
the data or as a hard drive with bigger storage capacity.
There is a switch on the back of the XL-RAID-SATA to allow the
user to switch the disk array mode. The default mode is set on the
mirror mode (RAID 1). The user can switch to the striping mode
(RAID 0) by simply switching the Jumper.
Default Setting
● RAID Setting Mirror Mode (RAID 1)
● E_IDE Maste
r
/Slave Master D
r
ive
● Alar
m
Buzz On
Setting Mirror Mode (RAID 1)
● Installing two brand new hard drives
1. Place the two new hard drives into XL-RAID-SATA at
the same time.
2. Use the disk monitoring software in the operating
system to partition and format the hard drive after
turning the machine on. At this point, XL-RAID-
SATA will be treated as a single hard drive. If
hard drives with different storage capacity are
installed, XL-RAID-SATA will automatically detect
the storage capacity of each hard drive and treat the
hard drive with larger storage capacity as the same
capacity of the hard drive with smaller storage
capacity.
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3. Install RAIDGuide (Windows User)
● Installing a brand new hard drive and a hard drive with
existing data
We highly recommend using the same brand of hard drives with
the same or larger storage capacity when installing hard drives to
XL-RAID-SATA. The user can use the auto rebuilding
function to automatically format the new drive and subsequently
to back up the data into the new hard drive.
1. Place the hard drive with existing data into slot 1 or 2 in the
XL-RAID-SATA.
2. Since one of the slots is empty, the buzzer will alarm user
about the empty slot when the computer is turned on. To shut
off the buzzer alarm, just push the bottom located in the front
display screen.
3. After turning on the operation system, please check whether
the current XL-RAID-SATA setting is the same prior to
hard drive installation. Then place the new hard drive in the
removable hard drive carrier into another slot. Note: the storage
capacity of the newly installed hard drive must be larger than
or equal to the old hard drive.
4. The XL-RAID-SATA will start the auto rebuilding
function shortly after (please refer to chapter 4 for the
auto rebuilding function). The LCD screen will display the
backup progress.
5. Please press the Buzzer bottom after auto rebuilding to reset
the buzzer alarm and to return the system back to normal
operation.
Setting Synchronous Data Saving Mode (RAID 0)
Under the synchronous data saving mode (RAID 0), we suggest
to use two identical hard drives. Once the hard drives are
installed, the original files in the hard drives will be removed.
● The storage capacity of XL-RAID-SATA is the sum of
the two hard drives installed in the system.
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Under the synchronous data saving mode (RAID 0), the
data can not be protected. If one of the installed hard drives
fails, the data will be completely damaged.
● Synchronous data saving mode (RAID 0) can not be used
simultaneously with the mirror saving mode (RAID 1). This
means that user can only choose one of these two modes
before the operation.
● Do not turn off power if synchronous data saving mode
(RAID 0) is selected. Otherwise, the data will be lost and
damaged.
3-2 Computer Set Up
When the hardware setup for XL-RAID-SATA is complete, you are
now ready
to turn the machine on.
After the hardware installation is complete, the XL-RAID-SATA
will be
treated as one single hard drive. Set the hard drive setup to
AUTO in the computer’s BIOS. When the computer is turned on,
the system will retrieve the following information:
At this point, the installation process is completely finished. The
user can freely retrieve and save data to XL-RAID-SATA
just like retrieving and saving data to a regular hard drive. If
the user
experiences any abnormality during the operation, please refer to
the trouble shooting Q&A section in Appendix A.
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3-3 LCD Display Message After Turning the Machine
On
● Left Hard Drive (Primary Hard Drive) Fail
Right Hard Drive (Secondary Hard Drive) Normal
Pri HDD : Fail
Sec HDD : OK
● Primary hard drive storage capacity larger than secondary
hard drive
Wrong Capacity
PRI>SEC
● Secondary hard drive storage capacity larger than primary
hard drive
Wrong Capacity
SEC>PRI
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Chapter 4 System Maintenance
4-1 Hot Swap & Auto Rebuilding
The hard drive Hot Swap and Auto Rebuilding functions are available
only under the mirror mode (RAID 1). Synchronous data storage
mode (RAID 0) does not support such functions.
The Hot Swap & Auto Rebuilding functions are applicable in：
Off-line Back up
When the data is stored within XL-RAID-SATA, the user can remove
one of the hard drives from XL-RAID-SATA as back up drive for data
such as system operation file, secured files, seldom modified files or
image and music files. The user can periodically insert the hard drive
back into XL-RAID-SATA to execute automatic backup to protect the
system from being hit by computer virus or to avoid risk of having
both hard drives failing at the same time.
During Hard drive Failure
When one of the two hard drives fails in the XL-RAID-SATA
system, the system will alarm the hard drive failure message both in
the LCD display screen and in the monitoring software. The user
can remove the failed hard drive from the system while the system
is still in operation without shutting down the machine. If the failed
hard drive is replaced shortly, the system will automatically execute
the Auto Rebuilding function without affecting the system
operation and without any operation command from the user.
The LCD Display Message During Hot Swap and Auto
Rebuilding
When the XL-RAID-SATA detects a hard drive missing or a hard drive
failure, the Buzzer will go off and the LCD display screen will display
the following messages:
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Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD : Fail
Pri HDD : Fail
Sec HDD : OKl
1. After removing the failed hard drive and replacing with a new
hard drive, if the hard drive is properly installed, the LCD
display screen will display the following messages:
Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD : OK
2. After few seconds of installing the new hard drive, the LCD
display screen will display the data rebuilding progress:
Rebuilding …
Pri->Sec XXX%
Rebuilding …
Sec->Pri XXX%
Pri->Sec represents that the data in the original hard drive (primary hard
drive) is copied to the new hard drive (secondary hard drive). XXX %
represents the rebuilding completion percentage.
3. When the rebuilding is fully completed, the LCD display screen
will again display the following messages:
Pri HDD : OK
Sec HDD : OK
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