ICP RS Series, User Manual, Page: 17 / 193

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A. Introduction
This User’s Manual describes several ICP Controllers which are members of the following
ICP Controller Series:
GDT RS Series: 32 Bit / 33MHz PCI hardware RAID Disk Array Controllers with
1, 2 or 3 Ultra160 SCSI channels
GDT RZ Series: 32 Bit / 64 Bit / 66MHz PCI hardware RAID Disk Array Controllers
with up to 6 Ultra160 SCSI channels
In order to take full advantage of modern operating systems, high performance computer
systems are needed. When assessing the performance of a computer system, the aspects
speed and security of the mass-storage subsystem are gaining increasing importance. As a
result of the constantly growing acceptance of the RAID technology (Redundant Array of
Independent Disks) in these computer systems, and the identification of the RAID control-
ler as the essential part of a disk subsystem, a strong demand for suitable RAID controllers
has emerged during the past few years.
Since 1990, ICP vortex has been intensively engaged in the research and development of
RAID products for the highest performance and security requirements. Due to our products’
outstanding performance, our expertise and continuity in development, ICP Controllers are
accepted and known as top leading-edge products all over the world. ICP Controller prod-
ucts within the GDT RS and TZ Series are suitable for the most different platforms and ap-
plications. All ICP Controllers are
pure-bred hardware solutions .
All functionality required for the very complex tasks is hardware-implemented on the con-
troller. Thus, RAID is fully independent of the computer system (the host) and the operat-
ing system. Thanks to the wide operating system support and easy-to-use installation and
maintenance utilities, setting up and using high performance and fault-tolerant mass-
storage subsystems for almost every purpose is child’s play.
We would like to thank you for purchasing an ICP Controller.
ICP - Intelligent Computer Peripherals
®
A.1 Product Identification
In order to meet the various customer and system requirements, ICP vortex offers various
RS and RZ Series Disk Array Controllers for 32 Bit and 64 Bit PCI computer systems. The
main differences between the controllers are:
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PCI bus width of the ICP Controller: 32 Bit or 64 Bit
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Maximum PCI bus clock rate supported: 33MHz or 66MHz
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Number of Ultra160 SCSI channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
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Supported RAID levels: 0/1 or 0/1/4/5/10
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Clustering Support