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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

Summary of Contents for PCISATA2P4

Page 1: ...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 ...

Page 2: ...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 protect...

Page 3: ...nts 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 ...

Page 4: ...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 ...

Page 5: ...u 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 PCI...

Page 6: ...ta 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 install...

Page 7: ...ID 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...

Page 8: ...tion 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...

Page 9: ...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...

Page 10: ...cting 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 Speci...

Page 11: ...24RA1 36 inch Right Angle Serial ATA Cable 1 end SATA36RA1 24 inch RIght Angle Serial ATA Cable both ends SATARA24 36 inch Right Angle Serial ATA Cable both ends SATARA36 Mutant Mods 24 inch Blue EL Wire Illuminated Serial ATA Drive Connection Cable SATA24BLEL Mutant Mods 24 inch Blue UV Reactive Serial ATA Drive Connection Cable SATA24BLUV Mutant Mods 24 inch Green EL Wire Illuminated Serial ATA ...

Page 12: ...cts at our discretion The warranty covers parts and labor costs only StarTech com does not warrant its products from defects or damages arising from misuse abuse alteration or normal wear and tear Limitation of Liability In no event shall the liability of StarTech com Ltd and StarTech com USA LLP or their officers directors employees or agents for any damages whether direct or indirect special pun...

Page 13: ...Revised 5 May 2005 Rev A ...

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