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3ware Serial ATA RAID Controller User Guide
2
Getting Started with Your
3ware RAID Controller
Setting up your 3ware RAID controller involves these main steps:
•
Physically Install the Controller and Drives
•
Configure the RAID Unit
•
Install the Driver and Make the Operating System Aware of the New
Drives
•
Set Up Management and Maintenance Features
Once the controller and drives have been physically installed, the order in
which you perform these steps depends in part on whether one of the units
you configure will act as your boot drive.
Tip:
When you are first setting up your system, you may want to review
“System Requirements” on page 2.
Physically Install the Controller and Drives
To install your controller and drives, follow the instructions in the installation
guide that came with your 3ware controller. If you do not have a hardcopy of
the installation manual, it is available in the 3ware Documentation folder on
your 3ware CD, and you can download it from the 3ware website at
http://
www.3ware.com/support/userdocs.asp.
Configure the RAID Unit
Before configuring a RAID unit, you may want to review the information
under “Understanding RAID Concepts and Levels” on page 3. This
information will help you choose the appropriate RAID level for your
situation. Then turn to “Configuring a New Unit” on page 96.
If you want to install the operating system on and boot from a drive managed
through the new 3ware RAID controller, use the 3ware BIOS Manager (3BM)
to define the configuration. You will find step-by-step instructions for initial
installation in. Chapter 3, “First-Time RAID Configuration Using 3BM.”
Additional information about configuration is also included in the later
chapters of this user guide.
