Hardware Installation and User’s Guide
23
Hardware Specifications and Features
3.3.2
Support for Non-Hard-Disk-Drive SCSI Devices (Non-Direct-
Access Devices)
The RAID controller will pass through to the host operating system direct access to non-
direct-access SCSI devices which are connected to a SCSI bus (channel) of the RAID
controller. The RAID controller passes through all control of these devices to the host
operating system.
Types of supported non-Direct-Access SCSI devices (this does not cover specific vendors
and models):
•
SAF-TE Processors.
•
Tape Backups. Check with your vendor. Some manufacturers recommend that you do
not connect a tape backup drive directly to a RAID controller of any kind.
•
CD-ROMs.
3.4
Array Roaming Compatibility
Array Roaming allows the user the ability to move a complete RAID array from one
computer system to another computer system and preserve the RAID configuration
information and user data on that RAID array. Compatible RAID controllers must control
the RAID subsystems of the two computer systems . The hard disk drives are not required
to have the same SCSI ID in the target system that they did in the original system that they
are removed from.
Note:
For a migrated RAID array to be recognized by the new host operating system, the host
system may need to be rebooted.
Warning:
The GDT8514RZ and GDT8114RZ controllers are compatible with controllers of the
same product family if those controllers have the same or a higher firmware
version. Migration to other controller models of the same IO technology with the
same or higher firmware versions is also usually supported. However, downgrade
to older firmware versions may cause problems and is therefore NOT
recommended.
Note:
Compatibility refers only to how data and RAID configuration information are written to
the hard disks. Compatible controllers have the same data file format. Specialites
depening on the operating system must be discussed with the corresponding operating
system manufacturer.
Warning:
The used controller must support the RAID leves of the RAID arrays which should
be moved. For example, if you move a RAID 5 array from a GDT8514RZ, then the
new controller mus also support RAID5
