20
Important Software Notices
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You must complete the Windows NT Server installation before using the system.
Intergraph Computer Systems installs the MegaRAID BIOS configuration and Power
Console utilities on your system before shipment. Power Console provides valuable
information about the InterRAID-8e disk array, and can help you pinpoint any problems
that may occur in disk array operation. Power Console installation is described in
Appendix B of this guide, and in the hardware documentation delivered with your
server.
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Intergraph Computer Systems recommends that you add a shortcut to Power Console to
the Windows NT Startup menu (Start/Programs/Startup). See Windows NT Help for
information on adding a shortcut to a menu on the Start menu.
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The MegaRAID controller board has two types of write caching: write-through and
write-back. Write-through caching reduces the risk of data loss in the event of a power
failure. Write-back caching improves performance, but the drawback is potential data
loss if power fails. Intergraph Computer Systems recommends connection to a UPS to
guard against data loss.
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Intergraph Computer Systems typically configures the MegaRAID controller board to
RAID level 5. MegaRAID controllers support RAID levels 0, 1, 3, 5, 10 (0+1), 30, and
50.
To power on and configure the system:
1. Power on the InterRAID-8e cabinet and wait for the audible beep. After the power-on
self-test completes, the Drive Status and Channel Mode LEDs remain green.
NOTE
The Power Status LED remains amber and the LCD screen displays Non-Redundant Power
when only one power supply is present, or if more than four drives are used with two power
supplies.
2. Power on the system base unit and the monitor.
3. Configure the MegaRAID controllers installed in the system. The System Setup
contains basic information to configure the disk array appropriate for the system. See
Chapter 5, “Using the MegaRAID BIOS Configuration Utility” in this document for
details about specific procedures.
CAUTION
After you configure the RAID disk drives, it is important that you backup the configuration to a
diskette. The diskette will be helpful in the event the configuration should become lost. See
the “Saving and Restoring a Configuration” section in Chapter 5.”
Use Disk Administrator in Windows NT to partition and format the disk space not used by
the operating system. When prompted to create a Signature File, select Yes. See the
Windows NT Server System Guide for information on using Disk Administrator.