Promise Technology 66 Pro User Manual
Page 38
SuperTrak66™ User's Manual
Chapter 3
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Creating a RAID 5 Array
Use the information in Chapter 6 to help determine the selection of a RAID 5 array.
In the Definition Menu section, use the [Space] key to cycle through array types
and select "RAID 5" for RAID Mode. You must configure such an array using a
minimum of three drives because of parity data generation.
You will be joining either two (if 3 drives are assigned) or three (if 4 drives are
assigned) of the drives together and splitting (or striping) data written among them.
Each member of such an array will no longer be readable as an independent drive if
removed from the array. The capacity of the array will equal the capacity of the
smallest drive multiplied by one less than the total number of drives assigned to the
array.
NOTE: If you choose to use just three drives, an unassigned fourth drive can be
your "hot spare” drive in case of drive failure (see p. 28).
Changing Stripe Block Size for RAID 5 Array
For RAID 5 arrays, SuperTrak66 will allow you to change the stripe block
size. The default is 64K. However, certain application environments may
perform optimally with different values (see drive manufacturer for additional
information on block sizes). To change the block size, use the arrow keys
to highlight the field and the spacebar to cycle through the available size
selections.
NOTE: you can not change the block size AFTER the array has been
created.
Assigning Drives to a RAID 5 Array
Under the [ Drive Assignments ] section, highlight a drive, and, with the
[Space] bar, change the Assignable option to “Y” to add the drive to the
disk array. Press
Define Array Menu screen will appear after you have pressed [Ctrl-Y]. You
will see the array defined. You may ESC to exit and return to the Main
Menu of SuperBuild.
Creating a Spanning Array
In the [Define Array] section, use the [Space] key to cycle through array types and
select "JBOD" for RAID Level. You will be joining the drives you assign to this array
together as a single "virtual" drive grouping. Data will be stored to the first drive until
it is physically full. SuperTrak66 then will save data on to the next drive in
sequence. Each member of an array will no longer be readable as an independent
drive if removed from the array. The capacity of the Spanning array will equal the
total capacity of all drives assigned.