Raid Controller Via Vt6421

Notebook
VIA VT6421
RAID Host Controller
User Guide
English
Are there ...
... any technical problems or other questions which you would like to be clarified?
Please contact:
your sales partner
your sales outlet

The latest information on our products, tips, updates, etc., can be found on the internet under:
http://www.fujitsu-siemens.com
This manual was produced by

cognitas. Gesellschaft fr Technik-Dokumentation mbH www.cognitas.de
Published by
Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH
AG 0405
Edition 2
04/05
VIA VT6421
RAID Host Controller
User Guide
April 2005 edition
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 1
RAID basics.......................................................................................................................................... 1
RAID 0 (Striping) .......................................................................................................................... 1
RAID 1 (Mirroring) ........................................................................................................................ 1
SPAN (JBOD)............................................................................................................................... 2
Key features ......................................................................................................................................... 2
BIOS Setup Utility............................................................................................................................... 3
Calling BIOS Setup Utility..................................................................................................................... 3
Creating Disk array............................................................................................................................... 4
Creating RAID 1 ........................................................................................................................... 6
Creating RAID 0 ........................................................................................................................... 6
Creating SPAN (JBOD) ................................................................................................................ 7
Deleting disk array................................................................................................................................ 8
Selecting disk array for booting ............................................................................................................ 9
Viewing hard disk serial number........................................................................................................... 9
Viewing disk array status.................................................................................................................... 10
Duplicating critical RAID 1 .................................................................................................................. 11
Rebuilding broken RAID 1 .................................................................................................................. 12
RAID software (under Windows)..................................................................................................... 13
Getting Started ................................................................................................................................... 13
Overview of buttons.................................................................................................................... 14
Viewing online help............................................................................................................................. 15
Viewing controller and hard disk status .............................................................................................. 16
Creating Disk array............................................................................................................................. 17
Creating RAID 1 ......................................................................................................................... 20
Creating RAID 0 ......................................................................................................................... 21
Creating SPAN (JBOD) .............................................................................................................. 21
Deleting disk array.............................................................................................................................. 22
Checking all hard disks....................................................................................................................... 24
Viewing Event Log file ........................................................................................................................ 25
Synchronising secondary hard disk (mirror hard disk) ....................................................................... 27
Detecting hard disk errors .................................................................................................................. 28
Duplicating critical RAID 1 .................................................................................................................. 29
Rebuilding broken RAID 1 .................................................................................................................. 30
Symbol overview ................................................................................................................................ 34
edition 2
Introduction
Introduction
This chapter gives a brief introduction on the RAID-related background knowledge and a brief
introduction on AMILO Mx438 RAID host controller.
The RAID settings can be made either via the BIOS Setup Utility or via the RAID software (under
Windows). As the RAID software under Windows is more convenient to operate, you should give it
preference.
RAID basics
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of combining two or more hard disk
drives into one logical unit. A so-called disk array can be used advantageously to improve the
performance or error tolerance (data protection). Fault tolerance is achieved through data redundant
operation where if one drives fails, a mirrored copy of the data can be found on another drive. This
can avoid that operating system works failed or data lost. The individual disk drives in a disk array
are called "members". Configuration information of a member is recorded in the reserved sector of
the hard disk. With this information the hard disk can be identified as a member. The operating
system detects all hard disks in a disk array as a single physical hard disk.
There are usually a few methods which hard disk drives can be combined together. The different
methods referred as different RAID levels. Different RAID levels represent different performance
level, security level and implementation cost. The RAID levels which VIA VT6410 IDE RAID Host
Controller supported are RAID 0, RAID 1 und SPAN (JBOD). Here is a brief table of these RAID
levels.
RAID level
Number of hard disk

drives
Capacity
Benefits
RAID 0 (Striping)
Number drives x
smallest size
Highest performance
without data protection
RAID 1 (Mirroring)
Smallest size
Data protection
SPAN (JBOD)
2 to 4
Sum of all hard disks
No performance
advantages, no data
protection
RAID 0 (Striping)
Reads and writes sectors of data interleaved between multiple drives.
When any disk fails, it affects the entire disk array. The disk array data capacity is equal to the
number of hard disks times the smallest hard disk capacity. The striping block size can be set 4 KB
to 64 KB. RAID 0 does not support fault tolerance. RAID 0 does not support fault tolerance.
RAID 1 (Mirroring)
Writing of duplicate data to a hard disk pair and parallel reading mode.
If one of the mirrored hard disks fails or no longer reacts due to a mechanical fault, the remaining
hard disk assumes the function. Due to this redundancy, the data capacity of the disk array is
equivalent to the capacity of the smallest hard disk.
edition 2
Introduction
SPAN (JBOD)
With SPAN disk array, the data capacity is equivalent to the sum of all hard disks used of different
sizes. "Spanning" means storage of the data on a hard disk until it is full, and additional storage on
the next hard disk in the disk array. When any disk fails, it affects the entire disk array. JBOD actually
does not belong to RAID and does not support any error tolerance.
Key features
For the VIA RAID solution, two SATA hard disks with a VT6421 chip are used as RAID controllers.
You can easily configure and manage disks and disk arrays with the Windows-based RAID software.
Below are the key features and benefits of VIA IDE RAID:
Supports SATA generation 1
Supports hard disks larger than 137 GB (48-bits LBA)
Supports Ultra DMA mode 6/5/4/3/2/1/0, DMA mode 2/1/0, and PIO mode 4/3/2/1/0
Supports PCI "Plug and Play" PCI interrupt sharing and coexists with mainboard IDE controller
Supports IDE bus master operation
Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and SPAN (JBOD)
Supports 4 KB to 64 KB striping block size
Supports bootable hard disk or disk array
Windows-based RAID configure and management software tool (compatible with BIOS)
Real-time monitoring of device status and error alarm with popup window and beeping
Supports hot-swap failed disk drive in RAID 1 disk array
Supports mirroring automatic background rebuilds
Supports ATA SMART function
Supports Microsoft Windows XP operating systems
Event Log file for easy troubleshooting
Online help for easy operation for RAID software
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
BIOS Setup Utility

Calling BIOS Setup Utility
When the following information appears on screen after the device is switched on, press Tab key to
enter BIOS Setup Utility.
The main menu of the BIOS Setup Utility is as below:
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
Creating Disk array

1.
You can operate the main menu with the arrow keys and . Select Create Array with the
arrow keys and press the Enter key.
2.
Select Array Mode and press the Enter key. A list of the different modes appears. Select the
disk array mode that you want to create, and press Enter key.
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
3.
After selected disk array mode, there are two methods to create a disk array. With Auto Setup
the BIOS automatically selects the hard disks and creates a disk array. However, the mirror
hard disk is not automatically duplicated.
With Select Disk Drives you can select the hard disk to be used for the disk array yourself. Select
Select Disk Drives with the arrow keys and press the Enter key. Select the desired hard disks
and press the Enter key. Following selection of all hard disks, press the Esc key to exit this
menu.
4.
If you have selected a RAID 0 in step 2, you can also specify a block size for the disk array.
Select Block Size with the arrow keys and press the Enter key. Select a block size from the list.
The block size can be specified between 4 K to 64 K (bytes).
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
5.
Select Start Create Process with the arrow keys and press the Enter key. A warning message
appears. Press the Y key to carry out the process, or N to cancel the process.
If you have stored data on the hard disk, they will be deleted when the disk array is
created.
Creating RAID 1
If you use Auto Setup to create a RAID, all data on both hard disks will be deleted.
If you use Select Disk Drives to select the hard disks, you can retain the data on the primary hard disk
(source hard disk).
To create a RAID 1, proceed as described under "Creating Disk array".
Press Y to copy data from the primary hard disk (source hard disk) to the secondary hard disk
(mirror hard disk). The use of this function is limited. The capacity of the secondary hard disk must
be greater than or equal to that of the primary hard disk, as otherwise RAID 1 cannot be created and
an error message will be displayed:
Error: mirrors size is smaller than source!!! Press ESC return.
If you want to duplicate data, then the data on the primary and the secondary hard disk will be
deleted.
Creating RAID 0
If you create a RAID 0, all data on both hard disks will be deleted. To create a RAID 0, proceed as
described under "Creating Disk array".
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
Creating SPAN (JBOD)

If you use Auto Setup to create a SPAN (JBOD), the data on the hard disks will be deleted.
If you use Select Disk Drives to select the hard disks, you can retain the data on the primary hard disk
(SPAN 0) of a SPAN disk array. The data on the first hard disk are retained. The secondary hard disk
(SPAN 2) is combined with the first one. The operating system treats the two hard disks like a single
hard disk with the sum of the two capacities.
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
Deleting disk array

You can delete an existing RAID. Proceed as follows:
1.
Select Delete Array with the arrow keys and press the Enter key.
2.
Select a hard disk of the disk array which you want to delete with the arrow keys and press the
Enter key. A warning message appears. Press the Y key to carry out the process, or N to
cancel the process.
When a disk array is deleted, all data of the disk array are destroyed.
Exception RAID 1
When a RAID 1 is deleted, the data on the two hard disks are retained as on two normal
hard disks.
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
Selecting disk array for booting

If the operating system is to be booted from a disk array, you can select this disk array. Select Select
Boot Disk with the arrow keys and press the Enter key. Select a disk array with the arrow keys and
press the Enter key. If you select a disk array with the Boot status and press the Enter key, the
existing boot setting will be deleted.
Viewing hard disk serial number

Select Serial Number View with the arrow keys and press the Enter key. Select a hard disk. In the last
column you see the serial number of the selected hard disk. The serial number is the number
assigned by the hard disk manufacturer.
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
Viewing disk array status

Press the F1 key to display the status in the lower section of the window. If you have not created a
disk array, nothing will be displayed in the window.
10
edition 2
BIOS Setup Utility
Duplicating critical RAID 1

If the BIOS detects an inconsistency between the user data and the backup data in the disk array for
a RAID 1 disk array, the status of the disk array will be marked as Critical. The BIOS automatically
asks you to duplicate RAID 1 to restore the consistency between the backup data and the user data.
If you select Continue to boot, you can duplicate the disk array following the system start-up with the
RAID software (under Windows).
edition 2
11
BIOS Setup Utility
Rebuilding broken RAID 1

If during the system start-up the BIOS detects that a hard disk of the RAID is defective or missing,
the status of the disk array will be marked as Broken.
If the BIOS detects a RAID 1 defect, but no replacement hard disk can be used for rebuilding, then it
asks you to carry out several new actions to solve the problem.
1.
Power off and check the failed drive
With this function you can switch off the system and replace the defective hard disk with one in
proper working order.
2.
Destroy the Mirroring Relationship
With this function you delete the mirror relationship of the defective disk array. With a defective
RAID 1 disk array, the data on the primary hard disk (source hard disk) are retained after deleting the
relationship.
The data of the second hard disk (mirror hard disk) are lost when you reuse the hard disk to create
another RAID 1.
3.
Choose replacement drive and rebuild
i
4.
This function is not available for your system, as physically no more than two hard disks
can be installed.
Continue to boot
With this function the BIOS bypasses the problem and boots the operating system.
12
edition 2
RAID software (under Windows)

Getting Started
The
symbol in the task bar indicates that the software is running.
Double-click on the symbol to call the main menu of the software.
The main menu has some buttons and two windows. You can run the respective function by clicking
the button. The controller and the hard disk are displayed in the left-hand window, and in the righthand window the respective information on them.
edition 2
13
Overview of buttons
Viewing by controller
Creating mirror disk

array (RAID 1)
Creating SPAN disk
Creating stripe disk
array (JBOD)
array (RAID 0)
Adding/removing spare
Removing disk array
hard disk
14
Viewing Event Log file
Checking all hard disks
Viewing by hard disks
Viewing online help
edition 2
Viewing online help

Before you use the software, please read the online help.
Click on the
edition 2
button to call the online help.
15
Viewing controller and hard disk status

Click on one of the two following buttons to activate the left-hand window. You can choose between
two displays:
Viewing by controller
Viewing by hard disks

Click on an object in the left-hand window. The status of the object clicked appears in the right-hand
window.
16
edition 2
Creating Disk array

A disk array can be created using three buttons, depending on which disk array type you want:
RAID 1
SPAN (JBOD)
RAID 0
1.
Click on the desired button. The Select Array Creating Method window appears.
There are two options for creating a disk array.

Auto
Auto is the method we recommend for creating a disk array. The available hard disks
are automatically configured as a disk array. You can modify the hard disks later
Custom
With Custom you must create the disk array manually.
2.
Click on the Custom button. The hard disks are displayed which are available for creating a disk
array. Select a hard disk and click on the
button to add the desired hard disk to the disk
array.
After a hard disk is added, you can remove the selected hard disk from the disk array. Click on
the hard disk and then click on the
button to remove the selected hard disk.
edition 2
17
Example of RAID 1
18
edition 2
Example of RAID 0
Click on the Create button to create the disk array, or on the Cancel button to cancel the
process.
If you click on the Help button, a help window appears. Additional information on creating the
disk array is contained in the online help.
3.
After clicking on the Create button, a warning message appears. Click on Yes to create the disk
array, or click on No to cancel the process.
4.
After clicking on the Yes button, a message appears stating that this disk array has been
successfully created. You are asked whether the system is to be rebooted. Click on Yes to
reboot the system or click on No to skip rebooting. The new setting is not effective until after the
system is rebooted.
edition 2
19
Creating RAID 1
You can retain the data on the primary hard disk (source hard disk) after clicking on the Create button
when you create a RAID 1 disk array.
20
If you want to retain the data on the primary hard disk, the capacity of the secondary hard
disk must be at least as large as that of the primary hard disk. Otherwise RAID 1 cannot
be created.
The RAID software asks you to synchronise the secondary hard disk after rebooting the
system if you want to retain the data on the primary hard disk.
edition 2
Creating RAID 0
This process can take several hours, depending on the data quantity and the size of the
hard disk.
You can retain the data on the primary hard disk after clicking on the Create button when you create
a RAID 0 disk array.
Only if you click on Yes in the window that follows, is the operating system retained on your
system!
If you want to retain the data on the primary hard disk, the capacity of the secondary hard
disk must be at least as large as that of the primary hard disk. Otherwise RAID 0 cannot
be created.
The RAID software asks you to modify the secondary hard disk. This procedure can take one to two
hours depending on the hard disk size, and then requires rebooting of the device.
To be able to use the entire capacity of both hard disks, run the program Extender after rebooting.
The program is located in the directory C:\VIARAID and on the "Drivers & Utilities" CD/DVD.
Creating SPAN (JBOD)

You can retain the data on the first hard disk of the SPAN disk array.
The data on the first hard disk are retained. The other hard disks of the SPAN disk array are
available as free memory space.
edition 2
21
Deleting disk array

1.
Select the disk array you want to delete in the left-hand window. Click on the Remove Array
button. A warning message appears.
2.
Click on Yes to carry out the process, or on No to cancel the process.
3.
After clicking on the Yes button, a message appears stating that this disk array has been
successfully deleted. You are asked whether the system is to be rebooted. Click on Yes to
reboot the system or click on No to skip rebooting. The new setting is not effective until after the
system is rebooted.
22
edition 2
edition 2
When a disk array is deleted, all data of the disk array are destroyed.
Exception RAID 1
When a RAID 1 is deleted, the data on the two hard disks are retained as on two normal
hard disks.
23
Checking all hard disks

You can check all hard disks for normal operation at any time.
The condition for this function is that the hard disks must comply with the SATA
specification and support SMART commands. Otherwise the test will be unsuccessful.
Click on the
button.
Following a test, a window appears to display the current status of each hard disk.
24
edition 2
Viewing Event Log file

The RAID software registers important results in a log file, such as creation and removal of a disk
array, hard disk errors and synchronisation.
Only operation of the RAID software can be recorded in the log file. Operations in the
BIOS cannot be recorded.
i
1.
Click on the
button.
The event log file will be displayed as described in the following. There are three different log
entries:
Information
Warning
Error
2.
To display a log entry, double-click the respective line or mark the line and press the Enter key
or select Operation - View Detail with the task bar.
edition 2
25
The following window is displayed.
Click on
3.
26
or
to search the next or previous log entry.
To delete all log entries, select Operation - Clear All with the task bar.
edition 2
Synchronising secondary hard disk (mirror hard

disk)
With RAID 1 synchronisation is necessary when the data on the secondary hard disk do not match
the corresponding primary hard disk. Sometimes data on the secondary hard disk can be newer than
on the primary hard disk. For example, if one of the two hard disks fails, the other continues to run in
the tolerance mode. The Synchronize Mirror function ensures that the data on the primary and
secondary hard disk are identical. The RAID software always marks the secondary hard disk with a
"need-sync" symbol , although the secondary hard disk has the correct data.
1.
Select a RAID 1. Click on the selected RAID with the right mouse button. A context menu
appears. Click on Synchronize Mirror to synchronise the primary and the secondary hard disk.
2.
After synchronisation starts, the process is displayed in a window. You can interrupt or
completely cancel the process at any time.
edition 2
27
3.
A window shows the end of the synchronisation.
Detecting hard disk errors

With RAID an error message appears when it is detected that the hard disk is defective or missing.
28
edition 2
Duplicating critical RAID 1

If the RAID software detects an inconsistency between the primary hard disk and the secondary hard
disk with a RAID 1 disk array, the status of the disk array is marked as critical. The program
automatically asks you to duplicate RAID 1 to restore the consistency between the secondary hard
disk and the primary hard disk.
You can click on Yes to carry out the synchronisation immediately, or on No to carry it out later.
After synchronisation starts, the process is displayed in a window. You can interrupt or completely
cancel the process at any time. If the process is cancelled, RAID is in the "need-sync" state. You
should in turn synchronise to guarantee that the data of the primary hard disk and the second hard
disk are identical.
A window shows the end of the synchronisation.
edition 2
29
Rebuilding broken RAID 1

If the RAID software detects during system booting that a hard disk of the RAID is defective or
missing, the status of the disk array is marked as Broken.
If the RAID software determines that a RAID 1 disk array is defective, it offers you the following
procedure:
1.
A window reports that the RAID is defective. Click on Yes.
2.
Another window appears. If the primary hard disk or the secondary hard disk is only not
connected, click on Cancel to stop the restoration. Shut down the system. Restore the
connection of the missing hard disk and reboot the system. If the original hard disk has failed,
you can connect a new hard disk and reboot the system. Click on Next.
30
edition 2
3.
Select the available hard disk and click on
edition 2
to replace the failed hard disk. Click on Next.
31
4.
A warning message appears. If you want to continue with the restoration of the disk array, click
on Next.
32
The data on the selected hard disk will be lost.
edition 2
5.
Restart the system.
6.
This disk array is marked as critical and resynchronised.
edition 2
33
Symbol overview
All symbols and their meaning are listed in the following. The actual status of a disk array or a hard
disk is described in the item Array status or Device status in the right-hand window.
Normal disk array
Disk array with warning status
Broken disk array
Hard disk with normal status
Absent hard disk in a disk array
Hard disk with error
Hard disk with warning status
The pair of primary hard disk (source) and secondary hard disk (mirror) should be
synchronised.
Hard disk which needs system rebooting to enable its function.
34
edition 2

Raid Controller Via Vt6421

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Raid Controller Via Vt6421

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Notebook

Are there ...

your sales partner

your sales outlet

This manual was produced by

April 2005 edition

Number of hard disk

Sum of all hard disks

Supports SATA generation 1

Supports hard disks larger than 137 GB (48-bits LBA)

Supports IDE bus master operation

Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and SPAN (JBOD)

Supports 4 KB to 64 KB striping block size

Supports bootable hard disk or disk array

Supports hot-swap failed disk drive in RAID 1 disk array

Supports mirroring automatic background rebuilds

Supports ATA SMART function

Supports Microsoft Windows XP operating systems

Event Log file for easy troubleshooting

Online help for easy operation for RAID software

BIOS Setup Utility

BIOS Setup Utility

The main menu of the BIOS Setup Utility is as below:

BIOS Setup Utility

Creating Disk array

BIOS Setup Utility

BIOS Setup Utility

BIOS Setup Utility

Creating SPAN (JBOD)

BIOS Setup Utility

Deleting disk array

BIOS Setup Utility

Selecting disk array for booting

Viewing hard disk serial number

BIOS Setup Utility

Viewing disk array status

BIOS Setup Utility

Duplicating critical RAID 1

BIOS Setup Utility

Rebuilding broken RAID 1

Power off and check the failed drive

Destroy the Mirroring Relationship

Choose replacement drive and rebuild

RAID software (under Windows)

RAID software (under Windows)

symbol in the task bar indicates that the software is running.

Double-click on the symbol to call the main menu of the software.

RAID software (under Windows)

Creating mirror disk

Creating SPAN disk

Creating stripe disk

Removing disk array

Viewing Event Log file

Checking all hard disks

Viewing by hard disks

Viewing online help

RAID software (under Windows)

Viewing online help

button to call the online help.

RAID software (under Windows)

Viewing controller and hard disk status

Viewing by hard disks

RAID software (under Windows)