ARC-1216-4i - Régulateur Areca - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL ARC-1216-4i Areca

(PCIe 3.0 to 12Gb/s SAS RAID Controllers)

Copyright and Trademarks

The information regarding products in this manual is subject to change without prior notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the vendor, who assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors that may appear in this manual. All brands and trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. This manual contains materials protected under International Copyright Conventions. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of the manufacturer and the author.

FCC Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

Manufacturer's Declaration for CE Certification

We confirm ARC-12x6 series has been tested and found compliant with the requirements in the council directive relating to the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC. Regarding to the electromagnetic compatibility, the following standards were applied:

EN 55022: 2006, Class B

EN 61000-3-2: 2006

EN 61000-3-3: 1995+A1: 2001+A2: 2005

EN 55024:1998+A1:2001=A2:2003

IEC61000-4-2: 2001

IEC61000-4-3: 2006

IEC61000-4-4: 2004

IEC61000-4-5: 2005

IEC61000-4-6: 2006

IEC61000-4-8: 2001

IEC61000-4-11: 2004

Contents

1. Introduction......10

1.1 Overview ...... 10
1.2 Features 12

2. Hardware Installation .... 15

2.1 Before You First Installing.... 15
2.2 Board Layout....16
2.3 Installation....18
2.4 SAS Cables 24

2.4.1 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSATA Cable 24
2.4.2 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSFF-8482 Cable....25
2.4.3 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 Cable 25
2.4.4 Mini SAS HD SFF-8644 Cable 26

2.5 LED Cables....26
2.6 Summary of the installation....30

3. McBIOS RAID Manager 33

3.1 Starting the McBIOS RAID Manager 33
3.2 McBIOS RAID manager 34
3.3 Configuring Raid Sets and Volume Sets 35
3.4 Designating Drives as Hot Spares 35
3.5 Using Quick Volume /Raid Setup Configuration 36
3.6 Using Raid Set/Volume Set Function Method 37
3.7 Main Menu 39

3.7.1 Quick Volume/Raid Setup 40
3.7.2 Raid Set Function 44

3.7.2.1 Create Raid Set 44
3.7.2.2 Delete Raid Set 46
3.7.2.3 Expand Raid Set 47
3.7.2.4 Offline Raid Set 48
3.7.2.5 Activate Raid Set 49
3.7.2.6 Create Hot Spare....50
3.7.2.7 Delete Hot Spare 50
3.7.2.8 Rescue Raid Set 51
3.7.2.9 Raid Set Information....52

3.7.3 Volume Set Function 52

3.7.3.1 Create Volume Set (0/1/10/3/5/6)....53

• Volume Name 55
- Capacity 56

• Stripe Size .... 58
• SCSI ID 59
• Cache Mode 60
• Write Protect 60
• Tag Queuing 61

3.7.3.2 Create Raid30/50/60 (Volume Set 30/50/60)......61

3.7.3.3 Delete Volume Set 62

3.7.3.4 Modify Volume Set....63

3.7.3.5 Check Volume Set....65

3.7.3.6 Stop Volume Check....65

3.7.3.7 Display Volume Set Info. 65

3.7.4 Physical Drives....66

3.7.4.1 View Drive Information 67

3.7.4.2 Create Pass-Through Disk 67

3.7.4.3 Modify Pass-Through Disk 68

3.7.4.4 Delete Pass-Through Disk 68

3.7.4.5 Identify Selected Drive 68

3.7.5 Raid System Function 69

3.7.5.1 Mute The Alert Beeper 69

3.7.5.2 Alert Beeper Setting....70

3.7.5.3 Change Password 71

3.7.5.4 JBOD/RAID Function 71

3.7.5.5 Background Task Priority 72

3.7.5.6 SATA NCQ Support....73

3.7.5.7 HDD Read Ahead Cache....73

3.7.5.8 Volume Data Read Ahead....74

3.7.5.9 Hdd Queue Depth Setting 75

3.7.5.10 Empty HDD Slot LED 75

3.7.5.11 Controller Fan Detection 76

3.7.5.12 Auto Activate Raid Set 76

3.7.5.13 Disk Write Cache Mode 77

3.7.5.14 Write Same Support 77

3.7.5.15 Capacity Truncation....78

3.7.6 More System Functions 79

3.7.6.1 Smart Option For HDD.... 79

3.7.6.2 Smart Polling Interval.... 80

3.7.6.3 Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding 81

3.7.7 HDD Power Management 82

3.7.7.1 Stagger Power On....82

3.7.7.2 Time To Hdd Low Power Idle 83

3.7.7.3 Time To Low RPM Mode 84

3.7.7.4 Time To Spin Down Idle Hdd 84

3.7.8 Ethernet Configuration 85

3.7.8.1 DHCP Function 85

3.7.8.2 Local IP address 86

3.7.8.3 HTTP Port Number 87

3.7.8.4 Telnet Port Number 87

3.7.8.5 SMTP Port Number....88

3.7.8.6 Ethernet Address....88

3.7.9 Alert By Mail Config 89

3.7.10 View System Events....89

3.7.11 Clear Events Buffer 90

3.7.12 Hardware Monitor 90

3.7.13 System Information 91

4. Driver Installation....92

4.1 Creating the Driver Diskettes....92

4.2 Driver Installation for Windows 94

4.2.1 Installing Windows on a RAID Volume 94

4.2.2 Installing Controller on an Existing Windows 95

4.2.3 Uninstall controller from Windows 97

4.3 Driver Installation for Linux 97

4.4 Driver Installation for FreeBSD....98

4.5 Driver Installation for Solaris 99

4.6 Driver Installation for Mac OS X 99

4.6.1 Installation Procedures....99

4.6.2 Making Volume Sets Available to Mac OS X 102

5. ArcHTTP Proxy Server Installation 104

5.1 For Windows.... 105

5.2 For Linux 106

5.3 For FreeBSD....108

5.4 For Solaris 10 .... 108

5.5 For Mac OS X....109

5.6 ArcHTTP Configuration 109

6. Web Browser-based Configuration 114

6.1 Start-up McRAID Storage Manager 114

- Start-up from Windows/Mac Local Administration ...... 115

- Start-up from Local Administration 115

- Start-up from Ethernet Port (Out-of-Band) 116

6.2 McRAID Storage Manager.... 117

6.3 Main Menu 117

6.4 Quick Function.... 118

6.5 Raid Set Functions 119

6.5.1 Create Raid Set 119

6.5.2 Delete Raid Set 120

6.5.3 Expand Raid Set.... 120

6.5.4 Offline Raid Set 121

6.5.5 Rename Raid Set.... 122

6.5.6 Activate Incomplete Raid Set 122

6.5.7 Create Hot Spare 123

6.5.8 Delete Hot Spare.... 124

6.5.9 Rescue Raid Set 124

6.6 Volume Set Functions 125

6.6.1 Create Volume Set (0/1/10/3/5/6) 125

6.6.2 Create Raid30/50/60 (Volume Set 30/50/60) ...... 130

6.6.3 Delete Volume Set.... 131

6.6.4 Modify Volume Set.... 131

6.6.4.1 Volume Growth 132

6.6.4.2 Volume Set Migration 133

6.6.4.3 Volume Write Protection 133

6.6.5 Check Volume Set 134

6.6.6 Schedule Volume Check 134

6.6.7 Stop Volume Set Check 135

6.6.8 Download Volume Key File 135

6.7 Physical Drive 136

6.7.1 Create Pass-Through Disk....136

6.7.2 Modify Pass-Through Disk....136

6.7.3 Delete Pass-Through Disk 137

6.7.4 Clone Disk....137

6.7.4.1 Clone And Replace 138

6.7.4.2 Clone Only 139

6.7.5 Abort Cloning....139

6.7.6 Set Disk To Be Failed 139

6.7.7 Activate Failed Disk 139

6.7.8 Identify Enclosure 140

6.7.9 Identify Drive 140

6.8 System Controls 141

6.8.1 System Config 141

- System Beeper Setting 141

- Background Task Priority 141

- JBOD/RAID Configuration 142

- SATA NCQ Support 142

- HDD Read Ahead Cache 142

• Volume Data Read Ahead 142

- HDD Queue Depth 142

• Empty HDD Slot LED 143
• Max Command Length 143
• Auto Activate Incomplete Raid 143
• Disk Write Cache Mode 143
• Write Same For Initialization.... 143
• Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding 143
• PCIE Gen3 144
• Disk Capacity Truncation Mode 144
• Smart Option For HDD 145
• Smart Polling Interval 145

6.8.2 Advanced Configuration....146

6.8.3 HDD Power Management 151

6.8.3.1 Stagger Power On Control.... 151
6.8.3.2 Time To Hdd Low Power Idle 152
6.8.3.3 Time To Hdd Low RPM Mode 152
6.8.3.4 Time To Spin Down Idle HDD.... 152
6.8.3.5 SATA Power Up In Standby 152

6.8.4 Ethernet Configuration 152
6.8.5 Alert By Mail Configuration 154
6.8.6 SNMP Configuration 154
6.8.7 NTP Configuration 155
6.8.8 View Events/Mute Beeper 156
6.8.9 Generate Test Event 156
6.8.10 Clear Events Buffer 157
6.8.11 Modify Password.... 157
6.8.12 Update Firmware 158

6.9 Information.... 158
6.9.1 Raid Set Hierarchy 158
6.9.1.1 Hdd Xfer Speed 159
6.9.2 SAS Chip Information 160
6.9.3 System Information....160
6.9.4 Hardware Monitor....161

Appendix A .... 162 Upgrading Flash ROM Update Process.... 162

Appendix B....166 Flash-based Backup Module (ARC-1883-BAT/CAP)....166

Appendix C....171 Battery Backup Module (ARC-6120BA-T121-12G)....171

Appendix D....175 SNMP Operation & Installation....175

Appendix E 186

Event Notification Configurations 186

A. Device Event.... 186
B. Volume Event......187
C. RAID Set Event 187
D. Hardware Monitor Event 188

Appendix F 189

RAID Concept 189

RAID Set....189

Volume Set.... 189

Ease of Use Features.... 190

• Foreground Availability/Background Initialization .... 190
  • Online Array Roaming 190
  • Online Capacity Expansion....190
  • Online Volume Expansion 193

High availability.... 193

• Global/Local Hot Spares 193
  • Hot-Swap Disk Drive Support.... 194
  • Auto Declare Hot-Spare 194
• Auto Rebuilding 195
• Adjustable Rebuild Priority.... 195

High Reliability 196

• Hard Drive Failure Prediction....196
  • Auto Reassign Sector.... 196
• Consistency Check 197

Data Protection 198

• Battery Backup 198
• Recovery ROM 198

Appendix G....199

Understanding RAID 199

RAID 0....199
RAID 1....200
RAID 10(1E)....201

RAID 3....201

RAID 5....202

RAID 6....203

RAID x0 203

JBOD 204

Single Disk (Pass-Through Disk) 204

JBOD 204 Single Disk (Pass-Through Disk) 204

1. Introduction

This section presents a brief overview of the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller, ARC-1216-4x/ARC-1226-8x (PCIe 3.0 x8 external 12Gb/s SAS/SATA RAID controller), ARC-1216-4i/ARC-1226-8i (PCIe 3.0 x8 internal 12Gb/s SAS/SATA RAID controllers).

1.1 Overview

The 12Gb/s SAS interface supports both 12Gb/s SAS disk drives for data-intensive applications and 6Gb/s SATA drives for low-cost bulk storage of reference data. The ARC-1216-4i/ARC-1226-8i support directly attach 4/8 SAS ports via 1/2 internal SFF-8643 connector. The ARC-1216-4x/ARC-1226-8x support directly attach 4/8 SAS ports via 1/2 external SFF-8644 connector. Each port on the SAS controllers supports SAS and/or SATA devices. Since there is no expander support on those boards, this can meet the customer inquiry SAS solution (using same enclosure) to replace SATA solution. The ARC-1216-4i/4x and ARC-1226-8i/8x RAID controllers only support directly attach to 4/8 SAS/SATA drives without supporting the expand function. The ARC-12x6 series default support 1GB on-board DDR3-1600 SDRAM memory.

The ARC-12x6-4i/8i RAID controllers are low-profile PCIe cards, ideal for 1U and 2U rack-mount systems without needing the expansion capability. These controllers utilize the same RAID kernel that has been field-proven in existing external RAID controller products, allowing Areca to quickly bring stable and reliable PCIe 3.0 12Gb/s SAS RAID controllers to the market.

Unparalleled Performance for 12Gb/s SAS

The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controllers raise the standard to higher performance levels with several enhancements including new high performance 1.2 GHz dual core ROC processor, a DDR3-1600 memory architecture and high performance PCIe 3.0 interface bus interconnection. The low profile controllers by default support on-board 1G of ECC DDR3-1600 SDRAM memory. The 12Gb/s SAS is designed for backward compatibility with 6Gb/s and 3Gb/s SAS/SATA hard drives. Regardless of the drive speed, 12Gb/s SAS RAID controllers

will provide maximum read/write performance improvements for the most performance-hungry database and IT applications.

Unsurpassed Data Availability

Designed and leveraged with Areca's existing high performance RAID solution, ARC-12x6 provides superior levels performance and enterprise level data protection for the most demanding next-generation server and storage environments. It supports the hardware RAID 6 engine to allow two HDDs failures without impact the existing data and performance. It allows users to hot swap drive in the event of a drive failure with zero downtime. The optional flash-based backup module provides power to transfer the cache data from the SDRAM memory to the NAND flash memory if it contains data not yet written to the drives when power is lost. ARC-12x6 also supports traditional Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery backup module (BBM) to protect cached data on RAID adapters. Board-level hardware encryption manages any kinds of drives attached to ARC-12x6 controller cards for higher levels of security. API code supports for third-party Enterprise Key Management systems to easy integrate and manage encryption function.

Maximum Interoperability

The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller support broad operating system including Windows, Linux (Open Source), FreeBSD (Open Source), Solaris (Open Source), Mac, VMware and more, along with key system monitoring features such as enclosure management (SES-2, SMP, & SGPIO) and SNMP function. Our products and technology are based on extensive testing and validation process; leverage Areca SAS or SATA RAID controller field-proven compatibility with operating systems, motherboards, applications and device drivers.

Easy RAID Management

The controllers contain an embedded McBIOS RAID manager that can access via hot key at M/B BIOS boot-up screen. This pre-boot McBIOS RAID manager can use to simplify the setup and management of RAID controller. The controller firmware also contains a browser-based McRAID storage manager which can be accessed

through the Ethernet port or ArcHTTP proxy server in Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and more environments. The McRAID storage manager allows local and remote for all storage configuration and management needs from standard web browser. The ArcSAP quick manager can scan for multiple RAID units in the local and remote systems and provide an effective mechanism to configure and monitor your RAID units.

1.2 Features

Controller Architecture

• Dual core RAID-on-Chip (ROC) 1.2GHz processor
• PCIe 3.0 x8 lane host interface
  • 1GB on-board DDR3-1600 SDRAM with ECC
• Write-through or write-back cache support
• Support up to 4/8 internal or 4/8 external 12Gb/s SAS ports
• ARC-1216-4i/4x supports up to 4 x 12Gb/s SAS/SATA HDDs
  • ARC-1226-8i/8x supports up to 8 x 12Gb/s SAS/SATA HDDs
• Multi-adapter support for large storage requirements
  • BIOS boot array support for greater fault tolerance
  • Supports up to 8 SATA or SAS devices
• Boot support for the uEFI host BIOS
• Redundant flash image for controller availability
• Support flash-based or battery backup module (FBM/BBM) ready (optional)
• RoHS compliant

RAID Features

• RAID level 0, 1, 10(1E), 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, Single Disk or JBOD
• Multiple RAID0 and RAID10(1E) support (RAID00 and RAID100)
• Multiple RAID selection
• Configurable stripe size up to 1024KB
• Support HDD firmware update
  • Online array roaming
  • Online RAID level/stripe size migration
• Online capacity expansion and RAID level migration simultaneously
  • Online volume set growth
• SED (self-encrypting drives) function support
• Instant availability and background initialization
• Support global and dedicated hot spare

• Automatic drive insertion/removal detection and rebuilding
- Support for native 4K and 512 byte sector SAS and SATA devices
- Multiple pairs SSD/HDD disk clone function
- SSD automatic monitor clone (AMC) support
- Controller level hardware encryption support
- Support intelligent power management to save energy and extend service life

Monitors/Notification

• System status indication through global HDD activity/fault connector, individual activity/fault connector, LCD/I2C connector and alarm buzzer
• SMTP support for email notification
  • SNMP support for remote manager
• Enclosure management (serial bus and SGPIO) ready

RAID Management

- Field-upgradeable firmware in flash ROM

In-Band Manager

• Hot key "boot-up" McBIOS RAID manager via M/B BIOS
• Web browser-based McRAID storage manager via ArcHTTP proxy server for all operating systems
• Support Command Line Interface (CLI)
• API library for customer to write manager utility
• Single Admin Portal (ArcSAP) quick manager utility

Out-of-Band Manager

• Firmware-embedded web browser-based McRAID storage manager, SMTP manager, SNMP agent and Telnet function via Ethernet port
• API library for customer to write manager utility
• Support push button and LCD display panel (optional)

Operating System

• Windows 10/8/Server 2012/7/2008/Vista/XP/2003
- Linux
- FreeBSD
- VMware (Driver 6.x support CLI in-band management utility)
- Solaris 10/11 x86/x86_64
• Mac OS X 10.4.x or higher
(For latest supported OS listing visit http://www.areca.com.tw)

12Gb/s SAS RAID Controllers
Model Name ARC-12	16-4i ARC-1226-8i
I/O Processor Dua	Core RAID-on-Chip (ROC) 1.2 GHz Processor
Form Factor Low Profile: 64.4(H) x 169.5(L) mm
Host Bus Type PCIe	3.0 x 8 Lanes
Driver Connector 1	x SFF-8643 2 x SFF-8643
Drive Support	4 x SAS/SATA	8 x SAS/SATA
RAID Level 0, 1, 10	3, 5, 6, Single Disk or JBOD	0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, Single Disk or JBOD
On-Board Cache 1GB	on-board DDR3-1600 SDRAM
Management Port In-Band: PCIeOut-of-Band: BIOS, LCD (Optional) and LAN Port
Enclosure Ready Individual Activity/Faulty Header, Serial Bus and SGPIO

12Gb/s SAS RAID Controllers
Model Name ARC-12	216-4x ARC-1226-8x
I/O Processor	Dual Core RAID-on-Chip (ROC) 1.2 GHz Processor
Form Factor Low Profile: 64.4(H) x 169.5(L) mm
Host Bus Type PCIe	3.0 x 8 Lanes
Driver Connector 1	x SFF-8644 2 x SFF-8644
Drive Support	4 x SAS/SATA	8 x SAS/SATA
RAID Level 0, 1, 10	3, 5, 6, Single Disk or JBOD	0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 30, 50, 60, Single Disk or JBOD
On-Board Cache 1GB on-board DDR3-1600 SDRAM
Management Port In-Band: PCIeOut-of-Band: BIOS and LCD (Optional) and LAN Port
Enclosure Ready	External Serial Bus

2. Hardware Installation

This section describes the procedures for installing the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controllers.

2.1 Before You First Installing

Thanks for purchasing the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller as your RAID data storage subsystem. This user manual gives simple step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller. To ensure personal safety and to protect your equipment and data, reading the following information package list carefully before you begin installing.

Package Contents

If your package is missing any of the items listed below, contact your local dealers before you install. (Disk drives and disk mounting brackets are not included)

• 1 x 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller in an ESD-protective bag
• 1 x Installation CD – containing driver, relative software, an electronic version of this manual and other related manual
• 1 x Quick Start Guide
• 1 x Low-profile bracket

System Requirement

The ARC-12x6 series 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller can be installed in an universal PCIe slot and requires a motherboard that:

• Comply with the PCIe 3.0 x8 lanes:
  It can work on the PCIe 3.0 x1, x4, x8, and x16 signal with x8 or x16 mechanical slot M/B.
• Backward-compatible with PCIe 1.0/2.0

2.2 Board Layout

The controller can support a family included 8 ports models as well as 4/8 internal/external ports. This section provides the board layout and connector/jumper for the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller.

12 11 13 14 15 16 SCN1 SCN2 17 PCI > EPPB888

Figure 2-1, ARC-1216-4i/ARC-1226-8i Top View

Connector Type Description
1. (J1) Manufacture Purpose Port 12-pin header
2. (J2) Flash-based/Battery Backup Module Connector 14-pin box header
3. (J3) I	^2C /LCD Connector 7-pin header
4. (J4) Global Fault/Activity LED 4-pin header
5. (J5) Individual Activity (HDD) LED Header 4-pin header
6. (J6) Individual Fault LED Header 4-pin header
7. (J7) Ethernet Port RJ45
8. (SCN1) Min	SAS HD 1-4 Ports (Internal) SFF-8643
9. (SCN2) Min	SAS HD 5-8 Ports (Internal) SFF-8643

Table 2-1, ARC-1216-4i/ARC-1226-8i connectors

Use the instructions below to install a 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller.

Step 1. Unpack

Unpack and remove the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller from the package. Inspect it carefully, if anything is missing or damaged, contact your local dealer.

Step 2. Power PC/Server Off

Turn off computer and remove the AC power cord. Remove the system's cover. For the instructions, please see the computer system documentation.

Step 3. Install the 12Gb/s SAS RAID Controllers

To install the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller, remove the mounting screw and existing bracket from the rear panel behind the selected PCIe 3.0 slot. Align the gold-fingered edge on the card with the selected PCIe 3.0 slot. Press down gently but firmly to ensure that the card is properly seated in the slot, as shown in Figure 2-3. Then, screw the bracket into the computer chassis. ARC-12x6 series controllers require a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot for better performance.

PCIe x8

Figure 2-3, Insert into a PCIe Slot

Step 4. Mount the Drives

You can connect the SAS/SATA drives to the controller through direct cable and backplane solutions. In the direct connection, SAS/SATA drives are directly connected to 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller PHY port with SAS/SATA cables. The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller can support up to 8 PHY ports. Remove the front bezel from the computer chassis and install the cages or SAS/SATA drives in the computer chassis. Loading drives to the drive tray if cages are installed. Be sure that the power is connected to either the cage backplane or the individual drives.

In the backplane solution, SAS/SATA drives are directly connected to 12Gb/s SAS system backplane. The number of SAS/SATA drives is limited to the number of slots available on the backplane.

Step 5. Install SAS Cable

This section describes how to cable a controller to the drive or backplane.

HDD Connector 4*SATA Connector PCIe x8

Figure 2-4, Connecting to HDD

Backplane Connector PCIe x8

Figure 2-5, Connecting to Backplane

Step 6. Install the LED Cable (Optional)

The preferred I/O connector for server backplanes is the Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 connector. This connector has eight signal pins to support four SAS/SATA drives and six pins for the SGPIO (Serial General Purpose Input/Output) side-band signals. The SGPIO bus is used for efficient LED management and sensing drive locate status. See SFF 8485 for the specification of the SGPIO bus. For backplane without enclosure SGPIO support, please refer to section 2.5 LED cables for fault/activity LED cable installation.

LED Management: The backplane may contain LEDs to indicate drive status. Light from the LEDs could be transmitted to the outside of server by using light pipes mounted on the SAS drive tray. A small microcontroller on the backplane, connected via the SGPIO bus to a 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller, could control the LEDs. Activity: blinking 5 times/second and Fault: lit

Drive Locate: The location of a drive may be detected by sensing the voltage level of one of the pre-charge pins before and after a drive is installed.

The following signals define the SGPIO assignments for the Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 in the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller.

Pin Description Pin Description
SideBand0	Clock (Clock signal) SideBand1	SLoad (Last clock of a bit stream)
SideBand2	Ground SideBand3 Ground
SideBand4	DataOut (Serial data output bit stream)	SideBand5 SDataIn (Serial data input bit stream)
SideBand6	Reserved SideBand7 Reserved

The Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSATA with sideband cable follows the SFF-8448 specification. The SFF-8448 sideband signals cable is reserved for the backplane with header on it. The following signal defines the sideband connector which can work with Areca sideband cable on its Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSATA cable.

SDataIn SB5 2 1 SB6 Reserved SDataOut SB4 4 3 SB2 Ground Ground SB3 6 5 SB1 SLoad Reserved SB7 8 7 SB0 SClock

Sideband Pin Definitions

The sideband header is located at backplane. For SGPIO to work properly, please connect the 8-pin sideband cable to the sideband header as shown above.

Step 7. Adding a FBM/BBM Backup Module (Optional)

Please refer to Appendix B and Appendix C of the user manual for installing the flash-based/battery backup module (FBM/BBM) in your 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller.

Step 8. Re-check Fault LED Cable Connections (Optional)

Be sure that the proper failed drive channel information is displayed by the fault LEDs. An improper connection will light the wrong LED which causes the user to hot swap the wrong drive. This could result in failure and loss of system data.

Step 9. Power up the System

Thoroughly check the installation, reinstall the computer cover, and reconnect the power cord cables. Turn on the power switch at the rear of the computer (if equipped) and then press the power button at the front of the host computer.

Step 10. Install the Controller Driver

For a new system:

- Driver installation usually takes places as part of operating system installation. Please refer to Chapter 4 "Diver Installation" of the user manual for the detailed installation procedure.

In an existing system:

- To install the controller driver into the existing operating system. For the detailed installation procedure, please refer to the Chapter 4 "Driver Installation" of the user manual.

Step 11. Install ArcHTTP Proxy Server

The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller firmware has embedded the web-browser McRAID storage manager. ArcHTTP proxy server will launch the web-browser McRAID storage manager. It provides all of the creation, management and monitor 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller status. Please refer to the Chapter 5 of the user manual for the detail ArcHTTP Proxy Server Installation. For SNMP agent function, please refer to Appendix D of the user manual.

Step 12. Configure Volume Set

The controller configures RAID functionality through the McBIOS RAID manager. Please refer to Chapter 3 of the user manual, McBIOS RAID Manager, for the detail. The RAID controller can also be configured through the McRAID storage manager with ArcHTTP proxy server installed or through on-board LAN port and LCD module (refer to LCD manual). For McRAID storage manager option, please refer to Chapter 6 of the user manual, Web Browser-Based Configuration.

Step 13. Determining the Boot Sequences

For PC system:

12Gb/s SAS RAID controller is a bootable controller. If your system already contains a bootable device with an installed operating system, you can set up your system to boot a second operating system from the new controller. To add a second bootable controller, you may need to enter setup of motherboard BIOS and change the device boot sequence so that the new RAID controller heads the list. If the system BIOS setup does not allow this change, your system may be not configurable to allow the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller to act as a second boot device.

For Intel-based Mac system:

Areca controller has supported the EFI BIOS on the PCIe 3.0 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller. You have other alternatively to add volumes on the Intel-based Mac bootable device listing. You can follow the following procedures to add 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller on the Mac bootable device listing.

1. Set the BIOS selection in System Controls: Advance Configuration to "EFI" option for Intel-based MacPro boot.
2. Download OS X Mavericks and DiskMaker X. Follow the DiskMaker X to make a bootable OS X Mavericks USB install drive.
3. Restart your Mac and after you hear the chime sound, press the Option (Alt) key until you see the option to choose the flash drive to boot from.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete Areca Volume Upgrade and Clean Install of OS X Mavericks. Power up the Intel-based Mac and Areca volume will be added in the bootable device automatically.

2.4 SAS Cables

You can connect the end devices to each other through direct cables or through the SAS expander/backplane connections. The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller supports daisy-chain expansion up to 8 enclosures. The following is an example of some internal SAS/SATA cables and an external SAS cable.

2.4.1 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSATA Cable

The Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSATA cables are used for connection between the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller internal connectors and connectors on the SAS/SATA disk drives or SAS/SATA connector backplane. The 12Gb/s SAS controllers have 1-6 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 internal connectors, each of them can support up to four SAS/SATA drives.

These controllers can be installed in a server RAID enclosure with standard SATA connectors backplane. The following diagram shows the picture of Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSATA cables. Backplane with SGPIO header can leverage the SGPIO function on the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller through the sideband cable.

The SFF-8448 sideband signals cable is reserved for the back-plane with header on it.

Sideband Cable -8643 to 4xSATA Cable

Figure 2-6, SFF-8643 to 4xSATA Cable

2.4.2 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSFF-8482 Cable

These controllers can be installed in a server RAID enclosure with out a backplane. The kind of cable will attach directly to the SAS disk drives. The following diagram shows the picture of Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4xSFF-8482 cables.

Coiled electronic component with multiple connectors, labeled 'SFF-8482 Cable' (no other text or symbols)

Figure 2-7, SFF-8643 to 4xSFF-8482 Cable

2.4.3 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 Cable

The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controllers have 1-6 Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 connectors, each of them can support up to four SAS/SATA signals. These controllers can be installed in a server RAID enclosure with Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 internal connectors backplane. This Mini SAS HD cable has eight signal pins to support four SAS/SATA drives and six pins for the SGPIO (Serial General Purpose Input/Output) side-band signals. The SGPIO bus is used for efficient LED management and sensing drive Locate status.

3D rendering of two connected electrical connectors with a curved cable (no text or symbols)

Figure 2-8, Mini SAS HD SFF-8643 Cable

2.4.4 Mini SAS HD SFF-8644 Cable

The Mini SAS HD SFF-8644 cables are used for connection between the 12Gb/s SAS controller external connectors and connectors on the external drive boxes or drive expanders (JBOD). The 12Gb/s SAS controller has Mini SAS HD SFF-8644 external connector, each of them can support up to four SAS/SATA signals.

Figure 2-9, Mini SAS HD SFF-8644 Cable

2.5 LED Cables

There is no SGPIO supported in the most of old version SATA backplane. The 12Gb/s SAS controller also provides two kinds of alternative LED cable header to support the fault/activity status for those backplanes. The global indicator connector is used by the server global indicator LED.

The following electronics schematic is the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller logical of fault/activity header. The signal for each pin is cathode (-) side. The following diagrams and descriptions describe each type of indicator connector.

Open Collector Low Global Fault/Activity connector Open Collector Low Fault /Activity connector

1. Individual Activity/Fault LED and Global Indicator Connector

Most of the backplane has supported the HDD activity from the HDD. The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller also provides the fault activity for fault LED. Connect the cables for the drive fault LEDs between the backplane of the cage and the respective connector on the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller.

The following table is the fault/activity LED signal behavior.

LED Normal Status Problem Indication
Fault LED 1.	When the fault LED is lit, there is no disk present.2. When the fault LED is not lit, then disk is present and status is normal.	When the fault LED is blinking (2 times/sec), that disk drive has failed and should be hot swapped immediately.When the activity LED is lit and fault LED is fast blinking (10 times/sec) there is rebuilding activity on that disk drive.
Activity LED 1.	When the activity LED is lit, there is I/O activity on that disk drive.When the LED is not lit; there is no activity on that disk drive.	N/A

If the system will use only a single global indicator, attach the LED to the two pins of the global activity/fault connector. The global fault pin pair connector is the overall fault signal. This signal will light up in any disk drive failure. The following diagrams show all LEDs, connectors and pin locations.

graph TD
    A["Anode Side"] --> B["Cathode Side"]
    B --> C["Global Fault LED"]
    C --> D["Global Activity LED"]
    D --> E["Global Fault/Activity LED"]
    E --> F["14"]
    E --> G["13"]
    E --> H["15"]
    E --> I["16"]
    style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333
    style B fill:#ccf,stroke:#333
    style C fill:#cfc,stroke:#333
    style D fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style E fill:#cff,stroke:#333
    style F fill:#ffc,stroke:#333
    style G fill:#ffc,stroke:#333
    style H fill:#cfc,stroke:#333
    style I fill:#cfc,stroke:#333

Figure 2-10, ARC-1216-4i/1226-8i Indicator Connector

Note:

A cable for the global indicator comes with your computer system. Cables for the individual drive LEDs may come with a drive cage, or you may need to purchase them.

2. Areca Serial Bus Connector

The serial bus connector can add optional accessories to add RAID controller more functions. You can connect this interface to Areca LCD module for information, status indication, or menus or Card LED indicator for status message. This interface can also cascade to another Areca serial bus accessories for the additional status display.

The following picture and table are the serial bus signal name description for the LCD/I2C Module Connector (J3).

+5V J3 1 2 LCD I²C INT Protect Key LCD DATA ACS CLK ACS DATA LCD CLK HEADER 4X2-NC4 D2A4n

Pin Description Pin Description
1 Power (+5V) 2 GND
3 LCD Module Interrupt 4 Protect Key
5 LCD Module Serial Data 6 Fault/Activity Clock
7 Fault/Activity Serial Data 8	LCD Module Clock

You can use one optional LCD front panel and keypad function to simply create the RAID volume. The LCD status panel also informs you the disk array's current operating status at a glance. The LCD configuration is described in a separate manual: RAID Card_LCD manual. The LCD housed in a 5½-inch half-height or 3.5-inch canister.

CON1 8-pin connector CON1 6-pin connector ARC-1009 ARC-1035 LCD/12C Modual Connector J2 J3

Figure 2-11, Connect to LCD Status Panel

You can use one optional Card LED indicator connected serial bus interface to display fault/activity status on I/O bracket or 3.5-inch canister. This LED provides indications about the operational state of the HDD on the RAID controller.

7-pin connector J2 7-pin connector J2 LCD/I²C Modual Connector ARC-1883-LED ARC-1035-LED J2 J3

Figure 2-12, Connect to LED Indicator

You can connect the ARC-1216-8x serial bus interface RS-232 connector to RJ-11 connector on the ARC-4038ML. Those signals provide the drive status including activity LED and fault LED.

8. LCD DATA 7. LCD CLK 8. ACS DATA 9. NIC 1. GND 2. SV 3. NIC 4. LCD /C INT 5. ACS CLK

Figure 2-13, Connector Connected Between Areca External RAID Adapter ARC-1226-8x & ARC-4038ML

Areca serial bus also supports SES (SCSI Enclosure Services) over I²C over internal I²C backplane cable. The backplane cable can connect the I²C signal from Areca controller to the backplane using IPMI-style I²C 3-pin connector. It means you link I²C cable into back plane, and let back plane LED indicate hard disk drive fail status.

2.6 Summary of the installation

The flow chart below describes the installation procedures for 12Gb/s SAS RAID controllers. These procedures include hardware installation, the creation and configuration of a RAID volume through the McBIOS/McRAID manager, OS installation and installation of 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller software.

graph TD
    A["Chapter 2\nInstall Controllers"] --> B["Chapter 3\nCreate Bootable or Data RAID Volume Using NuBIOS RAID Manager"]
    B --> C["Chapter 4\nInstall OS/Device Driver on Bootable RAID Volume Set or Install Device Driver on Existing OS"]
    C --> D["Chapter 5\nInstall ArchHttp Proxy Server"]
    D --> E["Chapter 6\nLaunch NuRAID Storage Manager"]
    D --> F["Appendix D\nSNMP Management Cossols Integration"]
    F --> G["SAP Utility\nInstall SAP Monitor (Windows Version)"]
    A --> H["Ethernet Port"]
    B --> H
    C --> H
    D --> H
    E --> H
    F --> H
    G --> H

The table below shows the software components that configure and monitor the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controllers.

Configuration Utility Operating System Supported
McBIOS RAID Manager OS-Independent
McRAID Storage Manager (Via Ethernet port)	OS-Independent
McRAID Storage Manager (Via ArcHTTP proxy server)	Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X
ArcHTTP Proxy Server	Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X
CLI Utility	Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X
SNMP Manager Console Integration Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and Solaris
SAP Monitor (Single Admin Portal to scan for multiple RAID units in the network, via ArcHTTP proxy server)	Windows

McRAID Storage Manager

Before launching the firmware-embedded web browser, McRAID storage manager through the PCIe bus, you need first to install the ArcHTTP proxy server on your server system. If you need additional information about installation and start-up of this function, see the McRAID Storage Manager section in Chapter 6 of the user manual.

ArcHTTP Proxy Server

ArcHTTP has to be installed for GUI RAID console (MRAID storage manager) to run. It is used to launch the web browser McRAID storage manager. It also runs as a service or daemon in the background that allows capturing of events for mail and SNMP traps notification. If you need additional information about installation and start-up of this function, see the ArcHTTP Proxy Server Installation section in Chapter 5 of the user manual.

CLI Utility

CLI (Command Line Interface) lets you set up and manage RAID controller through a command line interface. CLI performs many tasks at the command line. You can download CLI manual from Areca website or software CD \DOCS directory.

SNMP Manager Console Integration

There are two ways to transport SNMP data on the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller: in-band PCIe host bus interface or out-of-band built-in LAN interface. Enter the "SNMP Tarp IP Address" option on the firmware-embedded SNMP configuration function for user to select the SNMP data agent-side communication from the out-of-band built-in LAN interface. To use in-band PCIe host bus interface, keep blank on the "SNMP Tarp IP Address" option.

- Out of Band-Using LAN Port Interface

Out-of-band interface refers to transport SNMP data of 12Gb/s SAS controllers from a remote station connected to the controller through a network cable. Before launching the SNMP manager on the client, you need firstly to enable the firmware-embedded

SNMP agent function and no additional agent software inquired on your server system. If you need additional information about installation and start-up this function, see the section 6.8.4 "SNMP Configuration" of the user manual.

- In-Band-Using PCIe Host Bus Interface

In-band interface refers to management of the SNMP data of 12Gb/s SAS controllers from a PCIe host bus. In-band interface is simpler than out-of-band interface for it requires less hardware in its configuration. Since the 12 Gb/s SAS RAID controller is already installed in the host system, no extra connection is necessary. Just load the necessary in-band Areca SNMP extension agent for the controllers. Before launching the SNMP agent in the sever, you need first to enable the firmware-embedded SNMP community configuration and install Areca SNMP extension agent in your server system. If you need additional information about installation and start-up the function, see the SNMP Operation & Installation section in the Appendix D of the user manual.

Single Admin Portal (ArcSAP) Monitor

This utility can scan for multiple RAID units in the local and remote systems and provide an effective mechanism to configure and monitor your RAID units. For additional information, see the utility manual (ArcSAP) in the packaged CD or download it from the web site http://www.areca.com.tw.

3. McBIOS RAID Manager

The system mainboard BIOS automatically configures the following SAS RAID controller parameters at power-up:

• I/O Port Address,
• Interrupt Channel (IRQ) and
• Controller ROM Base Address.

Use McBIOS RAID manager to further configure the SAS RAID controller to suit your server hardware and operating system.

3.1 Starting the McBIOS RAID Manager

This section explains how to use the McBIOS RAID manager to configure your RAID system. The McBIOS RAID manager is designed to be user-friendly. It is a menu-driven program, residing in the firmware, which allows you to scroll through various menus and sub-menus and select among the predetermined configuration options.

When starting a system with a SAS RAID controller installed, it will display the following message on the monitor during the start-up sequence (after the system BIOS startup screen but before the operating system boots):

ARC-12x6 PCIEx8/8G RAID Controller - DRAM: 2048(MB) / #Channels: 8 BIOS: V1.23A / Date: 2014-01-02 - F/W: V1.52 / Date: 2014-01-31 Bus/Dev/Fun= 4/0/0, I/0-Port=28000000h, IRQ=11, BIOS=C800 : 0h ID-LUN=00-0, Vol="Areca ARC-12x6-VOL#000R001", Size=3.6 (TB) ID-LUN=00-1, Vol="Areca ARC-12x6-VOL#001R001", Size=3.6 (TB) ID-LUN=00-2, Vol="Areca ARC-12x6-VOL#002R001", Size=3.6 (TB) RAID controller BIOS not installed Press to enter SETUP menu. 9 second(s) left .

The McBIOS RAID manager message remains on your screen for about nine seconds, giving you time to start the configuration menu by pressing Tab or F6. If you do not wish to enter configuration menu, press ESC to skip configuration immediately. When activated, the McBIOS RAID manager window appears showing a selection dialog box listing the SAS RAID controllers that are installed in the system.

The legend at the bottom of the screen shows you what keys are enabled for the windows.

Areca Technology Corporation RAID Setup Select An Adapter To Configure ( 001/ 0/0) I/O=28000000h, IRQ = 9 ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, **** Press F10 (Tab) to Reboot ****

Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select the controller you want to configure. While the desired controller is highlighted, press the Enter key to enter the main menu of the McBIOS RAID manager.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Verify Password ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Note: The manufacture default password is set to 0000; this password can be modified by selecting Change Password in the Raid System Function section.

3.2 McBIOS RAID manager

The McBIOS RAID manager is firmware-based and is used to configure RAID sets and volume sets. Because the utility resides in the SAS RAID controller firmware, operation is independent of any operating systems on your computer. This utility can be used to:

• Create RAID sets,

• Expand RAID sets,

• Add physical drives,

• Define volume sets,
• Modify volume sets,
• Modify RAID level/stripe size,
• Define pass-through disk drives,
• Modify system functions and
• Designate drives as hot spares.

3.3 Configuring Raid Sets and Volume Sets

You can configure RAID sets and volume sets with McBIOS RAID manager automatically. Using "Quick Volume/Raid Setup" or manually using "Raid Set/Volume Set Function". Each configuration method requires a different level of user input. The general flow of operations for RAID set and volume set configuration is:

Step	Action
1	Designate hot spares/pass-through drives (optional).
2	Choose a configuration method.
3	Create RAID sets using the available physical drives.
4	Define volume sets using the space available in the RAID set.
5	Initialize the volume sets and use volume sets (as logical drives) in the host OS.

3.4 Designating Drives as Hot Spares

Any unused disk drive that is not part of a RAID set can be designated as a hot spare. The "Quick Volume/Raid Setup" configuration will add the spare disk drive and automatically display the appropriate RAID level from which the user can select. For the "Raid Set Function" configuration option, the user can use the "Create Hot Spare" option to define the hot spare disk drive.

When a hot spare disk drive is being created using the "Create Hot Spare" option (in the "Raid Set Function"), all unused physical devices connected to the current controller appear:

Choose the target disk by selecting the appropriate check box.

Press Enter key to select a disk drive, and press Yes in the "Create Hot Spare" to designate it as a hot spare.

3.5 Using Quick Volume /Raid Setup Configuration

"Quick Volume / Raid Setup configuration" collects all available drives and includes them in a RAID set. The RAID set you created is associated with exactly one volume set. You will only be able to modify the default RAID level, stripe size and capacity of the new volume set. Designating drives as hot spares is also possible in the "Raid Level" selection option. The volume set default settings will be:

Parameter Default Setting
Volume Name ARC-12x6-VOL#00
SCSI Channel/SCSI ID/SCSI LUN 0/0/0
Cache Mode Write-Back
Tag Queuing Yes

The default setting values can be changed after configuration is completed. Follow the steps below to create arrays using the "Raid Set / Volume Set" method:

Step	Action
1	Choose “Quick Volume /Raid Setup” from the main menu. The available RAID levels with hot spare for the current volume set drive are displayed.
2	It's recommended that you use drives of the same capacity in a specific array. If you use drives with different capacities in an array, all drives in the RAID set will be set to the capacity of the smallest drive in the RAID set.The numbers of physical drives in a specific array determines which RAID levels that can be implemented in the array.RAID 0 requires 1 or more physical drives.RAID 1 requires at least 2 physical drives.RAID 10(1E) requires at least 3 physical drives.RAID 3 requires at least 3 physical drives.RAID 5 requires at least 3 physical drives.RAID 3 +Spare requires at least 4 physical drives.RAID 5 + Spare requires at least 4 physical drives.RAID 6 requires at least 4 physical drives.RAID 6 + Spare requires at least 5 physical drives.Highlight the desired RAID level for the volume set and press the Enter key to confirm.
3 The capacity for the current volume set is entered after highlighting the desired RAID level and pressing the Enter key.The capacity for the current volume set is displayed. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to set the capacity of the volume set and press the Enter key to confirm. The available stripe sizes for the current volume set are then displayed.
4	Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select the current volume set stripe size and press the Enter key to confirm. This parameter specifies the size of the stripes written to each disk in a RAID 0, 1, 10(1E), 5 or 6 volume set. You can set the stripe size to 4 KB, 8 KB, 16 KB, 32 KB, 64 KB, 128 KB, 256KB, 512KB, or 1024KB. A larger stripe size provides better read performance, especially when the computer performs mostly sequential reads. However, if the computer performs random read requests more often, choose a smaller stripe size.
5	When you are finished defining the volume set, press the Yes key to confirm the “Quick Volume And Raid Set Setup” function.
6	Foreground (Fast Completion) Press Enter key to define fast initialization or selected the Background (Instant Available) or No Init (To Rescue Volume). In the “Background Initialization”, the initialization proceeds as a background task, the volume set is fully accessible for system reads and writes. The operating system can instantly access to the newly created arrays without requiring a reboot and waiting the initialization complete. In “Foreground Initialization”, the initialization proceeds must be completed before the volume set ready for system accesses. In “No Init”, there is no initialization on this volume.
7 Initialize the volume set you have just configured
8 If you need to add additional volume set, using main menu “Create Volume Set” function.

3.6 Using Raid Set/Volume Set Function Method

In "Raid Set Function", you can use the "Create Raid Set" function to generate a new RAID set. In "Volume Set Function", you can use the "Create Volume Set" function to generate an associated volume set and configuration parameters.

If the current controller has unused physical devices connected, you can choose the "Create Hot Spare" option in the "Raid Set Function" to define a global hot spare. Select this method to configure new RAID sets and volume sets. The "Raid Set/Volume Set Function" configuration option allows you to associate volume sets with partial and full RAID sets.

Step	Action
1 To	setup the hot spare (option), choose “Raid Set Function” from the main menu. Select the “Create Hot Spare” and press theEnterkey to define the hot spare.
2 Choose	“Raid Set Function” from the main menu. Select “Create Raid Set” and press theEnterkey.
3 The	“Select a Drive For Raid Set” window is displayed showing the SAS/ SATA drives connected to the SAS RAID controller.
4	Press theUPandDOWNarrow keys to select specific physical drives. Press theEnterkey to associate the selected physical drive with the current RAID set.It is recommended that you use drives of the same capacity in a specific array. If you use drives with different capacities in an array, all drives in the RAID set will be set to the capacity of the smallest drive in the RAID set.The numbers of physical drives in a specific array determines which RAID levels that can be implemented in the array.RAID 0 requires 1 or more physical drives.RAID 1 requires at least 2 physical drives.RAID 10(1E) requires at least 3 physical drives.RAID 3 requires at least 3 physical drives.RAID 5 requires at least 3 physical drives.RAID 6 requires at least 4 physical drives.RAID 30 requires at least 6 physical drives.RAID 50 requires at least 6 physical drives.RAID 60 requires at least 8 physical drives.
5 After	adding the desired physical drives to the current RAID set, press theEnterto confirm the “Create Raid Set” function.
6 An	“Edit The Raid Set Name” dialog box appears. Enter 1 to 15 alphanumeric characters to define a unique identifier for this new RAID set. The default RAID set name will always appear as Raid Set. #. PressEnter keyto finish the name editing.
7	Press theEnterkey when you are finished creating the current RAID set. To continue defining another RAID set, repeat step 3. To begin volume set configuration, go to step 8.
8 Choose	the “Volume Set Function” from the main menu. Select “Create Volume Set” and press theEnterkey.
9 Choose	a RAID set from the “Create Volume From Raid Set” window. Press theYeskey to confirm the selection.
10	Choosing Foreground (Fast Completion) PressEnterkey to define fast initialization or selected the Background (Instant Available) or No Init (To Rescue Volume). In the “Background Initialization”, the initialization proceeds as a background task, the volume set is fully accessible for system reads and writes. The operating system can instantly access to the newly created arrays without requiring a reboot and waiting the initialization complete. In “Foreground Initialization”, the initialization proceeds must be completed before the volume set ready for system accesses. In “No Init”, there is no initialization on this volume.

11 If space remains in the RAID set, the next volume set can be configured. Repeat steps 8 to 10 to configure another volume set.

3.7 Main Menu

The main menu shows all functions that are available for executing actions, which is accomplished by clicking on the appropriate link.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Verify Password ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Note:

The manufacture default password is set to 0000; this password can be modified by selecting "Change Password" in the "Raid System Function" section.

Option Description
Quick Volume/Raid Setup	Create a default configuration based on the number of physical disk installed
Raid Set Function Create a customized RAID set
Volume Set Function Create a customized volume set
Physical Drives View individual disk information
Raid System Function Setup the RAID system configuration
Hdd Power Management Manage HDD power based on usage patterns
Ethernet Configuration LAN port setting
View System Events Record all system events in the buffer
Clear Event Buffer Clear all information in the event buffer
Hardware Monitor Show the hardware system environment status
System Information View the controller system information

This password option allows user to set or clear the RAID controller's password protection feature. Once the password has been set, the user can only monitor and configure the RAID controller by providing the correct password. The password is used to protect the internal RAID controller from unauthorized entry. The controller will prompt for the password only when entering the main menu from the initial screen. The RAID controller will automatically return to the initial screen when it does not receive any command in five minutes.

3.7.1 Quick Volume/Raid Setup

"Quick Volume/Raid Setup" is the fastest way to prepare a RAID set and volume set. It requires only a few keystrokes to complete. Although disk drives of different capacity may be used in the RAID set, it will use the capacity of the smallest disk drive as the capacity of all disk drives in the RAID set. The "Quick Volume/Raid Setup" option creates a RAID set with the following properties:

1. All of the physical drives are contained in one RAID set.
2. The RAID level, hot spare, capacity, and stripe size options are selected during the configuration process.
3. When a single volume set is created, it can consume all or a portion of the available disk capacity in this RAID set.
4. If you need to add an additional volume set, use the main menu "Create Volume Set" function.

The total number of physical drives in a specific RAID set determine the RAID levels that can be implemented within the RAID set. Select "Quick Volume/Raid Setup" from the main menu; all possible RAID level will be displayed on the screen.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Func More System Func Hdd Power Manag Ethernet Configura Alert By Mail Conf View System Even Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Total 5 Drives Raid 0 Raid 1 + 0 Raid 1 + 0 + Spare Raid 3 Raid 5 Raid 3 + Spare Raid 5 + Spare Raid 6 Raid 6 + Spare ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

If volume capacity will exceed 2TB, controller will show the "Greater Two TB Volume Support" sub-menu.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Total 5 Drives Volume Set Func Physical Drives Raid 0 Raid System Func Raid 1 + 0 More System Func Raid 1 + 0 + Spare Hdd Power Mana Raid 3 Ethernet Configur Raid 5 Alert By Mail Con Raid 3 + Spare View System Even Raid 5 + Spare Clear Event Buffer Raid 6 Hardware Monitor Raid 6 + Spare System information Greater Two TB Volume Support No Use 64bit LBA Use 4K Block ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

• No

When this option is enabled, it keeps the volume size with max. 2TB limitation. For any hard disk drives working in the 4K native mode in the Raid set, the volume set directly sets and exposes 4KB sector size to the operating system.

- Use 64bit LBA

This option use 16 bytes CDB instead of 10 bytes. The maximum volume capacity up to 512TB. For any hard disk drives working in the 4K native mode in the Raid set, the volume set directly sets and exposes 4KB sector size to the operating system. This option works on different OS which supports 16 bytes CDB. Such as:

Windows 2003 with SP1 or later

Linux kernel 2.6.x or later

- Use 4K Block

This option uses 16 bytes CDB and changes the sector size from default 512 bytes to 4k bytes. Windows XP only supports maximum volume capacity is up to 16TB.

A single volume set is created and consumes all or a portion of the disk capacity available in this RAID set. Define the capacity of volume set in the "Available Capacity" popup. The default value for the volume set, which is 100% of the available capacity, is displayed in the selected capacity. use the UP and DOWN arrow key to set capacity of the volume set and press Enter key to accept this value. If the volume set uses only part of the RAID set capacity, you can use the "Create Volume Set" option in the main menu to define additional volume sets.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Fu Total 5 Drives Physical Drives Raid System F Raid 0 More System F Raid 1 + 0 Hdd Power Ma Raid 1 + 0 + Spare Ethernet Config Raid 3 Alert By Mail C Raid 5 View System E Raid 3 + Spare Clear Event Bu Raid 5 + Spare Hardware Mon Raid 6 System informa Raid 6 +Spare Available Capacity : 2400.0GB Selected Capacity: 2400.0GB ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Stripe Size This parameter sets the size of the stripe written to each disk in a RAID 0, 1, 1E, 10, 5, or 6 logical drive. You can set the stripe size to 4 KB, 8 KB, 16 KB, 32 KB, 64 KB, 128 KB, 256KB, 512KB, or 1024KB.

Warning:

Roaming the stripe size 256K/512K/1024K Raid Set to firmware version older than 1.52 will cause data corruption.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Func Physical Drives Raid System Func More System Fun Hdd Power Manag Ethernet Configura Alert By Mail Confi View System Even Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Total 5 Drives Raid 0 Raid 1 + 0 Raid 1 + 0 + Spa Raid 3 Raid 5 Raid 3 + Spare Raid 5 + Spare Raid 6 Raid 6 +Spare Available Capacity : 2400.0GB Selected Capacity : 2400.0GB Select Strip Size 4K 8K 16K 32K 64K 128K 256K 512K 1024K ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

A larger stripe size produces better-read performance, especially if your computer does mostly sequential reads. However, if you are sure that your computer performs random reads more often, select a smaller stripe size.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Func Total 5 Drive Physical Drives Raid 0 Raid 1 + 0 Raid 1 + 0 + Spare More System Fu Hdd Power Man Ethernet Configu Alert By Mail Co View System Ev Clear Event Buff Hardware Monit System informa Raid 3 Raid 5 Raid 3 + Spare Raid 5 + Spare Raid 6 Raid 6 +Spare Available Capacity : 2400.0GB Selected Capacity: 2400.0GB 8K 16K Create Vol/Raid Set Yes No 512K 1024K ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Press Yes key in the "Create Vol/Raid Set" dialog box, the RAID set and volume set will start to initialize it.

Select "Foreground (Faster Completion)" or "Background (Instant Available)" for initialization and "No Init (To Rescue Volume)" for recovering the missing RAID set configuration.

graph TD
    A["Main Menu"] --> B["Quick Volume/Raid Setup"]
    B --> C["Raid Set Function"]
    C --> D["Total 5 Drives"]
    D --> E["Raid 0"]
    D --> F["Raid 1 + 0"]
    D --> G["Raid 1 + 0 +"]
    D --> H["Raid 3"]
    D --> I["Raid 5"]
    D --> J["Raid 3 + Spa"]
    D --> K["Raid 5 + Spare"]
    D --> L["Raid 6"]
    D --> M["Raid 6 +Spare"]
    N["Available Capacity: 2400.0GB"] --> O["Selected Capacity: 2400.0GB"]
    P["Initialization Mode"] --> Q["Foreground (Faster Completeion)"]
    P --> R["Background (Instant Available)"]
    P --> S["No Init (To Rescue Volume)"]
    T["Hardware Monitor"] --> U["Raid 6"]
    T --> V["64K"]
    T --> W["128K"]

3.7.2 Raid Set Function

Manual configuration gives complete control of the RAID set setting, but it will take longer to configure than "Quick Volume/Raid Setup" configuration. Select "Raid Set Function" to manually configure the RAID set for the first time or delete existing RAID sets and reconfigure the RAID set.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.2.1 Create Raid Set

The following is the RAID set features for the SAS RAID controller.

1. Up to 32 disk drives can be included in a single RAID set.
2. Up to 128 RAID sets can be created per controller, but RAID level 30 50 and 60 only can support eight sub-RAID set.

To define a RAID set, follow the procedures below:

1. Select "Raid Set Function" from the main menu.
2. Select "Create Raid Set" from the "Raid Set Function" dialog box.
3. A "Select IDE Drive For Raid Set" window is displayed showing the SAS/SATA drives connected to the current controller. Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select specific physical drives. Press the Enter key to associate the selected physical drive with the current RAID set. Repeat this step; the user can add as many disk drives as are available to a single RAID set.

When finished selecting SAS/SATA drives for RAID set, press Esc key. A "Create Raid Set Confirmation" screen will appear, select the Yes option to confirm it.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume S Ra Physical D Raid Sys Cr More Sys De Hdd Pow Ex Ethernet Of Alert By M Ac View Sys Cr Clear Eve De Hardware Re System in Raid Set Information Select IDE Drives For Raid Set [*]E#1Solt#1 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#2 : 500.1GB : HDS725050KLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#3 : 500.1GB : ST3500630NS [ ]E#1Solt#4 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#5 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#6 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#7 : 500.1GB : HDS725050KL360 [ ]E#1Solt#8 : 500.1GB : ST3500630NS ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

1. An "Edit The Raid Set Name" dialog box appears. Enter 1 to 15 alphanumeric characters to define a unique identifier for the RAID set. The default RAID set name will always appear as Raid Set. #.
2. Repeat steps 3 to define another RAID sets.

Note:

To create RAID 30/50/60 volume, you need create multiple RAID sets (up to 8 RAID sets) first with the same disk numbers on each RAID set. The max no. disk drives per volume set: 32 for RAID 0/1/10/3/5/6 and 128 for RAID 30/50/60.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume S Physical D Raid Sys More Sys Hdd Powe Ethernet C Alert By M View Sys Clear Eve Hardware System in Select IDE Drives For Raid Set [*]E#1So [ ]E#1So [ ]E#1So [ ]E#1Solt#4 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#5 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#6 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#7 : 500.1GB : HDS725050KL360 [ ]E#1Solt#8 : 500.1GB : ST3500630NS Edit The Raid Set Name Raid Set # 000 Raid Set Information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.2.2 Delete Raid Set

To completely erase and reconfigure a RAID set, you must first delete it and re-create the RAID set. To delete a RAID set, select the RAID set number that you want to delete in the "Select Raid Set To Delete" screen. Then "Delete Raid Set" dialog box will appear, press the Yes to delete it. Warning, data on RAID set will be lost if this option is used. But for deleting RAID set with the Raid 30/50/60 volume, firstly, you need to delete the volumes belonging those RAID sets.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Select Raid Set to Delete Physic Raid Set # 000 :3/3 Disk: Normal Raid S Raid Set # 001 :9/9 Disk: Normal More S Hdd Po Raid Set # 003 :8/6 Are you Sure? Ethern Raid Set # 004 Yes Alert B Raid Set # 005 No View S Raid Set # 006 :3/3 Disk: Normal Clear B Raid Set # 007 :3/3 Disk: Normal Hardw System Raid Set Information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.2.3 Expand Raid Set

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Raid Set Function Physio Raid S Cre More S Del Hdd P Exp Ethern Off Alert B Act View S Cre Clear E Dele Hardw Res System Raid Set Information Select IDE Drives For Raid Set Expansion Raid Set # Select Raid Set To Expansion Raid Set # Are you Sure? Raid Set # Yes Raid Set # 004 :3/3 No Raid Set # 005 :3/3 Raid Set # 006 :3/3 Disk: Normal Raid Set # 007 :3/3 Disk: Normal ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Instead of deleting a RAID set and recreating it with additional disk drives, the "Expand Raid Set" function allows the users to add disk drives to the RAID set that have already been created.

To expand a RAID set:

1. Select the "Expand Raid Set" option. If there is an available disk, then the "Select SAS/SATA Drives For Raid Set Expansion" screen appears.
2. Select the target RAID set by clicking on the appropriate radius button. Select the target disk by clicking on the appropriate check box.
3. Press the Yes key to start the expansion on the RAID set.

The new additional capacity can be utilized by one or more volume sets. The volume sets associated with this RAID set appear for you to have chance to modify RAID level or stripe size. Follow the instruction presented in the "Modify Volume Set" to modify the volume sets; operation system specific utilities may be required to expand operating system partitions.

Note:

1. Once the "Expand Raid Set" process has started, user can not stop it. The process must be completed.

Note:

1. If a disk drive fails during RAID set expansion and a hot spare is available, an auto rebuild operation will occur after the RAID set expansion completes.
2. RAID 30/50/60 doesn't support the "Expand Raid Set".
3. RAID set expansion is a quite critical process, we strongly recommend customer backup data before expand. Unexpected accident may cause serious data corruption.

- Migrating

VIO Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Raid Set Fund The Raid Set Information Raid Set Name : Raid Set # 00 Member Disks : 2 Expand Raid $ Raid State : Migrating Offline Raid Se Total Capacity : 800.0GB Activate Raid S Free Capacity : 800.0GB Create Hot Sp Min Member Disk Size : 400.0GB Delete Hot Spa Member Disk Channels : .E1S1.E1S2. Rescue Raid Set System Raid Set information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Migration occurs when a disk is added to a RAID set. Migrating state is displayed in the RAID state area of "The Raid Set Information" screen when a disk is being added to a RAID set. Migrating state is also displayed in the associated volume state area of the "Volume Set Information" which belongs this RAID set.

3.7.2.4 Offline Raid Set

This function is for customer being able to unmount and re-mount a multi-disk volume. All Hdds of the selected RAID set will be put into offline state and spun down and fault LED will be in fast blinking mode. User can remove those Hdds and insert those Hdds on the others controller empty slots without needing power down the controller to perform the online array roaming.

I/O Port Addr : 2800000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume $ Raid Set Function Physical Create Raid Set Raid Sys Delete Raid Set More Sys Expand Rait Set Hdd Pow Ethernet Alert By M View Sys Create Hot Spare Clear Eve Hardware Rescue Raid Set System in Raid Set Information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.2.5 Activate Raid Set

The following screen is used to activate the RAID set after one of its disk drive was removed in the power off state.

When one of the disk drives is removed in power off state, the RAID set state will change to "Incomplete State". If user wants to continue to work while the SAS RAID controller is powered on, the user can use the "Activate Incomplete Raid Set" option to active the RAID set. After user selects this function, the RAID state will change to "Degraded Mode" and start to work.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume $ Raid Set Function Physical Create Raid Set Raid Sys Delete Raid Set More Sys Expand Raid Set Hdd Pow Offline Raid $ Select Raid Set To Activate Ethernet Activate Raid Alert By Create Hot S Raid Set # 000 View Sys Delete Hot Spare Clear Eve Rescue Raid Set Hardware Raid Set Information System in

3.7.2.6 Create Hot Spare

When you choose the "Create Hot Spare" option in the "Raid Set Function", all unused physical devices connected to the current controller will result in the screen.

Select the target disk by clicking on the appropriate check box. Press the Enter key to select a disk drive and press Yes in the "Create Hot Spare" to designate it as a hot spare.

The “Create Hot Spare” gives you the ability to define a global or dedicated hot spare. Unlike “Global Hot Spare” which can be used with any RAID sets, “Dedicated Hot Spare” can only be used with a specific RAID set or Enclosure. When a disk drive fails in the RAID set or enclosure with a dedicated hot spare is pre-set, data on the disk drive is rebuild automatically on the dedicated hot spare disk.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set E Physical Driv Raid System D More System E Hdd Power M O Ethernet Con A Alert By Mail C View System D Clear Event R Hardware Mo R System information Select Drives For HotSpare [*]E#1Solt#01 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Sb Select Hot Spare Type [ ]E#1Sb Global [ ]E#1Sb Dedicated To RaidSet VLA360 [ ]E#1Sb Dedicated To Enclosure VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#06 : 400.1GB : Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 [ ]E#1Solt#07 : 500.1GB : HDS725050KL360 [ ]E#1Solt#08 : 500.1GB : ST3500630NS ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.2.7 Delete Hot Spare

Select the target hot spare disk to delete by clicking on the appropriate check box.

Press the Enter key to select a hot spare disk drive, and press Yes in the "Delete Hot Spare" screen to delete the hot spare.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Fun Volume Set F Physical Driv Raid System More System Hdd Power M Ethernet Co Alert By Mail View System Clear Event Hardware Mo System information Raid Set Function Raid Set Delete Raid Set Expand Raid Set Offline Raid Set Select The HotSpare Device To Be Deleted Delete HotSpare? [*]E#1Solt#3 : 500.1GB Rescue Raid Set Raid Set Information Yes No ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.2.8 Rescue Raid Set

When the system is powered off in the RAID set update/creation period, it possibly could disappear due to this abnormal condition. The "RESCUE" function can recover the missing RAID set information. The RAID controller uses the time as the RAID set signature. The RAID set may have different time after the RAID set is recovered. The "SIGANT" function can regenerate the signature for the RAID set.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set F Physical Driv Raid System More System Hdd Power M Ethernet Con Alert By Mail View System Clear Event P Hardware Mo System info Raid Set Function Raid Set Delete Raid Set Expand Raid Set Offline Raid Set Activate Raid Set Create Hot Enter the Operation Key Delete Hot Rescue Ra Raid Set Information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Note:

Please contact us to make sure if you need to use rescue function. Improperly usage may cause configuration corruption.

Once can manually fail a drive, which is useful in kill-off slow speed disk. There is nothing physically wrong with the disk. A manually failed the drive can be rebuilt by the hot spare and brought back on-line.

3.7.2.9 Raid Set Information

To display RAID set information, move the cursor bar to the desired RAID set number, then press the Enter key. The "Raid Set Information" will appear. You can only view information for the RAID set in this screen.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set E Physical Drive R Raid System D More System E Hdd Power M O Ethernet Con A Alert By Mail C View System D Clear Event B R Hardware M R System information The Raid Set Information Raid Set Name : Raid Set #000 Member Disks : 20 Raid State : Normal Raid Power State : Operating Total Capacity : 5800.0GB Free Capacity : 5600.0GB Min Member Disk Size : 290.0GB Supported Volumes : 128 Member Disk Channels : .E3S1.E3S2.E3S3. E3S4.E3S5.E3S6.E3S7. ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.3 Volume Set Function

A volume set is seen by the host system as a single logical device; it is organized in a RAID level within the controller utilizing one or more physical disks. RAID level refers to the level of data performance and protection of a volume set. A volume set can consume all of the capacity or a portion of the available disk capacity of a RAID set. Multiple volume sets can exist on a RAID set. If multiple volume sets reside on a specified RAID set, all volume sets will reside on all physical disks in the RAID set. Thus each volume set on the RAID set will have its data spread evenly across all the disks in the RAID set rather than one volume set using some of the available disks and another volume set using other disks.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

The following is the volume set features for the SAS RAID controller.

1. Volume sets of different RAID levels may coexist on the same RAID set and up to 128 volume sets per controller.
2. Up to 128 volume sets can be created in a RAID set.
3. The maximum addressable size of a single volume set is not limited to 2TB, because the controller is capable of 64-bit LBA mode. However the operating system itself may not be capable of addressing more than 2TB.

3.7.3.1 Create Volume Set (0/1/10/3/5/6)

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drive Raid System More System Hdd Power M Ethernet Cor Alert By Mail View System Clear Event B Hardware Mod System information Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Raid30/50/60 Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Stop Volume Check Display Volume Info. ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

To create a volume set, follow the below steps:

1. Select the "Volume Set Function" from the main menu.
2. Choose the "Create Volume Set" from "Volume Set Functions" dialog box screen.
3. The "Create Volume From Raid Set" appears. This screen displays the existing arranged RAID sets. Select the RAID set number and press the Enter key. The "Volume Creation" dialog is displayed in the screen.
4. The new create volume set attribute allows user to select the Volume Name, Raid level, Capacity, Strip Size, SCSI Channel/SCSI ID/SCSI Lun, Cache Mode, Write protect and Tagged Command Queuing.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab) : Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Vb Volume Creation Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 001 Physical R Raid Level : 6 Raid Sys Capacity : 5039.9GB More Sy Stripe Size : 64K Hdd Pow SCSI Channel : 0 Ethernet SCSI ID : 0 Alert By SCSI LUN : 1 View Sys Cache Mode : Write Back Clear Ev Write Protect : Disabled Hardware Mo Tag Queuing : Enabled System inform ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

1. After completed the modification of the volume set, press the Esc key to confirm it. An "Initialization Mode" screen appears.

- Initialization Mode

• Select "Foreground (Faster Completion)" for faster initialization of the selected volume set.
• Select "Background (Instant Available)" for normal initialization of the selected volume set.
• Select "No Init (To Rescue Volume)" for no initialization of the selected volume.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Volume Volume Creation Volume Name : Volume Set # 000 Volume Create Vo Raid Level : 6 Raid Sy Create Ra Capacity : 5039.9GB More Sy Delete Vo Stripe Size : 64K Hdd Po Modify Vo SCSI Channel : 0 Etherne Check SCSI ID : 0Initialization Mode Alert By Stop Vo SCSI LUN View Sy Display Vo Cache Mod Write Prote Clear Ev Hardware Monitor Tag Queuin No Init (To Rescue Volume) System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

1. Repeat steps 3 to 5 to create additional volume sets.
2. The initialization percentage of volume set will be displayed at the button line.

Note:

Controller starts to initialize the volume in two conditions

1. Stay in controller bios manager or
2. Boot into OS and the controller driver loaded.

• Volume Name

The default volume name will always appear as ARC-12x6-VOL #. You can rename the volume set providing it does not exceed the 15 characters limit.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Volume Set Fu Volume Creation Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 000 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 000 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 000 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 000 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 000 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 000 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 00 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 00 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL## 00 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL## 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL## 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL## 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL## 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL## 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL## 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 00 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# # 00 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# # 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# # 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# # 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# # 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# # 300 Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# # 300 Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Volume Name : ARC-15 x VOL# Balance: Capacity: 5039.9GB Stripe Size: 64K SCSI Channel: 0 SCSI ID: 0 SCSI L: Edit The Volume Name Cache M: ARC-12x6-VOL# 00 Write Protect: Disabled Tag Queuing: Enabled

- Raid Level

Set the "Raid Level" for the volume set. Highlight "Raid Level" and press the Enter key. The available RAID levels for the current volume set are displayed. Select a RAID level and press the Enter key to confirm.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Function Hdd Power Managem Ethernet Configuratio Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Volume Creation Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL # 000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 1 Cache Mode : Write Write Protect : Disable Tag Queuing : Enabled Select Raid Level 0 0 + 1 3 5 6 ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

- Capacity

The maximum available volume size is the default value for the first setting. Enter the appropriate volume size to fit your application. The capacity value can be increased or decreased by the UP and DOWN arrow keys. The capacity of each volume set must be less than or equal to the total capacity of the RAID set on which it resides.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Volume Se Volume Creation Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL# 000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K Available Capacity : 2400.0GB SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID SCSI LUN Selected Capacity : 2400.0GB Cache Mode Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled Physical Create Volume Create Ravi Delete Volg M C Stop Volum Display Vol Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

If volume capacity will exceed 2TB, controller will show the "Greater Two TB Volume Support" sub-menu.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Func Physical Drives Raid System Func More System Fun Hdd Power Mana Ethernet Configur Alert By Mail Con View System Eve Clear Event Buffe Hardware Monitor System informatic Total 5 Drives Raid 0 Raid 1 + 0 Raid 1 + 0 + Spare Raid 3 Raid 5 Raid 3 + Spare Raid 5 + Spare Raid 6 Raid 6 + Spare Greater Two TB Volume Support No Use 64bit LBA Use 4K Block ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

• No

When this option is enabled, it keeps the volume size with max. 2TB limitation.

For any hard disk drives working in the 4K native mode in the Raid set, the volume set directly sets and exposes 4KB sector size to the operating system.

- Use 64bit LBA

This option use 16 bytes CDB instead of 10 bytes. The maximum volume capacity up to 512TB. For any hard disk drives working in the 4K native mode in the Raid set, the volume set directly sets and exposes 4KB sector size to the operating system. This option works on different OS which supports 16 bytes CDB. Such as:

Windows 2003 with SP1 or later

Linux kernel 2.6.x or later

- Use 4K Block

This option uses 16 bytes CDB and changes the sector size from default 512 bytes to 4k bytes. Windows XP only supports maximum volume capacity is up to 16TB.

- Stripe Size

This parameter sets the size of segment written to each disk in a RAID 0, 1, 1E, 10, 5, 6, 50 or 60 logical drive. You can set the stripe size to 4 KB, 8 KB, 16 KB, 32 KB, 64 KB, 128 KB, 256KB, 512KB, or 1024KB.

Warning:

Roaming the stripe size 256K/512K/1024K Raid Set to firmware version older than 1.52 will cause data corruption.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Volume Set Fu Physical Create Volume Raid Sy Create Raid30 More S Delete Volume Hdd Po C Create Etherne C Alert By Stop Volume C View Sy Display Volume Clear E Hardware Monitor System information Volume Creation Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 1 Cache Mode : Write Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

The SAS RAID controller function simulates a external SCSI RAID controller. The host bus represents the SCSI channel. Choose the "SCSI Channel". A "Select SCSI Channel" dialog box appears; select the channel number and press the Enter key to confirm it.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Volume Selection Volume Creation Volume Physical Create Volume Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Raid Sys Create Raid Delete C More Sy Modify Hdd Pow Modify Check Ethernet Check Alert By Stop Volum View Sys Display Vol Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 1 Cache Mode : Write Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

- SCSI ID

Each device attached to the SAS RAID controller, as well as the SAS RAID controller itself, must be assigned a unique SCSI ID number. A SCSI channel can connect up to 15 devices. It is necessary to assign a SCSI ID to each device from a list of available SCSI IDs.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab) : Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Volume Selection Volume Create Volume Physical Create Volume Raid Sys Create Raid More Sy Delete Hdd Pow Modify Ethernet Modify Check Alert By Stop Volume View Sys Display Vol Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Volume Creation Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 1 Cache Mode : Write Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

- SCSI LUN

Each SCSI ID can support up to 8 LUNs. Most SAS controllers treat each LUN as if it were a SAS disk.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Volume Set Volume Creation Volume Create Volume Physical Create Va Raid Sys Create Racl More Sy Delete C Hdd Pow Modify Ethernet Modify Alert By Check View Sys Stop Volum Clear Event Buffer Display Vo Hardware Monitor System information Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 1 Cache Mode : Write Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

- Cache Mode

User can set the cache mode to either "Write Through" or "Write Back".

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Volume Selection Volume Creation Volume Create Volume Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Physical Create Raid Raid Sys Delete More Sys Modify Hdd Pow Check Ethernet Stop Volume Alert By Display Vol View Sys Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Cache Mode : Write Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

- Write Protect

When "Write Protect" is enabled on the "Create Volume Set", host commands fail if they are issued to a volume in that RAID controller and attempt to modify a volume's data or attributes. "Write Protection" is used primarily for customer-initiated disaster recovery testing.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(1ab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Volume Selection Volume Create Volume Physical Create Raid Raid Sys Delete More Sys Modify Hdd Pow Check Ethernet Stop Volume Alert By Display Vol View Sys Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Volume Creation Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 1 Cache Mode : Write Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

- Tag Queuing

This option, when enabled, can enhance overall system performance under multi-tasking operating systems. The Command Tag (Drive Channel) function controls the SAS command tag queuing support for each drive channel. This function should normally remain enabled. Disabled this function only when using older drives that do not support command tag queuing. Tagged Command Queuing (TCQ) is a technology built into SAS hard drives. It allows the RAID controller to send multiple read and write requests to a hard drive. This function should normally remain "Enabled". "Disabled" this function only when using SAS drives that do not support command tag queuing.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Volume Se Volume Creation Volume Create Vol Physical Create Va Raid Sys Create Raid More Sy Delete C Hdd Pow Modify Ethernet Check Alert By Stop Volum View Sys Display Vol Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Volume Name : ARC-12x6-VOL#000 Raid Level : 6 Capacity : 5039.9GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 1 Cache Mode : Write Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.3.2 Create Raid30/50/60 (Volume Set 30/50/60)

To create 30/50/60 volume set from RAID set group, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "Create Raid 30/50/60" link. The "Select The Raid Set To Create Volume On It" screen will show all RAID set number. Tick on the RAID set numbers (same number of disk per RAID set) that you want to create and then click on it.

The created new volume set attribute option allows users to select the Volume Name, Capacity, Raid Level, Strip Size, SCSI ID/LUN, Cache Mode, Write protect and Tagged Command Queuing. The detailed description of those parameters can refer to section 3.7.3.1. User can modify the default values in this screen; the modification procedures are in section 3.7.3.4.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Raid Sys More Sy Hdd Pow Ethernet Alert By View Sys Clear Ev Hardware System information Create Raid 30/50/60 Free(Capacity) [*] Raid Set # 000 3000.0GB (3000.0GB) [*] Raid Set # 001 1000.0GB (8000.0GB) [] Raid Set # 003 150.0GB ( 240.0GB) [] Raid Set # 004 150.0GB ( 240.0GB) [] Raid Set # 005 150.0GB ( 240.0GB) [] Raid Set # 006 150.0GB ( 240.0GB) [] Raid Set # 007 150.0GB ( 240.0GB) ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Note:

Raid Level 30 50 and 60 can support up to eight RAID sets (four pairs).

3.7.3.3 Delete Volume Set

To delete volume set from a RAID set, move the cursor bar to the "Volume Set Functions" menu and select the "Delete Volume Set" item, then press the Enter key. The "Volume Set Functions" menu will show all Raid Set # items. Move the cursor bar to a RAID set number, then press the Enter key to show all volume sets within that RAID set. Move the cursor to the volume set number that is to be deleted and press the Enter key to delete it.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Functions Physical Create Volume Set Raid Sys Create Raid50/50/60 More Sys Delete Hdd Pow Modify Ethernet Check View Sys Stop V Clear EV Display Hardware Monitor System information Select Volume To Delete ARC-12x6-VOL#004 (Raid 30/50/60 Vol) ARC-12x6-VOL#009 ARC-12x6-VOL#014 ARC-12x6-VOL#002 ARC-12x6-VOL#003 Delete Volume Set Yes No ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.3.4 Modify Volume Set

Use this option to modify volume set configuration. To modify volume set values from RAID set system function, move the cursor bar to the "Modify Volume Set" item, then press the Enter key. The "Volume Set Functions" menu will show all RAID set items. Move the cursor bar to a RAID set number item, then press the Enter key to show all volume set items. Select the volume set from the list to be changed, press the Enter key to modify it.

As shown, volume information can be modified at this screen. Choose this option to display the properties of the selected volume set. But user can only modify the last volume set capacity.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Set Raid Set Function Volume Volume Set Physical Create Raid Sys Create More Sy Delete Hdd Pow Modify Ethernet Check Alert By Stop V View Sys Display Clear Ev Hardware Monitor System information Volume Modification Volume Set Name : ARC-12x6-VOL # 000 Raid Level : 1+0 Capacity : 100.0GB Stripe Size : 64K SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 0 Cache Mode : Write-Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.3.4.1 Volume Growth

Use "Expand Raid Set" function to add disk to a RAID set. The additional capacity can be used to enlarge the last volume set size or to create another volume set. The "Modify Volume Set" function can support the "Volume Modification" function. To expand the last volume set capacity, move the cursor bar to the "Capacity" item and entry the capacity size. When finished the above action, press the ESC key and select the Yes option to complete the action. The last volume set starts to expand its capacity.

To expand an existing volume noticed:

• Only the last volume can expand capacity.
• When expand volume capacity, you can't modify stripe size or modify RAID revel simultaneously.
• You can expand volume capacity, but can't reduce volume capacity size.
• After volume expansion, the volume capacity can not be decreased.

For greater 2TB expansion:

• If your system installed in the volume, don't expand the volume capacity greater 2TB, currently OS can't support boot up from a greater 2TB capacity device.
• Expand over 2TB used 64bit LBA mode. Please make sure your OS supports 64bit LBA before expand it.

3.7.3.4.2 Volume Set Migration

Migrating occurs when a volume set is migrating from one RAID level to another, when a volume set strip size changes, or when a disk is added to a RAID set. Migration state is displayed in the volume state area of the "Volume Set Information" screen.

Note:

Power failure may damage the migration data. Please backup the RAID data before you start the migration function.

3.7.3.5 Check Volume Set

Use this option to verify the correctness of the redundant data in a volume set. For example, in a system with a dedicated parity disk drive, a volume set check entails computing the parity of the data disk drives and comparing those results to the contents of the dedicated parity disk drive. To check volume set, move the cursor bar to the "Check Volume Set" item, then press the Enter key. The "Volume Set Functions" menu will show all RAID set number items. Move the cursor bar to an RAID set number item and then press the Enter key to show all volume set items. Select the volume set to be checked from the list and press Enter key to select it. After completed the selection, the confirmation screen appears, press Yes to start the check.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Functions Physical Raid Sys More Sys Hdd Pow Ethernet Alert By View Sys Clear Ev Hardware Monitor System information Select Volume To Check ARC-12x6-VOL #004 (Raid 30/50/60 Yo) Check The Volume ? ARC-12x6-VOL ARC-12x6-VOL Yes ARC-12x6-VOL No ARC-12x6-VOL#003 (Raid Set # 002) ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.3.6 Stop Volume Check

Use this option to stop all of the "Check Volume Set" operations.

3.7.3.7 Display Volume Set Info.

To display volume set information, move the cursor bar to the desired volume set number and then press the Enter key. The "Volume Set Information" screen will be shown. You can only view the information of this volume set in this screen, but can not modify it.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Volume Physical Raid Sys More Sy Hdd Pow Ethernet Alert By View Sys Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information The Volume Set Information Volume Set Name : ARC-12x6-VOL # 004 Raid Set Name : Raid Set # 02 Volume Capacity : 1200.0GB Volume State : Migration SCSI CH/ID/Lun : 0/0/4 Raid Level : 5 Stripe Size : 64K Block Size : 512 Bytes Member Disk : 5 Cache Attribute : Write-Back Write Protect : Disabled Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.4 Physical Drives

Choose this option from the main menu to select a physical disk and perform the operations listed above. Move the cursor bar to an item, then press Enter key to select the desired function.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.4.1 View Drive Information

When you choose this option, the physical disks connected to the SAS RAID controller are listed. Move the cursor to the desired drive and press Enter key to view drive information.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume/Select Unit P R M H E A V O Hardware Mon System inform E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solt# E#1Solts# Model Name : ST380013AS Serial Number : 5JV944ZF Firmware Rev. : A600 Disk Capacity : 80.0 GB Current SAS : 3G Supported SAS : 3G Device State : RaidSet Member Timeout Count : 0 Media Errors : 0 Rotation Speed : 15015 SMART State : O.K. ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.4.2 Create Pass-Through Disk

A pass-through disk is not controlled by the SAS RAID controller firmware and thus cannot be a part of a volume set. The disk is available directly to the operating system as an individual disk. It is typically used on a system where the operating system is on a disk not controlled by the SAS RAID controller firmware. The SCSI Channel/SCSI ID/SCSI LUN, Write Protect, Cache Mode, and Tag Queuing must be specified to create a pass-through disk.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Vol Physical Drive Function P Select The Drive R E#1Solt#7 : 500.1 M E#1Solt#8 : 500.1 H E#1Solt#9 : 400.1 E E#1Solt#10 : 400.1 A E#1Solt#11 : 400.1 V E#1Solt#12 : 500.1 Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Pass-Through Disk Attribute SCSI Channel : 0 SCSI ID : 0 SCSI LUN : 0 Write Protect : Disabled Cache Mode : Write Back Tag Queuing : Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.4.3 Modify Pass-Through Disk

Use this option to modify "Pass-Through Disk Attributes". To select and modify a pass-through disk from the pool of pass-through disks, move the "Modify Pass-Through Drive" option and then press the Enter key. The "Physical Drive Function" menu will show all pass-through drive number options. Move the cursor bar to the desired number and then press the Enter key to show all pass-through disk attributes. Select the parameter from the list to be changed and them press the Enter key to modify it.

3.7.4.4 Delete Pass-Through Disk

To delete a pass-through drive from the pass-through drive pool, move the cursor bar to the "Delete Pass-Through Drive" item, then press the Enter key. The "Delete Pass-Through confirmation" screen will appear; select Yes to delete it.

graph TD
    A["Main Menu"] --> B["Quick Volume/Raid Setup"]
    B --> C["Raid Set Function"]
    C --> D["Physical Drive Function"]
    D --> E["View Drive Information"]
    E --> F["Create Pass That Select"]
    F --> G["Delete Pass-Through Are you Sure?"]
    G --> H{E#1Slot}
    H -->|Yes| I["Yes"]
    H -->|No| J["No"]
    I --> K["Identify Enclosure"]
    J --> L["Identify Enclosure"]
    K --> M["View System Events"]
    L --> N["Clear Event Buffer"]
    M --> O["Hardware Monitor"]
    N --> P["System information"]

3.7.4.5 Identify Selected Drive

To prevent removing the wrong drive, the selected disk fault LED indicator will light for physically locating the selected disk when the "Identify Selected Device" is selected.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Select Physical Wave function E#1Solt#02 : 500.1GB : RaidSet Member: HDS725050KLA360 E#1Solt#03 : 500.1GB : RaidSet Member: ST3500630NS E#1Solt#04 : 400.1GB : RaidSet Member: Hitachi HDT725040VLA360 E#1Solt#05 : 400. E#1Solt#06 : 400. E#1Solt#07 : 500.1GB : RaidSet Member: HDS725050KL360 E#1Solt#08 : 500.1GB : RaidSet Member: ST3500630NS Please Check The Device's LED System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5 Raid System Function

To set the "Raid System Function", move the cursor bar to the main menu and select the "Raid System Function" item and then press Enter key. The "Raid System Function" menu will show multiple items. Move the cursor bar to an item, and then press Enter key to select the desired function.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System>>> Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.1 Mute The Alert Beeper

The "Mute The Alert Beeper" function item is used to control the SAS RAID controller beeper. Select Yes and press the Enter key in the dialog box to turn the beeper off temporarily. The beeper will still activate on the next event.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Ra Raid Set Function Volume Set Fund Physical Drives Raid System Fun More System Fun Hdd Power Mana Ethernet Configur Alert By Mail Con View System Eve Clear Event Buffe Hardware Monitor System information Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cap Volume Data Read Ah Hdd Queue Depth Setting Empty HDD Slot LED Controller Fan Detection Auto Activate Raid Set Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation Mute Alert Beeper Yes No ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.2 Alert Beeper Setting

The "Alert Beeper Setting" function item is used to "Disabled" or "Enabled" the SAS RAID controller alarm tone generator. Select "Disabled" and press the Enter key in the dialog box to turn the beeper off.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Funct More System Fund Hdd Power Manag Ethernet Configura Alert By Mail Confi View System Even Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead C Volume Data Read Hdd Queue Depth Setting Empty HDD Slot LED Controller Fan Detection Auto Activate Raid Set Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation Alert Beeper Setting Disabled Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.3 Change Password

The manufacture default password is set to 0000. The password option allows user to set or clear the password protection feature. Once the password has been set, the user can monitor and configure the controller only by providing the correct password. This feature is used to protect the internal RAID system from unauthorized access. The controller will check the password only when entering the main menu from the initial screen. The system will automatically go back to the initial screen if it does not receive any command in 5 minutes. To set or change the password, move the cursor to "Raid System Function" screen, press the "Change Password" item. The "Enter New Password" screen will appear. Do not use spaces when you enter the password, If spaces are used, it will lock out the user. To disable the password, only press Enter key in both the "Enter New Password" and "Re-Enter New Password" column. The existing password will be cleared. No password checking will occur when entering the main menu.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Raid System Function Quick Volu Mute The Alert Beeper Raid Set F Alert Beeper Setting Volume Set Change Password Physical D JBOD/RAID Function Raid SysteBackground Task Priority More Syste SATA NCQ Support Hdd Power HDD Read Ahead Cache Ethernet O Volume Data Read Ahead Alert By M Hdd Queue Depth Setting View Syste Empty HDD Slot LED Clear Even Controller Fan Detection Hardware Auto Activate Raid Set System inf Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.4 JBOD/RAID Function

JBOD is an acronym for "Just a Bunch Of Disk". A group of hard disks in a RAID box are not set up as any type of RAID configuration. All drives are available to the operating system as an individual disk. JBOD does not provide data redundancy. User needs to delete the RAID set, when you want to change the option from the RAID to the JBOD function.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System

Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller

Main Menu

Raid System Function

Quick Volu

Mute The Alert Beeper

Raid Set F

Alert Beeper Setting

Volume Se

Change Password

Physical D

JBOD/RAID Function

Raid Syste

Background Task Priority

More Syste

SATA NCQ Support

Hdd Power

HDD Read Ahead Cache

Ethernet C

Volume Data Read Ahead

Alert By M

Hdd Queue Depth Setting

View Syste

Empty HDD Slot LED

Clear Ever

Controller Fan Detection

Hardware

Auto Activate Raid Set

System inf

Disk Write Cache Mode

Write Same Support

Capacity Truncation

ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.5 Background Task Priority

The “Background Task Priority” is a relative indication of how much time the controller devotes to a rebuild operation. The SAS RAID controller allows the user to choose the rebuild priority (UltraLow, Low, Normal, High) to balance volume set access and rebuild tasks appropriately.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System

Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller

Main Menu

Raid System Function

Quick Volu

Mute The Alert Beeper

Raid Set F

Alert Beeper Setting

Volume Se

Change Password

Physical D

JBOD/RAID Function

Raid Syste

Background Task Prio

More Syste

SATA NCQ Support

Hdd Power

HDD Read Ahead Ca

Ethernet

Volume Data Read Ah

Alert By M

Hdd Queue Depth Set

View Syste

Empty HDD Slot LED

Clear Even

Controller Fan Detection

Hardware

Auto Activate Raid Set

System int

Disk Write Cache Mode

Write Same Support

Capacity Truncation

ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.6 SATA NCQ Support

RAID controller supports both SAS and SATA disk drives. The SATA NCQ allows multiple commands to be outstanding within a drive at the same time. Drives that support NCQ have an internal queue where outstanding commands can be dynamically rescheduled or re-ordered, along with the necessary tracking mechanisms for outstanding and completed portions of the workload. The SAS RAID controller allows the user to select the SATA NCQ support: "Enabled" or "Disabled".

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volu Raid Set F Volume Se Physical D Raid Syste More Syste Hdd Power Ethernet O Alert By M View Syste Clear Even Hardware System inf Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cache Volume Data Read Ahead Hdd Queue Depth Setting Empty HDD Slot LED Controller Fan Detection Auto Activate Raid Set Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation SATA NCQ Support Enabled Disabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.7 HDD Read Ahead Cache

Allow Read Ahead (Default: Enabled)—When "Enabled", the drive's read ahead cache algorithm is used, providing maximum performance under most circumstances.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System

Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller

Main Menu

Quick Volu

Raid Set F

Volume Se

Physical D

Raid Syste

More Syst

Hdd Powe

Ethernet

Alert By M

View Syste

Clear Ever

Hardware

System inf

Raid System Function

Mute The Alert Beeper

Alert Beeper Setting

Change Password

JBOD/RAID Function

Background Task Priority

SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cache

HDD Read Ahead C

Volume Data Read

Hdd Queue Depth S

Empty HDD Slot LED

Controller Fan Detection

Auto Activate Raid Set

Disk Write Cache Mode

Write Same Support

Capacity Truncation

ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.8 Volume Data Read Ahead

The volume read data ahead parameter specifies the controller firmware algorithms which process the read ahead data blocks from the disk. The "Data Read Ahead" parameter is normal by default. To modify the value, you must set it from the "Raid System Function" using the 'Volume Data Read Ahead' option. The default "Normal" option satisfies the performance requirements for a typical volume. The "Disabled" value implies no read ahead. The most efficient value for the controllers depends on your application. The "Aggressive" value is optimal for sequential access but it degrades random access.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System

Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller

Main Menu

Quick Vol

Raid Set F

Volume Se

Physical D

Raid Syste

More Syst

Hdd Powe

Ethernet

Alert By M

View Syst

Clear Ever

Hardware

System int

Raid System Function

Mute The Alert Beeper

Alert Beeper Setting

Change Password

JBOD/RAID Function

Background Task Priority

SATA NCQ Support

HDD Read Ahead Cache

Volume Data Read A

Hdd Queue Depth Se

Empty HDD Slot LED

Controller Fan Detect

Auto Activate Raid Set

Disk Write Cache Mode

Write Same Support

Capacity Truncation

Volume Data Read Ahead

Normal

Aggressive

Conservative

Disabled

3.7.5.9 Hdd Queue Depth Setting

This parameter is adjusted the queue depth capacity of NCQ (SAS HDD) or Tagged Command Queuing (SAS HDD) which transmits multiple commands to a single target without waiting for the initial command to complete.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Raid System Function Quick Volu Mute The Alert Beeper Raid Set P Alert Beeper Setting Volume Se Change Password Physical D JBOD/RAID Function Raid Syste Background Task Priority More Syste SATA NCQ Support Hdd Read Ahead Cache Hdd Power Volume Data Read Ahead Ethernet C Hdd Queue Depth Setting Alert By M Empty HDD Slot LED View Syste Controller Fan Detection Clear Even Hardware Auto Activate Raid Set Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support System int Capacity Truncation HDD Queue Depth 1 2 4 8 16 32 ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.10 Empty HDD Slot LED

The firmware has added the "Empty HDD Slot LED" option to setup the fault LED light "ON "or "OFF" when there is no HDD installed. When each slot has a power LED for the HDD installed identify, user can set this option to "OFF". Choose option "ON", the SAS RAID controller will light the fault LED; if no HDD installed.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volu Raid Set F Volume Se Physical D Raid Syste More Syste Hdd Power Ethernet O Alert By M View Syste Clear Even Hardware System inf Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cad Volume Data Read Ah Hdd Queue Depth Set Empty HDD Slot LED Controller Fan Detection Auto Activate Raid Set Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation Empty Slot Led ON OFF ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.11 Controller Fan Detection

The "Controller Fan Detection" function is available in the firmware for detecting the cooling fan function on the ROC which uses the active cooling fan.

When using the passive heatsink on the controller, disable the "Controller Fan Detection" function through this McBIOS RAID manager setting.

The following screen shot shows how to change the McBIOS RAID manager setting to disable the warning beeper function. (This function is not available in the web browser setting.)

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Raid System Function Quick Volu Mute The Alert Beeper Raid Set P Alert Beeper Setting Volume Se Change Password Physical D JBOD/RAID Function Raid Syste Background Task Priority More Syste SATA NCQ Support Hdd Read Ahead Cache Hdd Power Volume Data Read Ahead Ethernet O Hdd Queue Depth Setting Alert By M Empty HDD Slot LED View Syste Clear Even Controller Fan Dec Hardware Auto Activate Raic Disk Write Cache N System int Enabled Disabled Write Same Suppo Capacity Truncation Controller Fan Detection ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.12 Auto Activate Raid Set

When some of the disk drives are removed in power off state or boot up stage, the RAID set state will change to "Incomplete State". But if a user wants to automatically continue to work while the SAS RAID controller is powered on, then user can set the "Auto Activate Raid Set" option to "Enabled". The RAID state will change to "Degraded Mode" while it powers on.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volu Raid Set F Volume Se Physical D Raid Syste More Syste Hdd Power Ethernet O Alert By M View Syste Clear Even Hardware System inf Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cache Volume Data Read Ahead Hdd Queue Depth Empty HDD Slot L Controller Fan Det Auto Activate Raid Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation Auto Activate Raid When Power on Disabled Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.13 Disk Write Cache Mode

User can set the "Disk Write Cache Mode" to Auto, Enabled, or Disabled. "Enabled" increases speed, "Disabled" increases reliability.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volu Raid Set F Volume Se Physical D Raid Syste More Syste Hdd Power Ethernet O Alert By M View Syste Clear Even Hardware System inf Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cache Volume Data Read Ahead Hdd Queue Depth Setting Empty HDD $ Controller Fat Auto Auto Activate Disk Write Ca Write Same Support Capacity Truncation Disk Write Cache Mode Auto Disabled Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.14 Write Same Support

Drives that support the Write Same feature (SCT) can write to multiple drive sectors at once, improving initialization time. To take advantage of this feature, all the drives in the unit must support Write Same. User can set the "SAS And SATA", "SAS Only", "SATA Only" or "Disabled" for the controller initialization.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volu Raid Set F Volume Se Physical D Raid Syste More Syste Hdd Power Ethernet O Alert By M View Syste Clear Even Hardware System inf Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cache Volume Data Read Write Same Support Hdd Queue Depth S Empty HDD Slot L Controller Fan Det Auto Activate Raid S Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation SAS And SATA SAS Only SATA Only Disabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.5.15 Capacity Truncation

Areca RAID controllers use drive truncation so that drives from different vendors are more likely to be usable as spares for one another. Drive truncation slightly decreases the usable capacity of a drive that is used in redundant units. The controller provides three truncation modes in the system configuration: Multiples Of 10G, Multiples Of 1G and Disabled.

I/O Port Addr : 2800000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volu Raid Set F Volume Se Physical D Raid Syste More Syste Hdd Power Ethernet O Alert By M View Syste Clear Even Hardware System inf Raid System Function Mute The Alert Beeper Alert Beeper Setting Change Password JBOD/RAID Function Background Task Priority SATA NCQ Support HDD Read Ahead Cache Volume Data Re Truncate Disk Capacity Hdd Queue De To Multiples of 10G Empty HDD Slq To Multiples of 1G Controller Fan Do Disabled Auto Activate Ra Disk Write Cache Mode Write Same Support Capacity Truncation ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

Multiples Of 10G: If you have 120 GB drives from different vendors; chances are that the capacity varies slightly. For example, one drive might be 123.5 GB, and the other 120 GB. "Multiples Of 10G" truncates the number under tens. This makes the same capacity for both of these drives so that one could replace the other.

Multiples Of 1G: If you have 123 GB drives from different vendors; chances are that the capacity varies slightly. For example, one drive might be 123.5 GB, and the other 123.4 GB. "Multiples Of 1G" truncates the fractional part. This makes the same capacity for both of these drives so that one could replace the other.

Disabled: It does not truncate the capacity.

3.7.6 More System Functions

To set the "More System Functions", move the cursor bar to the main menu and select the "More System Functions" item and then press Enter key. The "More System Functions" menu will show multiple items. Move the cursor bar to an item, then press Enter key to select the desired function.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.6.1 Smart Option For HDD

This option is used to increase the reliability of SSDs/HDDs by automatically copying data from a drive with potential to fail to a designated hot spare or newly inserted drive. The options are: "Failed The Drive", "Failed The Drive If Hot Spare Exist", and "Alert Only". The default is "Alert Only".

"Failed The Drive"- controllers kill off the SMART fail drive immediately.

"Failed The Drive If Hot Spare Exist" – controllers kill off the SMART fail disk if hot spare dive is existed.

"Alert Only" – it will trigger alert when there happens a SMART fail drive.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Manageme Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information More System Functions Smart Option For HDD Smart Polling Interval Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.6.2 Smart Polling Interval

Besides the scheduled volume check, user can define the Smart Pulling Interval to pull the SMART status of each disk. The default is "on demand".

User can schedule every certain period of time interval to pull the SMART status of each disk. When SMART pulling is executed, disk activity will be temporally halted until the SMART parameter reading is finished. That is why you don't want to set the Interval too frequent. What to use is up to the users to decide based on their applications and experiment results.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Func More System Funct Hdd Power Manag Ethernet Configura Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information More System Funct Smart Option For Smart Polling In Hot Plugged Dis Smart Polling Interval On Demand 30 Seconds 1 Minute 5 Minutes 10 Minutes 20 Minutes 30 Minutes 1 Hour 2 Hours 3 Hours 6 Hours 12 Hours ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.6.3 Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding

It defines if the RAID array volume should start rebuilding or not when detects a disk is inserted/re-inserted during online.

The options are: "Blank Disk Only", "Always", and "Disable". The default is "Blank Disk Only".

"Blank Disk Only"-it will trigger the rebuilding if and only if the inserted disk has not been in the RAID array before, which has no RAID signature on it. So when a previously removed disk is self re-inserted, it won't trigger the degraded RAID array to rebuild, and so that the administrator has a chance to identify this mis-behaving disk and replaces it.

"Always" – it is what it was before. Whenever a disk is inserted/re-inserted whether new or previously existed, it always trigger a rebuilding for the Degraded RAID set/Volume.

"Disable" – it will not trigger rebuilding regardless what sort of disk plugging in. When "Disable" and/or "Blank Disk Only" is selected, the re-inserted/previously removed disk will be identified as a disk in a separate RAID set with duplicated RAIDset# and with all the rest of RAID members missing.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Func More System Func Hdd Power Manag Ethernet Configur Alert By Mail Conf View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding More System Func Smart Option Func Smart Polling In Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding Blank Disk Only Always Disabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.7 HDD Power Management

Areca has automated the ability to manage HDD power based on usage patterns. The "HDD Power Management" allows you to choose a "Stagger Power On Control", "Low Power Idle", "Low RPM" and completely "Spins Down Idle HDD". It is designed to reduce power consumption and heat generation on idle drives.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.7.1 Stagger Power On

In a PC system with only one or two drives, the power can supply enough power to spin up both drives simultaneously. But in systems with more than two drives, the startup current from spinning up the drives all at once can overload the power supply, causing damage to the power supply, disk drives and other system components. This damage can be avoided by allowing the host to stagger the spin-up of the drives. The SAS/SATA drives have support stagger spin-up capabilities to boost reliability. Stagger spin-up is a very useful feature for managing multiple disk drives in a storage subsystem. It gives the host the ability to spin up the disk drives sequentially or in groups, allowing the drives to come ready at the optimum time without straining the system power supply. Staggering drive spin-up in a multiple drive environment also avoids the extra cost of a power supply designed to meet short-term startup power demand as well as steady state conditions.

Areca RAID controller has included the option for customer to select the disk drives sequentially stagger power up value. The values can be selected from 0.4 to 6 seconds per step which powers up one group of drives.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Hdd Power Management Stagger Power On Physical D Stagger Power 0.4 Raid Syste Time To Low F 0.7 More Syste Time To Low R 1.0 Hdd Powe Time To Spin D 1.5 Ethernet C . Alert By Mail Config View System Events 6.0 Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.7.2 Time To Hdd Low Power Idle

This option delivers lower power consumption by automatically unloading recording heads during the setting idle time. The values can be selected "Disabled" or within the range 2 to 7 minutes.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Hdd Power Physical D Stagger Pow 2 Raid Syst Time To Low 3 More Syst Time To Low 4 Hdd Pow Time To Sp 5 Ethernet C 6 Alert By Mail Config 7 View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Low Power Idle Disabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.7.3 Time To Low RPM Mode

This function can automatically spin disks at lower RPM if there have not been used during the setting idle time. The values can be selected “Disabled” or within the range 10 to 60 minutes.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set F Hdd Power Volume Se Stagger Pow 10 Physical D Time To Low 20 Raid Syst Time To Low 30 More Syst Time To Sp 40 Hdd Powe 50 Ethernet Configuration 60 Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Low RPM Mode Disabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.7.4 Time To Spin Down Idle Hdd

This function can automatically spin down the drive if it hasn't been accessed for a certain amount of time. This value is used by the drive to determine how long to wait (with no disk activity, before turning off the spindle motor to save power). The values can be selected "Disabled" or within the range 1 to 60 minutes.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Spin Down Hdd Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set E Hdd Power Disabled Volume Se Stagger Pow 1 Physical D Time To Low 3 Raid Syste Time To Low 5 More Systi Time To Sp 10 Hdd Power 15 Ethernet Configuration 20 Alert By Mail Config 30 View System Events 40 Clear Event Buffer 60 Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.8 Ethernet Configuration

Use this feature to set the controller Ethernet port configuration. It is not necessary to create reserved disk space on any hard disk for the Ethernet port and HTTP service to function; these functions are built into the controller firmware.move the cursor bar to the main menu "Ethernet Configuration Function" item and then press the Enter key. The "Ethernet Configuration" menu appears on the screen. Move the cursor bar to an item, and then press Enter key to select the desired function.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.8.1 DHCP Function

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) allows network administrators centrally manage and automate the assignment of IP (Internet Protocol) addresses on a computer network. When using the TCP/IP protocol (Internet protocol), it is necessary for a computer to have a unique IP address in order to communicate to other computer systems. Without DHCP, the IP address must be entered manually at each computer system. DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and distribute IP addresses from a central point. The purpose of DHCP is to provide the automatic (dynamic) allocation of IP client configurations for a specific time period (called a lease period) and to minimize the work necessary to administer a large IP network. To manually configure the IP address of the controller, move the cursor bar to DHCP Function item, then press Enter key to show the DHCP setting. Select the "Disabled" or "Enabled" option to enable or disable the DHCP function. If DHCP is disabled, it will be neces-

sary to manually enter a static IP address that does not conflict with other devices on the network.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab) : Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid Syste More Syste Hdd Power Ethernet C Alert By M View Syste Clear Even Hardware System information DHCP Function : Enable Local IP Address : 192.168.00 HTTP Port Number : 80 Telent Port Number : 23 SMTP Port Number : 25 EtherNet Address : 00.04. D9.7F .FF. FF Select DHCP Setting Disabled Enabled ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.8.2 Local IP address

If you intend to set up your client computers manually (no DHCP), make sure that the assigned IP address is in the same range as the default router address and that it is unique to your private network. However, it is highly recommend to use DHCP if that option is available on your network. An IP address allocation scheme will reduce the time it takes to set-up client computers and eliminate the possibilities of administrative errors and duplicate addresses. To manually configure the IP address of the controller, move the cursor bar to Local IP address item, then press the Enter key to show the default address setting in the RAID controller. You can then reassign the static IP address of the controller.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Ethernet Configuration Raid System Fu More System F Hdd Power Man Ethernet Config Alert By Mail Co View System Ev Clear Event But Hardware Monitor System information DHCP Function : Enable Local IP Address : 192.168.001.100 HTTP Port Number : 80 Telent Port Number : 23 SMTP Port Number : 25 EtherNet Address : 00 Edit The Local IP Address 1 92.168.001.100 ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.8.3 HTTP Port Number

To manually configure the "HTTP Port Number" of the controller, move the cursor bar to "HTTP Port Number" item, then press the Enter key to show the default address setting in the RAID controller. Then You can reassign the default "HTTP Port Number" of the controller.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab) : Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Fu More System F Hdd Power Man Ethernet Config Alert By Mail Co View System Ev Clear Event Bu Hardware Monitor System information Ethernet Configuration DHCP Function : Enable Local IP Address : 192.168.001.100 HTTP Port Number : 80 Telnet Port Number : 22 SMTP Port Number : EtherNet Address : Edit The HTTP Port Number 0 0080 ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.8.4 Telnet Port Number

To manually configure the "Telnet Port Number" of the controller, move the cursor bar to "Telnet Port Number" item, then press the Enter key to show the default address setting in the RAID controller. You can then reassign the default "Telnet Port Number" of the controller.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab) : Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Ethernet Configuration Raid System Fu More System F Hdd Power Man Ethernet Config Alert By Mail Co View System Ev Clear Event But Hardware Monitor System information DHCP Function : Enable Local IP Address : 192.168.001.100 HTTP Port Number 30 Telnet Port Number Edit The Telent Port Number SMTP Port Number 0.0023 EtherNet Address ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.8.5 SMTP Port Number

To manually configure the "SMTP Port Number" of the controller, move the cursor bar to the main menu "Ethernet Configuration" function item and then press Enter key. The "Ethernet Configuration" menu appears on the screen. Move the cursor bar to "SMTP Port Number" item, then press Enter key to show the default address setting in the RAID controller. You can then reassign the default "SMTP Port Number" of the controller.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Fu More System Fu Hdd Power Man Ethernet Configu Alert By Mail Co View System Ev Clear Event Buff Hardware Monit System information Ethernet Configuration DHCP Function : Enable Local IP Address : 192.168.001.100 HTTP Port Number : 80 Telnet Port Number : 28 SMTP Port Number Edit the SMTP Port Number EtherNet Address 0.0025 ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.8.6 Ethernet Address

Each Ethernet port has its unique Mac address, which is also factory assigned. Usually, Ethernet address is used to uniquely identify a port in the Ethernet network.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Function Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Ethernet Configuration DHCP Function : Enable Local IP Address : 192.168.001.100 HTTP Port Number : 80 Telnet Port Number : 23 SMTP Port Number : 25 EtherNet Address : 00.04.D9.7F.FF.FF ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.9 Alert By Mail Config

To configure the 6Gb/s SAS RAID controller e-mail function, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "Alert By Mail Config" link. The "Alert By Mail Config" menu will show all items. Move the cursor bar to the "Alert By Mail Config" item, then select the desired function.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System>>> Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Manageme Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information Alert By Mail Config SMTP Server IP Addr : 000.000.000.000 Mail Sender Name : Mail Sender Address : Mail Account : Mail Account Passwd : EventNotification1 : Enter EventNotification2 : Enter EventNotification3 : Enter EventNotification4 : Enter ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.10 View System Events

To view the SAS RAID controller's system events information, move the cursor bar to the main menu and select the "View System Events" link, then press the Enter key. The SAS RAID controller's events screen appear.

Choose this option to view the system events information: Timer, Device, Event type, Elapsed Time, and Errors. The RAID controller does not have a build-in real time clock. The time information is the relative time from the SAS RAID controller powered on.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Time Device Event Type ElapseTime Errors 2010-4-8 12:00:00 ARC-12x6-VO#001 Raid Powered On 2010-4-8 12:00:00 H/W Monitor Raid Powered On 2010-4-8 12:00:00 H/W Monitor Raid Powered On 2010-4-7 12:00:00 RS232 Terminal VT100 Log In 2010-4-7 12:00:00 H/W Monitor Raid Powered On 2010-4-7 12:00:00 ARC-12x6-VO#001 Start Initialize Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.11 Clear Events Buffer

Use this feature to clear the entire events buffer.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Setup Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Functions Hdd Power Management Clear Event Buffer? Ethernet Configuration Yes Alert By Mail Config No View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.12 Hardware Monitor

To view the RAID controller's hardware monitor information, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "Hardware Monitor" link. The "Controller H/W Monitor" screen appears. The "Controller H/W Monitor" provides the CPU temperature, controller temperature and voltage of the SAS RAID controller.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller

Main Menu Controller H/W Monitor Quick Volume/Raid $ Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Function More System Function Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Config View System Events Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System information CPU Temperature 58 Controller Temp. 43 CPU Fan 5625 12V 11.734 5V 4.999 3.3V 3.200 IO Voltage +1.8V 1.840 DDR3 +1.5V 1.536 CPU VCore +1.0V 1.040 Analog +1.0V 1.040 Battery Status Not Installed ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

3.7.13 System Information

Choose this option to display controller name, firmware version, BOOT ROM version, SAS firmware version, serial number, main processor, CPU instruction cache and data cache size, system memory, and current IP address. To check the system information, move the cursor bar to "System Information" item, then press Enter key. All relevant controller information will be displayed.

I/O Port Addr : 28000000h, F2(Tab): Select Controller, F10: Reboot System Areca Technology Corporation RAID Controller Main Menu Quick Volume/Raid Raid Set Function Volume Set Function Physical Drives Raid System Functi More System Funct Hdd Power Manage Ethernet Configurat Alert By Mail Config View System Event Clear Event Buffer Hardware Monitor System Information The System Information Main Processor : 1200MHz PPC447 CPU ICache Size : 32KB CPU DCache Size : 32KBs/Write Back System Memory : 2GB/1866MHz/ECC Firmware Version : V1.52 2014-01-31 BOOT ROM Version : V1.52 2014-01-01 PL Firmware Ver : 3.0.1.0 Serial Number : ARC-12x6X0000000 Unit Serial # Controller Name : ARC-12x6 Current IP Address : 192.168.0.103 ArrowKey Or AZ:Move Cursor, Enter: Select, ESC: Escape, L:Line Draw, X: Redraw

4. Driver Installation

This chapter describes how to install the SAS RAID controller driver to your operating system. The installation procedures use the following terminology:

Installing operating system on SAS controller's volume

If you have a new drive configuration without an operating system and want to install operating system on a disk drive managed by the SAS RAID controller. The driver installation is a part of the operating system installation.

Installing SAS RAID controller into an existing operating system

The computer has an existing operating system installed and the SAS RAID controller is being installed as a secondary controller.

Have all required system hardware and software components on hand before proceeding with the setup and installation. Materials required:

• Microsoft Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X installation CD
  • SAS RAID controller software CD
• SAS RAID controller

4.1 Creating the Driver Diskettes

The software CD disc shipped with the ARC-12x6 series 12Gb/s RAID controller is a self-booting CD. In order to created driver diskettes for Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac installation drivers, your system is required to support booting from the CD-ROM.

If you do not have the software CD disc with the package, contact your local dealers or you can also download the latest version drivers for Windows 10/8/Server 2012/7/2008/Vista/2003/XP, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X from the Areca web site at http://www.areca.com.tw

These driver diskettes are intended for use with new operating system installations. For Windows 10/8/Server 2012/7/2008/Vista, you can copy the Windows driver file to USB device and installed from it. Determine the correct kernel version and identify which diskette images contain drivers for that kernel. If the driver file ends in .img, you can also create the appropriate driver diskette using "dd" utility. The following steps are required to create the driver diskettes:

1. The computer system BIOS must be set to boot-up from the CDROM.
2. Insert the ARC-12x6 software driver CD disc into the CD-ROM drive.
3. The system will boot-up from CD-ROM Drive; to create the driver diskettes, select the "SAS RAID Controller Driver Diskette Make Utility", and a screen with several choices will be displayed.
4. Move the highlight bar to the "Create Driver Disk" entry and press Enter.
5. The screen queries the ARC-12x6 SAS RAID controllers support driver database and displays a list of available drivers. Move the highlight bar to the correct driver entry and press Enter key to select.
6. The next screen will show "Please insert a formatted diskette into drive A:!! Press any key to continue". Insert the formatted diskette in drive "A" and press any key to continue.
7. The window will display the driver building message: "Now is writing to Cylinder..." as it copies the image file from the CDROM to driver diskette.
8. The "Write Complete !!" message will display when the driver diskette ready.

The driver diskette is made now. Proceed to the following instruction for installation procedures.

4.2 Driver Installation for Windows

The SAS RAID controller can be used with Microsoft Windows 10/8/Server 2012/7/2008/Vista/XP/2003 with StorPort Drivers.

4.2.1 Installing Windows on a RAID Volume

For completed details on installing Windows, see the Windows User's Manual. The following procedures detail installing the SAS RAID controller driver while installing Windows 10/8/Server 2012/7/2008/Vista/XP/2003. Have your bootable Microsoft Windows CD and follow the required procedure below to install SAS RAID controller:

1. Make sure you follow the instructions in Chapter 2 "Hardware Installation" to install the controller and connect the disk drives or enclosure.
2. Start the system and then press Tab or F6 to access the Mc BIOS RAID manager. Use the McBIOS RAID manager to create the RAID set and volume set to which you will install Windows. For details, see Chapter 3 "McBIOS RAID manager". Once a volume set is created and configured, continue with next step to install the operating system.
3. Insert the Windows setup CD and reboot the system to begin the Windows installation.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the Windows installation.
5. When prompted to specify a location for Windows, select "Load Driver".
6. Insert the USB driver disk or floppy drive, browse to the driver location, then click "OK".

7. Window will check the floppy; select the correct card and CPU type for your hardware from the listing and press "Next" to install it.

8. Click on "Next" again to accept the default partition configuration, or refer to your Windows documentation to configure partitions manually.

9. From this point on, simply follow the Microsoft Windows installation procedure. Follow the on-screen instructions, responding as needed, to complete the installation.
10. After the installation is completed, reboot the system to load the new driver/operating system.
11. See Chapter 5 in this manual to customize your RAID volume sets using McRAID storage manager.

After you finish creating additional volume, the following steps show how to make any new volumes or independent disks accessible to Windows.

(a). Click "Start" => right-click "Computer" and select "Manage".
(b). Click "Disk Management" in the left pane.
(c). Scroll down to the bottom of the middle pane. Windows will display a list of new drives attached to your system with a label such as "Disk 1" or "Disk 2", etc.
(d). Right-click on the drive you want to partition and then again to format it
(e). Once it's formatted, Windows automatically assigns the next available drive letter to it and then it will appear in Windows Explorer.

4.2.2 Installing Controller on an Existing Windows

In this scenario, you are installing the controller in an existing Windows system. To install the driver:

1. Follow the instructions in Chapter 2, the Hardware Installation

Chapter, to install the controller and connect the disk drives or enclosure.

1. Start the system and then press Tab or F6 to enter the controller McBIOS RAID manager. Use the configuration utility to create the RAID set and volume set. For details, see Chapter 3, McBIOS RAID Manager. Once a volume set is created and configured, continue with installation of the driver.
2. Re-Boot Windows and the OS will recognize the SAS RAID controller and launch the "Found New Hardware Wizard", this guides you in installing the SAS RAID driver.
3. The Windows will pop-up and provide a choice of how to proceed. so that you can choose a specific driver.
4. When the next screen queries the user about utilizing the currently installed driver, click on the "Have Disk" button.
5. Insert the SAS RAID controller driver media to locate the correct path. Click on the "Next" button.
6. Windows automatically copies the appropriate driver files and rebuilds its driver database.
7. The summary screen appears; click on the "close" button.
8. Restart the computer to load the new drivers.
9. See Chapter 5 in this manual for information on customizing your RAID volumes using McRAID storage manager.

After you finish creating additional volume, the following steps show how to make any new volumes or independent disks accessible to Windows.

(a). Click "Start" => right-click "Computer" and select "Manage".
(b). Click "Disk Management" in the left pane.

(c). Scroll down to the bottom of the middle pane. Windows will display a list of new drives attached to your your system with a label such as "Disk 1" or "Disk 2", etc.
(d). Right-click on the drive you want to partition and then again to format it
(e). Once it's formatted, Windows automatically assigns the next available drive letter to it and then it will appear in Windows Explorer.

4.2.3 Uninstall controller from Windows

To remove the SAS RAID controller driver from the Windows system, follow the instructions below.

1. Ensure that you have closed all applications and are logged in with administrative rights.
2. Open "Control Panel" and start the "Add/Remove Program" icon and uninstall and software for the SAS RAID controller.
3. Go to "Control Panel" and select "System". Select the "Hardware" tab and then click the "Device Manager" button. In device manager, expand the "SCSI and RAID Controllers" section. Right click on the SAS RAID controller and select "Uninstall".
4. Click Yes to confirm removing the SAS RAID driver. The prompt to restart the system will then be displayed.

4.3 Driver Installation for Linux

This chapter describes how to install the SAS RAID controller driver to Red Hat Linux, SuSE and other versions of Linux. Before installing the SAS RAID driver to the Linux, complete the following actions:

1. Install and configure the controller and hard disk drives according to the instructions in Chapter 2 Hardware Installation.

2. Start the system and then press Tab or F6 to enter the McBIOS RAID manager configuration utility. Using the McBIOS RAID manager to create the RAID set and volume set. For details, see Chapter 3, McBIOS RAID Manager.

If you are using a Linux distribution for which there is not a compiled driver available from Areca, you can copy the source from the SAS software CD or download the source from the Areca website and compile a new driver.

Compiled and tested drivers for Red Hat and SuSE Linux are included on the shipped CD. You can download updated versions of compiled and tested drivers for RedHat or SuSE Linux from the Areca web site at http://www.areca.com.tw. Included in these downloads is the Linux driver source, which can be used to compile the updated version driver for RedHat, SuSE and other versions of Linux. Please refer to the "readme.txt" file on the included SAS RAID controller CD or website to make driver diskette and install driver to the system.

4.4 Driver Installation for FreeBSD

This chapter describes how to install the SAS RAID controller driver to FreeBSD. Before installing the SAS RAID driver to FreeBSD, complete following actions:

1. Install and configure the controller and hard disk drives according to the instructions in Chapter 2, Hardware Installation.
2. Start the system and then press Tab or F6 to enter the McBIOS RAID Manager configuration utility. Use the McBIOS RAID manager to create the RAID set and volume set. For details, see Chapter 3, McBIOS RAID Manager.

The supplied software CD that came with the SAS RAID controller includes compiled and tested drivers for FreeBSD 7.x (7.2 and onwards), 8.x (8.0 and onwards) and 9.x (9.0 and onwards). To check if a more current version driver is available, please see the Areca web site at http://www.areca.com.tw.

Please refer to the "readme.txt" file on the SAS RAID controller

software CD or website to make driver diskette and install driver to the system.

4.5 Driver Installation for Solaris

This chapter describes how to install the SAS RAID controller driver to Solaris. Before installing the SAS RAID driver to Solaris, complete following actions:

1. Install and configure the controller and hard disk drives according to the instructions in Chapter 2, Hardware Installation.
2. Start the system and then press Tab or F6 to enter the McBIOS RAID Manager configuration utility. Use the McBIOS RAID manager to create the RAID set and volume set. For details, see Chapter 3, McBIOS RAID Manager.

The supplied software CD that came with the SAS RAID controller includes compiled and tested drivers for Solaris 10/11 x86/x86_64. Please refer to the "readme.txt" file on the software CD or website: http://www.areca.com.tw to make driver diskette and install driver to the system.

4.6 Driver Installation for Mac OS X

After hardware installation, the SAS/SATA disk drives connected to the SAS RAID controller must be configured and the volume set units initialized by the controller before they are ready to use by the system.

4.6.1 Installation Procedures

This section describes detailed instructions for installing the Areca Mac driver & utility for the ARC-12x6 series on your Intel_based Mac Pro. You must have administrative level permissions to install Mac driver & utility. You can use the MRAID installer to install Mac driver & utility (MRAID) at once or "Custom" to install special components.

To follow the process to install driver & utility on Intel-based Mac as below:

1. Insert the Areca Software CD that came with your Areca SAS RAID controller.
2. Double-click on the "install_mraid.zip" file that resides at \packages\MacOS to add the installer on the Finder.
3. Launch the installer by double-clicking the install_mraid on the Finder.
4. Follow the installer on-screen steps, responding as needed, to complete the Areca driver and MRAID (ArcHTTP and CLI utility) installation.

MRAID Choose Install Set Install Set: Driver + MRAID for Snow Leopard(10.6) Custom Driver For Snow Leopard(10.6) ArcHTTP For Snow Leopard(10.6) CLI For Snow Leopard(10.6) Description This installs the driver for Snow Leopard(10.6). InstallAnywhere by Macrosion Cancel Previous Next

- Driver is required for the operating system to be able to interact with the Areca RAID controller.

Important:

Be sure to update the ArcMSR.kext driver shipping with Mac OS X to V1.3.7 or later from the software CD or from the Areca website.

- ArcHTTP has to be installed for GUI RAID console (MRAID storage manager) to run. It also runs as a service or daemon in the background that allows capturing of events for mail and SNMP traps notification. Refer to the section 5.6 ArcHTTP Configuration, for details about the mail and SNMP traps configuration.

- Command Line Interface (CLI) lets you set up and manage RAID controller through a command line interface. CLI performs many tasks at the command line. You can download

CLI manual from Areca website or software CD \DOCS directory.

1. A reboot is required to complete the installation (This will start the ArcHTTP so RAID Console can be used).
2. Normally ArcHTTP64 and CLI are installed at the same time on SAS RAID controller. Once ArcHTTP and CLI have been installed, the ArcHTTP background task automatically starts each time when you start your computer.

There is one "MRAID" icon showing on your desktop. Double-click on the "MRAID" icon to locate your ArcHTTP utility and CLI program file folder.

MRAID FAVORITES All My Files AirDrop Applications Desktop Documents Downloads Movies Name Date Modified ArcCLI64 Today 10:51 AM ArcHTTP64 Today 10:51 AM Uninstall MRAID Today 10:51 AM 3 items, 355.62 GB available

When you double-click on the "ArcHTTP64", it shows all RAID storages available on the system and create an individual RAID storage icon located on left column of the "ArcHTTP Configurations" screen.

ArcHTTP Configurations [open all]close all] ARCH:HTTP - v2.00 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescan Device SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1680 ARC-1683 SATA RAID Controllers ARC-1200 General Configurations Binding IP 0.0.0.0 # HTTP Port# 81 SNTP Port# 25 Display HTTP Connection Information To Console Yes No Scanning PCI Device Yes No Scanning RS-232 Device Yes No Scanning Inband Device Yes No Event Log File Name Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

Locate "ARC-12x6 Web Management" and launch the selected McRAID storage manager. Enter RAID storage default User Name "admin" and the Password "0000" when the login page prompted for it. After logging in, the McRAID storage manager process starts.

If there is any RAID adapter missed on the system start-up, you can use the "Rescan Device" function. See chapter 5 in this manual for information on customizing your RAID volumes using McRAID storage manager.

4.6.2 Making Volume Sets Available to Mac OS X

When you create a volume through McRAID storage manager, the Mac OS X recognizes that a new disk is avail, and displays a message asking what you next want to do. If the message does not show up, start the "Disk Utility" manually from the "Finder", use the "Go" menu and open the "Utilities" folder. Double-click on the "Disk Utility" program. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a volume set and to assign a disk drive letter.

To initialize and partition your unit

1. When the Disk Utility window opens, find and select the desired drive in the sidebar that represents your RAID storage and click on the "Partition" button.
2. In the Partition Layout column, click on the "Current" to show the drop-down menu and select the number of partitions that you want your RAID storage to have. Each partition will appear as a separate drive on your computer.

Areca ARC-5026-VOL#000 Media 60.67 GB APPLE SSD TS084C Media MACROHAM HD 293.39 GB Areca ARC-5026-VOL#000 Media Partition Layout: ✓ Current 1 Partition 2 Particles 3 Particles 4 Particles 5 Particles 6 Particles 7 Particles 8 Particles 9 Particles 10 Particles 11 Particles 12 Particles 13 Particles 14 Particles 15 Particles 16 Particles Partition Information Name: Format: static U% Extended (unmodified) Size: Bytes To erase and partition the selected disk, choose a layout from the Partition Layout pop-up menu, set options for each partition, and click Apply. Options... Reset... Apply Disk Description : Areca ARC-5026-VOL#000 Media Total Capacity : 298.09 GB (298,983,399,296 Bytes) Connection Rate : US Write Status : Read/Write Connection Type : External EMA&T Status : Not Supported Connection ID : 1.01.84.DP:9.84.EB.03, Log(Lat: UHS) - Partition Map Scheme: Unformatted

1. Specify your Partition Information, Option setting and click on the "Apply" button.

Arcea ARC-5026-VOL4000 Media 60.67 GB APPLE SSD TS064C Media Macintosh HD 299.89 GB Arcea ARC - 5026 - VOL4000 Media Partition Layout: 1 Partition Partition Information Name: Untitled 1 Forma ✓ Mac OS Extended (systemed) Size Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journals) MS-COS (STAT) EnFAT To create Free Space partition and disk Access The selected partition will be created. Options... Disk Description : Arcea ARC-5026-VOL4000 Media Total Capacity : 295.89 GB (295.893,399,290 Bytes) Connection Bus : SIG Write Status : Next/Write Connection Type : License SM.A.E.T. Status : Not Supported Connection ID : 501.84 OF 99-64EB09, Legacy Unit 0 Partition Map Scheme : Unformatted

If you're not sure which format to use, choose Mac OS X Extended (Journaled).

1. When a message asks you to confirm you want to partition the disk, click on the "Partition" button. This may take a couple of minutes, depending on the size of the drives in your RAID storage. When the partitioning is complete, icons for each new partition show up on your desktop. They are now ready to use.

5. ArcHTTP Proxy Server Installation

Overview

After hardware installation, the SAS/SATA disk drives connected to the SAS RAID controller must be configured and the volume set units initialized before they are ready to use.

The user interface for these tasks can be accessed through the built-in configuration that resides in the controller's firmware. It provides complete control and management of the controller and disk arrays, eliminating the need for additional hardware or software.

In addition, a software utility to configure the SAS RAID controller is provided on the software CD delivered with SAS RAID controller. This software CD contains the software utility that can monitor, test, and support the SAS RAID controller. The software utility and McRAID storage manager can configure and monitor the SAS RAID controller via ArcHTTP proxy server interface. The following table outlines their functions:

Configuration Utility Operating System Supported
McBIOS RAID Manager OS-Independent
McRAID Storage Manager(Via ArcHTTP proxy server)	Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X
SAP Monitor (Single Admin Portal to scan for multiple RAID units in the network, Via ArcHTTP proxy server)	Windows

The HTTP management software (ArcHTTP) runs as a service or daemon, and have it automatically start the proxy for all controllers found. This way the controller can be managed remotely without having to sign in the server. The HTTP management software (ArcHTTP) also has integrated the email notification and SNMP extension agent. The email notification can be configured in local or remote standard web browser.

Note:

If your controllers have onboard LAN port, you do not need to install ArcHTTP proxy server, you can use McRAID storage manager directly.

5.1 For Windows

You must have administrative level permissions to install SAS RAID software. This procedure assumes that the SAS RAID hardware and Windows are installed and operational in your system.

Screen captures in this section are taken from a Windows XP installation. If you are running another version of Windows, your installation screen may look different, but the ArcHTTP proxy server installation is essentially the same.

1. Insert the RAID controller software CD in the CD-ROM drive.

2. Run the install.exe file that resides at: \PACKAGES\Windows\http directory on the CD-ROM.

3. The screen shows ArcHTTP installation introduction.

archtop Introduction Include/Where will guide you through the installation of archtop. This strategy is recommended that you want all programs before continuing with this installation. Click the Next button to proceed to the next screen. If you want to change something in a previous version, click the Previous Button. Describe any other installation at any time to click the Cancel button. Install/Where is Microsoft Cancel Next

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete ArcHTTP proxy server software installation. A program bar appears that measures the progress of the ArcHTTP proxy server setup. When this screen completes, you have completed the ArcHTTP proxy server software setup.

1. After a successful installation, press "Done" to quit the install-er.

archito Install Complete C:\Progress Files\MDA\ID\archIT\TT Pass: "Drive" to exit the install.

There "Areca RAID Controller" icon bar window start appearing in the taskbar, double-click to launch the ArcHTTP Configuration screen. Or click on the "Start" button in the Windows task bar and then click on the "Program", select the "McRAID" and run "ArcHTTP proxy server". The ArcHTTP Configurations dialog box appears.

ArchHTTP Configurations open all|close all| ArchHTTP - v2.00 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescan Device SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1680 ARC-1683 SATA RAID Controllers ARC-1200 ■ General Configurations Binding IP 0.0.0.0 HTTP Port# 51 SMTP Port# 25 Display HTTP Connection Information To Console Yes No Scanning PCI Device Yes No Scanning RS-232 Device Yes No Scanning Inband Device Yes No Event Log File Name Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

It shows all RAID adapters available on the system and creates an individual adapter icon located on left column of the "ArcHTTP Configurations" screen. This adapter icon is for user to launch the selected RAID adapter web browser RAID manager.

1. See the next chapter detailing the McRAID Storage Manager to customize your RAID volume set.

2. If you need to configure the "System Function" of ArcHTTP, please refer to section 5.6 ArcHTTP Configuration.

5.2 For Linux

You should have administrative level permissions to install SAS RAID software. This procedure assumes that the SAS RAID hardware and Linux are installed and operational in your system.

The following installation procedure explains how to install the SAS RAID software for Linux. The ArcHTTP proxy server is provided on the software CD delivered with SAS RAID controller card or download from the www.areca.com.tw. The firmware embedded McRAID storage manager can configure and monitor the SAS RAID controller via ArcHTTP proxy server.

1. Login as root. Copy the ArcHTTP file to a local directory.

(a). Insert the SAS RAID controller CD in the CD-ROM drive.
(b). Copy \PACKAGES\Linux\http directory to local (Ex:/usr/local/sbin). or
(c). Download from the www.areca.com.tw or from the email attachment.

1. You must have administrative level permissions to install SAS RAID controller ArcHTTP proxy server software. This procedure assumes that the SAS RAID hardware and driver are installed and operational in your system.

The following details are the installation procedure of the SAS RAID controller for Linux ArcHTTP proxy server software.

(a). Run the ArcHTTP proxy server by using the following command:

Usage: ./archttp32 (TCP_PORT) or ./archttp64 (TCP_PORT). It depends on your OS version.

Parameters: TCP_PORT value= 1\~65535 (If TCP_PORT assigned, ArcHTTP will start from this port. Otherwise, it will use the setting in the archttpsrv.conf or default 81). This is the port address assigning for the ArcHTTP configuration (Cfg Assistant). Such as: archttp64 1553

(b). ArcHTTP server console started, Controller card detected then ArcHTTP proxy server screen appears.

Copyright (c) 2004 Areca, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Areca HTTP proxy server V2.4.0 for Areca RAID controllers.

Controller(s) list

Cfg Assistant : Listen to port[1553].

Controller1 : Listen to port[1554].

Binding IP:[0.0.0.0]

Note: IP[0.0.0.0] stands for any ip bound to this host.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Press CTRL-C to exit program!!

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Controller [1] Http: New client [9] accepted

Controller [1] Http: New Recv 243 bytes

Controller [1] Http: Send [174] bytes back to the client

(c). If you need the "Cfg Assistant", please refer to section 5.6 ArcHTTP Configuration.
(d). For detailing about McRAID storage manager to customize your RAID volume set is discussed in Chapter 6.

For Mozilla user:

Because our management need Java support, so user may need upgrade to version 1.6 or later.

5.3 For FreeBSD

You must have administrative level permissions to install SAS RAID software. This procedure assumes that the SAS RAID hardware and FreeBSD are installed and operational in your system. The following installation procedure explains how to install the SAS RAID software for FreeBSD.

1. Insert the SAS RAID controller software CD in the CD-ROM drive.
2. Login as root. Copy \PACKAGES\FreeBSD\http ArcHTTP file to a local directory. The next steps are same as Linux. Please see section 5.2 For Linux.

5.4 For Solaris 10

You must have administrative level permissions to install SAS RAID software. This procedure assumes that the SAS RAID hardware and Solaris are installed and operational in your system. The following installation procedure explains how to install the SAS RAID software for Solaris.

1. Insert the SAS RAID controller software CD in the CD-ROM drive.
2. Login as root. Copy \PACKAGES\Solaris=http ArcHTTP file to a local directory. The next steps are same as Linux. Please see section 5.2 For Linux.

5.5 For Mac OS X

The firmware embedded McRAID storage manager can configure and monitor the SAS RAID controller via ArcHTTP proxy server. The ArcHTTP proxy server for Mac OS X has combined with the CLI and driver on the install_mraid installer, please refer to Chapter 4.6 Driver Installation for Mac OS X.

5.6 ArcHTTP Configuration

The ArcHTTP proxy server will automatically assign one additional port for setup its configuration. If you want to change the "archttp-srv.conf" setting up of ArcHTTP proxy server configuration, for example: General Configuration, Mail Configuration, and SNMP Configuration, please start Web Browser http:\localhost: Cfg Assistant. Such as http:\localhost: 81. The port number for the first controller McRAID storage manager is ArcHTTP proxy server configuration port number plus 1.

ArcHTTP Configurations [open all]close all ArcHTTP - v2.00 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescan Device SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1680 ARC-1883 SATA RAID Controllers ARC-1200 General Configurations Binding IP 0.0.0.0 HTTP Port#: 81 SMTP Port#: 25 Display HTTP Connection Information To Console: Yes □No Scanning PCI Device: Yes □No Scanning RS-232 Device: Yes □No Scanning Inband Device: Yes □No Event Log File Name: Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

- General Configuration:

Binding IP: Restrict ArcHTTP proxy server to bind only single interface (If more than one physical network in the server).

HTTP Port#: Value 1\~65535

Display HTTP Connection Information To Console: Select "Yes" to show Http send bytes and receive bytes information in the console.

Scanning PCI Device: Select "Yes" for ARC-12x6 series controller

Scanning RS-232 Device: No

Scanning Inband Device: No

- Mail (alert by Mail) Configuration:

Many users require that email notifications be sent to the appropriate administrators when an alert is detected. To set up your mail servers, click on the "Mail Configuration" link. The "SMTP Server Configurations" allows you to define settings for your mail server. This setup screen is shown as below:

ArcHTTP Configurations Open all|close all| ArchHTTP - v2.00 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescon Device SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1680 ARC-1880 SATA RAID Controllers ARC-1200 SMTP Server Configuration SMTP Server IP Address Mail Address Configurations Sender Name : Mail Address : Account : Password : MailTo Name1 : Mail Address : MailTo Name2 : Mail Address : MailTo Name3 : Mail Address : MailTo Name4 : Mail Address : Event Notification Configurations Disable Event Notification No Event Notification Will Be Sort Urgent Error Notification Send Only Urgent Event Serious Error Notification Send Urgent And Serious Event Warning Error Notification Send Urgent, Serious And Warning Event Information Notification Send All Event Notification For No Event Notify User If No Event Occurs Within 24 Hours Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

The following article describes a best practice methodology for setting this up in the "SMTP Server Configurations".

1. SMTP Server Configuration:

SMTP Server IP Address: Enter IP address of the SMTP server to configure your mail program correctly.

Ex: 192.168.0.2.

2. Mail Address Configurations:

Sender Name: This is the sender name that the e-mail alerts will appear to be coming from.

Ex: RaidController_1.

Mail address: This is the mail address that the e-mail alerts will appear to be coming from, but don't type IP to replace domain name.

Ex: [e-mail].

Account: Enter the valid account if your SMTP mail server requires authentication.

Password: Enter the valid password if your SMTP mail server requires authentication.

3. Event Notification Configurations:

This step involves setting up of notification rules. Notification rules instruct ArcHTTP on the notifications that should be sent when certain types of alerts are detected.

MailTo Name: Enter the alert receiver name that will be shown in the outgoing mail.

Mail Address: Enter the receiver's e-mail address. This is the address you want the e-mail alerts sent to.

Ex: [e-mail].

According to your requirement, set the corresponding event level:

Disable Event Notification: No event notification will be sent.

Urgent Error Notification: Send only urgent events.

Serious Error Notification: Send urgent and serious events.

Warning Error Notification: Send urgent, serious and warning events.

Information Notification: Send all events.

Notification For No Event: Notify user if no event occurs within 24 hours.

• SNMP Traps Configuration:

This section discusses how to enable the SNMP traps on your RAID storage, and how to control the sending of SNMP traps from the ArcHTTP. To send the SNMP traps to client SNMP manager such as Net-SNMP manager using the IP address assigned to the operating system, you can simply use the SNMP function on the ArcHTTP. The ArcHTTP only provides one direction to send the trap to the SNMP manager without needing to install the SNMP extension agent on the host. If SNMP manager requests to query the SNMP information from RAID storage, please refer the Appendix D "SNMP Operation & Installation".

To set up SNMP traps sending function, click on the "SNMP Configuration" link. SNMP Traps Configurations are set up on this page. This setup screen is shown as below:

The following article describes a best practice methodology for setting this up in the "SNMP Traps Configurations".

ArcHTTP Configurations Open all|close all| ArchHTTP - v2.00 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescan Device SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1680 ARC-1880 SATA RAID Controllers ARC-1200 SNMP Trap Configurations SNMP Trap IP Address #1 0 0 0 0 Port#: 162 SNMP Trap IP Address #2 0 0 0 0 Port#: 162 SNMP Trap IP Address #3 0 0 0 0 Port#: 162 SNMP System Configurations Community public SNMP Trap Notification Configurations Disable Event Notification No Event Notification Will Be Sent Urgent Error Notification Send Only Urgent Event Serious Error Notification Send Urgent And Serious Event Warning Error Notification Send Urgent, Serious And Warning Event Information Notification Send All Event Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

1. SNMP Trap Configurations

Enter the SNMP trap IP address.

2. SNMP System Configurations

Community name acts as a password to screen accesses to the SNMP agent of a particular network device. Type the community names of the SNMP agent in this field. Most network devices use "public" as default of their community names. This value is case-sensitive.

3. SNMP Trap Notification Configurations

Event Notification Table refers to Appendix E. Before the client side SNMP manager application accepts the RAID storage traps, it is necessary to integrate the MIB into the management application's database of events and status indicator codes. Ensure the compilation process successfully integrates the contents of the areca_sas.mib file into the traps database. Please refer to Appendix D of "SNMP Operation & Installation". The MIBs file resides at: \packages\SNMP_MIBs on the software CD.

Note:

After you confirm and submit configurations, you can use "Generate Test Event" feature to make sure these settings are correct.

- Rescan Device Configuration:

The ArcHTTP scans the RAID controllers on the system and creates an individual RAID controller icon located on left column of the "ArcHTTP Configurations" screen. If any RAID controller is missed at system start-up, then you can use the "Rescan Device" function to rescan the targets to allow a missed RAID storage to be added.

ArcHTTP Configurations |open all|close all| ArchHTTP - v2.00 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescan Device SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1680 ARC-1860 SATA RAID Controllers ARC-1200 Do You Want To Rescan Device? Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

• Collect Support Data:

The "Collect Support Data" option on the ArcHTTP is used to download all controller's information (system information, configuration, disk information and event log) to a supported file (file name:ctlrxx-xxxxx.log). It will be automatically started when ERROR or SERIOUS event has occurred.

ArcHTTP Configurations Open all|close all| Arch-HTTP - v2.2.0 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescan Device Collect Support Data SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1880 SATA RAID Controllers Do You Want To Collect Support Data? Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6. Web Browser-based Configuration

Before using the firmware-based browser McRAID storage manager, do the initial setup and installation of this product. If you need to boot up the operating system from a RAID volume set, you must first create a RAID volume by using McBIOS RAID manager. Please refer to section 3.3 Using Quick Volume /Raid Setup Configuration for information on creating this initial volume set.

The McRAID storage manager is firmware-based utility, which is accessible via the web browser installed on your operating system. The web browser-based McRAID storage manager is a HTML-based application, which utilizes the browser (IE, Chrome and Mozilla etc.) installed on your monitor station.

It can be accessed through the in-band PCIe bus or out-of-band LAN port. ArchHTTP is used to launch the in-band web browser-based McRAID storage manager. The firmware-embedded web browser-based McRAID storage manager allows local or remote to access it from any standard internet browser via a LAN or WAN with no software or patches required. The firmware contains SMTP manager monitors all system events and user can select either single or multiple user notifications to be sent via LAN with "Plain English" e-mails. The firmware-embedded SNMP agent allows remote to monitor events via LAN with no SNMP agent required. Use the McRAID storage manager to:

• Create RAID set
• Expand RAID set
• Define volume set
• Add physical drive
• Modify volume set
• Modify RAID level/stripe size
• Define pass-through disk drives
• Modify system function
• Update firmware
• Designate drives as hot spares

6.1 Start-up McRAID Storage Manager

With McRAID storage manager, you can:

- Locally manage a system containing a supported RAID storage that has Windows or Mac OS X, ArcHTTP and a supported browser.

- Remote and managed systems must have a TCP/IP connection.

- Start-up from Windows/Mac Local Administration

Once ArcHTTP and CLI have been installed, the ArcHTTP - back ground task automatically starts each time when you start your computer. There is one MARID icon showing on your "Desktop" or "Start" menu. This icon is for you to start up the ArcHTTP (launch the McRAID storage manager) and CLI utility. When you click on the ArcHTTP from MRAID icon, it shows all RAID controllers available on the host system and create an individual RAID controller icon located on left column of the "ArcHTTP Configurations" screen. This RAID controller icon is for user to launch the selected RAID controller web browser McRAID storage manager.

ArcHTTP Configurations Open all|close all| ArchHTTP - v2.00 System Functions General Configuration Mail Configuration SNMP Trap Configuration Rescan Device SAS RAID Controllers ARC-1680 ARC-1880 SATA RAID Controllers ARC-1200 ■ General Configurations Binding IP 0.6.0.0 $ HTTP Port# 81 SMTP Port# 25 Display HTTP Connection Information To Console Yes No Scanning PCI Device Yes No Scanning RS-232 Device Yes No Scanning Inband Device Yes No Event Log File Name Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

Locate "ARC-12x6 Web Management" and launch the selected McRAID storage manager. Enter RAID storage default User Name "admin" and the Password "0000" when the login page prompted for it. After logging in, the McRAID storage manager process starts.

- Start-up from Local Administration

To configure the internal SAS RAID controller. You need to know its IP address. You can find the IP address assigned by the ArcHTTP proxy server installation: Binding IP:[X.X.X.X] and controller listen port.

1. You can click on the individual adapter icon located on left column of the "ArcHTTP Configurations" screen or Launch your McRAID storage manager by entering http://[Computer IP Address]:[Port Number] in the web browser.
2. When connection is established, the "System Login" screen appears. The SAS RAID controller default user name is "admin" and the password is "0000".

- Start-up from Ethernet Port (Out-of-Band)

The SAS RAID controller also offers an alternative out-of-band method for McRAID storage manager. User can access the built-in configuration without running the ArcHttp proxy server on the host system. The web browser-based McRAID storage manager is a HTML-based application, which utilizes the browser installed on your remote system. To ensure proper communications between the SAS RAID controller and McRAID storage manager, please connect the SAS RAID controller LAN port to any LAN switch port.

The RAID storage has embedded the TCP/IP & web browser-based McRAID storage manager in the firmware. User can remote manage the SAS RAID controller without adding any user specific software (platform independent) via standard web browsers directly connected to the 10/100Mbit RJ45 LAN port.

To configure SAS RAID controller on a remote machine, you need to know its IP address. The IP address is default shown on the LCD initial start-up screen. Launch your McRAID storage manager by entering http://[IP Address] in the web browser.

Note:

You can find controller Ethernet port IP address in McBIOS RAID manager "System Information" option.

6.2 McRAID Storage Manager

The following login screen is displayed in the browser. This screen displays the initial start-up configuration.

Areca Technology Corporation ▲ RaidSet Hierarchy RAID Set Device Volume Set(Clb/Dl/Lum) Volume Slate Best Set # 000 Ex1Set#1 ABC-1724-VGL-e000(0/5/0) Normal Ex1Set#2 ABC-1724-VGL-e001(0/5/1) Normal Ex1Set#3 ABC-1224-VGL-P002(0/5/2) Normal Ex1Set#4 ABC-1224-VGL-e003(0/5/3) Normal ABC-1224-VGL-P004(0/5/4) Normal ■ Enclosure#1 : ARECA SATA RAID V1.0 Device Usage Capacity Model S01F7(1)() Raid Set # 002 (08) 500.168 HOSI/25010KLA390 S01F8(1) Raid Set # 003 (09) 2000.468 WDC WO2009FYY5-02WDBG S01F9(2) Raid Set # 004 (08) 500.168 WDC WO2009FYY5-01MPBG S01F10(3) Raid Set # 005 (0A) 2000.468 WDC WO2009FYY5-02WDBG S01F11(4) Free 2000.468 WDC WO2009FYY5-02WDBG S01F12(5) Free 2000.468 WDC WO2009FYY5-02WDBG S01F13(6) Free 2000.468 WDC WO2009FYY5-02WDBG

The RaidSet Hierarchy displays the "Raid Set List", "Volume Set List", and "Physical Disk List". The RAID set information, volume set information, and drive information can also be viewed by clicking on the "RAID Set Hierarchy" on the main menu screen.

• To display RAID set information, move the mouse cursor to the desired RAID set number, then click on it. The RAID set information will be displayed.
• To display volume set information, move the mouse cursor to the desired volume set number, then click on it. The volume set information will be displayed.
• To display drive information, move the mouse cursor to the desired physical drive number, then click on it. The drive information will be displayed.

6.3 Main Menu

The main menu shows all available functions, accessible by clicking on the appropriate link.

Individual Category Description

Quick Function Create a default configuration, which is based on the number of physical disks installed; it can modify the volume set Capacity, Raid Level, and Stripe Size.

Raid Set Functions Create a customized RAID set.

Volume Set Functions Create d customized volume sets and modify the existed volume sets parameter.

Physical Drives Create pass through disks and modify the existing pass through drives parameters. Also provides the function to identify disk drives (blinking fault LED).

System Controls Setting the RAID system configuration.

Information Viewing the controller information. The Raid Set Hierarchy can be viewed through the “Raid Set Hierarchy” item.

6.4 Quick Function

The Quick Create option configures the arrays with just a few steps. Although drives of different sizes may be used in the array, Quick Create will only operate upon drives of the same physical size. The number of physical drives in the SAS RAID controller determines the Raid Levels that can be implemented with the RAID set. You can create a RAID set associated with exactly one volume set. The user can change the Raid Level, Capacity, Initialization Mode, and Stripe Size. A hot spare option is also created, depending on the exist configuration. Tick on the "Confirm The Operation" check box and click on the "Submit" button in the "Quick Create" screen, the RAID set and volume set will start to initialize.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Paid System Console Quick Function Quick Create RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information ■ Quick Create Raid/Volume Set Total Number Of Disks 2 Select Paid Level Raid 1 ▼ Maximum Capacity Allowed 4000 GB Select Capacity 4000 GB Greater Two TB Volume Support 64bit LBA ▼ Volume Initialization Mode No Initalization ▼ Volume Write Protection Disabled ▼ Select Stripe Size 64 kBytes RaidSet Mode Max 128 Volumes ▼ Full Volume Encryption Disabled ▼ Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

Note:

In "Quick Create", your volume set is automatically configured based on the number of disks in your system. Use the "Raid Set Functions" and "Volume Set Functions" if you prefer to customize your volume set, or RAID 30/50/60 volume set.

6.5 Raid Set Functions

Use the "Raid Set Function" and "Volume Set Function" if you prefer to customize your volume set. Manual configuration can provide full control of the RAID set settings, but it will take longer to complete than the "Quick Volume/Raid Setup" configuration. Select the "Raid Set Function" to manually configure the RAID set for the first time or delete and reconfigure existing RAID sets. (A RAID set is a group of disks containing one or more volume sets.)

6.5.1 Create Raid Set

To create a RAID set, click on the "Create Raid Set" link. A "Select The Drive For RAID Set" screen is displayed showing the drive(s) connected to the current controller and enclosures. Click on the selected physical drives within the current RAID set. Enter 1 to 15 alphanumeric characters to define a unique identifier for a RAID set. The default RAID set name will always appear as "Raid Set #". Tick on the "Confirm The Operation" check box and click on the "Submit" button on the screen; the RAID set will start to initialize. If you have available disk member, you can repeat above procedures to define another RAID sets.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Paid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID Set Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue Raid Set Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Select The Drives For RAID Set Enclosure#1 : ARECA SATA RAID V1.0 Slot*5 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W080 Slot*6 2000.4GB WDC WD2002FYPS-02W3B0 Slot*7 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W080 Slot*8 1000.2GB WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B0 Raid Set Name Raid Set # 001 RaidSet Mode Max 128 Volumes Max 128 Volumes Max 16 Volumes Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

128 volumes is the default mode for SAS RAID controller, the 16 volumes mode is used for support roaming this raidset to SATA RAID controllers. The SATA RAID controller is designed to support up to 16 volumes only. You have to use "Max 16 volumes" on the raidset mode if you plan to roam this raidset between SAS RAID controller and SATA RAID controller.

Note:

To create RAID 30/50/60 volume, you need create multiple RAID sets first (up to 8 RAID sets) with the same disk numbers on each RAID set. The max no. disk drives per RAID set: 32 for RAID 0/1/10(1E)/3/50/60 and 128 for RAID 00/100/30/50/60.

6.5.2 Delete Raid Set

To delete a RAID set, click on the "Deleted Raid Set" link. A "Select The RAID Set To Delete" screen is displayed showing all exist RAID sets in the current controller. Click on the RAID set number which you want to delete in the select column on the delete screen. Then, tick on the "Confirm The Operation" check box and click on the "Submit" button in the screen to delete it. The volume sets included in the "Delete RAID Set". It will be deleted by this action. But for the Raid 30/50/60, you need to delete the volumes belonging to those RAID sets.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID S Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue Raid Set Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information ■ Select The Raid Set To Delete Select Raid Set Name Member Disks Raid State Capacity

Raid Set # 000 2/2 Normal 60.0GB

□ Raid Set # 001 3/3 Normal 90.0GB Confirm The Operation, VolumeSet In This RaidSet Will Also Be Deleted Submit Reset Submnt Reset

6.5.3 Expand Raid Set

Instead of deleting a RAID set and recreating it with additional disk drives, the "Expand Raid Set" function allows the users to add disk drives to the RAID set that have already been created. To expand a RAID set:

Select the "Expand Raid Set" option. If there is an available disk, then the "Select SAS/SATA Drives For Raid Set Expansion" screen appears.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID Set Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue RAID Set Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical drives System Controls Information ■ Select The Raid Set For Raid Expansion Select Raid Set Name Member Disks Raid State Capacity G Raid Set = 000 2/2 Normal 60.0GB C Raid Set = 001 3/3 Normal 90.0GB Submit Reset Select The Raid Set For Raid Expansion Select Raid Set Name Member Disks Raid State Capacity

Select the target RAID set by clicking on the appropriate check box. Select the target disk by clicking on the appropriate check box. Click on the "Submit" button to start the expansion on the RAID set. The new additional capacity can be utilized by one or more volume sets. The volume sets associated with this RAID set appear for you to have chance to modify RAID level or stripe size. Follow the instruction presented in the "Modify Volume Set" to modify the volume sets; operation system specific utilities may be required to expand operating system partitions.

Note:

1. Once the "Expand Raid Set" process has started, user can not stop it. The process must be completed.
2. If a disk drive fails during RAID set expansion and a hot spare is available, an auto rebuild operation will occur after the RAID set expansion completes.
3. RAID 30/50/60 does not support the "Expand Raid set".
4. RAID set expansion is a quite critical process, we strongly recommend customer backup data before expand. Unexpected accident may cause serious data corruption.

6.5.4 Offline Raid Set

This function is for customer being able to unmount and remount a multi-disk volume. All Hdds of the selected RAID set will be put into offline state, spun down and fault LED in fast blinking mode. User can remove those Hdds and insert new Hdds on those empty slots without needing power down the controller to perform the online array roaming.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Paid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID Set Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue Raid Set Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Select The Raid Set To Offline Select Raid Set Name Member Disks Raid State Capacity Raid Set # 000 2/2 Normal 60.0GB Raid Set # 001 3/3 Normal 90.0GB Confirm The Operation, VolumeSet In This RaidSet Will Also Be Offlined Submit Reset Area Technology Corporation

6.5.5 Rename Raid Set

The default RAID set name will always appear as "Raid Set #" when it is first created by the controller. The "Rename Raid Set" function is for customer to rename the default RAID set name. To rename a RAID set from a group of RAID sets:

1. Click on the "Rename Raid Set" link.
2. Click on the RAID set check box from the list that you wish to rename. Click on the "Submit" button. The following screen appears. Use this option to rename the RAID set name.

Areca Technology Corporation |open all|close all| Rad System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offshore RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID Set Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue Raid Set Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Enter The RaidSet Name Raid Set Name Rad Set # 000 Member Disks 2 Min Member Disk Size 30.0GB Confirm The Operation Submit Raser Area Technology Corporation

6.5.6 Activate Incomplete Raid Set

If one of the disk drives is removed in power off state, the RAID set state will change to "Incomplete State". If the user wants to continue to operate the controller without power-off the SAS RAID controller, the user can use the "Activate Incomplete Raid Set" option to active the RAID set. After the user completes this function, the Raid State will change to "Degraded Mode" and start to work. To activate the incomplete the RAID set, click on the "Activate Raid Set" link. A "Select The RAID SET To Activate" screen is displayed showing all RAID sets existing on the current controller.

Click on the RAID set number to activate in the select column. Click on the "Submit" button on the screen to activate the RAID set that had a disk removed (or failed) in the power off state. The SAS RAID controller will continue to work in degraded mode.

Areca Technology Corporation | open all|close all| Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID Set Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue Raid Set Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Select The Raid Set To Activate Select Raid Set Name Member Disks Raid State Capacity

Raid Set # 000 2/2 Normal 60.0GB

C Raid Set # 001 3/3 Normal 90.0GB Submit Reset SubmI Reset -

6.5.7 Create Hot Spare

When you choose the "Create Hot Spare" option in the "Raid Set Function", all unused physical devices connected to the current controller appear. Select the target disk by clicking on the appropriate check box. Tick on the "Confirm The Operation" check box and click on the "Submit" button in the screen to create the hot spares. The "Create Hot Spare" gives you the ability to define a global or dedicated hot spare. Unlike "Global Hot Spare" which can be used with any RAID sets, "Dedicated Hot Spare" can only be used with a specific RAID set or Enclosure. When a disk drive fails in the RAID set or enclosure with a dedicated hot spare is pre-set, data on the disk drive is rebuild automatically on the dedicated hot spare disk.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID Set Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue Raid Set Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Select The Drives For Hot Spare Enclosure#1 : ARECA SATA RAID V1.0 Slot#6 2000.4GB WDC WD2002FYPS-02W380 Slot#7 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W080 Slot#8 1000.2GB WDC WD1001FALS-00378B Select The Hot Spare Type Global For SSD Or HDD Global For SSD Or HDD Confirm The Operation Dedicated To RaidSet Dedicated To Enclosure Global For All Submit Reset

6.5.8 Delete Hot Spare

Select the target hot spare disk to delete by clicking on the appropriate check box. Tick on the "Confirm The Operation" check box and click on the "Submit" button on the screen to delete the hot spares.

Areca Technology Corporation | open all|close all| Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID S Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rascua Raid Set Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Select The Hot Spare Drive To Delete Enclosure#2 : Areca ARC-8016-.01.09.0109 SLOT 06 36.BGB FUJITSU MAX30XRC [Global] SLOT 07 36.BGB FUJITSU MAX30XRC [Global] Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.5.9 Rescue Raid Set

When the system is powered off in the RAID set update/creation period, the configuration possibly could disappear due to this abnormal condition. The “RESCUE” function can recover the missing RAID set information. The RAID controller uses the time as the RAID set signature. The RAID set may have different time after the RAID set is recovered. The “SIGANT” function can regenerate the signature for the RAID set.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all]close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Create RAID Set Delete RAID Set Expand RAID Set Offline RAID Set Rename RAID Set Activate Incomplete RAID Set Create Hot Spare Delete Hot Spare Rescue Raid Set Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Try To Rescue Missing RAIDSET Enter 'RESCUE' To Try To Recover Missing RaidSet Enter 'SIGNAT' To Regenerate RaidSet Signature If RaidSet Is Recovered Enter The Keyword Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

Note:

Please contact us to make sure if you need to use rescue function. Improperly usage may cause configuration corruption.

6.6 Volume Set Functions

A volume set is seen by the host system as a single logical device. It is organized in a RAID level with one or more physical disks. RAID level refers to the level of data performance and protection of a volume set. A volume set capacity can consume all or a portion of the disk capacity available in a RAID set. Multiple volume sets can exist on a group of disks in a RAID set. Additional volume sets created in a specified RAID set will reside on all the physical disks in the RAID set. Thus each volume set on the RAID set will have its data spread evenly across all the disks in the RAID set.

The following is the volume set features for the SAS RAID controller.

1. Volume sets of different RAID levels may coexist on the same RAID set and up to 128 volume sets per controller.
2. Up to 128 volume sets can be created in a RAID set.
3. The maximum addressable size of a single volume set is not limited to 2TB, because the controller is capable of 64-bit LBA mode. However the operating system itself may not be capable of addressing more than 2TB.

6.6.1 Create Volume Set (0/1/10/3/5/6)

To create volume set from RAID set system, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "Create Volume Set" link. The "Select The Raid Set To Create On It" screen will show all RAID set number. Tick on a RAID set number that you want to create and then click on the "Submit" button.

The new create volume set attribute allows user to select the Volume Name, RAID Level, Capacity, Greater Two TB Volume Support, Initialization Mode, Strip Size, Cache Mode, Write Protect, Tagged Command Queuing, and SCSI Channel/SCSI ID/SCSI Lun.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Paid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Paid38/50/66 Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Schedule Volume Check Stop Volume Check Download Volume Key File Physical Drives System Controls Information Enter The Volume Attribute Volume Name ARC-1226-VOL4000 Member Disks 2 Volume Paid Level Raid 1 Mei Capacity Allowed 1000 GB Select Volume Capacity 4000 GB Creator Two TB Volume Support 64bit LBA Volume Initialization Mode No Initialization Volume Stripe Size 64 kBytes Volume Cache Mode Write Back Volume Write Protection Disabled Full Volume Encrypten Disabled Logged Command Queuing Enabled SCSI Channel SCSI ID=SCSI Lun 0 0 0 Volumes To Be Created 1 Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

• Volume Name

The default volume name will always appear as "ARC-12x6-VOL". You can rename the volume set providing it does not exceed the 15 characters limit.

• Volume Raid Level

Set the Raid Level for the volume set. Highlight the desired RAID Level from the available RAID levels option.

- Capacity

The maximum volume size is the default initial setting. Enter the appropriate volume size to fit your application.

- Greater Two TB Volume Support

Controller uses the "Greater Two TB Volume Support" sub-menu to set the volume capacity and sector size. Greater Two TB Volume Support option: "No", "64bit LBA" and "Use 4K Block".

- No

When this option is enabled, it keeps the volume size with max. 2TB limitation. For any hard disk drives working in the 4K native mode in the Raid set, the volume set directly sets and exposes 4KB sector size to the operating system.

- 64bit LBA

This option uses 16 bytes CDB instead of 10 bytes. The maximum volume capacity up to 512TB. For any hard disk drives working in the 4K native mode in the Raid set, the

volume set directly sets and exposes 4KB sector size to the operating system.

This option works on different OS which supports 16 bytes CDB.

- Use 4K Block

This option uses 16 bytes CDB and changes the sector size from default 512 bytes to 4k bytes. Windows XP only supports maximum volume capacity is up to 16TB.

- Initialization Mode

This option is used to define "Background Initialization", "Foreground Initialization" or "No Init (To Rescue Volume)". When "Background Initialization", the initialization proceeds as a background task, the volume set is fully accessible for system reads and writes. The operating system can instantly access to the newly created arrays without requiring a reboot and waiting the initialization complete. When "Foreground Initialization", the initialization proceeds must be completed before the volume set ready for system accesses. There is no initialization happened when you select "No Init" option. "No Init" is for customer to rescue volume without losing data in the disk.

Note:

Controller starts to initialize the volume in two conditions

1. Stay in controller bios manager or
2. Boot into OS and the controller driver loaded.

- Stripe Size

This parameter sets the size of the stripe written to each disk in a RAID 0, 1, 10, 5, 6, 50 or 60 logical drive. You can set the stripe size to 4 KB, 8 KB, 16 KB, 32 KB, 64 KB, 128 KB, 256KB, 512KB, or 1024KB. A larger stripe size produces better read performance, especially if your computer does mostly sequential reads. However, if you are sure that your computer does random reads more often, select a smaller stripe size.

Note:

- RAID level 3 can't modify the cache stripe size.

- Roaming the stripe size 256K/512K/1024K Raid Set to firmware version older than 1.52 will cause data corruption.

- Cache Mode

The SAS RAID controller supports "Write Through" and "Write Back" cache.

• Volume Write Protection

When "Volume Write Protection" is enabled on the "Create Volume Set", host commands fail if they are issued to a volume in that RAID controller and attempt to modify a volume's data or attributes. Volume Write Protection is used primarily for customer-initiated disaster recovery testing.

• Full Volume Encryption

ARC-12x6 RAID adapters have featured with controller based hardware encryption function. Controller based hardware encryption describes the encryption of data occurring at the disk array controller before being sent to the disk drives. Since RAID controller is a natural central point of all data therefore encryption at this level is inherent and also reduces deployment complexity. ARC-12x6 RAID controller has dedicated electronic circuitry for the cryptographic engine embedded in the ROC and operating at full channel speeds. The hardware encryption does not impact the performance of ARC-12x6 RAID controller and can implement on any kinds of HDD that is transparent to the user, the OS, and applications.

Encrypting your volume can give your data an extra layer of protection be yond setting up a controller password. Encryption will conceal your volume's data and make accessing the files almost im possible for anyone who does not know your encryption key. Data saved in the volume will be hidden by Algorithm developed by Areca Technology. With this scramble process, no one can see and access into the hidden volume data without access key. ARC-12x6 adapters support 128- and 256-bit encryption keys using AES (a key size of 128, or 256

bits), or password (a variable key size). Each encryption key size causes the algorithm to behave slightly differently, so the increasing key sizes not only offer a larger number of bits with which you can scramble the data, but also increase the complexity of the cipher algorithm. ARC-12x6 adapters provide five new key options in the 'Full Volume Encryption:"Disable", "256Bit key, Password", "256Bit key, AES", "128Bit key, Password", "128Bit key, AES". You can generate the new key by CLI utility or API code function.

This volume encryption function can only work with ARC-12x6 series with any kinds of HDD. You can follow below steps to enable the function.

1. Create volume set with "Full Volume Encryption" capability in the web management.
2. Use CLI "vsf genkey" command or API code to generate key file.
3. Use "Download Volume Key File" in the web management or use CLI "vsf dlkey" command to download volume key file into firmware and unlock the volume.
4. Follow step 3. to unlock volume if volume locked.

Note:

The currently encryption feature only support key file interface to encrypt volumes.

- Tagged Command Queuing

The “Enabled” option is useful for enhancing overall system performance under multi-tasking operating systems. The Command Tag (Drive Channel) function controls the SAS command tag queuing support for each drive channel. This function should normally remain “Enabled”. “Disabled” this function only when using SAS drives that do not support command tag queuing. Tagged Command Queuing (TCQ) is a technology built into SAS hard drives. It allows the RAID controller to send multiple read and write requests to a hard drive. This function should normally remain “Enabled”. “Disabled” this function only when using SAS drives that do not support command tag queuing.

• SCSI Channel/SCSI ID/SCSI Lun

SCSI Channel: The SAS RAID controller function is simulated as a external SCSI RAID controller. The host bus is represented as a SCSI channel. Choose the SCSI Channel.

SCSI ID: Each SCSI device attached to the SCSI card, as well as the card itself, must be assigned a unique SCSI ID number. A SCSI channel can connect up to 15 devices. The SAS RAID controller is a large SCSI device. Assign an ID from a list of SCSI IDs.

SCSI LUN: Each SCSI ID can support up to 8 LUNs. Most SAS controllers treat each LUN like a SAS disk.

6.6.2 Create Raid30/50/60 (Volume Set 30/50/60)

To create 30/50/60 volume set from RAID set group, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "Create Raid30/50/60" link. The "Select The Raid Set To Create Volume On It" screen will show all RAID set number. Tick on the RAID set numbers (same disk No per RAID set) that you want to create and then click on the "Submit" button.

The new create volume set attribute allows user to select the Volume Name, Raid Level, Capacity, Greater Two TB Volume Support, Initialization Mode, Strip Size, Cache Mode, Write Protect, Full Volume Encryption, Tagged Command Queuing, and SCSI Channel/SCSI ID/SCSI Lun. Please refer to above section for details description of each item.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Paid System Console Quick Function PAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Rad20/50/60 Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Schedule Volume Check Stop Volume Check Download Volume Key File Physical Drives System Control Information Enter The Volume Attribute Volume Name AHC-1225-VOLRUT1 Member Omsis 2x3 Volume Paid Level 50 Max Capacity Allowed 3918.0 GB Gazet Volume Capacity 2413.0 GB Greater Type TB Volume Support SCEL LSA Volume Initialization Mode Foreground Initialization Volume Strike Size 54 ABytics Volume Cache Mode Wits Back Volume Write Protection Disablet Full Volume Encryption Disabled Tagged Command Quality Enablee SCSS Channel-SCSS ID:SCSS Tun 0 0 7 Volume To be Created 3 Confirm The Operation Subsid Reset

Note:

RAID level 30 50 and 60 can support up to eight RAID set (four pairs), but it can not support expansion and migration.

6.6.3 Delete Volume Set

To delete a volume from RAID set, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "Delete Volume Set" link. The "Select The Raid Set To Delete" screen will show all RAID set numbers. Click on a RAID set number and the "Confirm The Operation" check box and then click on the "Submit" button to show all volume set items in the selected RAID set. Click on a volume set number and the "Confirm The Operation" check box and then click on the "Submit" button to delete the volume set.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all]close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Raid30/50/60 Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Schedule Volume Check Stop Volume Check Download Volume Key File Physical Drives System Controls Information ■ Select The Volume Set To Delete Select Volume Set Name On Raid Set Capacity ARC-1882-VOL*000 Raid Set # 002 30,0GB Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.6.4 Modify Volume Set

To modify a volume set from a RAID set:

1. Click on the "Modify Volume Set" link.

2. Click on the volume set check box from the list that you wish to modify. Click on the "Submit" button. The following screen appears. Use this option to modify the volume set configuration. To modify volume set attributes, move the cursor bar to the volume set attribute menu on "Enter The Volume Attribute" screen and then click on the attribute to modify the value. After you complete the modification, tick on the "Confirm The Operation" check box and click on the "Submit" button to complete the action.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Raid30/50/60 Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Schedule Volume Check Stop Volume Check Download Volume Key File Physical Drives System Controls Information * Fates The Volume Attribute Volume Name ARC-1226 VOL#000 Max Capacity Allowed 30.0 G8 Volume Capacity 300 G8 Volume Initialization Mode Forgional Initialization Volume Rad Level RaoO Volume Stripe Size 64 KBytes Volume Cache Mode Wate Back Volume Write Protection Drivened Tagged Command Queueing Evalled SCSI Channel: SCSI ID: SCSI Lun 0 0 0 Confirm The Operation Sendai Raise

6.6.4.1 Volume Growth

Use "Expand RAID Set" function to add disk to a RAID set. The additional capacity can be used to enlarge the last volume set size or to create another volume set. The "Modify Volume Set" function can support the "Volume Modification" function. To expand the last volume set capacity, move the cursor bar to the "Capacity" item and entry the capacity size. When finished the above action, click on the "Submit" button to complete the action. The last volume set starts to expand its capacity. If you have free spaces from reserved or delete volumes, you can enlarge the last volume set size before the free spaces.

To expand an existing volume noticed:

• Only the last volume can expand capacity.
• When expand volume capacity, you can't modify stripe size or modify RAID level simultaneously.
• You can expand volume capacity, but can't reduce volume capacity size.
• After volume expansion, the volume capacity can't be decreased.

For greater 2TB expansion:

• If your system installed in the volume, don't expand the volume capacity greater 2TB, currently OS can't support boot up from a greater 2TB capacity device.
• Expand over 2TB used LBA64 mode. Please make sure your OS supports LBA64 before expand it.

6.6.4.2 Volume Set Migration

Migrating occurs when a volume set is migrating from one RAID level to another, when a volume set strip size changes, or when a disk is added to a RAID set. Migration state is displayed in the volume state area of the "RAID Set Hierarchy" screen.

Areca Technology Corporation □ Stop Auto Harvest ● Holdout History RAM Set Load Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 000 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 RAM Set # 200 CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6 Design Units Opacity Model CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6 CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6 CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6 CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6 CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6 CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6 CAMETR1: AATCA NETA RED V1.6

Note:

1. If the volume is RAID level 30, 50, or 60, you can not change the volume to another RAID level. If the volume is RAID level 0, 1, 10(1E), 3, 5, or 6, you can not change the volume to RAID level 30, 50, or 60.
2. Power failure may damage the migration data. Please backup the RAID data before you start the migration function.

6.6.4.3 Volume Write Protection

When "Volume Write Protection" is enabled on the "Modify Volume Set", host commands fail if they are issued to a volume in that RAID controller and attempt to modify a volume's data or attributes. Volume Write Protection is used primarily for customer-initiated disaster recovery testing.

6.6.5 Check Volume Set

To check a volume set from a RAID set:

1. Click on the "Check Volume Set" link.
2. Click on the volume set from the list that you wish to check.

Tick on "Confirm The Operation" and click on the "Submit" button. Use this option to verify the correctness of the redundant data in a volume set. For example, in a system with dedicated parity, volume set check means computing the parity of the data disk drives and comparing the results to the contents of the dedicated parity disk drive. The checking percentage can also be viewed by clicking on "RAID Set Hierarchy" in the main menu.

6.6.6 Schedule Volume Check

A volume check is a process that verifies the integrity of redundant data. To verify RAID 3, 5, 6, 30, 50 or 60 redundancy, a volume check reads all associated data blocks, computes parity, reads parity, and verifies that the computed parity matches the read parity.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Rad System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Rad30/50/60 Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Schedule Volume Check Stop Volume Check Volume Set Host Filters Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Scheduled Volume Checking Scheduler : Disabled Checking After System Idle : No ✓ Scrub Bad Block If Bad Block Is Found, Assume Parity Data Is Good. ✓ Re-compute Parity If Parity Error Is Found, Assume Data Is Good. Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

Volume checks are very important because they detect and correct parity errors or bad disk blocks in the drive. A consistency check forces every block on a volume to be read, and any bad blocks are marked; those blocks are not used again. This is critical and important because a bad disk block can prevent a disk rebuild from completing. We strongly recommend that you run consistency checks on a regular basis—at least once per week (set on 'Scheduler'). Volume checks degrade performance, so you can also run them when the system is idle (set by "Checking After System Idle").

Note:

Please make sure of the inconsistency source generated by parity error or bad block before you click on the recovery method. Otherwise, you will lose the recovery data.

6.6.7 Stop Volume Set Check

Use this option to stop the "Check Volume Set" function.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Paid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Raid30/50/60 Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Schedule Volume Check Stop Volume Check Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information Do You Want To Stop All Volume Consistency Checking? Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.6.8 Download Volume Key File

Get the key file which was generated by CLI "vsf genkey" command or API code for your ARC-12x6 adapters. You can follow below steps to download volume key file.

1. To download volume key file into the firmware, move the mouse cursor to "Download Volume Key file" link and click on it. The "Download Volume Encryption Key File" screen appears.
2. Click on "Browse". Look in the location to which the key file was generated. Select the file name and click "Open".
3. Tick "Confirm The Operation" and press the "Submit" button.
4. After the key file download is completed, a bar indicator will show "Key File Has Been Downloaded Successfully".

Areca Technology Corporation [open all]close all] Paid System Console Dark Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Create Volume Set Create Paid30(50/60) Delete Volume Set Modify Volume Set Check Volume Set Schedule Volume Check Stop Volume Check Download Volume Key File Physical Drives System Controls Information Download Volume Encryption Key File Enter Volume Encryption Key File Confirm The Operation Subset Reset

6.7 Physical Drive

Choose this option to select a physical disk from the main menu and then perform the operations listed below.

6.7.1 Create Pass-Through Disk

To create pass-through disk, move the mouse cursor to the main menu and click on the "Create Pass-Through" link. The relative setting function screen appears. A pass-through disk is not controlled by the SAS RAID controller firmware, it can't be a part of a volume set. The disk is available to the operating system as an individual disk. It is typically used on a system where the operating system is on a disk not controlled by the RAID firmware. The user can also select the Volume Cache Mode, Write Protection, Tagged Command Queuing, and SCSI channel/SCSI_ID/SCSI_LUN for this pass-through disk.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drines Create Pass-Through Disk Modify a Pass-Through Disk Delete Pass-Through Disk Set Disk To Be Failed Activate Failed Disk Identify Enclosure Identify Drive System Controls Information Select the IDE drive For Pass Through Enclosure#1 : ARECA SAS RAID AdapterV1.0 Slot#2 600.1GB WDC WD6000HLH0-013PV0 Slot#3 600.1GB WDC WD6000HLH0-013PV0 Slot#4 2000.4GB WDC WD2002FYP5-02W3B0 Slot#5 500.1GB SEAGATE ST3508620SS Slot#6 3000.6GB Hitachi HD5723030NLA840 Slot#7 3000.6GB Hitachi HD5723030NLA840 Slot#8 100.1GB SEAGATE ST3508620SS Enter Pass Through Disk Attribute Volume Cache Node Write Deck Write Protection Disabled Tagged Command Queuing Enabled SCSI Channel:SCSI_ID:SCSI_Lun 0 : 0 : 0 Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.7.2 Modify Pass-Through Disk

Use this option to modify the pass-through disk attribute. The user can modify the Cache Mode, Write Protect, Tagged Command Queuing, and SCSI Channel/ID/LUN on an existing pass-through disk.

To modify the pass-through drive attribute from the pass-through drive pool, move the mouse cursor bar and click on the "Modify Pass-Through" link. The "Select The Pass Through Disk For Modi-

"fication" screen appears mark the check box for the pass-through disk from the pass-through drive pool and click on the "Submit" button to select drive. When the "Enter Pass-Through Disk Attribute" screen appears, modify the drive attribute values, as you want. After you complete the selection, mark the check box for "Confirm The Operation" and click on the "Submit" button to complete the selection action.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Build system console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives Create Pass-Through Disk Modify a Pass-Through Disk Delete Pass-Through Disk Set Disk To Be Failed Activate Failed Disk Identify Exclusive Identify Drive System Controls Information Select The Pass Through Disk For Modification Enclosure#2 : Areca ARC-8016-01.09.0109 SLOT 61 36.7GB HETACHI HUS151436VLS300 SLOT 62 30.4GB FUJITSU MAX303SRC Submit Reset

6.7.3 Delete Pass-Through Disk

To delete a pass-through drive from the pass-through drive pool, move the mouse cursor bar to the main menus and click on the "Delete Pass Through" link. After you complete the selection, mark the check box for "Confirm The Operation" and click on the "Submit" button to complete the delete action.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Raid Systems Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives Create Pass-Through Disk Modify a Pass-Through Disk Delete Pass-Through Disk Set Disk To Be Failed Activate Failed Disk Identity Enclosure Identify Drive System Controls Information Select The Pass Through Disk To Delete Enclosure#2 : Areca ABC-8016-01.09.0169 SLOT 01 30.7GB HITACHI HJ5151430VL5330 SLOT 02 36.8GB FUJITSU MAX3026RC Continue The Operation Submit Reset

6.7.4 Clone Disk

Instead of deleting a RAID set and recreating it with larger disk drives, the "Clone Disk" function allows the users to replace larger disk drives to the RAID set that have already been created. Click on the "Clone Disk" option on the "Physical Drives" link to enable the clone function. If there is an available disk, then the "Select The Drives For Cloning" screen appears. There are two "Clone Disk" function options: "Clone And Replace" and "Clone Only."

Areca Technology Corporation [open all]close.all] Read System Console Crack Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drive Create Pass-Through Disk Modify Pass-Through Disk Carare VDD-Through Disk Clone Disk Abort Closing Set Disk To Be Failed Activate Failed Disk Identify Enclosure Identify Drive System Controls Information Select Clone Type Clear And Replace Clear And Replace Clear Only Confirm the Operations View Use

Clone Disk Procedure

1. Select one of the members as the "Clone Source" (status indicated as Raid Set #) by clicking on the appropriate check box.
2. Select a "Clone Target" (status indicated as Free or Hot Spare) by clicking on the appropriate check box.
3. If you have available disk member, you can repeat above procedures to define another clone pair.
4. Select clone type.

The pair number for both the “Clone Source” and the “Clone Target” will be indicated in the screen. Tick on the “Confirm The Operation” check box and click on the “Submit” button on the screen; the controller will automatically start the cloning process using the existing “stand-by” (Free or Hot Spare drive) to clone the source drive (the Raid Set member drive). The cloning process percentage will be indicated in the “Volume State” area of the “Volume Set Information” screen. Completion of the Clone function process will be indicated by a notification message on the event log.

6.7.4.1 Clone And Replace

You can enlarge your logical drives by copying and replacing all member drives with drives of higher capacity. The existing data in the logical drives is copied onto the new drives, and then the original members are marked as "Offlined".

6.7.4.2 Clone Only

The stand-by disk will clone the logical drives without substituting it. The status of the stand-by drive will be marked as "Off-lined" after the cloning process. The source drive will remain a member of the logical drive.

6.7.5 Abort Cloning

Use this function to stop the ongoing clone disk action.

6.7.6 Set Disk To Be Failed

It sets a normal working disk as "failed" so that users can test some of the features and functions.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Paid System Consels Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives Create Pass-Through Disk Modify Pass-Through Disk Delete Pass-Through Disk Clone Disk Abort Cloning Set Disk To Be Failed Activate Failed Disk Identify Enclosure Identify Drive System Controls Information Select The Device To Set To Fail Enclosure#1 : ARECA SATA RAID V1.0 C Slot#1 500.1GB HDS725050KLA360 R Slot#2 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W080 C Slot#3 500.1GB WDC WD5000YS-01MPB0 C Slot#4 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W080 C Slot#5 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W080 C Slot#6 2000.4GB WDC WD2002FYPS-02W380 C Slot#7 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W080 C Slot#8 1000.2GB WDC WD1001FALS-00J780 Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.7.7 Activate Failed Disk

It forces the current "failed" disk in the system to be back online. "Activate Failed Disk" function has no effect on the removed disks, because a "removed" disk does not give the controller a chance to mark it as "failure".

Followings are considered as "Removed-Disk":

1. Manually removed by user.
2. Losing PHY connection due to bad connector, cable or back-plane.
3. Losing PHY connection due to disk fail.

Basically, in the eyes of the controller, the disk suddenly disappears due to whatever reason.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all] [close all] ■ Select The Failed Device For Activation ■ Enclosure#1 : ARECA SAS RAID AdapterV1.0 ○ Slot*5 300.0GB SE4GATE ST330065755 □ Confirm The Operation Start Reset

6.7.8 Identify Enclosure

To prevent removing the wrong enclosure, the selected Areca expander enclosure all disks fault LED indicator will light for physically locating the selected enclosure when the "Identify Enclosure" is selected. This function will also light up the enclosure LED indicator, if it is existed.

Areca Technology Corporation | open all|close all| Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives Create Pass-Through Disk Modify a Pass-Through Disk Delete Pass-Through Disk Set Disk To Be Failed Activate Failed Disk Identify Enclosure Identify Drive System Controls Information Select The Enclosure For Identification Exlosure*1 : ARECA SAS RAID AdapterV1.0 Enclosure#2 : Areca ARC-8016-.01.09.0109 Submit Reset

6.7.9 Identify Drive

To prevent removing the wrong drive, the selected disk fault LED indicator will light for physically locating the selected disk when the "Identify Selected Device" is selected.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Red System Console Quick Function RAID SET Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drivers Create Pass-Through Disk Modify Pass-Through Disk Delete Pass-Through Disk Clone Disk Abort Closing Set Disk To Be Failed Activate Failed Disk Identify Enclosure Identify Drive System Controls Information Select The Device For Identification Enclosure#1 : ARECA SATA RAID V1.0 Slot*1 500.1GB HDS725059KLA360 Slot*2 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W888 Slot*3 500.1GB WDC WD5008YFS-01HP80 Slot*4 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W888 Slot*5 2000.4GB WDC WD3003FYYS-02W888 Slot*6 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W380 Slot*7 2000.4GB WDC WD3003FYYS-02W888 Slot*8 1000.2GB WDC WD1001FAI 5-0017R0 Submit Reset Submit Reset

6.8 System Controls

6.8.1 System Config

To set the RAID system function, move the cursor to the main menu and click on the "System Controls" link. The "Raid System Function" menu will show all items, and then select the desired function.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Paid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hold Power Management EtherNet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mute Beaper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information System Configurations System Besper Setting Enabled ▼ Background Task Priority Low(20%) ▼ JBOO/RAID Configuration RAID ▼ SATA NCQ Support Enabled ▼ HDD Read Ahead Cache Enabled ▼ Volume Data Read Ahead Normal ▼ HDD Queue Depth 30 ▼ Empty HDD Slot LED ON ▼ CPU Fan Detection Enabled ▼ SES2 Support Enabled ▼ Max Command Length 4M ▼ Auto Activate Incomplete Raid Disabled ▼ Disk Write Cache Mode Auto ▼ Write Same For Initialization SAS And SATA ▼ Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding Blank Disk Only ▼ PCIE Gen3 Enabled ▼ SES2 H/W Monitor Enabled ▼ Disk Capacity Truncation Mode Multiples Of 10G ▼ Smart Option For HDD Failed The Drive ▼ Smart Poling Interval On Demand ▼ Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

- System Beeper Setting

The "System Beeper Setting" function is used to "Disabled" or "Enabled" the SAS RAID controller alarm tone generator.

• Background Task Priority

The "Background Task Priority" is a relative indication of how much time the controller devotes to a rebuild operation. The SAS RAID controller allows the user to choose the rebuild priority (UltraLow, Low, Medium and High) to balance volume set access and rebuild tasks appropriately. For high array performance, specify a "Low" value.

- JBOD/RAID Configuration

JBOD is an acronym for "Just a Bunch Of Disk". A group of hard disks in a RAID box are not set up as any type of RAID configuration. All drives are available to the operating system as an individual disk. JBOD does not provide data redundancy. User needs to delete the RAID set, when you want to change the option from the RAID to the JBOD function.

- SATA NCQ Support

The controller supports both SAS and SATA disk drives. The SATA NCQ allows multiple commands to be outstanding within a drive at the same time. Drives that support NCQ have an internal queue where outstanding commands can be dynamically rescheduled or re-ordered, along with the necessary tracking mechanisms for outstanding and completed portions of the workload. The SAS RAID controller allows the user to select the SATA NCQ support: "Enabled" or "Disabled".

- HDD Read Ahead Cache

Allow Read Ahead (Default: Enabled)—When Enabled, the drive's read ahead cache algorithm is used, providing maximum performance under most circumstances.

• Volume Data Read Ahead

The volume read data ahead parameter specifies the controller firmware algorithms which process the Read Ahead data blocks from the disk. The read ahead parameter is normal by default. To modify the value, you must set it from the command line using the Read Ahead option. The normal option satisfies the performance requirements for a typical volume. The disabled value implies no read ahead. The most efficient value for the controllers depends on your application. Aggressive read ahead is optimal for sequential access but it degrades random access.

- HDD Queue Depth

This parameter is adjusted the queue depth capacity of NCQ (SATA HDD) or Tagged Command Queuing (SAS HDD) which transmits multiple commands to a single target without waiting for the initial command to complete.

• Empty HDD Slot LED

The firmware has added the "Empty HDD Slot LED" option to setup the fault LED light "ON "or "OFF" when there is no HDD installed. When each slot has a power LED for the HDD installed identify, user can set this option to "OFF". Choose option "ON", the SAS RAID controller will light the fault LED; if no HDD installed.

• Max Command Length

Max Command Length is used to set a "best" IO size for the RAID controller.

• Auto Activate Incomplete Raid

When some of the disk drives are removed in power off state or boot up stage, the RAID set state will change to "Incomplete State". But if a user wants to automatically continue to work while the SAS RAID controller is powered on, the user can set the "Auto Activate Incomplete Raid" option to enable. The RAID state will change to "Degraded Mode" while it powers on.

- Disk Write Cache Mode

User can set the "Disk Write Cache Mode" to Auto, Enabled, or Disabled. "Enabled" increases speed, "Disabled" increases reliability.

- Write Same For Initialization

Drives that support the Write Same feature (SCT) can write to multiple drive sectors at once, improving initialization time. To take advantage of this feature, all the drives in the unit must support Write Same. User can set the "SAS And SATA", "SAS Only", "SATA Only" or "Disabled" for the controller initialization.

• Hot Plugged Disk For Rebuilding

It defines if the RAID array volume should start rebuilding or not when detects a disk is inserted/re-inserted during online. The options are: "Blank Disk Only", "Always", and "Disable". The default is "Blank Disk Only".

"Blank Disk Only" – it will trigger the rebuilding if and only if

the inserted disk has not been in the RAID array before, which has no RAID signature on it. So when a previously removed disk is self re-inserted, it won't trigger the degraded RAID array to rebuild, and so that the administrator has a chance to identify this mis-behaving disk and replaces it.

"Always" – it is what it was before. Whenever a disk is inserted/re-inserted whether new or previously existed, it always trigger a rebuilding for the Degraded RAID set/Volume.

"Disable" – it will not trigger rebuilding regardless what sort of disk plugging in.

When "Disable" and/or "Blank Disk Only" is selected, the re-inserted/previously removed disk will be identified as a disk in a separate RAID set with duplicated RAID set# and with all the rest of RAID members missing.

- PCIE Gen3

The "Disabled" option is used to force PCIe running Gen2 mode for compatible issue under Gen3 slot. You must restart the computer twice for the PCIE Gen3 setting to take effect.

- Disk Capacity Truncation Mode

Areca RAID controllers use drive truncation so that drives from differing vendors are more likely to be able to be used as spares for each other. Drive truncation slightly decreases the usable capacity of a drive that is used in redundant units. The controller provides three truncation modes in the system configuration: "Multiples Of 10G", "Multiples Of 1G", and "Disabled".

Multiples Of 10G: If you have 120 GB drives from different vendors; chances are that the capacity varies slightly. For example, one drive might be 123.5 GB, and the other 120 GB. Multiples Of 10G truncates the number under tens. This makes same capacity for both of these drives so that one could replace the other.

Multiples Of 1G: If you have 123 GB drives from different vendors; chances are that the capacity varies slightly. For

example, one drive might be 123.5 GB, and the other 123.4 GB. Multiples Of 1G truncates the fractional part. This makes capacity for both of these drives so that one could replace the other.

Disabled: It does not truncate the capacity.

- Smart Option For HDD

This option is used to increase the reliability of SSDs/HDDs by automatically copying data from a drive with potential to fail to a designated hot spare or newly inserted drive. The options are: "Failed The Drive", "Failed The Drive If Hot Spare Exist", and "Alert Only". The default is "Alert Only".

"Failed The Drive"- controllers kill off the SMART fail drive immediately.

"Failed The Drive If Hot Spare Exist" – controllers kill off the SMART fail disk if hot spare dive is existed.

"Alert Only" – it will trigger alert when there happens a SMART failed drive.

- Smart Polling Interval

Besides the scheduled volume check, user can define the Smart Pulling Interval to pull the SMART status of each disk. The default is “on demand”. User can schedule every certain period of time interval to pull the SMART status of each disk. When SMART pulling is executed, disk activity will be temporally halted until the SMART parameter reading is finished. That is why you don’t want to set the Interval too frequent. What to use is up to the users to decide based on their applications and experiment results.

6.8.2 Advanced Configuration

To set the RAID system function, move the cursor to the main menu and click on the "Advanced Configuration" link. The "Advanced Configuration" menu will show all items, then select the desired function.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] ■ Advanced Configurations ILE1 Setting Default Timeout Setting 8 Seconds Number Of Retino 2 Buffer Threshold Setting 25% Amount Of Read Ahead Auto Number Of AV Streams 6 Optimize AV Recording Disabled Read Performance Margin 0% Write Performance Margin 0% Band And Discount Parity Data Disabled Hall Disk For Any Timeout Disabled Hitachi SATA HDD Speed Default WDC SATA HDD Speed Default Seagate SATA HDD Speed Default BIOS Selection Legacy INT13 PCIE Link Down Reset Disabled Active Cable Managerit Auto Host Command Queue Mode Normal End Device Frame Buffering Enabled Cut Connector#1 Speed Limit No Limit Cut Connector#2 Speed Limit No Limit ■ Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

- TLER Setting

TLER (time-limited error recovery) functions provide support for WD Caviar RE (RAID) series disks. This is a new option from WD to support RAID features that were traditionally missing from standard desktop drives. TLER is a method of signaling the system RAID controller in the event that an error recovery process is taking longer than time-out specifications allow. This prevents the RAID controller from dropping the drive from the array during this period. Default value is manufacture setting. You can select between 5, 6 and 7 second. This feature is to setup the HDD internal timeout value.

- Timeout Setting

Disk time-out is a registry setting that defines the time that RAID controller will wait for a hard disk to respond to a command. You can modify the retry value by entering a new value in the edit box beside this button and then selecting the button. Normally you should not need to modify this value. Default value is 8 seconds: You can select between 3\~8 second.

• Number of Retries

This setting determines the number of access that will be attempted before the current command from the RAID controller to the disk drive is aborted. You can modify the retry value by entering a new value in the edit box beside this button and then selecting the button. Normally you should not need to modify this value. There are two selections, either 2 retry or 3 retry.

- Buffer Threshold

This new feature there are 3 options; 25%, 50%, 75%. The percentage represents how much data should be kept in resident cache memory (how full cache should get) before controller starts to flush data onto the hard drives. If the buffer is set for 25%, then all 25% will be cached and is used for writing data. The remaining cache memory will be used for reading incoming write and other system overhead. Write buffer threshold for 5% is added for video recording. This option will push data to disk early.

This feature gives controller extra buffer time in case of slow response from the hard drives within a given time. Consequently, this can prevent a pause in data flow and there will be continues data access and stream. This feature is very useful for the video streaming applications where there is high demand for constant non-stop data flow with no interruption due to lower performance of specific hardware.

- Amount of Read Ahead

Read-Ahead data is buffered in the RAID controller cache, however, thereby cutting down on the amount of I/O traffic to the disk. The Amount of Read Ahead defines how many data of reading at a time, making more efficient use of the RAID sub system. This makes it possible to locate and re-issue the data without repetitive hard parsing activities. The Amount of Read Ahead parameter is used to allocate an amount of memory in the cache memory the frequently executed queries and return the result set back to the host without real disk read execution. Default value is Auto: Controller will base on the HDD number to set the amount of Read Ahead value. You can select between 512KB \~ 16MB.

• Number of AV Stream

RAID controllers are required to have not only the function of processing ordinary data but also the function of dealing with AV (audio/video) stream data needing real-time processing. Since the bus cycle used in RAID controller was designed to transfer the computer data exactly, it was unsuitable for the transfer of AV stream needing great band widths. They are required to do some setting for the handshaking during the processing of stream data. This setting is an object of transferring stream data efficiently on an existing RAID controller. Normally you should not need to modify this value. Default value is 6. You can select between 6\~256.

To decide how to set AV stream playout parameter, you need to check the Number of Stream, Amount of Read Ahead, and Total Cache Memory during runtime. You can try to adjust the three numbers to get the best performance as your requirement. Number of Stream shows the number of stream added to the system, Amount of Read Ahead shows the amount of Read Ahead data taken from the cache without real disk execution, and total cache memory shows the total available memory being installed in the RAID controller.

- Optimize AV Recording

AV recording option is for video recording (no time limit), but if used in normal operation, performance may be degraded. This new feature there are 4 options; Disabled, Mode1, Mode2 and Mode 3. Default value is Disabled. Our controller cache uses LRU method, there have no special memory capacity reserved for read or write. The Mode 1, 2 and 3 are used to define the command sorting method. The default sorting method is helpful for normal applications, but not useful for AV applications, so we have defined three different sorting methods for these special applications. To decide how to optimize AV stream recording parameter, you need to adjust the Optimize AV Recording, and Write Buffer Threshold during runtime.

- Read Performance Margin

The "Read Performance Margin" is for controller to reserve n% read margin during AV stream recording.

- Write Performance Margin

The "Write Performance Margin" is for controller to reserve n% write margin AV stream recording.

- Read And Discard Parity Data

This function is used to determine if parity data is to be read and discarded.

- Fail Disk For Any Timeout

Imaging system products expect to have constant speed for writing raw data to the storage by constant speed without any data loss whenever a drive becomes failure in RAID system. This function is the option that RAID controller will kill off the HDD for any time out. It can reduce the write cache size to buffer the raw data.

- Hitachi/WDC/Seagate SATA HDD Speed

The purpose of this setting is to provide alternative method to change the interface speed of a SATA HDD speed so that it can be successfully utilized in some compatible condition. Reboot is required for this setting to take effect.

- BIOS Selection

It combines the "Legacy BIOS", "UEFI BIOS" and "EFI BIOS" into a single BIOS, and provides BIOS option in the GUI. In the old days, Areca provided separate BIOS files for each, and need to manually flash it in. Now flashing BIOS for different BIOS type is no longer needed, just make the BIOS selection in System Controls: Advance Configuration: BIOS Option.

The controller provides three BIOS options.

Legacy: for PC motherboards that are using regular BIOS boot.

UEFI: for PC motherboards using UEFI boot.

EFI: for Intel-based Mac boot

Disable: disable controller BIOS at POST (set to 0xFF) ==> If BIOS is to be disabled --> All data are 0xFF

- PCIE Link Down Reset

If SAS RAID adapters is experiencing problems with link down issue in some host M/B, please try to set the "PCIE Link Down Reset".

Enable: The RAID-on-Chip (ROC) PCIe link will be down and need to be re-initialized to get the link up.

Disable: The RAID-on-Chip (ROC) PCIe link will ignore the "PCIE link Down Reset" command.

• Active Cable Management

An active cable requires power for circuitry that is integral to any of the TX/RX high speed serial channels supported by the cable. In addition, the active cable requires power to operate the management interface. There is one E2prom on the AOC cable that records the AOC capability 6 or 12 Gb/s, optical or no optical. This setting is for user to disable the E2prom value that it writes the wrong value. If select "Auto", it only works with the 8644 cable that has been programmed.

- Host Command Queue Mode

This option is used to solve the problem with reads stalling that causes by out of order command completion. Choose the "Host Command Queue Mode" option="Ordered" on the "Advanced Configuration" if you want similar read/write throughputs. There the read and write get the same priority as they are scheduled and the reads are not pushed back.

• End Device Frame Buffering

Using the 12Gb/s SAS technology, including End Device Frame Buffering (EDFB) technology, the ROC and expander are designed to help ease the industry's transition to 12Gb/s SAS-enabled systems by enabling customers to take advantage of 12Gb/s speeds while using existing 6Gb/s drives and backplane infrastructure. This technology allows the expander to perform aggregation, essentially allowing two devices to share one port on the expander.

- Ext Connector#1 Speed Limit

This option is only available on the ARC-1216-4x/1226-8x. It is used to limit the external connector speed in case of compatible issue on low speed connected enclosure.

- Ext Connector#2 Speed Limit

This option is only available on the ARC-1216-4x/1226-8x. It is used to limit the external connector speed in case of compatible issue on low speed connected enclosure.

6.8.3 HDD Power Management

Areca has automated the ability to manage HDD power based on usage patterns. The "HDD Power Management" allows you to choose a "Stagger Power On Control", "Low Power Idle", "Low RPM" and completely "Spins Down Idle HDD". It is designed to reduce power consumption and heat generation on idle drives.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all]close all] Paid System Console Quick Function PAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration HDD Power Management Ethanol Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mazeumper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information Hold Power Management Stagger Power On Control 0.7 Time To Hold Low Power Idle Disabled Time To Hold Low RPM Mode Disabled Time To Spin Down Idle HDD 1%For Testing SATA Power Up In Standby Default Default Confirmed The Operation Disabled Enabled Submit Reset

6.8.3.1 Stagger Power On Control

In a PC system with only one or two drives, the power can supply enough power to spin up both drives simultaneously. But in systems with more than two drives, the startup current from spinning up the drives all at once can overload the power supply, causing damage to the power supply, disk drives and other system components. This damage can be avoided by allowing the host to stagger the spin-up of the drives. The SAS/SATA drives have support stagger spin-up capabilities to boost reliability. Stagger spin-up is a very useful feature for managing multiple disk drives in a storage subsystem. It gives the host the ability to spin up the disk drives sequentially or in groups, allowing the drives to come ready at the optimum time without straining the system power supply. Staggering drive spin-up in a multiple drive environment also avoids the extra cost of a power supply designed to meet short-term startup power demand as well as steady state conditions.

Areca RAID controller has included the option for customer to select the disk drives sequentially stagger power up value. The values can be selected from 0.4 to 6 seconds per step which powers up one drive.

6.8.3.2 Time To Hdd Low Power Idle

This option delivers lower power consumption by automatically unloading recording heads during the setting idle time. The values can be selected “Disabled” or within the range 2 to 7 minutes.

6.8.3.3 Time To Hdd Low RPM Mode

This function can automatically spin disks at lower RPM if there have not been used during the setting idle time. The values can be selected “Disabled” or within the range 10 to 60 minutes.

6.8.3.4 Time To Spin Down Idle HDD

This function can automatically spin down the drive if it hasn't been accessed for a certain amount of time. This value is used by the drive to determine how long to wait (with no disk activity, before turning off the spindle motor to save power). The values can be selected "Disabled" or within the range 1 to 60 minutes.

6.8.3.5 SATA Power Up In Standby

SATA Power Up In Standby (power management 2 mode, PM2) is a SATA disk drive configuration which prevents the drive from automatic spinup when power is applied. “Enabled” option allows the drive to be powered-up into the Standby power management state to minimize inrush current at power-up and to allow the controller to sequence the spinup of devices. It is mainly for server/workstation environments operating in multiple-drive configurations.

6.8.4 Ethernet Configuration

Use this feature to set the controller Ethernet port configuration. A customer doesn't need to create a reserved space on the arrays before the Ethernet port and HTTP service are working. The firmware-embedded web browser-based RAID manager can access it from any standard internet browser or from any host computer either directly connected or via a LAN or WAN with no software or patches required.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a protocol that lets network administrators manage centrally and automate the assignment of IP (Internet Protocol) configurations on a computer network. When using the internet's set of protocols (TCP/IP), in order for a computer system to communicate to another computer system, it needs a unique IP address. Without DHCP, the IP address must be entered manually at each computer system. DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and distribute IP addresses from a central point. The purpose of DHCP is to provide the automatic (dynamic) allocation of IP client configurations for a specific time period (called a lease period) and to eliminate the work necessary to administer a large IP network.

To configure the RAID controller Ethernet port, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "System Controls" link. The "System Controls" menu will show all items. Move the cursor bar to the "Ethernet Configuration" item, then select the desired function.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Rad System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hold Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mute Beoper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information Ether Net Configurations DHCP Function Enabled Local IP Address (Used If DHCP Disabled) 192 168 1 100 Gateway IP Address (Used If DHCP Disabled) 192 168 1 1 Subnet Mask (Used If DHCP Disabled) 255 255 255 0 HTTP Port Number (7168..8191 Is Reserved) 80 Telnet Port Number (7168..8191 Is Reserved) 23 SMTP Port Number (7168..8191 Is Reserved) 25 Current IP Address 192.168.0.103 Current Gateway IP Address 192.168.0.1 Current Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 Ether Net MAC Address 00.18.40.40.00.51 Confirm The Operation Submit Rsset

Note:

If you configure the HTTP Port Number to 0, the HTTP console will be closed.

6.8.5 Alert By Mail Configuration

To configure the SAS RAID controller e-mail function, move the cursor bar to the main menu and click on the "System Controls" link. The "System Controls" menu will show all items. Move the cursor bar to the "Alert By Mail Configuration" item, then select the desired function. This function can only be set via web-based configuration.

The firmware contains a SMTP manager monitoring all system events. Single or multiple user notifications can be sent via "Plain English" e-mails with no software required. (Please refer to section 5.6 ArcHTTP Configuration of SMTP Server Configuration, Mail Address Configuration and Event Notification Configuration.)

Areca Technology Corporation | open all | close all | Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hold Power Management EtherNet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mute Heeper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information SMTP Server Configuration SMTP Server IP Address Mail Address Configurations Sender Name : Mail Address : Account : Password : Event Notification Configurations MailTo Name1 : Mail Address : Disable Event Notification No Event Notification Will Be Sent Urgant Error Notification Send Only Urgent Event Serious Error Notification Send Urgent And Sensus Event Warning Error Notification Send Urgent, Sensus And Warning Event Information Notification Send All Event Notification For No Event Notify User If No Event Occurs Within 24 Hours MailTo Name2 : Mail Address : Disable Event Notification No Event Notification Will Be Sent Urgant Error Nobicabin Send Only Urgent Event

6.8.6 SNMP Configuration

Please refer to Appendix D of SNMP Operation & Installation.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Red System Console Quick Function RAD Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Devices System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hold Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mute Breaker Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information SNMP Trap Configurations SNMP Trap IP Address #1 0 0 0 0 Port# 162 SNMP Trap IP Address #2 0 0 0 0 Port# 162 SNMP Trap IP Address #3 0 0 0 0 Port# 162 SNMP System Configurations Community sysContact.0 sysItems.0 sysLocation.0 SNMP Trap Notification Configurations Disable SNMP Trap No SNMP Trap Will Be Sent Urgent Error Notification Send Only Urgent Event Serious Error Notification Send Urgent And Serious Event Warning Error Notification Send Urgent, Serious And Warning Event Information Notification Send All Event SNMP Through PCI Inband Ethernet SNMP Is Disabled Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.8.7 NTP Configuration

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used to synchronize the time of a computer client or server to another server or reference time source, such as a radio or satellite receiver or modem. It provides accuracies typically within a millisecond on LANs and up to a few tens of milliseconds on WANs relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) via a Global Positioning Service (GPS) receiver, for example:

Areca Technology Corporation |open all|close all| Band System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hold Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Muto Booper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information NTP Server Configurations NTP Server IP Address *1 $ 0 0 0 NTP Server IP Address *2 $ 0 0 0 Time Zone Configuration Time Zone : GMT-12.00International Date Line West Automatic Daylight Saving : Enabled Current Time : 2011/8/16 16:31:4 NTP Server Not Sat Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

Note:

NTP feature works through onboard Ethernet port. So you must make sure that you have connected onboard Ethernet port.

• NTP Sever Address

The most important factor in providing accurate, reliable time is the selection of NTP servers to be used in the configuration file. Typical NTP configurations utilize multiple redundant servers and diverse network paths in order to achieve high accuracy and reliability. Our NTP configuration supports two existing public NTP synchronization subnets.

- Time Zone

Time Zone conveniently runs in the system tray and allows you to easily view the date and time in various locations around the world. You can also quickly and easily add your own personal locations to customize time zone the way you want.

• Automatic Daylight Saving

Automatic Daylight Saving will normally attempt to automatically adjust the system clock for daylight saving changes based on the computer time zone. This tweak allows you to disable the automatic adjustment.

6.8.8 View Events/Mute Beeper

To view the SAS RAID controller's event information, click on the "View Event/Mute Beeper" link. The SAS RAID controller "System events Information" screen appears. The mute beeper function automatically enable by clicking on "View Events/Mute Beeper".

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hdd Power Management EtherNet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNIP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mute Reeper Generate Text Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information System Events Information Time Device Event Type Elapse Time 2011-06-16 15:16:20 192.358.000.090 HTTP Log In 2011-06-16 15:00:04 Enc#2 SLOT 02 PassThrough Disk Created 2011-06-16 14:56:59 Enc#2 SLOT 01 PassThrough Disk Created 2011-06-16 14:52:04 192.358.000.090 HTTP Log In 2011-06-16 14:50:56 192.358.000.164 HTTP Log In 2011-06-16 14:46:46 Raid Set # 004 Delete RadSet 2011-06-16 14:46:44 Raid Set # 003 Delete RadSet 2011-06-16 14:46:43 Raid Set # 002 Delete RadSet 2011-06-16 14:46:41 Raid Set # 001 Delete RadSet 2011-06-16 14:46:41 Raid Set # 000 Delete RadSet 2011-06-16 14:46:38 ARC-1882-VOL#000 Complete Init 000:00:13 2011-06-16 14:46:37 ARC-1882-VOL#001 Abort Initialization 000:00:12 2011-06-16 14:46:28 RS232 Terminal VT100 Log In 2011-06-16 14:46:25 ARC-1882-VOL#000 Start In Belize 2011-06-16 14:46:25 ARC-1882-VOL#001 Start Initialize

Select this option to view the system events information: Time, Device, Event Type, Elapse Time and Errors. The RAID controller does not have a built-in real time clock. The time information is the relative time from the system time setting. The maximum event no. is 256 per controller.

6.8.9 Generate Test Event

Use this feature is generate events for testing purposes.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Paid System Console Quick Functions PAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration H&R Power Management EtherNet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Data buffer Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information Do You Want To Generate Test Event? Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.8.10 Clear Events Buffer

Use this feature to clear the entire events buffer information.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Raid System Console Quick Function PAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Mid Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mute Besper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information Do You Want To Clear The Event Buffer? Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.8.11 Modify Password

To set or change the SAS RAID controller password, select "System Controls" from the menu and click on the "Modify Password" link. The "Modify System Password" screen appears.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Red System Console Quick Function PAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/MHz Becker Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Hardware Information Modify System Password Enter Original Password ***** Enter New Password ***** Re-Enter New Password ***** Confirm The Operation Submit Reset Area Technology Corporation

The manufacture default password is set to 0000.

The password option allows user to set or clear the SAS RAID controller's password protection feature. Once the password has been set, the user can only monitor and configure the SAS RAID controller by providing the correct password. The password is used to protect the SAS RAID controller from unauthorized entry. The controller will check the password only when entering the main menu from the initial screen. The SAS RAID controller will automatically go back to the initial screen when it does not receive any command in 5 minutes. Do not use spaces when you

enter the password, If spaces are used, it will lock out the user. To disable the password, leave the fields blank. Once the user confirms the operation and clicks on the "Submit" button, the existing password will be cleared. Then, no password checking will occur when entering the main menu from the starting screen.

6.8.12 Update Firmware

Please refer to the appendix A "Upgrading Flash ROM Update Process".

Areca Technology Corporation Open all [close all] Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Security Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hdd Power Management Ethernet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Muto Beaper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information ▲ Upgrade The Raid System Firmware Or Boot Rom Enter The BootRom Or Firmware File Name Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

6.9 Information

6.9.1 Raid Set Hierarchy

Use this feature to view the SAS RAID controller current RAID set, current volume set and physical disk information. The volume state and capacity are also shown in this screen.

Areca Technology Corporation |open all|close all| Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information RAID Set Hierarchy SAS Chip Information System Information Hardware Monitor Stop Auto Refresh ■RaidSet Hierarchy RAID Set Devices Volume Set(Ch/Id/Lux) Volum Raid Set # 000 E#1Slot#1 ARC-1273-VOL#000(0/0/0) Initials E#1Slot#2 E#1Slot#3 E#1Slot#4 ■Enclosure#1 : ARECA SAS RAID AdapterV1.0 Device Usage Capacity Model Slot#1(0) Raid Set # 000 1000.4GB WDC WD2002FYPS-01U180 Slot#2(0) Raid Set # 000 1000.4GB ST3300065NS Slot#3(0) Raid Set # 000 2000.4GB WDC WD2002FYPS-01U180 Slot#4(0) Raid Set # 000 1000.2GB ST3109052NS Slot#5(0) Hot Spare 2000.4GB WDC WD2003FYYS-02W8B0 [Global] Slot#6(0) Hot Spare 3000.8GB ST3300065IAS [Global] Slot#7(10).Free 1000.2GB WDC WD1002FBYS-01A6B0 Slot#8(0).Free 2000.4GB ST2060NM9011

6.9.1.1 Hdd Xfer Speed

"Hdd Xfer Speed" is a firmware-level hard disk / SSD speed function that is used to measure the drive's performance. "Hdd Xfer Speed" will perform read tests without overwriting customer data. The read-only palimpsest benchmark of the disk is shown in the device information. If the value drops below the normal curve, something may be wrong with the disk. User can use "Set Disk To Be Failed" function from remote side to set a slow speed disk as "failed" so that volume will be not stuck by the slow speed disk after rebuild.

"Hdd Xfer Speed" result can be accessed by clicking on the "Device" from the "RAID set Hierarchy" you wish to scan, clicking on the "Show Result". This allows you to set up a scan environment which runs the test by clicking "Test Disk Speed" on the right screen setup option. If more than one drive is checked when you set the 'Disks To Be Tested', it will run that test for the number setting drives.

If there's a certain location in the hard drive that is getting poor performance, hard drive read benchmarks can help confirm this. Above is a screenshot of a palimpsest benchmark on a hard drive. The length time of firmware takes to complete the drive test depends on its size.

6.9.2 SAS Chip Information

To view the SAS RAID controller's SAS controller and attached expander chip information, move the mouse cursor to the main menu and click on the "SAS Chip Information" link. The SAS RAID controller "SAS Chip Information" screen appears.

Areca Technology Corporation Open all|close all| Paid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information RAID Set Hierarchy SAS Chip Information System Information Hardware Monitor Controller:Areca ARC-1225-BI 1.52 SAS Address S00184D110464000 Enclosure ENC#1 Number OF Phys 0

User can click on ROC controller and SAS expander # item on the "SAS Chip Information" screen. It will show statistic page for ports on the ROC controller and SAS expander#. Click on the "Clear Error Log" to refresh the fully statistic page.

6.9.3 System Information

To view the SAS RAID controller's system information, move the mouse cursor to the main menu and click on the "System Information" link. The SAS RAID controller "RAID Subsystem Information" screen appears. Use this feature to view the SAS RAID controller's system information. The controller name, controller firmware version, Boot ROM version, SAS firmware version, serial number, main processor, CPU instruction/data cache size, system memory size/speed and current IP address appear in this screen.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] Rad System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls Information RAID Set Hierarchy SAS Chip Information System Information Hardware Monitor ■Raid Subsystem Information Controller Name APC-1883X Firmware Version V1.S1 2014-01-C3 BOOT ROM Version V1.S2 2013-12-12 PL Firmware Version 3.0.1.0 Serial Number 1100-2116-0633 Unit Serial # Main Processor 1.2GHz PPC476 RevCOE CPU ECache Size 32KBytes CPU DCache Size 32KBytes/Write Through CPU SCache Size 912KBytes/Write Back System Memory 2048MB/1B56MHz/ECC PCI-E Link Status 8K/8G Current IP Address 192.158.0.113

6.9.4 Hardware Monitor

The hardware monitor information of the enclosure attached in this controller is also shown on this screen.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all]close all] Paid System Console Quick Function NAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Control Information RAID Set Hierarchy SAS Chip Information System Information Hardware Monitor Stop Auto Refresh Controller H/W Monitor CPU Temperature 60 °C Controller Temp 42 °C CPU Fan 5113 RPM 12V 11.491 V KV 5.106 V 3.2V 3.200 V IO Voltage +1.8V 1.204 V DDR3 +1.2V 1.526 V CPU VCore +1.0V 1.024 V Analog +1.0V 1.024 V DDR3 +0.75V 0.753 V Battery Status Not Installed Enclosure#1 : SAS RAID Adapter V1.0

Appendix A

Upgrading Flash ROM Update Process

A-1 Overview

Since the SAS RAID controller features flash ROM firmware, it is not necessary to change the hardware flash chip in order to upgrade the RAID firmware. The user can simply re-program the old firmware through the in-band PCIe bus, out-of-band Ethernet port McRAID storage manager or nflash DOS utility. New releases of the firmware are available in the form of a DOS file on the shipped CD or Areca website. The files available at the FTP site for each model contain the following files in each version:

ARC1883NNNN.BIN Software Binary Code ("NNNN" refers to the software code type)

ARC1883BIOS.BIN :→ PCIe 3.0 BIOS for system board using

ARC1883BOOT.BIN :→ RAID controller hardware initialization

ARC1883FIRM.BIN :→ RAID kernel program

ARC1883MBR0.BIN:→ Master Boot Record for supporting Dual

Flash Image in the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller

README.TXT contains the history information of the software code change in the main directory. Read this file first to make sure you are upgrading to the proper binary file. Select the right file for the upgrade. Normally, user upgrades the ARC1883BIOS.BIN for system M/B compatibility and ARC1883FIRM.BIN for RAID function. All these files in the firmware package are a part of the firmware. You should update all files in the package, no special update order needed. New firmware works after a system restart not instant available, so you can update all files before restart the system. The controller firmware is independent of the array, update firmware does not touch anything you stored in the array.

Note:

Please update all binary code (BIOS, BOOT FIRM and MBR0) before you reboot system. Otherwise, a mixed firmware package may result the controller hang.

A-2 Upgrading Firmware Through McRAID Storage Manager

Get the new version firmware for your SAS RAID controller. For example, download the bin file from your OEM's web site onto the C: drive.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all|close all] ▲ Upgrade The Raid System Firmware Or Boot Rom Enter The BootRom Or Firmware File Name Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

1. To upgrade the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller firmware, move the mouse cursor to "Upgrade Firmware" link. The "Upgrade The Raid System Firmware or Boot Rom" screen appears.
2. Click on "Browse". Look in the location to which the Firmware upgrade software was downloaded. Select the file name and click on "Open".
3. Tick on "Confirm The Operation" and press the "Submit" button.
4. The web browser begins to download the firmware binary to the controller and start to update the flash ROM.
5. After the firmware upgrade is complete, a bar indicator will show "Firmware Has Been Updated Successfully".
6. After the new firmware package completes downloading, find a chance to restart the controller/computer for the new firmware to take effect.

The web browser-based McRAID storage manager can be accessed through the in-band PCIe bus or out-of-band LAN port. The in-band method uses the ArcHTTP proxy server to launch the McRAID storage manager. The out-of-band method allows local or remote to access the McRAID storage manager from any standard internet browser via a LAN or WAN with no software or patches required.

Controller with onboard LAN port, you can directly plug an Ethernet cable to the controller LAN port, then enter the McBIOS RAID manager to configure the network setting. After network setting configured and saved, you can find the current IP address in the McBIOS RAID manager "System Information" page.

From a remote pc, you can directly open a web browser and enter the IP address. Then enter user name and password to login and start your management. You can find the firmware update feature from the "Raid system Console" on the "System Controls" option.

A-3 Upgrading Firmware Through nflash DOS Utility

Areca now offers an alternative means communication for the SAS RAID controller – Upgrade the all files (BIOS, BOOT, FIRM and MBRO) without necessary system starting up to running the ArcHTTP proxy server. The nflash utility program is a DOS application, which runs in the DOS operating system. Be sure of ensuring properly to communicate between SAS RAID controller and nflash DOS utility. Please make a bootable DOS floppy diskette or USB devices from other Windows operating system and boot up the system from those bootable devices.

- Starting the nflash Utility

You do not need to short any jumper cap on running nflash utility. The nflash utility provides an on-line table of contents, brief descriptions of the help sub-commands. The nflash utility put on the \Firmware directory. You can run the to get more detailed information about the command usage. Typical output looks as below:

A:\nflash
Raid Controller Flash Utility
V1.52 2013-11-07
Command Usage:
NFLASH FileName
NFLASH FileName /cn --> n=0,1,2,3 write binary to controller#0
FileName May Be ARC1883FIRM.BIN or ARC1883*
For ARC1883* Will Expand To ARC1883BOOT /FIRM/BIOS.BIN
A:\>nflash arc188~1.bin
Raid Controller Flash Utility
V1.52 2013-11-07
MODEL : ARC-1883
MEM FE620000 FE7FF000
File ARC188~1.BIN : >>*** => Flash 0K 

A-4 Upgrading Firmware Through CLI

This Command Line Interface (CLI) provides you to configure and manage the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller components in Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and more environments. The CLI is useful in environments where a graphical user interface (GUI) is not available. Through the CLI, you perform firmware upgrade that you can perform with the McRAID storage manager GUI. The controller has added protocol on the firmware for user to update the controller firmware package(BIOS, BOOT, FIRM and MBR0) through the utility.

To update the controller firmware, follow the procedure below:

Parameter: <path=<PATH_OF_FIRMWARE_FILE>>
Fn: Firmware Updating.
Ex: Update Firmware And File Path Is In [C:\FW\ARC1883FIRM.BIN.]
Command: sys updatefw path=c:\fw\arc1883firm.bin [Enter] 

Appendix B

Flash-based Backup Module (ARC-1883-BAT/CAP)

B-1 Overview

The ARC-1883-BAT/CAP kit includes the Flash-based module (FBM), and one cable. The FBM features NAND flash memory and super capacitor technology that provides cache offload capability to protect cached data in case of system power loss. The ARC-1883-CAP (Flash+Supercap) module is mounted super-capacitor pack that provides power for the backup of your data. The ARC-1883-BAT (Flash+LiOn Battery) module is mounted battery pack that provides power for the backup of your data. When the module detects loss of power, the super capacitor keeps parts of the ARC-8088 RAID controller active long enough to allow cache data to be copied to the flash memory. The module attaches directly to the 12 Gb/s SAS RAID controller by the cable.

B-2 FBM Components

The following figure provides the board layout and connector/jumper of the FBM.

BAT 2 BAT 3 BAT 1 Battery Connector Flash_based Backup Module Connector BAT 4 LED1 LED2 Flash J1

B-3 FBM Outline

The following figures provide the upper and top view of the FBM using supercap and battery.

1. FBM with SuperCap

SUPER CAP

Figure B-1, ARC-1883-CAP (top view)

Technical line drawing of a mechanical component with circular components and a bracket (no text or symbols)

Figure B-2, ARC-1883-CAP (upper view)

2. FBM with Battery

Battery

Figure B-3, ARC-1883-BAT (top view)

Technical line drawing of a mechanical assembly or bracket (no text or symbols)

Figure B-4, ARC-1883-BAT (upper view)

B-4 Status of FBM

The following table provides the LED status of the FBM.

D2 (Blue) Status

On Power On

Off Power Off

D14 (Blue) Status
Charge Slow Flash 1Hz
Charge-Done On
Discharge Quick Flash 10Hz

D10 (Green) Status

Normal On (SuperCap)

Back-up Quick Flash 10Hz

Restore Slow Flash 1Hz

Normal Off (Battery)

D13 (Red) Status
Normal Off
Fail Quick Flash 10Hz
Calibration	Slow Flash 1Hz
Need Replace	On

Function LED1 (Green) LED2 (Green)
NAND Flash R/W Flash Flash

Note:

The FBM status will be shown on the web browser of "Hardware Monitor Information" screen.

B-5 Installation

Follow these steps to attach the flash-based backup module to the ARC-12x6 RAID controller.

1. Turn off the system power, and unplug the power cords.
2. Remove the mounting screw and existing bracket from the rear panel behind the selected PCIe slot.
3. Insert the FBM in the PCIe slot and press down gently, but firmly, to ensure that the card is properly seated in the slot.
4. Screw the bracket into the computer chassis.
5. Remove the cable that is included in the ARC-1883-CAP/BAT kit box. The cable has a 14-pin connector on both ends.
6. Insert one end of the cable into the 14-pin cable connector on the 12Gb/s SAS RAID adapter and the other end into the 14-pin J4 cable connector on the FBM with super-capacitor packs, as shown in below figure.

Super GP PCIe x8

Note:

1. Low profile bracket also provided.
2. The FBM will occupy one PCI slot on the host backplane.

B-6 Flash-based Backup Capacity

The FBM backup capacity is defined as the maximum duration of a power failure for which data in the cache memory can be written into the flash on ARC-1883-CAP/BAT. The FBM can support up to 2GB memory chips that installed on the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller.

B-7 Operation

1. There are no manual procedures for FBM conditioning or preconditioning to be performed by the user.
2. No further power is required once the super capacitor is fully charged.

Note:

Do not remove FBM while system is running.

B-8 FBM Functionality Test Procedure:

1. Writing amount of data into controller volume, about 5GB or bigger.
2. Waiting for few seconds, power failed system by remove the power cable.
3. Power on system, and press Tab/F6 to login controller.
4. Check the controller event log, make sure the event shows "Power On With Battery Backup".

B-9 FBM Specifications

Mechanical

• Module Dimension (W x H x D):
• with battery: 64.4 x 16.97 x 127 mm
• with supercap: 64.4 x 18.72 x 127 mm
• BBM Connector: (1*14) box header

Environmental

• Operating Temperature: 0^ to +50^
  • Typical Life Expectancy: 5 years at 50°C
• Cache Memory Size Supported: up to 2GB (super capacitor/battery) or 8GB (battery)

Appendix C

Battery Backup Module (ARC-6120BA-T121-12G)

C-1 Overview

The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller operates using cache memory. The Battery Backup Module is an add-on module that provides power to the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller cache memory in the event of a power failure. The Battery Backup Module monitors the write back cache on the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller, and provides power to the cache memory if it contains data not yet written to the hard drives when power failure occurs.

C-2 BBM Components

This section provides the board layout and connector/jumper for the BBM.

graph TD
    A["JP2"] --> B["Battery Connector"]
    C["JP4"] --> B
    D["D9"] --> E["Status of Battery"]
    F["D8"] --> E
    G["D7"] --> E
    H["J1"] --> I["RAID Controller BBM's Connector"]
    I --> J["J2"]

C-3 Status of BBM

• D7 (Green) : light when BBM activated
• D8 (Green) : light when BBM normal
• D9 (Red) : light when BBM charging

Note:

The BBM status will be shown on the web browser of "Hardware Monitor Information" screen.

C-4 Installation

1. Make sure all power to the system is disconnected.
2. The 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller's battery connector is available for the optional battery backup module. Connect the BBM cable to the 14-pin battery connector on the controller.
3. Integrators may provide pre-drilled holes in their cabinet for securing the BBM using its three mounting positions.
4. Low profile bracket also provided.
5. The BBM will occupy one PCI slot on the host backplane.

Battery Connector PCIe x8

C-5 Battery Backup Capacity

Battery backup capacity is defined as the maximum duration of a power failure for which data in the cache memory can be maintained by the battery. The BBM's backup capacity varied with the memory chips that installed on the 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller.

C-6 Operation

1. Battery conditioning is automatic. There are no manual procedures for battery conditioning or preconditioning to be performed by the user.
2. In order to make sure of all the capacity is available for your battery cells, allow the battery cell to be fully charged when installed for the first time. The first time charge of a battery cell takes about 24 hours to complete.

C-7 Changing the Battery Backup Module

At some point, the LI-ION battery will no longer accept a charge properly. LI-ION battery life expectancy is anywhere from approximately 1 to 5 years.

1. Shutdown the operating system properly. Make sure that cache memory has been flushed.
2. Disconnect the BBM cable from 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller's battery connector.
3. Disconnect the battery pack cable from JP2 on the BBM.
4. Install a new battery pack and connect the new battery pack to JP2.
5. Connect the BBM to 12Gb/s SAS RAID controller's battery connector.

Note:

Do not remove BBM while system is running.

C-8 Battery Functionality Test Procedure:

1. Writing amount of data into controller volume, about 5GB or bigger.
2. Waiting for few seconds, power failed system by remove the power cable.
3. Check the battery status, make sure the D9 is bright light, and battery beeps every few seconds.
4. Power on system, and press Tab/F6 to login controller.
5. Check the controller event log, make sure the event shows controller boot up with power recovered.

C-9 BBM Specifications

Mechanical

• Module Dimension (W x H x D): 37.3 x 13 x 81.6 mm
• BBM Connector: 2 x 6 box header

Environmental

- Operating Temperature

* Temperature:
0^ C to +40^ C (Charge)
0^ C to +55^ C (Discharge)
* Humidity: 45-85%, non-condensing

- Storage Temperature

* Temperature:
-20°C to +20°C (storing for less than 1year)
-20°C to +40°C (storing for less than 3 months)
-20°C to +55°C (storing for less than 1month)

* Humidity: 45-85%, non-condensing

Electrical

• Input Voltage
  +3.6VDC
• On Board Battery Capacity 1880mAh (1 x 1880mAh) for ARC-12x6 series boards

Appendix D

SNMP Operation & Installation

D-1 Overview

The McRAID storage manager includes a firmware-embedded Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent and SNMP Extension Agent for the Areca RAID controller. An SNMP-based management application (also known as an SNMP manager) can monitor the disk array. An example of a SNMP management application is Hewlett-Packard's Open View, Net-SNMP or SNMPc. The SNMP extension agent can be used to augment the Areca RAID controller if you are already running an SNMP management application at your site.

D-2 SNMP Definition

SNMP, an IP-based protocol, has a set of commands for getting the status of target devices. The SNMP management platform is called the SNMP manager, and the managed devices have the SNMP agent loaded. Management data is organized in a hierarchical data structure called the Management Information Base (MIB). These MIBs are defined and sanctioned by various industry associations. Each type of device on your network has its own specific MIB file. The MIB file defines the device as a set of managed objects — values that can be read or changed by the SNMP manager. The MIB file enables the SNMP manager to interpret trap messages from devices. To make sense out of a trap that's sent by a device, the SNMP manager needs to have access to the MIB that describes the format and content of the possible traps that the device can send. The objective is for all vendors to create products in compliance with these MIBs so that inter-vendor interoperability can be achieved. To be available for the SNMP manager, a command adds the MIB file for each of devices to the MIB database. This enables the devices to be managed via the SNMP manager.

The following figure illustrates the various components of an SNMP-based management architecture.

graph TD
    A["Manager Application"] --> B["Event Configuration Performance"]
    C["Managed Resource Definition"] --> D["MIB"]
    D --> E["SNMP Agent"]
    E --> F["Network resources"]
    G["Service Layer and Protocols"] --> E
    H["Physical Managed Object"] --> F

D-3 SNMP Installation

Perform the following steps to install the Areca RAID controller SNMP function into the SNMP manager. The installation of the SNMP manager is accomplished in several phases:

Step 1. Installing the SNMP manager software on the client

Installing the SNMP manager software on the client. This installation process is well-covered in the User's Guide of your SNMP manager application.

Step 2. Compiling the MIB description file with the management

Placing a copy of the RAID controller's MIBs file in a directory which is accessible to the management application and compile the MIB description file with the SNMP management application database. Before the manager application accesses the Areca RAID controller, it is necessary to integrate the MIB into the management application's database of events and status indicator codes. This process is known as "compiling" the MIB into the application. This process is highly vendor-specific and should be well-covered in the User's Guide of your SNMP manager application. Ensure the compilation process successfully integrates the contents of the areca_sas.mib file into the traps database. The MIBs file resides at: \ packages\SNMP_MIBs on the software CD or download from http://www.areca.com.tw.

Each RAID controller needs to have its own MIBs file. Areca provide 4 adapters MIBs file for users. User can request it if more controllers install on one system.

Note:

1. The MIB compiler may be not installed by default with SNMP manager.
2. Some SNMP managers have unique rule on the format of MIB files, you may need to refer the error message to modify the mib file to be able to met the software requirement.

Step 3. SNMP Service Method

With Areca series RAID cards, there are 3 service methods to get snmp:

ArcHTTP, Onboard NIC and in-band PCIe + SNMP extension agent.

1. Service Method-1: using ArcHTTP Proxy Server Pay attention to these:

2. Do not check mark the option: "SNMP Through PCI".

3. Make sure you have the latest driver and ArcHTTP, from this URL "http://www.areca.com.tw/support/main.htm".

4. ArcHTTP supports sending "traps" only, do not support the "get" command.

5. Service Method-2: using Onboard NIC. Pay attention to these:

6. Do not check mark the option: "SNMP Through PCI".

7. Do need to fill out the "SNMP Trap Config".

8. Service Method-3: using in-band PCI + SNMP extension agent. Pay attention to these:

9. Download the snmp extension agent from Areca URL.

10. The agent is to be installed on the system which has the Areca card.
11. Check Mark the option: "SNMP Through PCI".
12. To use in-band PCIe host bus interface, keep space (or zero) on all "SNMP Tarp IP Address" options.

D-3-1 Using ArcHTTP

The HTTP management software (ArcHTTP) runs as a service or daemon, and have it automatically start the proxy for all controllers found. This way the controller can be managed remotely without having to sign in the server. The HTTP management software (ArcHTTP) also has integrated the ability of sending SNMP trap. Please reference chapter 5. ArcHTTP Proxy Server Installation section to install it. The ArcHTTP proxy server will automatically assign one additional port for setup its configuration. If you want to change the "archttpsrv.conf" setting up of ArcHTTP proxy server configuration, for example: General Configuration, Mail Configuration, and SNMP Configuration, please start Web Browser http:\localhost: Cfg Assistant. Such as http:\localhost: 81. The port number for the first controller McRAID storage manager is ArcHTTP proxy server configuration port number plus 1.

To enable the controller to send the SNMP traps to client SNMP manager using the IP address assigned to the operating system, such as Net-SNMP manager, you can simply use the SNMP function on the ArcHTTP proxy server software. To enable the RAID controller SNMP traps sending function, click on the "SNMP Configuration" link. The ArcHTTP proxy only provide one direction to send the trap to the SNMP manager without needing to install the SNMP extension agent on the host. If SNMP manager requests to query the SNMP information from RAID controller, please refer the D-3-2 section. Using Onboard NIC and D-3-3 section. Using in-band PCI + SNMP extension agent.

For detailed information on using ArcHTTP to send the SNMP traps, please see SNMP Traps Configuration section on 5.6 ArcHTTP Configuration.

Note:

Event Notification Table refers to Appendix E. After you confirm and submit configurations, you can use "Generate Test Event" feature to make sure these settings are correct.

D-3-2 Using Onboard NIC Installation

By using the built-in LAN port on the RAID controller- RAID controller using built-in LAN interface. You can use the browser-based manager or CLI SNMP configuration to setup the firmware-based SNMP configuration. The following screen is the firmware-embedded SNMP configuration setup screen using browser-based manager:

Areca Technology Corporation open all|close all| Red System Console Quick Function SAID Set Functions Volume set functions Security Functions Physical Drivers System Controls System Configuration Advanced Configuration Hold Power Management Etherlet Configuration Alert by Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mate Seeper Generate Test Event Clear Event Ruther Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information SNMP Trap Configurations SNMP Trap IP Address #1 0 0 0 0 Porte 162 SNMP Trap IP Address #2 0 0 0 0 Porte 162 SNMP Trap IP Address #3 0 0 0 0 Porte 162 SNMP System Configurations Community sysContact.0 sysName.0 sysLocation.0 SNMP Trap Notification Configurations Income Name Trap No SNMP Trap Will Be Sent Urgent Error Notification Send Only Urgent Event Sensus Error Notification Send Urgent and Serious Event Warning Error Notification Send Urgent, Serious And Warning Event Information Notification Send AR Event SNMP Through HCI Inband Ethence SNMP Is Disatisfied

To launch the above browser-based RAID controller SNMP function, click on the "System Controls" link. The "System Controls" menu will show available items. Select the "SNMP Configuration" item. The firmware-embedded SNMP agent manager monitors all system events and the SNMP function becomes functional with no agent software required. The following article describes a best practice methodology for setting this up in the "SNMP Traps Configurations".

1. SNMP Trap Configurations

Enter the SNMP Trap IP Address.

2. SNMP System Configurations

Community name acts as a password to screen accesses to the SNMP agent of a particular network device. Type in the community names of the SNMP agent. Before access is granted to a request station, this station must incorporate a valid community name into its request; otherwise, the SNMP agent will deny access to the system. Most network devices use "public" as default of their community names. This value is case sensitive. The system Contact, Name and Location that will be shown in the outgoing SNMP trap.

3. SNMP Trap Notification Configurations

Please refer to Appendix E of Event Notification Configurations.

D-3-3 Using In-band PCI + SNMP Extension Agent Installation

By using the IP address assigned to the operating- RAID controller using Areca SNMP extension agent through PCIe host bus interface.

1. Set only "Community" field and select the "SNMP Port" option on the firmware-embedded SNMP configuration function. There is no function to set other fields on "SNMP System Configuration".

The SNMP community and SNMP port can setup by using browser-based manager or CLI SNMP configuration. To launch the above browser-based RAID controller SNMP function, click on the "System Controls" link. The "System Controls" menu will show available items. Select the "SNMP Configuration" item. The following "SNMP System Configuration" screen is launched by browser-based manager.

Areca Technology Corporation [open all]close all Raid System Console Quick Function RAID Set Functions Volume Set Functions Physical Drives System Controls System Configuration Hold Power Management EtherNet Configuration Alert By Mail Configuration SNMP Configuration NTP Configuration View Events/Mute Baoper Generate Test Event Clear Event Buffer Modify Password Upgrade Firmware Information SNMP System Configurations Community Public Confirm The Operation Submit Reset

About community, Community name acts as a password to screen accesses to the SNMP agent of a particular network device. Type in the community names of the SNMP agent.

Before access is granted to a request station, this station must incorporate a valid community name into its request; otherwise, the SNMP agent will deny access to the system.

Most network devices use "public" as default of their community names. This value is case-sensitive.

1. Mark the check box on the 'SNMP Through PCI Inband' setting and keep space (or zero) on all "SNMP Tarp IP Address" options.
2. Installing the SNMP extension agent on the server. Please refer to next section of SNMP Extension Agent Installation for different operation system such as Windows, Linux and FreeBSD.

D-3-4 SNMP Extension Agent Installation

The SNMP extension agent on the device is able to return meaningful, highly useful information to the SNMP manager. The Areca RAID controllers have supported the extension agent for Windows, Linux and FreeBSD. This section is the detail procedures for those extension agent installation.

D-3-4-1 Windows

You must have administrative level permission to install SAS RAID controller extension agent software. This procedure assumes that the RAID hardware and Windows are both installed and operational in your system. To enable the SNMP agent for Windows, configure Windows for TCP/IP and SNMP services. The Areca SNMP extension agent file is ARCSNMP.DLL.

Screen captures in this section are taken from a Windows XP installation. If you are running another version of Windows, your screens may look different, but the Areca SNMP extension agent installation is essentially the same.

1. Insert the Areca RAID controller software CD in the CD-ROM drive.
2. Double-click on the setup.exe file that resides at: \packages\windows\SNMP on the CD. (If SNMP service was not installed, please install SNMP service first.)

3.The screen shows Preparing to Install.

InstallShield Wizard Preparing to Install... AutoStreCom1 Setup is preparing the InstallShield Wizard, which will guide you through the program setup process. Please read Checking Operating System Version ****** Cancel

1. The InstallShield Wizard opens, preparing to install and click on the "Next" button to continue.

InstallShield Wizard Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for ArcSweepCard The InstallShield(X) Wizard will install ArcSweepCard on your computer. To continue, click next. WARNING: This program is protected by copyright law and information rights.

Follow the on-screen prompts to continue the Areca SNMP extension agent installation.

1. When you reach the installation page, click on the "Install" button to continue.

Ready to Install the Program The wizard is ready to begin installation. Click install to begin the installation. If you want to review or change any of your installation settings, click Back. Click Cancel to exit the wizard. < Back Install Cancel

1. A Progress bar appears that measures the progress of the SNMP extension agent setup. When this screen completes, you have completed the Areca SNMP extension agent setup.

ArcSoupCard - InstallShield Wizard Installing ArcSoupCard The program features you selected are being installed. Please visit while the InstallShield Wizard install ArcSoupCard. This may take some minutes. Status: OK Next > Cancel

1. After a successful installation, the "Setup Complete" dialog box of the installation program is displayed. Click on the "Finish" button to complete the installation.

JorScopeCard - JorubaShield Wizard InstallShield Wizard Completed The InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed jorScopeCard. Click Finish to exit the wizard.

- Starting SNMP Trap Notification Configurations

To start "SNMP Trap Notification Configurations", There have two methods.

1. First, double-click on the "Areca RAID Controller".

Start Avaca Paid Controller 10:47 AM

1. Second, you may also use the "Taskbar Start/programs/Areca Technology Corp/ArcSnmpConf" menus shown below.

My Documents Install Windows setup installed Pv Computer setup Install Windows setup installed Set Program Access and Defaults Windows Update Programs Accessories ArcSimp APCS TECHNOLOGY Card Startup Internet Explorer Outlook Express ArSimp OFF ArSimp Start Windows Untitled - Post 13:52 AM

• SNMP Community Configurations

About community, Community name acts as a password to screen accesses to the SNMP agent of a particular network device. Type in the community names of the SNMP agent. Before access is granted to a request station, this station must incorporate a valid community name into its request; otherwise, the SNMP agent will deny access to the system. Most network devices use “public” as default of their community names. This value is case-sensitive.

• SNMP Trap Notification Configurations

The "Community Name" should be the same as firmware-embedded SNMP Community. The "SNMP Trap Notification Configurations" includes level 1: Serious, level 2: Error, level 3: Warning and level 4: Information. The level 4 covers notification events such as initialization of the controller and initiation of the rebuilding process; Level 3 includes events which require the issuance of warning messages; Level 2 covers notification events which once have happen; Level 1 is the highest level, and covers events the need immediate attention (and action) from the administrator.

Areca SNMP Configuration Tool V1.0 SNMP Community Configuration Community: 9.0.05 SNMP Trap Notification Configurations ● Double SNMP Trap No SNMP Trap Will Be Sent ○ Serious Error Notification Send Only Serious Event ○ Error Notification Send Serious And Error Event ○ Warning Notification Send Serious, Error And Warning Event ○ Information Notification Send All Event Save

D-3-4-2 Linux

You must have administrative level permission to install Areca RAID software. This procedure assumes that the Areca RAID hardware and Linux are installed and operational in your system. The old version agent has to modify the open source project, integrate the changes from Areca manually, then take the modified binaries and manually deploy them. Users need to change source code from the linux distribution and then maintain it by themselves.

The new version agent provides the way to integrate with those codes into snmpd/snmptrapd and create a sub-agent for user easy to install it. The new version SNMP extension agent installation for Linux procedure, please refer to \packages\Linux\SNMP\readme.txt or download from ftp://ftp.areca.com.tw/RaidCards/AP_Drivers/Linux/SNMP/V4.1/.

D-3-4-3 FreeBSD

You must have administrative level permission to install Areca RAID software. This procedure assumes that the Areca RAID hardware and FreeBSD are installed and operational in your system. The old version agent has to modify the open source project, integrate the changes from Areca manually, then take the modified binaries and manually deploy them. Users need to change source code from the linux distribution and then maintain it by themselves.

The new version agent provides the way to integrate with those codes into snmpd/snmptrapd and create a sub agent for user easy to install it. The new version SNMP extension agent installation for FreeBSD procedure, please refer to \packages\FreeBSD\SNMP\readme.txt or download from ftp://ftp.areca.com.tw/RaidCards/AP_Drivers/FreeBSD/SNMP/V4.1/.

Appendix E

Event Notification Configurations

The controller classifies disk array events into four levels depending on their severity. These include level 1: Urgent, level 2: Serious, level 3: Warning and level 4: Information. The level 4 covers notification events such as initialization of the controller and initiation of the rebuilding process; Level 2 covers notification events which once have happen; Level 3 includes events which require the issuance of warning messages; Level 1 is the highest level, and covers events that need immediate attention (and action) from the administrator. The following lists sample events for each level:

A. Device Event

Event Level Meaning Action
Device Inserted Warning	HDD	inserted
Device Removed Warning	HDD	removed
Reading Error Warning	HDD	reading error Keep Wa	tching HDD status, may be it caused by noise or HDD unstable.
Writing Error Warning	HDD w	writing error Keep Watch	tching HDD status, may be it caused by noise or HDD unstable.
ATA Ecc Error Warning	HDD E	CC error Keep Watch	ng HDD status, may be it caused by noise or HDD unstable.
Change ATA Mode	Warning H	DD change ATA mode	Check HDD connection
Time Out Error	Warning	HDD time out	Keep Watching HDD status, may be it caused by noise or HDD unstable.
Device Failed	Urgent	HDD failure	Replace HDD
PCI Parity Error	Serious	PCI parity error	If only happen once, it may be caused by noise. If always happen, please check power supply or contact to us.
Device Failed(SMART)	Urgent	HDD SMART failure	Replace HDD
PassThrough Disk Created	Inform	Pass Through Disk created
PassThrough Disk Modified	Inform	Pass Through Disk modified
PassThrough Disk Deleted	Inform	Pass Through Disk deleted

B. Volume Event

Event Level Meaning Action
Start Initialize Warning Volume initialization has started
Start Rebuilding Warning Volume rebuilding has started
Start Migrating Warning Volume migration has started
Start Checking Warning Volume parity checking has started
Complete Init Warning Volume initialization completed
Complete Rebuild Warning Volume rebuilding completed
Complete Migrate Warning Volume migration completed
Complete Check Warning Volume parity checking completed
Create Volume Warning New volume created
Delete Volume Warning Volume deleted
Modify Volume Warning Volume modified
Volume Degraded Urgent Volume degraded Replace HDD
Volume Failed Urgent Volume failure
Failed Volume Revived Urgent Failed volume revived
Abort Initialization Warning Initialization been abort
Abort Rebuilding Warning Rebuilding aborted
Abort Migration Warning Migration aborted
Abort Checking Warning Parity check aborted
Stop Initialization Warning Initialization stopped
Stop Rebuilding Warning Rebuilding stopped
Stop Migration Warning Migration stopped
Stop Checking Warning Parity check stopped

C. RAID Set Event

Event Level	Meaning	Action
Create RaidSet Warning	New RAID set created
Delete RaidSet Warning	Raidset deleted
Expand RaidSet	Warning	Raidset expanded
Rebuild RaidSet	Warning	Raidset rebuilding
RaidSet Degraded	Urgent	Raidset degraded	Replace HDD

D. Hardware Monitor Event

Event Level Meaning Action
DRAM 1-Bit ECC U	Urgent DRAM	M 1-Bit ECC error Check	DRAM
DRAM Fatal Error	Urgent DRAM	M fatal error encountered	Check the DRAM module and replace with new one if required.
Controller Over Temperature	Urgent Ab	normally high temperature detected on controller	Check air flow and cooling fan of the enclosure, and contact us.
Hdd Over Temperature	Urgent Ab	normally high temperature detected on Hdd	Check air flow and cooling fan of the enclosure.
Fan Failed Urgent	Cooling Fan	# failure or speed below 1700RPM	Check cooling fan of the enclosure and replace with a new one if required.
Controller Temp. Recovered	Serious Controller temperature back tonormal level
Hdd Temp. Recovered	Serious HDD temperature back tonormal level
Raid Powered On	Warning RAID power on
Test Event Urgent	Test event
Power On With Battery Backup	Warning RAID power on with battery backuped
Incomplete RAID Discovered	Serious Some RAID set member disks missing before power on		Check disk information to find out which channel missing.
HTTP Log In Serious a HTTP		ogin detected
Telnet Log Serious a Telnet		ogin detected
InVT100 Log In	Serious a VT100 login detected
API Log In	Serious a API login detected
Lost Rebuilding/ MigrationLBA	Urgent Some rebuilding/ migration raidset member disks missing before power on.		Reinserted the missing member disk back, controller will continued the incomplete rebuilding/ migration.

Appendix F

RAID Concept

RAID Set

A RAID set is a group of disks connected to a RAID controller. A RAID set contains one or more volume sets. The RAID set itself does not define the RAID level (0, 1, 1E, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50 60, etc); the RAID level is defined within each volume set. Therefore, volume sets are contained within RAID sets and RAID Level is defined within the volume set. If physical disks of different capacities are grouped together in a RAID set, then the capacity of the smallest disk will become the effective capacity of all the disks in the RAID set.

Volume Set

Each volume set is seen by the host system as a single logical device (in other words, a single large virtual hard disk). A volume set will use a specific RAID level, which will require one or more physical disks (depending on the RAID level used). RAID level refers to the level of performance and data protection of a volume set. The capacity of a volume set can consume all or a portion of the available disk capacity in a RAID set. Multiple volume sets can exist in a RAID set. For the RAID controller, a volume set must be created either on an existing RAID set or on a group of available individual disks (disks that are about to become part of a RAID set). If there are pre-existing RAID sets with available capacity and enough disks for the desired RAID level, then the volume set can be created in the existing RAID set of the user's choice.

RAID set 1 (3 Individual Disks)

Disk 0

Disk 1

Disk 2
Free Space
Volume 1 (RAID 5)
Volume 0 (1E)

In the illustration, volume 1 can be assigned a RAID level 5 of operation while volume 0 might be assigned a RAID level 1E of operation. Alternatively, the free space can be used to create volume 2, which could then be set to use RAID level 5.

Ease of Use Features

- Foreground Availability/Background Initialization

RAID 0 and RAID 1 volume sets can be used immediately after creation because they do not create parity data. However, RAID 3, 5, 6, 30, 50 or 60 volume sets must be initialized to generate parity information. In Background Initialization, the initialization proceeds as a background task, and the volume set is fully accessible for system reads and writes. The operating system can instantly access the newly created arrays without requiring a reboot and without waiting for initialization to complete. Furthermore, the volume set is protected against disk failures while initialing. If using Foreground Initialization, the initialization process must be completed before the volume set is ready for system accesses.

• Online Array Roaming

RAID controllers store RAID configuration information on the disk drives. The controller therefore protects the configuration settings in the event of controller failure. Online array roaming allows the administrators the ability to move a complete RAID set to another system without losing RAID configuration information or data on that RAID set. Therefore, if a server fails, the RAID set disk drives can be moved to another server with an Areca RAID controllers and the disks can be inserted in any order.

• Online Capacity Expansion

Online Capacity Expansion makes it possible to add one or more physical drives to a volume set without interrupting server operation, eliminating the need to backup and restore after reconfiguration of the RAID set. When disks are added to a RAID set, unused capacity is added to the end of the RAID

set. Then, data on the existing volume sets (residing on the newly expanded RAID set) is redistributed evenly across all the disks. A contiguous block of unused capacity is made available on the RAID set. The unused capacity can be used to create additional volume sets.

A disk, to be added to a RAID set, must be in normal mode (not failed), free (not spare, in a RAID set, or passed through to host) and must have at least the same capacity as the smallest disk capacity already in the RAID set.

Capacity expansion is only permitted to proceed if all volumes on the RAID set are in the normal status. During the expansion process, the volume sets being expanded can be accessed by the host system. In addition, the volume sets with RAID level 1, 10, 3, 5 or 6 are protected against data loss in the event of disk failure(s). In the case of disk failure, the volume set changes from “migrating” state to “migrating+degraded” state. When the expansion is completed, the volume set would then transition to “degraded” mode. If a global hot spare is present, then it further changes to the “rebuilding” state.

The expansion process is illustrated as following figure.

Before Array Expansion Disk 0 40 GB Disk 1 40 GB Disk 2 40 GB Free Space = 40GB Volume 1 = 40GB(D:) Volume 0 = 40GB(C:) Array-A 120GB

RAID controller redistributes the original volume set over the original and newly added disks, using the same fault-tolerance configuration. The unused capacity on the expand RAID set can then be used to create an additional volume set, with a different fault tolerance setting (if required by the user.)

After Array Expansion (Adding One Disk)

Disk 0 40 GB

Disk 1 40 GB

Disk 2 40 GB

Disk 3 40 GB

Free Space = 80GB

Volume 1 = 40GB(D:)

Volume 0 = 40GB(C:)

Array-A 160GB

• Online RAID Level and Stripe Size Migration

For those who wish to later upgrade to any RAID capabilities, a system with online RAID level/stripe size migration allows a simplified upgrade to any supported RAID level without having to reinstall the operating system.

The RAID controllers can migrate both the RAID level and stripe size of an existing volume set, while the server is on line and the volume set is in use. Online RAID level/stripe size migration can prove helpful during performance tuning activities as well as when additional physical disks are added to the RAID controller. For example, in a system using two drives in RAID level 1, it is possible to add a single drive and add capacity and retain fault tolerance. (Normally, expanding a RAID level 1 array would require the addition of two disks). A third disk can be added to the existing RAID logical drive and the volume set can then be migrated from RAID level 1 to 5. The result would be parity fault tolerance and double the available capacity without taking the system down. A forth disk could be added to migrate to RAID level 6. It is only possible to migrate to a higher RAID level by adding a disk; disks in an existing array can't be reconfigured for a higher RAID level without adding a disk.

Online migration is only permitted to begin, if all volumes to be migrated are in the normal mode. During the migration process, the volume sets being migrated are accessed by the host system. In addition, the volume sets with RAID level 1, 1E, 10, 3, 5 or 6 are protected against data loss in the event

of disk failure(s). In the case of disk failure, the volume set transitions from migrating state to (migrating+degraded) state. When the migration is completed, the volume set transitions to degraded mode. If a global hot spare is present, then it further transitions to rebuilding state.

• Online Volume Expansion

Performing a volume expansion on the controller is the process of growing only the size of the latest volume. A more flexible option is for the array to concatenate an additional drive into the RAID set and then expand the volumes on the fly. This happens transparently while the volumes are online, but, at the end of the process, the operating system will detect free space at after the existing volume.

Windows, NetWare and other advanced operating systems support volume expansion, which enables you to incorporate the additional free space within the volume into the operating system partition. The operating system partition is extended to incorporate the free space so it can be used by the operating system without creating a new operating system partition.

You can use the Diskpart.exe command line utility, included with Windows Server 2003 or the Windows 2000 Resource Kit, to extend an existing partition into free space in the dynamic disk.

Third-party software vendors have created utilities that can be used to repartition disks without data loss. Most of these utilities work offline. Partition Magic is one such utility.

High availability

• Global/Local Hot Spares

A hot spare is an unused online available drive, which is ready for replacing the failure disk. The hot spare is one of the most important features that RAID controllers provide to deliver a

high degree of fault-tolerance. A hot spare is a spare physical drive that has been marked as a hot spare and therefore is not a member of any RAID set. If a disk drive used in a volume set fails, then the hot spare will automatically take its place and he data previously located on the failed drive is reconstructed on the hot spare.

Dedicated hot spare is assigned to serve one specified RAID set. Global hot spare is assigned to serve all RAID set on the RAID controller. Dedicated hot spare has higher priority than the global hot spare. For this feature to work properly, the hot spare must have at least the same capacity as the drive it replaces. The host spare function only works with RAID level 1, 1E, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50, or 60 volume set.

The "Create Hot Spare" option gives you the ability to define a global/dedicated hot spare disk drive. To effectively use the hot spare feature, you must always maintain at least one drive that is marked as a global hot spare.

Important:

The hot spare must have at least the same capacity as the drive it replaces.

• Hot-Swap Disk Drive Support

The RAID controller chip includes a protection circuit that supports the replacement of SAS/SATA hard disk drives without having to shut down or reboot the system. A removable hard drive tray can deliver "hot swappable" fault-tolerant RAID solutions. This feature provides advanced fault tolerant RAID protection and "online" drive replacement.

• Auto Declare Hot-Spare

If a disk drive is brought online into a system operating in degraded mode, the RAID controllers will automatically declare the new disk as a spare and begin rebuilding the degraded volume. The Auto Declare Hot-Spare function requires that the smallest drive contained within the volume set in which the failure occurred.

In the normal status, the newly installed drive will be reconfigured an online free disk. But, the newly-installed drive is automatically assigned as a hot spare if any hot spare disk was used to rebuild and without new installed drive replaced it. In this condition, the Auto Declare Hot-Spare status will be disappeared if the RAID subsystem has since powered off/on.

The Hot-Swap function can be used to rebuild disk drives in arrays with data redundancy such as RAID level 1, 1E, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50 and 60.

- Auto Rebuilding

If a hot spare is available, the rebuild starts automatically when a drive fails. The RAID controllers automatically and transparently rebuild failed drives in the background at user-definable rebuild rates.

If a hot spare is not available, the failed disk drive must be replaced with a new disk drive so that the data on the failed drive can be automatically rebuilt and so that fault tolerance can be maintained.

RAID controllers will automatically restart the system and rebuilding process if the system is shut down or powered off abnormally during a reconstruction procedure condition.

When a disk is hot swapped, although the system is functionally operational, the system may no longer be fault tolerant. Fault tolerance will be lost until the removed drive is replaced and the rebuild operation is completed.

During the automatic rebuild process, system activity will continue as normal, however, the system performance and fault tolerance will be affected.

- Adjustable Rebuild Priority

Rebuilding a degraded volume incurs a load on the RAID sub system. The RAID controllers allow the user to select the

rebuild priority to balance volume access and rebuild tasks appropriately. The Background Task Priority is a relative indication of how much time the controller devotes to a back ground operation, such as rebuilding or migrating.

RAID controller allows user to choose the task priority (Ultra Low (5%), Low (20%), Medium (50%), High (80%)) to balance volume set access and background tasks appropriately. For high array performance, specify an Ultra Low value. Like volume initialization, after a volume rebuilds, it does not require a system reboot.

High Reliability

- Hard Drive Failure Prediction

In an effort to help users avoid data loss, disk manufacturers are now incorporating logic into their drives that acts as an "early warning system" for pending drive problems. This system is called SMART. The disk integrated controller works with multiple sensors to monitor various aspects of the drive's performance, determines from this information if the drive is behaving normally or not, and makes available status information to SAS RAID controller firmware that probes the drive and look at it.

The SMART can often predict a problem before failure occurs. The controllers will recognize a SMART error code and notify the administer of an impending hard drive failure.

• Auto Reassign Sector

Under normal operation, even initially defect-free drive media can develop defects. This is a common phenomenon. The bit density and rotational speed of disks is increasing every year, and so are the potential of problems. Usually a drive can internally remap bad sectors without external help using cyclic redundancy check (CRC) checksums stored at the end of each sector.

The RAID controller drives perform automatic defect reassignment for both read and write errors. Writes are always completed - if a location to be written is found to be defective, the drive will automatically relocate that write command to a new location and map out the defective location. If there is a recoverable read error, the correct data will be transferred to the host and that location will be tested by the drive to be certain the location is not defective. If it is found to have a defect, data will be automatically relocated, and the defective location is mapped out to prevent future write attempts.

In the event of an unrecoverable read error, the error will be reported to the host and the location will be flagged as being potentially defective. A subsequent write to that location will initiate a sector test and relocation should that location prove to have a defect. Auto Reassign Sector does not affect disk subsystem performance because it runs as a background task. Auto Reassign Sector discontinues when the operating system makes a request.

- Consistency Check

A consistency check is a process that verifies the integrity of redundant data. To verify RAID 3, 5, 6, 30, 50 or 60 redundancy, a consistency check reads all associated data blocks, computes parity, reads parity, and verifies that the computed parity matches the read parity.

Consistency checks are very important because they detect and correct parity errors or bad disk blocks in the drive. A consistency check forces every block on a volume to be read, and any bad blocks are marked; those blocks are not used again. This is critical and important because a bad disk block can prevent a disk rebuild from completing. We strongly recommend that you run consistency checks on a regular basis — at least once per week. Note that consistency checks degrade performance, so you should run them when the system load can tolerate it.

Data Protection

- Battery Backup

The RAID controllers are armed with a Battery Backup Module (BBM). While a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) protects most servers from power fluctuations or failures, a BBM provides an additional level of protection. In the event of a power failure, a BBM supplies power to retain data in the RAID controller's cache, thereby permitting any potentially dirty data in the cache to be flushed out to secondary storage when power is restored.

The batteries in the BBM are recharged continuously through a trickle-charging process whenever the system power is on. The batteries protect data in a failed server for up to three or four days, depending on the size of the memory module. Under normal operating conditions, the batteries last for three years before replacement is necessary.

- Recovery ROM

RAID controller firmware is stored on the flash ROM and is executed by the I/O processor. The firmware can also be updated through the RAID controllers PCIe bus port or Ethernet port without the need to replace any hardware chips. During the controller firmware upgrade flash process, it is possible for a problem to occur resulting in corruption of the controller firmware. With our Redundant Flash Image feature, the controller will revert back to the last known version of firmware and continue operating. This reduces the risk of system failure due to firmware crash.

Appendix G

Understanding RAID

RAID is an acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. It is an array of multiple independent hard disk drives that provides high performance and fault tolerance. The RAID controller implements several levels of the Berkeley RAID technology. An appropriate RAID level is selected when the volume sets are defined or created. This decision should be based on the desired disk capacity, data availability (fault tolerance or redundancy), and disk performance. The following section discusses the RAID levels supported by the RAID controllers.

The RAID controllers makes the RAID implementation and the disks' physical configuration transparent to the host operating system. This means that the host operating system drivers and software utilities are not affected, regardless of the RAID level selected. Correct installation of the disk array and the controller requires a proper understanding of RAID technology and the concepts.

RAID 0

RAID 0, also referred to as striping, writes stripes of data across multiple disk drives instead of just one disk drive. RAID 0 does not provide any data redundancy, but does offer the best high-speed data throughput. RAID 0 breaks up data into smaller blocks and then writes a block to each drive in the array. Disk striping enhances performance because multiple drives are accessed simultaneously; the reliability of RAID level 0 is less because the entire array will fail if any one disk drive fails.

graph TD
    A["Array Management"] --> B["RAID 0 : Striping"]
    B --> C1["Block 1"]
    B --> C2["Block 2"]
    B --> C3["Block 3"]
    C1 --> D1["Disk 1"]
    C2 --> D2["Disk 2"]
    C3 --> D3["Disk 3"]
    C1 --> D0["Disk 0"]
    C2 --> D1
    C3 --> D2
    C0 --> D0
    style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333
    style B fill:#ccf,stroke:#333
    style C1 fill:#cfc,stroke:#333
    style C2 fill:#cfc,stroke:#333
    style C3 fill:#cfc,stroke:#333

RAID 1

RAID 1 is also known as “disk mirroring”; data written on one disk drive is simultaneously written to another disk drive. Read performance will be enhanced if the array controller can, in parallel, access both members of a mirrored pair. During writes, there will be a minor performance penalty when compared to writing to a single disk. If one drive fails, all data (and software applications) are preserved on the other drive. RAID 1 offers extremely high data reliability, but at the cost of doubling the required data storage capacity.

graph TD
    A["Array Management"] --> B["RAID1: Mirroring"]
    B --> C["Block 0"]
    B --> D["Block 0"]
    C --> E["A0"]
    C --> F["B0"]
    C --> G["C0"]
    C --> H["D0"]
    D --> I["A0"]
    D --> J["B0"]
    D --> K["C0"]
    D --> L["D0"]
    E --> M["Disk 1"]
    F --> N["Disk 2"]
    G --> O["Disk 1"]
    H --> P["Disk 2"]
    I --> Q["Disk 1"]
    J --> R["Disk 2"]
    style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333
    style B fill:#ccf,stroke:#333
    style C fill:#cfc,stroke:#333
    style D fill:#cfc,stroke:#333
    style E fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style F fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style G fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style H fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style I fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style J fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style K fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style L fill:#fcc,stroke:#333
    style M fill:#cff,stroke:#333
    style N fill:#cff,stroke:#333
    style O fill:#cff,stroke:#333
    style P fill:#cff,stroke:#333
    style Q fill:#ffc,stroke:#333
    style R fill:#ffc,stroke:#333

RAID 10(1E)

RAID 10(1E) is a combination of RAID 0 and RAID 1, combing stripping with disk mirroring. RAID Level 10 combines the fast performance of Level 0 with the data redundancy of level 1. In this configuration, data is distributed across several disk drives, similar to Level 0, which are then duplicated to another set of drive for data protection. RAID 10 has been traditionally implemented using an even number of disks, some hybrids can use an odd number of disks as well. Illustration is an example of a hybrid RAID 10(1E) array comprised of five disks; A, B, C, D and E. In this configuration, each strip is mirrored on an adjacent disk with wrap-around. Areca RAID 10 offers a little more flexibility in choosing the number of disks that can be used to constitute an array. The number can be even or odd.

graph TD
    A["Logical Disk"] --> B["Array Management"]
    B --> C["A1"]
    B --> D["A2"]
    B --> E["A3"]
    B --> F["A4"]
    B --> G["A5"]
    B --> H["A6"]
    B --> I["A7"]
    B --> J["A8"]
    B --> K["A9"]
    B --> L["A10"]
    C --> M["Disk A"]
    D --> N["Disk B"]
    E --> O["Disk C"]
    F --> P["Disk D"]
    G --> Q["Disk E"]
    H --> R["Disk E"]

RAID 3

RAID 3 provides disk striping and complete data redundancy though a dedicated parity drive. RAID 3 breaks up data into smaller blocks, calculates parity by performing an exclusive-or on the blocks, and then writes the blocks to all but one drive in the array. The parity data created during the exclusive-or is then written to the last drive in the array. If a single drive fails, data is still available by computing the exclusive-or of the contents corresponding strips of the surviving member disk. RAID 3 is best for applications that require very fast data- transfer rates or long data blocks.

graph TD
    A["Array Management"] --> B["RAID3 : Bit-Interleaved Parity"]
    B --> C1["Stripe 0"]
    B --> C2["Stripe 1"]
    B --> C3["Stripe 2"]
    B --> C4["Stripe 3"]
    B --> C5["Stripes 0 1 2 3 Parity"]
    C1 --> D1["Disk 1"]
    C2 --> D2["Disk 2"]
    C3 --> D3["Disk 3"]
    C4 --> D4["Disk 4"]
    C5 --> D5["Disk 5"]
    style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333
    style B fill:#ccf,stroke:#333

RAID 5

RAID 5 is sometimes called striping with parity at byte level. In RAID 5, the parity information is written to all of the drives in the controllers rather than being concentrated on a dedicated parity disk. If one drive in the system fails, the parity information can be used to reconstruct the data from that drive. All drives in the array system can be used for seek operations at the same time, greatly increasing the performance of the RAID system. This relieves the write bottleneck that characterizes RAID 4, and is the primary reason that RAID 5 is more often implemented in RAID arrays.

graph TD
    A["Logical Disk"] --> B["Array Management"]
    B --> C["RAID 5 : Block-Interleaved Distributed-Parity"]
    C --> D1["A Blocks"]
    C --> D2["B Blocks"]
    C --> D3["C Blocks"]
    C --> D4["D Blocks"]
    C --> D5["E Blocks"]
    D1 --> E1["A0"]
    D1 --> E2["A1"]
    D1 --> E3["A2"]
    D1 --> E4["A3"]
    D2 --> E5["B0"]
    D2 --> E6["B1"]
    D2 --> E7["B2"]
    D2 --> E8["B3"]
    D3 --> E9["C0"]
    D3 --> E10["C1"]
    D3 --> E11["C2"]
    D3 --> E12["C3"]
    D4 --> E13["D0"]
    D4 --> E14["D1"]
    D4 --> E15["D2"]
    D4 --> E16["D3"]
    D4 --> E17["D4"]
    D5 --> E18["E1"]
    D5 --> E19["E2"]
    D5 --> E20["E3"]
    D5 --> E21["E4"]
    D5 --> E22["E5"]
    D5 --> E23["E6"]
    D5 --> E24["E7"]
    D5 --> E25["E8"]
    D5 --> E26["E9"]
    D5 --> E27["E10"]
    D5 --> E28["E11"]
    D5 --> E29["E12"]
    D5 --> E30["E13"]
    D5 --> E31["E14"]
    D5 --> E32["E15"]
    D5 --> E33["E16"]
    D5 --> E34["E17"]
    D5 --> E35["E18"]
    D5 --> E36["E19"]
    D5 --> E37["E20"]
    D5 --> E38["E21"]
    D5 --> E39["E22"]
    D5 --> E40["E23"]
    D5 --> E41["E24"]

RAID 6

RAID 6 provides the highest reliability. It is similar to RAID 5, but it performs two different parity computations or the same computation on overlapping subsets of the data. RAID 6 can offer fault tolerance greater than RAID 1 or RAID 5 but only consumes the capacity of 2 disk drives for distributed parity data. RAID 6 is an extension of RAID 5 but uses a second, independent distributed parity scheme. Data is striped on a block level across a set of drives, and then a second set of parity is calculated and written across all of the drives.

graph TD
    A["Array Management"] --> B["RAID 6 : P+Q Redundancy"]
    B --> C1["A Blocks"]
    B --> C2["B Blocks"]
    B --> C3["C Blocks"]
    B --> C4["D Blocks"]
    B --> C5["E Blocks"]
    B --> C6["F Blocks"]
    C1 --> D1["A0 A1 P2 Parity A3 Disk 1"]
    C2 --> D2["B0 B1 Q2 Parity B3 Disk 2"]
    C3 --> D3["C0 P1 Parity C2 P3 Parity Disk 3"]
    C4 --> D4["D0 Q1 Parity D2 Q3 Parity Disk 4"]
    C5 --> D5["F0 Parity E1 E2 E3 Disk 5"]
    C6 --> D6["F0 Parity F1 F2 F3 Disk 6"]
    style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333
    style B fill:#ccf,stroke:#333

RAID x0

RAID level-x0 refers to RAID level 00, 100, 30, 50 and 60. RAID x0 is a combination multiple RAID x volume sets with RAID 0 (striping). Striping helps to increase capacity and performance without adding disks to each RAID x array. The operating system uses the spanned volume in the same way as a regular volume. Up to one drive in each sub-volume (RAID 3 or 5) may fail without loss of data. Up to two drives in each sub-volume (RAID 6) may fail without loss of data. RAID level x0 allows more physical drives in an array. The benefits of doing so are larger volume sets, increased performance, and increased reliability.

The following illustration is an example of a RAID level x0 logical drive.

graph TD
    A["Array Management"] --> B["RAID X0: Striping"]
    B --> C1["RAID X Volume, X=0,10(1E), 3, 5, 6"]
    B --> C2["RAID X Volume, X=0,10(1E), 3, 5, 6"]
    A -.-> D["Logical Disk"]

Important:

RAID level 00, 100, 30, 50 and 60 can support up to eight RAID set. If volume is RAID level 00, 100, 30, 50, or 60, you can't change the volume to another RAID level. If volume is RAID level 0, 1, 10(1E), 3, 5, or 6, you can't change the volume to RAID level 00, 100, 30, 50, or 60.

JBOD

(Just a Bunch Of Disks) A group of hard disks in a RAID box are not set up as any type of RAID configuration. All drives are available to the operating system as an individual disk. JBOD does not provide data redundancy.

Single Disk (Pass-Through Disk)

Pass through disk refers to a drive that is not controlled by the RAID firmware and thus can not be a part of a RAID volume. The drive is available to the operating system as an individual disk.

Summary of RAID Levels

12Gb/s SAS RAID controller supports RAID Level 0, 1, 10(1E), 3, 5, 6, 30, 50 and 60. The following table provides a summary of RAID levels.

RAID Level Comparison
RAID Level	Description	Disks Requirement (Minimum)	Data Availability
0 Also known as striping. Data distributed across multiple drives in the array. There is no data protection.		1 No data Protection
1 Also known as mirroring. All data replicated on 2 separated disks. N is almost always 2. Due to this is a 100 % duplication, so is a high costly solution.		2 Up to one disk failure
10(1E) Also known as mirroring and striping. Data is written to two disks simultaneously, and allows an odd number or disk. Read request can be satisfied by data read from wither one disk or both disks.		3 Up to one disk failure in each sub-volume
3 Also known Bit-Interleaved Parity. Data and parity information is subdivided and distributed across all data disks. Parity information normally stored on a dedicated parity disk.		3 Up to one disk failure
5 Also known Block-Interleaved Distributed Parity. Data and parity information is subdivided and distributed across all disk. Parity information normally is interspersed with user data.		3 Up to one disk failure
6 RAID 6 provides highest reliability, but not widely used. Similar to RAID 5, but does two different parity computations or the same computation on overlapping subsets of the data. The RAID 6 can offer fault tolerance greater that RAID 1 or RAID 5 but only consumes the capacity of 2 disk drives for distributed parity data.		4 Up to two disk failure
30 RAID 30 is a combination multiple RAID 3 volume sets with RAID 0 (striping)		6 Up to one disk failure in each sub-volume
50 RAID 50 is a combination multiple RAID 5 volume sets with RAID 0 (striping)		6 Up to one disk failure in each sub-volume
60 RAID 60 is a combination multiple RAID 6 volume sets with RAID 0 (striping)		8 Up to two disk failure in each sub-volume