Conrad 97 49 92 Bedienungsanleitung Seite 4

Selection of the Raid Mode
When starting your computer, shortly after the BIOS/Setup message you will be prompted to
press the shortcut „CTRL" + „S" or the „F4" function key to enable the RAID-BIOS („CTRL" cor-
responds with „Strg" on the German keyboard layout).
You can now create the RAID set in the RAID BIOS.
• RAID0
The data is distributed on two hard disks, the data transfer rate increases. The total capacity
is double that of the smallest of the two hard disks. A RAID0 always consists of two hard disks.
For example:
RAID0: HDD0=200GB, HDD1=500GB, total=400GB (-> not recommended!)
HDD0=400GB, HDD1=400GB, total=800GB
• RAID1
The data is mirrored, i.e. the same data is stored on both hard disks. The total capacity is that
of the smallest hard disk.
The ideal case is to connect two identical hard disks (the same version and capacity).
Otherwise, the smaller of the two hard disks defines the maximum capacity. A RAID1 always
consists of two hard disks. For example:
RAID1: HDD0=200GB, HDD1=500GB, total=200GB (-> not recommended!)
HDD0=500GB, HDD1=500GB, total=500GB
• RAID10
This is a combination of RAID0 and RAID1. Therefore, a total of 4 hard disks are required,
which should be the same version (same manufacturer, same type). Otherwise, the capacity
decreases as with RAID0 or RAID1.
• RAID5
RAID5 not only offers a higher data transmission rate, but also prevents failure of one of the
hard disks connected. At least 3 hard disks must be used (if possible of the same version).
The capacity available for your data is calculated by the formula:
x = (n-1)/n
Where „n" is the number of hard disks you use for RAID5. With 3 identical hard disks, it is thus
2/3 of the total capacity of the 3 hard disks (e.g. with 3 hard disks of 300GByte there is a
capacity of 600GByte).
Your data is distributed over all of the hard disks, as with RAID0, the same applies for the parity
information. Therefore, during write operations, the rate of data transmission is lower than with
RAID0 or 0/1 because of high administrative complexity (parity information must be
created/calculated and written to the hard disk).
Advantage of RAID5 compared to RAID10: With a defective hard disk the date can be restored
from the other hard disks, less storage capacity is lost than with RAID1.
• CONCATENATION
Two or more hard disks are joined together into one large virtual hard disk. For the operating
system, this is the same as if only one hard disk were available.
However: with this mode of operation, all the data on all of the hard disks will be lost if one hard
disk fails.
• Operation of hard disks without RAID
Of course you can also operate hard disks without RAID - simply connect them to the SATA
port and do not create a RAID set. Alternatively, you can create a CONCATENATION set of
exactly one hard disk.
After setting up the RAID set you can leave the menu (for shortcut see display in the RAID-BIOS,
e.g. „CTRL-E"), and the computer is being rebooted.
Afterwards, in Windows the configured RAID set is available like a conventional hard disk, which
you have to partition and to format (for example in the control panel of Windows XP, Windows
Vista or Windows 7).
Commissioning & Driver Installation
On first start of the computer the drivers of the plug-in card are to be installed. At the time of the
creation of these operating instructions the driver was located in directory „Silicon_Image \
SIL3124RAID", in the subfolder corresponding with your operating system.
Changing the raid mode
If you want to change the set RAID operation mode you will have to backup all data
of the used hard disks because otherwise there is going to be loss of data!
Only afterwards an existing RAID set may be deleted in the RAID-BIOS and another
one can be created!
Connection of Power-over-eSATA devices
Special Power-over-eSATA devices can be connected to both external eSATA ports „J1" and
„J2" (1), for example fast eSATA memory sticks.
Depending on the setting of the jumpers „J6" and „J7" power is supplied either via USB (from the
mainboard) or via the PC mains adapter.
Connection of USB devices
Because both external eSATA ports „J1" and „J2" (1) are supplied with USB signals via the USB
connection between „J5" (4) and the mainboard, USB devices can also be connected to the
eSATA ports, due to the special plug design.
Do not apply force when connecting a USB device to the eSATA connectors „J1" and „J2", observe
correct orientation of the USB plug.
The USB signals are only looped through the plug-in card, so the USB device has a direct
connection to the USB port of mainboard.
Tips & Notes
• When creating a RAID set, any data that is already stored on the hard disks connected to the
RAID controller will be destroyed!
Therefore, implicitly backup data before connecting hard disk with stored data to the plug-in
card!
• There is an adapter intended for conventional IDE-/ATAPI devices (e.g. IDE hard disk) that
enables their use with an SATA interface.
• If no RAID set is created the connected hard disks run like individual hard disks without RAID.
• If the HDD-LED does not flash/light although data are read/written check that the plugs are not
positioned twisted (on to the multi-pin connectors „JP1" or „JP2"; and at the HDD-LED
connection of the mainboards, respectively).
• At both eSATA connectors at the back of the plug-in card (at the slot bracket) eSATA, Power-
over-eSATA devices as well as USB devices can be connected, due to the special plug design.
• For Power-over-eSATA devices with higher power requirements the two jumpers „J6" and „J7"
have to be in the correct position, see chapter „Installation".
Disposal
Electrical and electronic products do not belong in the household waste!
When disposing of an unserviceable product, do so in line with the relevant statutory
regulations.
These operating instructions are a publication by Conrad Electronic SE, Klaus-Conrad-Str. 1, D-92240
Hirschau (www.conrad.com).
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction by any method, e.g. photocopy, microfilming, or
the capture in electronic data processing systems require the prior written approval by the editor.
Reprinting, also in part, is prohibited.
These operating instructions represent the technical status at the time of printing. Changes in
technology and equipment reserved.
© Copyright 2010 by Conrad Electronic SE.