Datasheet

Appendix D: Installing the Adaptec SATA HostRAID Utility
D-1
Appendix D
Installing the Adaptec SATA HostRAID Utility for the
Marvell 88SX6041 Chip (*For X6DAL-TG only.)
After all the hardware has been installed, you must first configure Adaptec's
Serial ATA RAID Driver (*Note) before you install the Windows operating
system, and other software drivers. The necessary drivers are all included
on the Supermicro CDs that came packaged with your motherboard.
D-1 Configuring Serial ATA RAID Functions
Serial ATA (SATA)
Serial ATA(SATA) is a physical storage interface. It uses a single cable with a
minimum of four wires to create a point-to-point connection between devices.
It is a serial link which supports SATA Transfer rates up to 150MBps. Because
the serial cables used in SATA are thinner than the traditional cables used in
Parallel ATA(PATA), SATA systems have better airflow and can be installed in
smaller chassis than Parallel ATA. In addition, the cables used in PATA can
only extend to 40cm long, while Serial ATA cables can extend up to one meter.
Overall, Serial ATA provides better functionality than Parallel ATA.
Introduction to the Adaptec Serial ATA RAID Controller
The Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA RAID with HostRAID Utility adds RAID
functionality to the SATA I/O controller by supporting RAID levels 0 and 1.
With HostRAID, you can optimize the reliability, performance and data
protection of the system.
Adaptec's Serial ATA RAID Storage Requirements
Adaptec's device drivers and storage management software require
approximately 20 MB of disk space.
You can select from the following two modes: the Legacy mode and the Native
mode.
Operating Systems supported by the SATA RAID Host Controller
The Microsoft Windows Operating Systems
*Windows
®
2000, Windows Server
®
2003, and Windows XP
Linux
*Red Hat 8.0 and 9.0
*SuSE 8.1 and 8.2