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Appendix C: Using the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility ● 105
Introduction to the ARC Utility
The ARC utility comprises these tools:
● The Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—For creating and managing arrays, and
initializing and rescanning disk drives (see page 105).
● SerialSelect—For modifying your controller and disk drive settings (see page 110).
● Disk Utilities—For formatting or verifying disk drives (see page 113).
Running the ARC Utility
If your Adaptec controller is connected to a RAID enclosure, power on your enclosure (or
enclosures) before you power on your computer.
Start or restart your computer. When prompted, press Ctrl+A.
During boot up, if your system has insufficient memory this message displays:
“Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility will load after, system initialization. Please wait... Or
press <Enter> Key to attempt loading the utility forcibly [Generally, not recommended]”
Note:
The first time you power on your computer after you install a new controller, the BIOS
may display a configuration that doesn’t match your system’s configuration. This is normal.
Navigating the ARC Utility
All the tools within the ARC utility are menu-based and instructions for completing tasks
appear on-screen. Menus can be navigated using the arrows, Enter, Esc, and other keys on your
keyboard.
Using the ACU to Create and Manage Arrays
To open the ACU, start the
ARC
utility (see page 105).
If you have more than one controller,
select your controller, then press Enter. Select Array Configuration Utility, then press Enter.
Follow the on-screen instructions to create and manage arrays, and initialize, rescan, and erase
disk drives.
Creating a New Array
To begin creating an array, select Create Arrays from the main ACU menu.
Only disk drives that can be used in a new array are available for selection. (Disk drives must be
initialized before they can be used in an array. See Initializing Disk Drives on page 108 for more
information.)
Use the Array Properties menu to modify the array’s RAID level, size, name, stripe size, cache
settings, and maxCache settings.
Note:
For more information about RAID levels and using disk drives to create arrays, see
Choosing a RAID Level on page 41. For more information about maxCache, see Modifying Cache
Settings on page 107; see also Using the ACU to Manage the maxCache Pool on page 109.