Chapter 5: Getting Started l36
Choosing a RAID Level
Your HostRAID controller supports these RAID levels.
RAID 0 (Non-redundant Array)—Stripes data across multiple disk drives. Improved
performance but no redundancy.
RAID 1 Array—Created from two disk drives where one disk drive is a mirror of the other (the
same data is stored on each disk drive). Redundancy but reduced capacity.
RAID 10 Array—Built from two or more equal-sized RAID 1 arrays, stripes and mirrors data
across multiple disk drives. Redundancy and improved performance.
See page 64 for more information on RAID levels and use the table on page 65 to see how many
disk drives you must connect to your HostRAID controller to support the RAID level you
want.
Choosing Installation Options
When you install your HostRAID controller, you can choose to create a bootable array and
then install both operating system and controller driver on that array. Alternatively, you can
complete a standard installation, where you install the controller driver on an existing
operating system.
Note:
Adaptec 1225SA controller does not support bootable devices, hence install this controller
only on an existing operating system.
Basic Installation Steps
This section describes the installation process. Follow the steps for the installation option
you’ve chosen.
Installing with an Operating System
You can install your HostRAID controller and the operating system using these steps:
1 Install and connect your controller and disk drives (see page 26).
2 Set the boot controller (see page 38).
3 Make the array bootable (see page 41).
4 Install your operating system and the driver (see page 42).
5 Install Adaptec Storage Manager and begin to manage your data storage (see page 50).
Installing with an Operating System On a Bootable Disk Drive/Array
When you install your HostRAID controller, you can create a bootable disk drive or an array
and then install both operating system and controller driver on that disk drive or array.
Alternatively, you can perform the standard installation, and install the controller driver on an
existing operating system