VIA VT8237 Serial ATA RAID Introduction
4-1
Chapter 4. VIA VT8237 Serial
ATA RAID Introduction
Appendix. Using 4- or 6-Channel
Audio Function
The Southbridge VT8237 provides a hybrid solution that combines two
independent SATA ports for support of up to two Serial ATA (Serial ATA RAID)
drives.
Serial ATA (SATA) is the latest generation of the ATA interface. SATA hard
drives deliver blistering transfer speeds of up to 150MB/sec. Serial ATA uses long,
thin cables, making it easier to connect your drive and improving the airflow inside
your PC.
The key features of VT8237 SATA RAID are:
1. Support two SATA + two PATA hard disk drives.
2. Only SATA supports RAID.
3. Supports ATA 133 high performance hard disk drive.
4. Dual independent ATA channels and maximum connection of four
hard disk drives allowed.
5. Supports Ultra DMA mode 6/5/4/3/2/1/0, DMA mode 2/1/0, and PIO
mode 4/3/2/1/0.
6. Supports RAID 0 and RAID 1.
7. 4 KB to 64 KB striping block size support.
8. Bootable disk or disk array support.
9. Windows-based RAID configure and management software tool.
(Compatible with BIOS)
10. Supports hot-swap failed disk drive in RAID 1 array.
11. ATA SMART function support.
12. Microsoft Windows 98, Me, NT4.0, 2000, XP operating systems
support.
13. Event log for easy troubleshooting.
VIA VT8237 Serial ATA RAID
Introduction