SUPER MICRO Computer X6DHT-G Computer Hardware User Manual


 
Appendix C: Software Installation
C-1
C-1 Introduction to the Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA
RAID Controller Driver
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 from 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 Intel 6300ESB (Hance Rapids) I/O Con-
troller Hub
Located in the South Bridge of the Intel E7525 Lindenhurst Chipset, the
6300ESB (Hance Rapids) I/O Controller Hub provides the I/O subsystem with
access to the rest of the system. It supports 2-channel Ultra ATA/100 Bus
Master IDE controller (PATA) and two Serial ATA (SATA) Host Controllers,
which support up to two Serial ATA ports and up to two RAID drives. The
6300ESB (Hance Rapids) I/O Controller Hub supports the following Parallel
ATA (PATA) and Serial (SATA) device configurations:
Appendix C
Installing Software Drivers and the Windows
Operating System
After all the hardware has been installed, you must first configure the
Adaptec Embedded Serial ATA RAID Driver before you install the Windows
operating system. The necessary drivers are all included on the Supermicro
bootable CDs that came packaged with your motherboard.
Note: The following section provides information on Adaptec's SATA RAID
Driver based on the Intel Hance Rapids ICH Controller. For detailed
information on Adaptec's SATA HostRAID Utility (for Marvell's AIC X6081
SATA Controller, please refer to the CDs included in the shipping package.