User`s manual

26
Drive Issues
Q: Can I add a drive to a MBFastTrak133 Lite RAID array via hot-swap and dynamically adjust the
array size/configuration?
A: No. The MBFastTrak133 Lite system does not support dynamically adjustable RAID size/configurations.
Q: Do the HDDs on the MBFastTrak133 Lite have to be the same size?
A: The HDDs that you use with the MBFastTrak133 Lite do not have to be the same size. If the sizes differ,
the MBFastTrak133 Lite will “adjust” the HDDs so that they are compatible. Basically, it will truncate the
bigger HDD so the sizes match. Any unused space that results from this is unusable, so don’t use
HDDs that differ too much. It’ll work, but it’s a waste.
Q: Can I take a set of drives which make up an array created on one MBFastTrak133 Lite server and
move it to another MBFastTrak133 Lite server?
A: Yes. All MBFastTrak133 Lite controllers read the arrays the same way. Once the drives are all
connected, you must restart the system for it to recognize the newly-inserted array configuration.
Q: Can I take a drive used in a MBFastTrak133 Lite array and access it directly with a different
controller, such as the one integrated on the motherboard?
A: Yes, but only under certain configurations. The following array configurations will allow the drive(s) to be
accessed individually on another controller: mirror (RAID 1), single drive striped (RAID 0). Multiple
drives striped will not work. Also, the controller must address the drives as LBA, not CHS.
Q: If I have a problem with one of the drives on the MBFastTrak133 Lite, how can I low level format
it to correct the problem?
A: Do NOT do this. Low-level formatting IDE drives is unnecessary and generally does not correct
problems which might be experienced during use. Errors such as bad sectors or ECC/CRC failure are
best remedied by completely replacing the drive. For this reason, drives attached to the MBFastTrak133
Lite controller should NOT be low level formatted.
Q: Do I have to install disk management software on my array in order to access the full storage
capacity of drives?
A: No! Disk management software would only complicate things. The array should be fully addressable by
your O/S as it is. Remember that some operating systems have varying limits on the sizes of partitions
and logical drives that can be defined. Consult your O/S documentation about partitioning larger drives.
Q: What system BIOS CMOS settings do I use for the drives on the MBFastTrak133 Lite controller?
A: None. The drives on the MBFastTrak133 Lite controller are supported by the MBFastTrak133 Lite BIOS
and/or an O/S drivers, not by your system BIOS.
Q: How do I partition/format my MBFastTrak133 Lite RAID array?
A: The MBFastTrak133 Lite “fools” the system into thinking that it’s dealing with a single HDD. Therefore,
anything that you can do to a single HDD can also be done to a MBFastTrak133 Lite array. You can,
and should, use the FDISK and FORMAT utilities to partition/format the array. You can partition the
array however you see fit. You can format the array with whatever file system you wish.