User`s manual

CRU-WiebeTech
R T X 4 0 0 - Q R U s e r ’ s M a n u a l - 5 -
2. Hard Drive Installation (Skip ahead if you purchased a pre-configured unit.)
Install a SATA (Serial-ATA) hard drive into each bay. With TrayFree™ technology, this process couldn’t
be easier! Simply pull the ejection handle to open the bay door, slide in your SATA drive, and shut the
door behind it. The drive is inserted with the label up and the SATA connection on the drive inserted first.
3. Understanding RAID
3.1 Consider your RAID type. (Skip ahead if you purchased a pre-configured unit.)
A RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is an array of multiple hard drives that are combined in a
way that provides faster performance and/or data safety. Your RTX unit is capable of creating and
managing several different varieties of RAID. You may choose your preferred RAID level based on
factors such as disk capacity, desired data safety, and desired performance.
3.1.1 Summary of RAID Levels
The RTX supports RAID Levels 0, 1, 3, 5 and 10. RAID level 5 is most commonly used by those seeking
an optimal balance of speed and data safety.
RAID Features and Performance
RAID
Level
Description
Min.
Drives
Max.
Drives
Data Reliability
Data Transfer Rate
0
Also known as striping. Data distributed
across multiple drives in the array. There is
no data protection.
1 4 No data Protection Very high
1
Also known as mirroring. All data replicated
on separated disks. RAID 1 is almost always
2 disks.
This is a high availability solution, but due to
the 100% duplication, it is also a costly
solution.
2 2 Very Reliable;
Higher than RAID
3, 5
Reads are higher
than a single disk;
Writes are similar
to a single disk
3
Also known as Bit-Interleaved Parity. Data
and parity information is subdivided and
distributed across all disks. Parity must be
equal to the smallest disk capacity in the
array. Parity information is normally stored
on a dedicated parity disk.
3 4 Lower than RAID 1,
10; Higher than a
single drive
Reads are similar
to RAID 0; Writes
are slower than a
single disk
5
Also known as Block-Interleaved Distributed
Parity. Data and parity information is
subdivided and distributed across all disks.
Can withstand the failure of one drive, and
75% of drive capacity is usable.
3 4 Lower than RAID 1,
10; Higher than a
single drive
Reads are similar
to RAID 0; Writes
are slower than a
single disk
10
Also known Block-Interleaved Parity. Data
and parity information is subdivided and
distributed across all disk. Parity must be the
equal to the smallest disk capacity in the
array. Parity information normally stored on
a dedicated parity disk.
4 4 Very Reliable;
Higher than RAID
3, 5
Transfer rates are
more like RAID 1
than RAID 0
3.1.2 Hot Spares (Host Standby)
RAIDs 3 and 5 are the two RAIDs available with RTX400-QR that will support hot spares. Hot spares are
connected as part of your RAID and are switched into operation when a drive fails. In other words, if you
setup “3 + Host Standby” with your RAID 3 or 5, then the RTX will immediately rebuild the RAID if a drive
should happen to fail. After that a new drive will need to be inserted, preferably the same model of the
drive that is getting replaced. (see section 5.3.2.4 for more information)