Adaptec 1420SA User Manual
Chapter 1: About This Guide
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What You Need to Know Before You Begin
You should be familiar with computer hardware, data storage, Redundant Array of
Independent Disks (RAID) technology, and the characteristics of input/output (I/O)
technology used by your HostRAID controller. Because SAS is a newer I/O technology, an
introduction is provided in the
Independent Disks (RAID) technology, and the characteristics of input/output (I/O)
technology used by your HostRAID controller. Because SAS is a newer I/O technology, an
introduction is provided in the
Note:
Because this guide covers multiple Adaptec HostRAID controllers, some of the features and
functions described may not be available for your controller.
Terminology Used in this Guide
Because you can use your HostRAID controller to manage data storage in a variety of
configurations from DAS to NAS to SAN, the generic term “storage space is used to refer to
controllers and disk drives being managed with Adaptec Storage Manager
configurations from DAS to NAS to SAN, the generic term “storage space is used to refer to
controllers and disk drives being managed with Adaptec Storage Manager
TM
or the other
utilities described in this Guide.
Many of the terms and concepts referred to in this Guide have multiple names. To maintain
consistency, they are represented as:
consistency, they are represented as:
●
Controller (also known as host bus adapter, board)
●
Disk drive (also known as hard disk, hard drive, or hard disk drive)
●
Array (also known as logical drive)
Note:
In DAS environments, Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide refers to arrays as logical
drives. Your RAID controller creates arrays, which your operating system and Adaptec Storage
Manager recognizes as logical drives. In NAS environments, Adaptec Storage Manager displays
both arrays and logical drives. For more information, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User's
Guide for Direct Attached Storage on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD.
Manager recognizes as logical drives. In NAS environments, Adaptec Storage Manager displays
both arrays and logical drives. For more information, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager User's
Guide for Direct Attached Storage on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD.
Conventions Used in This Guide
In this documentation, the term SAS-only means that the requirement, feature, or procedure is
applicable only to SAS HostRAID controllers.
applicable only to SAS HostRAID controllers.
The term SATA-only means that the requirement, feature, or procedure is applicable only to
SATA HostRAID controllers.
SATA HostRAID controllers.
How to Find More Information
You can find more information about your HostRAID controller, and the software and utilities
included with it in these documents:
included with it in these documents:
●
Readme.txt—Describes details about updated product information and known issues;
located on the HostRAID Installation CD.
located on the HostRAID Installation CD.
●
Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide—Describes how to install and use the Adaptec
Storage Manager software located on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD. See
Storage Manager software located on the Adaptec Storage Manager Installation CD. See
●
Adaptec Storage Manager online Help—Describes how to use the Adaptec Storage Manager
software.
software.
●
Command Line Utility for Direct Attached Storage User’s Guide—Describes how to use the
Adaptec HostRAID Controller Configuration (HRCONF) command line utility to
Adaptec HostRAID Controller Configuration (HRCONF) command line utility to