RocketRAID 1720

SATAII Host Adapter

Users Guide

Revision: 1.0
Date: April 2007
HighPoint Technologies, Inc.
Copyright

Copyright 2007 HighPoint Technologies, Inc. This document contains materials

protected by International Copyright Laws. All rights reserved. No part of this
manual may be reproduced, transmitted or transcribed in any form and for any
purpose without the express written permission of HighPoint Technologies, Inc.

Trademarks

Companies and products mentioned in this manual are for identification purpose only.
Product names or brand names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered
trademarks or copyrights of their respective owners. Backup your important data
before using HighPoints products and use at your own risk. In no event shall
HighPoint be liable for any loss of profits, or for direct, indirect, special, incidental or
consequential damages arising from any defect or error in HighPoints products or
manuals. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of HighPoint.

Notice
Reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is
accurate. HighPoint assumes no liability for technical inaccuracies, typographical, or
other errors contained herein.
Table ot Contents

Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction
1 - About this Guide ................................................................................................... 1-1
2 - Introducing the RocketRAID 1720 Host Adapter.........................................................1-1
3 - Product Features ................................................................................................... 1-1
4 - Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology ................................................ 1-2

Chapter 2
RocketRAID 1720 Hardware Description/Installation
RocketRAID 1720 Hardware.................................................................................................2-1
1 - RocketRAID 1720 Adapter Layout ........................................................................ 2-1
2 - LED Connections ..................................................................................................2-1
3 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 Host Adapter ..................................................... 2-2
4 - Verifying Installation ............................................................................................. 2-4

Chapter 3
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility..............................................................................................3-1
1 - BIOS Command Overview ..................................................................................... 3-1
2 - Creating RAID Arrays ........................................................................................... 3-3
3 - Updating the BIOS ................................................................................................ 3-5

Chapter 4
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation
Microsoft Windows
(2000, XP, 2003 Server, x64 versions, Vista)
Driver and Software CD ............................................................................................. 4-1

I
Table ot Contents

Windows Driver Installation ......................................................................................4-3

1 - Installing the RAID Management Console/ Interface Overview ........................... 4-6
2 - Software Interface - Overview of commands/functions ........................................ 4-7
3 - Creating an Array ..................................................................................................4-8
4 - Deleting an Array ................................................................................................ 4-10
5 - Configuring Spare Disks ..................................................................................... 4-10
6 - Recovering/Verifying Arrays ............................................................................... 4-10
7 - OCE/ORLM ........................................................................................................ 4-12
8 - Misc. Array/Device Options ............................................................................... 4-13
9 - Managing Events ................................................................................................ 4-14
10 - Configuring Remote Systems ............................................................................ 4-18
11 - Configuring Users and Privileges ...................................................................... 4-22

Chapter 5
Linux Driver Support
1 - Fedora Core 6 Linux installation Overview ............................................................ 5-1
2 - Red Hat Enterprise 4 Overview ............................................................................. 5-5
3 - SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) installation Overview .................................. 5-9

Chapter 6
FreeBSD Driver Support
1 - Installing FreeBSD on the RocketRAID 1720 Controller ....................................... 6-1
2 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 Driver on an Existing System ............................. 6-4
3 - Updating the Driver .............................................................................................. 6-7
4 - Uninstalling the Driver .......................................................................................... 6-7

Appendix
Customer Support
Customer Support .................................................................................................... A-1

II
Chapter 1
Introduction

Contents of this Chapter:

About this guide
Introducing the RocketRAID 1720 Host Adapter
Product Features
Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology
Introduction

About this Guide

The RocketRAID 1720 SATAII Host Adapters Users Guide provides information
about the functions and capabilities of the host adapter, and instructions for
installing, configuring and maintaining RAID arrays hosted by the adapter.

Introducing the RocketRAID 1720 Host Adapter

The HighPoint RocketRAID 1720 is a 2-channel PCI to Serial ATA II RAID controller.
The RocketRAID 1720 solution is ideal for small business servers, NAS storage,
workgroup and web servers, back up, and security systems.

Product Features
PCI 32bit@33/66 Mhz
2 SATA II 3Gb/s ports
Up to 2 SATA II or SATA I Hard Drives
Support RAID 0, 1, and JBOD
Backward compatible with RocketRAID 1640 RAID arrays
Native Command Queuing (NCQ)
Online Capacity Expansion (OCE) and Online RAID Level Migration (ORLM)
Staggered drive spin up
Hard Disk (Activity / Failed) LED chassis function
BIOS Booting (INT13) to RAID array
Quick and Background initialization for instant RAID access
Write through and write back cache for RAID arrays
Hot swap support
Online array roaming
S.M.A.R.T array monitoring for hard drive status and reliability
64-bit LBA for RAID arrays greater than 2TB
Low profile form factor for 1U chassis
Web browser-base software (Web GUI)
Command Line Interface (CLI)
SMTP email notification for events and error reporting
Remote array management through (Web GUI, RAID GUI and CLI)

1 -1
Introduction

Support Windows (XP, 2000, Server 2003, Vista), Linux and FreeBSD
RoHS Compliant

Understanding RAID Concepts and Terminology

The following concepts and terminology is commonly used when describing the
functions of the RocketRAID 1720 Host Adapter.

Disk initialization
Initializing a disk writes necessary RAID configuration information to that disk. Disks
must be initialized before configuring them into RAID arrays. The initialization
process will destroy all data on the disk.

Disk Status
New The disk contains no data and has not been initialized.

Initialized The disk has been initialized and can be used for array creation.

Configured The disk has been assigned to one or more arrays, or configured as a
spare disk.

Legacy The disk was used on other controllers before use with the
RocketRAID 1720 (see legacy disk below).

Array initialization
A redundant array (RAID1) needs to be initialized to ensure full performance and
reliability. Non-redundant arrays (RAID0, JBOD) do not need to be initialized.

When you create a redundant array using the RocketRAID 1720 controllers BIOS
Configuration Utility, it will create the array in un-initialized state. The initialization
process can be completed after installing the driver and management software.

When creating an array using the HighPoint RAID Management Console software,
you can specify an initialization option (Skip initialization, foreground and
background).

1-2
Introduction

Foreground initialization

Foreground initialization will zero-out all data on the array. The array is not accessible
by the operating system until initialization is complete.

Background initialization

Background initialization allows the array to be used immediately. For RAID1 arrays,
initialization will results in data being duplicated identically to the mirror pair.

Note: An un-initialized RAID1 array can still provide redundancy in case of a disk
failure.

Online Capacity Expansion (OCE)

This feature allows disks to be added to existing RAID arrays, in order to increase the
arrays capacity, without fear of data loss. Any number of disks can be added to an
array, at any time. Data can be accessed and utilized even while being redistributed.

Online RAID Level Migration

This term describes the ability to change one type of array (RAID level), into a
different type of array. Data is still accessible during the migration process.

Legacy disk
Disks attached to the RocketRAID 1720 that contain valid partition tables will be
identified as legacy disks. A legacy disk attached to the RocketRAID 1720 can be
accessed by the operating system, but cannot be used to create RAID arrays. A
legacy disk must be initialized before assigning it to an array.

1-3
Chapter 2
RocketRAID 1720
Hardware Description/Installation

Contents of this Chapter:

RocketRAID 1720 Hardware
1 - RocketRAID 1720 Adapter Layout
2 - LED Connections
3 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 Host Adapter
4 - Verifying Installation
RocketRAID 1720 Hardware Description/Installation

RocketRAID 1720 Hardware

1 RocketRAID 1720 Adapter Layout

Port1- Port2
These represent the RocketRAID 1720s two SATAII channels.

BEEP1 - Speaker
Alarm (speaker): The speaker emits and audible alarm in the case of disk/array failure.

CON1
LED connectors for hard disk activity, and hard disk failure.

2 - LED Connections
The RocketRAID 1720 provides one LED connector, which supports Disk Activity
and Disk Failure LEDs.

Note: The connector was designed for use with SATA/SATAII backplanes. Pins are
provided for signal only (no power or ground).

2 -1
RocketRAID 1720 Hardware Description/Installation

Disk Activity (Pins 1 and 2)

Pin 2 represents SATA Port 1

Pin 1 represents SATA Port 2

Disk Failure (Pins 3 and 4)

Pin 3 represents SATA Port 1

Pin 4 represents SATA Port 2

3 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 Host Adapter

Note: Make sure the system is powered-off before installing the RocketRAID 1720
host adapter.
The RocketRAID 1720 includes both standard and low-profile brackets. It may be
necessary to attach the low-profile bracket in place of the standard bracket, depend-
ing upon the chassis design.

1. Open the system chassis and locate an unused PCI slot.

2. Remove the PCI slot cover.

3. Gently insert the RocketRAID 1720 into the PCI slot, and secure the bracket to
the system chassis.

2 -2
RocketRAID 1720 Hardware Description/Installation

4. After installing the adapter, attach hard disks to the RocketRAID 1720 using an
SATA data cable. SATA cables have universal connections either end can be
attached to the adapter or hard disk. Each RocketRAID 1720 included four
SATA cables, and supports up to four separate hard disks drives.

5. Many server-level chassis include hard-disk hot-swap bays. For these system
chassis, cables are attached to the chassis backplane, rather than directly to
each individual hard disk. Consult the chassiss manual for proper installation
procedures.

6. Close and secure the system chassis.

2 -3
RocketRAID 1720 Hardware Description/Installation

4 - Verifying Installation

Once the RocketRAID 1720 host adapter and hard disks have been installed into the
chassis, boot-up the system to verify that the hardware is properly recognized.

1. Power on the system. If the system detects the presence of the adapter, the
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility will be displayed during bootup.

2. Press Ctrl+H to access the RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility.

The BIOS Utility will display information about hard disks attached to the adapter.
Make sure all attached disks are detected by this utility. If any of the hard disks are
not detected, power down the system and check the power and SATA cable
connections.

2 -4
Chapter 3
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

Contents of this Chapter:

RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility
1 - BIOS Command Overview
2 - Creating RAID Arrays
3 - Adding/Removing Spare Disks
4 - Updating the BIOS
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

The RocketRAID 1720s BIOS Utility can be accessed using the Ctrl+H command.

This command should be displayed automatically when the RocketRAID 1720s BIOS
screen appears during the systems boot up procedure.

1 - BIOS Command Overview

The RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility provides a wide selection of RAID related
commands. These commands are displayed towards the top of the utilitys interface.

Use the arrow keys to scroll through the various commands, and the
arrows to browse through the corresponding command menus. Use the ENTER key
to execute the selected command.
The ESC button can be used to cancel the selected command, or return to the previ-
ous command menu.
Create - this command is used to create RAID arrays. Section 2 discusses this
command in detail.
Delete - this command will delete the selected RAID array.
Warning: This command may result in permanent data loss - it should only be used
if data stored on the target array is no longer relevant, or has been backed up to an
alternate storage device.

3-1
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

Add/Remove Spare - this command is used to assign hard disks to function as

spare disks. The controller is capable of using spare disks to automatically rebuild
broken or faulted RAID arrays.

Section 3 discusses this command in detail.

Settings

Select Boot Device - this function is used to designate a particular disk or RAID
array to function as the RocketRAID 1720s boot device.

Note: This setting is only relevant if the motherboards BIOS has set the
RocketRAID 1720 to function as the systems primary boot device.

Staggered drive spin up This function is used to enable (or disable) staggered
drive spin up support This setting, by default, is disabled. Enabling staggered drive
spin up will power up the hard disks one at a time, approximately every two seconds.

View this command is used to select between two views. Press the ENTER key to
change the view.

Devices displays information about hard disks attached to the RocketRAID 1720.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the target hard disk, and press ENTER to view
the information.

RAID Arrays displays information about RAID arrays attached to the RocketRAID
1720. Use the arrow keys to highlight the target array, and press ENTER to view
the information.

Initialize - this function is used to prepare disks for use with RAID arrays.

Note: Arrays cannot be created between disks that have not been initialized.
The following section discusses this command in detail.

3 -2
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

2 - Creating RAID Arrays

Initializing Disks:
Before creating a RAID array, the disks must be initialized.
Initialization writes necessary RAID configuration information to the hard disk.

Use the arrow keys to select the Initialize command, and press ENTER.

Warning: Initialization will destroy all pre- existing data on the selected hard
disks. This procedure will not be completed by the BIOS. The RAID Management
Console software will initialize the array.

Use the arrow keys to highlight the target hard disk(s) and press ENTER. Next,
press the Y (yes) key to initialize the selected disk(s), or N (no) key to cancel the
initialization process.
Once initialized, these disks can be utilized to create RAID arrays.

To create an array:
1. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Create command, and press ENTER to
open the Create Menu.

2. Use the arrow keys to select the appropriate RAID level, then press ENTER.

3. Next, use the arrow key to highlight the Array Name option and press ENTER.
The array name dialogue box will appear. Use the keyboard to input a new Array
Name, and press the Enter key.

Note: the Array Name command is optional it is not necessary to name the
array. The array can be named at a later time, and the name of the array can be
changed at any time.

4. On the Create menu, use the arrow key to highlight the Select Devices item and
press ENTER. A device list will appear, and display all available hard disk drives.

5. Highlight the target disks that you want to use, and press ENTER to select them.
After all of the disks have been selected, press the ESC key to return to the
Create Menu.

3 -3
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

6. Next, Use the arrow key to highlight the Capacity (GB) option and press
ENTER. The total available capacity will be displayed. Press ENTER if you wish
to use all available space.

7. If you wish to reserve disk space for additional arrays/single disks, use the
keyboard to input the amount of space (in GB) you wish to set aside for this
particular array, and press ENTER.

Note: Multiple arrays can be created using the same set of hard disk drives.
The Capacity option allows you to set aside disk space that be used to create
another array, set as a spare disk, or partitioned to act as a single disk (by the
operating system).

8. To complete the creation procedure, use the arrow key to highlight the Start
Creation item and press ENTER. Press the Y (yes) key to create the array, or N
(no) key to cancel the creation process.

3 -4
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

3 - Updating the BIOS

BIOS updates are released periodically, and posted on our website for download.
There are several ways to flash the RR1720 BIOS.

For Windows based operating systems:

1) Download the desired BIOS update from the Support section provided for
the RR1720 host adapter. Extract the download to the directory of your
choice.
2) Insert the Driver and Software CD included with the RR1720 retail box into
the systems CD-ROM or DVD drive.
3) The CD should autorun, and display the following screen:

4) Select the Browse the CD option, and access the directory provided for
the RR1720 host adapter.
5) Open the BIOS directory, and double click the hptflash.exe icon. This
will start the BIOS flash utility:

3 -5
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

6) Select the RR1720 from the drop down menu labeled Controller, and press
the Open button this will allow you to browse to the extracted BIOS
download (step 1).
7) Highlight the image file, and click the Flash! button. The utility will update
the card, then verify the update.
8) Once complete, click on the Exit button to close the utility. Shutdown and
reboot the system.
Note: the Backup button will save a copy of the cards current BIOS to the
directory of your choice.

For other operating systems:

In order to update the BIOS, the system must be booted into DOS mode, using a
DOS-boot diskette or CD image.

1) Copy the load.exe and the bios image file to the bootable floppy diskette
(you may need to use a different floppy depending upon how much space is
available on the boot diskette - this can vary).

2) If you are booting from a CD image, you will need to add these files to the CD.
Insert the boot image media into the appropriate drive, and boot the system.

3-6
RocketRAID 1720 BIOS Utility

3) Once the A:\> prompt has appeared, insert the media that contains the
required BIOS files, and type the following command:

loadxxx.xxx

Then, press enter.

Note: xxx.xxx = the name of the BIOS image file (type it exactly as it
appears).

4) The utility will scan for the controller, and ask if you want to backup the
BIOS (save a copy of the current BIOS to a floppy diskette). This is optional
- you can answer No, and continue.

Note: This option will not function if the system was booted from CD.

5) The utility will then ask if you want to flash the controller (upgrade the
BIOS). Select Y for yes.

6) The utility will display a progress bar during the flash procedure, then will
attempt verify the update.

7) Once complete, the system can be rebooted.

3-7
Chapter 4
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and
Software Installation Microsoft Windows
(2000, XP, 2003 Server, x64 versions, Vista)

Contents of this Chapter:

Driver and Software CD
Windows Driver Installation
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Driver and Software CD

The RocketRAID 1720 retail box includes a Driver and Software CD.
This CD can be used to generate driver diskettes, and install the RAID Management
software for a variety of operating systems.
To create a driver diskette:
1. Insert the CD into the systems CD/DVD drive. The program should start
automatically.
2. Insert a blank floppy diskette into the systems floppy drive.
3. Click on Create Driver Diskette.

4. Click on the Please Select a Product drop-down button, and select

RocketRAID 1720 from the list.

4 -1
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

5. Click on the Please Select the Diskette you want to create drop-down button,
and select the appropriate OS from the list.

6. Click on the OK button to create the driver diskette.

To install the RAID software:

1. Click on Install RAID Management Software.

4 -2
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

2. Select the desired software from the drop down menu, and click on the OK
button.

Windows Driver Installation

Before installing the RocketRAID 1720 device driver, make sure the RocketRAID 1720
host adapter and all required hard disks have been installed into the systems chassis
(refer to the Hardware Installation section).

Installing the RocketRAID 1720 driver for an existing Windows XP/

2003/x64 system
After the operating system has booted, Windows will automatically detect the
RocketRAID 1720, and request that a device driver be installed. To install the device
driver, follow the steps outlined below:
1. When the Found New Hardware Wizard window appears, select Install from a
list or specific location (Advanced), and click Next to continue.
2. Click on the Include this location in the search option, and select the systems
floppy drive (generally Disk A). Next, insert the Driver Installation diskette into
the systems floppy drive.
3. At the Hardware Wizard screen, select the floppy drive as the source, then click
the Next button. Select the appropriate operating system folder, then click the
Next button.
4. Windows will display a warning message that states the driver has not been
signed. Select Continue Anyway, then click Finish when prompted. When

4 -3
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

windows asks to reboot the system, choose No.

5. Windows will then display a second Found New Hardware Wizard window
repeat steps 1 through 4.

6. Remove the Driver Installation diskette from the floppy drive, then Shut down
and restart the computer.

Installation Verification
After the driver has been installed, and the system has been restarted:

1. Click the Start button, then right-click My Computer icon. Select the Properties
item from the popup menu.

2. In the popup window, select Hardware tab and then click Device Manager
button.

3. Double click the SCSI and RAID controllers entry. If the RocketRAID 1720
device entry is not displayed, or there are ? or ! marks displayed near the
RocketRAID 1720 entry, the driver has not been installed properly. Delete the
entries and reinstall the driver.

Installing the RocketRAID 1720 driver during a fresh Windows

2000/XP/2003/x64 installation
1. After booting from the Windows 2000/XP/2003 CD-ROM, when the Windows
Setup blue screen appears, look towards the bottom of the screen. Windows will
prompt you to press the F6 key if you want to install a third party SCSI or RAID
driver. Press the F6 key at this time.

2. The setup procedure will continue, and will later instruct you to press the S key
to specify additional adapters. Press the S key as instructed.

3. Next, the setup program will prompt for the insertion of the driver diskette. Please
insert the driver diskette, and then press ENTER to continue.

4. The next window will display several driver options. Please select the
RocketRAID 1720 Controller for the corresponding operating system, and press
ENTER to continue.

4-4
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Installing the RocketRAID 1720 driver during a fresh Windows

Vista installation
1. Boot from Windows Vista DVD.

2. When the screen where do you want to install Windows appears, click Load
driver and browse for the driver location. Windows Vista can install drivers from
several media types: floppy diskette, USB flash disk or CD.

3. Select the RocketRAID 1720 controller driver, and click Next.

4. The driver is now installed - you can now continue on with the installation
procedure.

Installing the RocketRAID 1720 driver for an existing Windows

Vista system
1. Install the RocketRAID 1720 host adapter into the PC, then boot up Windows
Vista.

2. Windows should automatically detect the card, and display the Found New
Hardware wizard pop-up window. Select Locate and install driver software.
When Windows asks: Windows needs your permission to continue, select
continue.

3. Select I dont have disc, show me other options and then select Browse my
computer for driver software.

4. Specify the location of the driver and click Next.

5. When asked: Would you like to install this driver software?, select Install.

6. Reboot the system when prompted. The RocketRAID 1720 will be available for
use after Vista reboot.

Installation Verification
After the driver has been installed, and the system has been restarted:

1. Click the Start button, then right-click My Computer icon. Select the Properties
item from the popup menu.

4 -5
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

2. In the popup window, select Hardware tab and then click Device Manager
button.

Double click the SCSI and RAID controllers entry. If the RocketRAID 1720 device
entry is not displayed, or there are ? or ! marks displayed near the RocketRAID
1720 entry, the driver has not been installed properly. Delete the entries and reinstall
the driver.

1 - Installing the RAID Management Console/ Interface

Overview
To install the RAID software, locate the setup.exe file located on the floppy diskette
labeled DISK 1 (or the Disk1 folder, if the software was downloaded). Double click
this file to start the Installation Wizard.

There is no need to restart the system after installing the software. To start the
software, click on the Start button, select Programs, and click on the HPT
Management Console.

Logging On
The RAID Management Console requires that a user (or Administrator) log on. The
software is incapable of working with RAID arrays or hard disks attached to the
RocketRAID 1720 until the user has logged on.

4 -6
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Default Parameters:
System Address: 127.0.0.1
Port: 7402
User Name: RAID
Password: hpt
Logging On (continued)
Note: The password and user name fields are case sensitive.
The first time the software is used, make sure to enter the information listed above.
After successfully logging on, the software will ask you to alter the password (as a
security precaution).
Enter a password, and press enter.

2 - Software Interface - Overview of commands/func-

tions
After logging on, several new options will become available.
These commands are displayed towards the top of the interface window:

Overview of Function-menus (tabs)

File
Remote Control - view information about remote systems
System Configuration - switch between available remote systems
User Management - Add or remove users, edit user profiles
Password - change the password
Exit - exit the utility interface
Management
RAID Management Create/delete/maintain RAID arrays

4 -7
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Device Management - check information or change settings for host adapters, and
hard disks

Spare management - create and assign spare disks

System Notification - Set up system notification options

View

Event view - Views the event log

Icon view - view icon descriptions (legend)

Operation

This menu will list all available commands for the selected Function menu.

These commands are also represented in icon/button form (below the function-menu/
tabs selections)

Help

Search through help topics related to the RAID Management Console software

View software version information

3 - Creating an Array
To create an array:
1. Highlight the Management menu, then select the Array Management
function.

2. Click the Create button on the toolbar or select the Create command from the
Operation menu. The array creation wizard will appear.

4-8
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

3. Select the desired RAID level from the drop-down list.

4. Enter a name for the array using the keyboard (this is optional), and click the Next
button.

5. If you are creating a redundant array (RAID 1), select an initialization option. If
you are creating a RAID 0 or JBOD (volume), skip to step 6:

For RAID1 arrays, the default initialization method is No initialization.

6. Select which disks are to be used to create the array. Highlight the desired disk
from the left-side of the interface (available disks), then click on the button
to move the disk to the right side of the interface (selected disks). Disks must be
selected one a time.
If you wish to remove a selected disk, highlight it from the selected disk section,
and use the button to move it to the available disk section.

Note: The selection sequence is important - the order in which the disks are
selected will determine the disk sequence of the array.
7. Select the capacity - the RocketRAID 1720 can create arrays between partitions
on various disks. It is not limited to physical hard disk drives. As a result of this
feature, you have the option of assigning a physical disk to multiple RAID
arrays.

4-9
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Press Enter to use the default value (the maximum capacity for the array), or
specify the desired value using the keyboard, and press Enter to confirm this
selection. Then, click the Finish button.
Note: If you have specified an initialization option, the initialization process will start
automatically. A progress bar will be displayed towards the bottom of the interface
window, and will indicate % completion, and provide an estimate of the time needed
to complete the initialization procedure.

4 - Deleting an Array
To delete an array:
1. Highlight the Management menu, then select the Array Management
function.

2. Highlight the array you want to delete, then click on the Delete Icon or select
the Delete command from the Operation menu.

3. A warning message will appear. Click Yes to delete the array. Click on cancel to
stop this procedure.

Note: An array in use by the operating system cannot be deleted. Any data stored on
a deleted array will be inaccessible

5 - Configuring Spare Disks

Spare disks can be used to rebuild redundant RAID arrays in the case of failure.

To configure spare disks, highlight the Management menu, and select the Spare
Management function. The Spare Management window will appear.

To add a spare disk, select it from the Available Disk list box and click the button
to add the disk to the Spare Pool list box.
To remove a spare disk, select it from the Spare Pool list box and click the button
to remove the disk from the Spare Pool list box.

6 - Recovering/Verifying Arrays
When an array member (hard disk) of a redundant array fails, the array will be marked

4 -10
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

as broken.
Broken arrays can be automatically rebuilt using hot-spare disks.
However, if there are no available spare disks, you can still rebuild the array by
adding a new disk to it. To add a disk to a broken array:
1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Array Management
function.
2. Highlight the broken array that needs to be rebuilt.
3. Click the Add Disk button on the toolbar or select Add Disk command from the
Operation menu.
4. If the disk is successfully added to the array, rebuild process will start
automatically.
Note: In some instances, a failed array will not rebuild automatically.
To manually start the rebuild process for a broken/critical array:
1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Array Management
function.
2. Highlight the array that needs to be rebuilt.
3. Click the Rebuild button on the toolbar or select the Rebuild command from the
Operation menu.

Verifying an Array
For a RAID 1 array, the verify process compares the data of one disk to the other .
Verification checks each sector on a given disk. Periodic verification of an array
allows the disk drive firmware to take corrective actions on problem areas on the disk,
minimizing the occurrence of uncorrectable read and write errors.
To verify an array:
1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Array Management function.
2. Highlight the array you want to verify.
3. Click the Verify button on the toolbar or select the Verify command from the
Operation menu.
4. Verify process will start.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

7 OCE/ORLM
The RR1720 supports both OCE (online capacity expansion) and ORLM (Online RAID
Level Migration). This allows you to convert a RAID array to another type of RAID
array (ORLM), or add additional space to an existing RAID array (OCE).
The RAID software provides support for these features through a single function,
known as OCE/ORLM.

With the OCE/ORLM function, you can transform an array from one RAID level to
another RAID level and/or resize the array dynamically, even under I/O load.

To perform OCE/ORLM on an array:

1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Array Management

function.
2. Highlight the array you want to alter.

3. Click the button on the toolbar or select OCE/ORLM command from

the Operation menu.

4. The OCE/ORLM window will appear.

5. The interface is very similar to the Array Creation Wizard interface. Select the
type of array you wish to change the existing array into, then set any corre-
sponding parameters (cache/ initialization options, capacity, if relevant).

Notes:

1. You cannot change an array to another type of array with a smaller capacity.
In some cases, a disk may need to be added to the RocketRAID 1720.

2. During the OCE/ORLM procedure, the redundancy level of the array will be
the lowest of the source and target arrays; e.g. if you ORLM a JBOD array to
a RAID1 array, the array will be non-redundant until the procedure is
complete.

3. The OCE/ORLM process can be aborted and continued at later time.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

However, you should always stop the transform progress from the RAID Manage-
ment software.
4. An unexpected system crash may result in data loss while performing OCE/
ORLM on an array.

8 - Misc. Array/Device Options

Device Management
The Device Management window provides configuration information about control-
lers (the RocketRAID 1720 and other HighPoint host adapters), channels and hard
disks.

To access the Device Management window, highlight the Management menu, and
select the Device Management function.

Changing Device Settings

Depending upon the hard disk in question, and support provided by the current
device driver, you can adjust settings for disk: Read Ahead, Write Cache, TCQ, and
NCQ. Each feature can be enabled or disabled individually.

S.M.A.R.T Status
You can view S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology)
data about a drive to help troubleshoot any problems that occur. You can also setup
periodical S.M.A.R.T. status checks that send notification messages when S.M.A.R.
T. thresholds are exceeded.

To view the S.M.A.R.T status of a hard disk:

1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Device Management

function.

2. Highlight the disk you want to examine.

3. Select the SMART command from the Operation menu, or click on the

button to display the S.M.A.R.T status/settings window.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Renaming an Array
1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Array Management
function.

2. Highlight the array you want to rename.

3. Click the Rename button on the toolbar or select the Rename command from
the Operation menu.

4. Enter a new name for the array using the keyboard, and press the OK button to
confirm your selection.

Note: An array running background tasks cannot be renamed.

9 - Managing Events
The HighPoint RAID Management Console will log all events that have occurred on
any host adapter under its control.

Viewing Logged Events

To view logged events:

1. Highlight the View menu, and select the Event View option.

2. In the Event View window, you can filer events, clear events, and save events to a
file.

Configuring E-mail notification

To enable E-mail notification:

1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Event Notification function.

2. Click the Setting button on the toolbar or select Setting option from the
Operation menu.

3. Next, enter the necessary information in the E-mail Notification Setting window.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Note: The software does not support SMTP servers that require user authentication.

To add a Recipient:

1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Event Notification function.
2. Click the Add button on the toolbar or select Add command from the
Operation menu.
3. Enter the necessary information in the Add recipient window.

4. The recipient will be listed in the main window. You can use Modify or Delete
button on the toolbar to modify or delete the recipient.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

To test E-mail notification:

1. Highlight the Management menu, and select the Event Notification function.
2. Select one recipient from the main window.
3. Click the Test button on the toolbar or select the Test command from the Opera-
tion menu.
4. The software will send a test e-mail message to the selected recipient.

Managing Tasks
The RAID management Console can be used to setup routine, periodical background-
rebuild or verification tasks that will help maintain the integrity of RAID arrays
attached to the RocketRAID 1720.

To setup and schedule tasks highlight the Management menu, and select the Task
Management function to open Task Management window.

The Task Schedule list displays all of the tasks assigned to the selected remote
system. To view detailed information about a specific task, highlight and Double-click
the tasks name.
Add a Scheduled Task
This command is used to add a Scheduled task for the selected remote system.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

To add a new scheduled task:

Click the New button on the toolbar. The new task schedule wizard will appear.

Select the task type and the array that you want to verify or rebuild, then click Next.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

1. Enter a name for the task.

2. Configure the frequency for the task.
3. Set the duration for the task.
4. Check the Enable the task option to activate this task.
5. Click Finish.

Modify a Scheduled Task

This command is used to change settings for a scheduled task. To Modify a Task
Schedule:

1. Select a task from the Task schedule list.

2. Click the Modify button on the toolbar, and modify the task settings in the
popup window.

Delete a Scheduled Task

This command is used to delete a Scheduled Task for the selected remote system. To
delete a Task Schedule:
1. Select a task from the Task schedule list.
2. Click the Delete button on the toolbar.

10 - Configuring Remote Systems

Then HighPoint RAID Management Console manages a RAID controller through a
connection to the HighPoint RAID Management Service, which runs on the system
where the RAID host adapter is physically installed. This type of system is referred
to as a remote system.

Note: What the software classifies as a remote system may not always be an actual
remote computer. In some configurations, the local computer hosts both the RAID
host adapter and Management Service. The local system, in these cases, is still
generically referred to as a remote system.

Add a Connection
This command is used to add new connection to a remote system. To Add a
Connection:

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

1. Highlight the File menu, and select the Remote Control function.
2. Click the Add button on the toolbar or select the Add command from the Opera-
tion menu.
3. Enter the system address, name, and port information in the popup window.

The system address can be a host name, or an IP address. The default system port is
7402.
4. Click OK to finish adding the new connection.
Modify a Connection
This command modifies connection information for a remote system. To modify a
connection:
1. Highlight the File menu and select the Remote Control function.
2. Highlight the system you want to modify.
3. Click the Modify button on the toolbar or select the Modify command from the
Operation menu.

4. Enter new connection information in the popup window, and click OK to apply
the changes.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Note: The System Address cannot be modified. If you insist on modifying this item,
you must first delete this connection and then add a new connection. In addition, the
connected system cannot be modified you must first disconnect from this system.

Delete a Connection
This command deletes a remote system from the connection list. To delete a
connection:
1. Highlight the File menu and select the Remote Control function.
2. Highlight the system you want to delete.
3. Click the Delete button on the toolbar or select the Delete command from the
Operation menu.
4. A warning message will be displayed. Click Yes to delete the item. Select No to
cancel this command.

Connect to a Remote System

This command establishes a connection to a remote system for RAID management.
To connect to a remote system:
1. Highlight the File menu and select the Remote Control function.
2. Highlight the remote system you to establish a connection with.
3. Click the Connect button on the toolbar or select the Connect command from
the Operation menu.
4. Enter the appropriate Login information in the popup window.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Note: The initial user name/password for a remote system is RAID/hpt. You are free
to modify the username and password after the connection is established.

If the connection is successful established, the application will retrieve the event logs
from the remote system, then switch to Array Management view.

Disconnect Remote System

This function closes the connection from a connected system. To disconnect a
remote system:

1. Highlight the File menu and select the Remote Control function.

2. Highlight the system you want to disconnect from.

3. Select the Disconnect command from the Operation menu.

System Configuration
This function is used to modify the service configuration on a remote system. To
change the service configuration:

1. Highlight the File menu and select the Remote Control function.

2. Highlight the remote system you want to modify.

3. Select the System Configuration option from the Operation menu.

4. Modify the information in the popup window.

System Port - This is the TCP port number that the RAID Management Service uses
to communicate with RAID Management Console. When you connect to the service,
the port value you enter must be in accordance with the system port value on the
service. The default value is 7402.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

Event Port - The client software will retrieve events through this port. The default
value is 7403.

The System Port value must differ from the value assigned to the Event Port. After
you reset a systems configuration, you should restart the service on that system for
the changes to take effect.

5. Click OK to apply the changes.

11 - Configuring Users and Privileges

The RAID Management Console allows the Administrator to manage user accounts in
its own database. You can setup multiple users and assign different privileges levels
for the purpose of RAID management.

Users can be assigned to each individual Remote System controlled by the RAID
Management Console.

Highlight the File menu and select the User Management function to configure
User related options for the selected remote system.

The user management window lists all users assigned to the selected remote system.
The current/active user will be designated with an icon.

Add a User
This function adds a user account to the connected remote system. To add a user:

4 -22
RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

1. Click the Add button in the User Management window.

2. In the popup window, enter the user name, enter and confirm the password, and
then click Next.

3. Select the appropriate privileges for the user.

4. Click Finish.
Delete a User
This function deletes a users account on the connected remote system. To delete a
user:
1. Select the target user ID from the User list displayed in the User Management
window.
2. Click Delete to remove the selected user. Click Yes to delete the item. Select No
to cancel this command.
Note: An active user (user currently utilizing the software) cannot be deleted from the
console.
Set Password
The Administrator uses this function to set a users password the password allows
a user to log on to a remote system, and utilize the RAID Management Console. To
set password for a user:

1. Select the target user ID from the user list displayed in the User Management
window.

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RocketRAID 1720 Driver and Software Installation

2. Click the Set Password option, and enter the password for the user.

3. Click OK to apply your selections.

Set Privilege
The Administrator uses this function set a users privileges for the selected remote
system. To set privileges for a user:

1. Select the target user ID from the user list displayed in the User Management
window.

2. Click the Set Privilege option.

3. In the popup window, assign the privileges for the selected user.
4. Click OK to apply your selections.

4-24
Chapter 5
Linux Driver Support

Contents of this Chapter:

Fedora Core 6 Linux installation Overview
Red Hat Enterprise 4 Overview
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) installation Overview
Linux Driver Support

1 Fedora Core 6 Linux installation Overview

This section provides instructions describing how to install and utilize the
RocketRAID 1720 Adapter on a Fedora Core 6 Linux system.

2 - Installing Fedora Core 6 on the RocketRAID 1720

Host Adapter
Note: If the OS is running kernel that differs from the one supported by the
precompiled driver, the precompiled drivers cannot be used. A driver can be built for
this kernel using the OpenSource package for the RocketRAID 1720 controller. This
package is available from our website, and is posted on the BIOS/Driver page for the
RocketRAID 1720.

To install Fedora Linux onto hard disks or RAID arrays attached to RocketRAID 1720
controller, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1 Prepare the Driver Diskette

The driver is contained in a floppy diskette image file.

On a DOS or Windows system, a Fedora driver diskette can be generated using

rawrite.exe. This utility is included on the Fedora Linux CD (under /dosutils). Run
rawrite using a command prompt window, and follow the directions it provides.
On a Linux system, use the dd command to generate a boot diskette. Insert a
floppy disk into the floppy drive and type the following command:
# dd if=fcX-i386.img of=/dev/fd0
Note: The driver disk image file depends on your core version and hardware.

Step 2 Install Fedora Linux

Installation steps for Fedora Core 6
1) Boot from the Fedora Installation CD, and start the install procedure.
2) At the Welcome to Fedora Linux installation screen, a prompt labeled boot: will
appear at the bottom of the screen. Type in linux dd, then press Enter.
boot: linux dd

5 -1
Linux Driver Support

3) When prompted Do you have a driver disk?, select Yes. At the Insert your
driver disk and press OK to continue prompt, insert the driver diskette in the floppy
drive and then select OK.
4) The system will now load the RocketRAID 1720 driver automatically.

3 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 driver for an Exist-

ing System
Note: If a SCSI adapter is used to boot the system, make sure the RocketRAID 1720
controller BIOS loads/posts after the SCSI adapters BIOS. It may be necessary to
move the adapter(s) to another PCI slot.

Step 1 Obtain the Driver Module

Extract the module file from the file modules.cgz (from the driver disk) using the
following commands:
# mount /dev/fd0
# cd /tmp
# gzip -dc /media/floppy/modules.cgz | cpio -idumv
Driver modules for all supported kernel versions will be extracted. The driver module
for the active kernel is located under the directory that matches the kernel version (/
tmp/uname r/i686/rr172x.ko).
After extracting the driver module, load it using the following commands:
# modprobe sd_mod
# insmod rr172x.ko
Arrays attached to the adapter can be accessed as SCSI devices (e.g. /dev/sda).

Step 2 Mounting and Partitioning the Device

Example: A RAID array has been configured between several hard disks.
This array will be registered to the system as device /dev/sda.
To create a partition on this array (which will listed as /dev/sda1), use the fdisk /
dev/sda command.
Next, use the mkfs /dev/sda1 command to setup a file system on this partition.

5-2
Linux Driver Support

Use the command mkdir xxxx to create a mount point for the RAID array. Then
mount /dev/sda1 /xxxx in order to access it.

Note: xxxx represents the desired name of the mount point.

Step 3 Configure System to Automatically Load the Driver

To avoid typing in insmod rr172x.ko each time the operating system is booted, the
system must be instructed to automatically load the module during bootup. To install
the module, type in the following commands (first change to the directory where the
proper rr172x.ko file is located):
#cp rr172x.ko /lib/modules/uname r/kernel/drivers/scsi
#depmod
Then, instruct the system to load the module when booting. Use the following
commands:
#echo modprobe rr172x > /etc/init.d/hptdriver
#chmod 755 /etc/init.d/hptdriver
#ln sf /etc/init.d/hptdriver /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/S01hptdriver
#ln sf /etc/init.d/hptdriver /etc/rc.d/rc4.d/S01hptdriver
#ln sf /etc/init.d/hptdriver /etc/rc.d/rc5.d/S01hptdriver

Step 4 Configure System to Mount Volumes during Startup

The system can be instructed to automatically mount the array(s) during startup by
modifying the file/etc/fstab.
For example, add the following line to tell the system to mount /dev/sda1 to location /
mnt/raid after startup:

/dev/sda1 /mnt/raid ext3 defaults 0 0

4 - Updating the Driver

1. If the original driver is installed in the systems initrd (Initial RAM Disk) file
(when using a system installed to the RocketRAID 1720 controller, for example),
the driver module in the initrd file should be updated using the mkinitrd com-
mand (or extract the initrd file and replace the driver module manually).

5-3
Linux Driver Support

2. If the original driver is installed in the /lib/modules/uname r/kernel/drivers/

scsi/ directory, and loaded by the script file (Example /etc/init.d/hptdriver) during
the init process, or the configure file (Example /etc/modules.conf), please replace
it with the new driver (rr172x.o or rr172x.ko).

5 - Installing the RAID Management Software

The HighPoint RAID Management Software is used to configure and keep track of
your hard disks and RAID arrays attached to RR1720 controller. Installation of the
management software is optional but recommended. To configure HighPoint RAID
Management Software to work with RR1720 driver, you should setup /etc/hptcfg to
be the driver name:

# echo rr172x > /etc/hptcfg

Please refer to HighPoint RAID Management Software documents for more

information.

6 - Uninstalling the Driver

To uninstall the RocketRAID 1720 driver
Note: The driver cannot be uninstalled while the system is booted from a disk or array
attached to the RocketRAID 1720.

To uninstall the driver, remove the lines added to /etc/fstab, and remove the files
created in the /etc/init.d directory.

5-4
Linux Driver Support

1 - Red Hat Enterprise 4 Overview

This section provides instructions describing how to install and utilize the
RocketRAID 1720 Adapter on a Red Hat Enterprise 4 Linux system.

2 - Installing Red Hat Enterprise 4 (AS, ES, WS) Linux

on the RocketRAID 1720 controller
To install Red Hat Enterprise Linux onto disks or RAID arrays attached to
RocketRAID 1720:

Step 1 Prepare the Driver Diskette

The driver is provided in a floppy diskette image file format.
On a DOS or Windows system, a driver diskette can be generated using rawrite.exe.
This utility is included on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux CD (under /dosutils). Run
rawrite using a command prompt window, and follow the directions it provides.
On a Linux system, use the dd command to generate a boot diskette. Insert a
floppy disk into the floppy drive and type the following command (amd64 driver for
example):
# dd if=rh3dd-amd64.img of=/dev/fd0

Step 2 Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Start installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux by booting from the installation CD.

At the Welcome to Red Hat Linux installation screen, a prompt labeled boot: will
appear at the bottom of the screen. Type in linux dd, then press Enter.

boot: linux dd

When prompted Do you have a driver disk?. Select Yes.

When prompted Insert your driver disk and press OK to continue, insert the driver
diskette into the systems floppy drive, and select OK.
1. The system will now load the RocketRAID 1720 driver automatically.
2. When prompted Where do you want to install the boot loader? in the Boot
Loader Configuration dialog, select Master Boot Record (MBR) to instruct

5 -5
Linux Driver Support

the system be to boot from the RocketRAID 1720.

Continue the installation as normal. You can refer to Red Hat Enterprise Linux installa-
tion guide.
Note:
1. The system device mapping order is the same as the order shown in RocketRAID
1720 BIOS Setting Utility. If no other SCSI adapters are installed, the device marked
as BOOT or HDD0will identified as /dev/sda, HDD1 as /dev/sdb, HDD2 as
/dev/sdc, etc. When creating mount points, /boot must be mounted on /dev/sda.

3 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 driver for an Exist-

ing System
Note: If a SCSI adapter is used to boot the system, make sure the RocketRAID 1720
controller BIOS loads/posts after the SCSI adapters BIOS. It may be necessary to
move the adapter(s) to another PCI slot.
Step 1 Obtain the Driver Module
Extract the module file from the file modules.cgz (from the driver disk) using the
following commands:
# mount /dev/fd0
# cd /tmp
# gzip -dc /mnt/floppy/modules.cgz | cpio -idumv
Driver modules for all supported kernel versions will be extracted. The driver module
for the active kernel is located under the directory that matches the kernel version (/
tmp/uname r/rr172x.ko).
After you have extracted the driver module, you can load it by following commands:
# modprobe sd_mod
# insmod rr172x.ko
Arrays attached to the adapter can be accessed as SCSI devices (e.g. /dev/sda).

Step 2 Mounting and Partitioning the Device

Example: A RAID array has been configured between several hard disks.
This array will be registered to the system as device /dev/sda.

5 -6
Linux Driver Support

To create a partition on this array (which will listed as /dev/sda1), use the fdisk /
dev/sda command.

Next, use the mkfs /dev/sda1 command to setup a file system on this partition.

Use the command mkdir xxxx to create a mount point for the RAID array. Then,
mount /dev/sda1 /xxxx in order to access it.

Note: xxxx represents the desired name of the mount point.

Step 3 Configure System to Automatically Load the Driver

To avoid typing in insmod rr172x.ko each time the operating system is booted, the
system must be instructed to automatically load the module during bootup. To install
the module, type in the following commands (first change to the directory where the
proper rr172x.ko file is located):

# install -d /lib/modules/uname r/kernel/drivers/scsi

# install -c rr172x.ko /lib/modules/uname r/kernel/drivers/scsi

Then, instruct the system to load the module when booting. Use the following
commands:

#echo modprobe rr172x > /etc/init.d/hptdriver

#chmod 755 /etc/init.d/hptdriver

#ln sf /etc/init.d/hptdriver /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/S01hptdriver

#ln sf /etc/init.d/hptdriver /etc/rc.d/rc4.d/S01hptdriver

#ln sf /etc/init.d/hptdriver /etc/rc.d/rc5.d/S01hptdrive

Step 4 Configure System to Mount Volumes during Startup

The system can be instructed to automatically mount the array(s) during startup by
modifying the file/etc/fstab.

For example, add the following line to tell the system to mount /dev/sda1 to location /
mnt/raid after startup:

/dev/sda1 /mnt/raid ext2 defaults 0 0

5 -7
Linux Driver Support

4 - Updating the Driver

If you are not booting from disks attached to RocketRAID 1720 controller, you can
update the driver just by reinstalling it following the procedure outlined in the
previous section, Installing the RocketRAID 1720 driver for an Existing System.
If you are running the system installed to a disk or array attached to the RocketRAID
1720:
First, obtain the new driver module rr172x.ko. Refer to the previous section
Obtain the Driver Module. In following steps, we assume it has been copied to
/tmp/rr172x.ko.
Replace rr172x.o in the boot RAM disk image, /boot/initrd-xxx.img (where xxx is
the kernel version).
Example: (2.4.21-4.EL for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0):
# gzip -dc /boot/initrd-xxx.img > /tmp/initrd.ext2
# mkdir /mnt/initrd
# mount -o loop /tmp/initrd.ext2 /mnt/initrd
# cp /tmp/rr172x.o /mnt/initrd/lib/rr172x.o
# umount /mnt/initrd
# gzip -c /tmp/initrd.ext2 > /boot/initrd-xxx.img
If you are using lilo to boot the system, use lilo to reinstall the RAM disk:
# lilo
Update rr172x.o in /lib/modules:
# cp /tmp/rr172x.ko /lib/modules/uname r/kernel/drivers/scsi/rr172x.ko
Reboot your system to allow the new driver take effect.

5 - Uninstalling the Driver

To uninstall the RocketRAID 1720 driver
Note: The driver cannot be uninstalled while the system is booted from a disk or array
attached to the RocketRAID 1720.
To uninstall the driver, remove the lines added to /etc/fstab, and remove the files
created in the /etc/init.d directory.

5-8
Linux Driver Support

1 SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) installation

Overview
This section provides instructions describing how to install and utilize the
RocketRAID 1720 Adapter on a SuSE (SLES) Linux system.

2 - Installing SLES Linux on the RocketRAID 1720

Host Adapter
Note: If the OS is running kernel that differs from the one supported by the
precompiled driver, the precompiled drivers cannot be used. A driver can be built for
this kernel using the OpenSource package for the RocketRAID 1720 controller. This
package is available from our website, and is posted on the BIOS/Driver page for the
RocketRAID 1720.

To install SLES onto hard disks or RAID arrays attached to RocketRAID 1720
controller, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1 Prepare the Driver Diskette

The driver is contained in a floppy diskette image file (slesdd.img).

On a DOS or Windows system, a driver diskette can be generated using rawrite.exe.

This utility is included on the SLES Linux CD (under /dosutils). Run rawrite using a
command prompt window, and follow the directions it provides.

On a Linux system, use the dd command to generate a boot diskette. Insert a

floppy disk into the floppy drive and type the following command:

# dd if=SLESdd.img of=/dev/fd0

Step 2 Install SLES Linux

1. Start the install procedure by booting from SLES installation CD.
2. After the CD boots, select the Installation option and press F6 to load the
driver.
3. Insert the Driver Diskette when it displays Please insert the Driver Update
floppy.

5-9
Linux Driver Support

4. When the Diver Update Menu is displayed, press OK and back for back
to installer.
5. Next. Select back to return to the installer.
6. Installation will now proceed normally. Refer to SLES Linux documents for
additional OS installation procedures.

Additional Installation Notes:

The system device mapping order is the same as the order shown in RocketRAID
1720 BIOS Setting Utility. If no other SCSI adapters are installed, the device marked
as BOOT or HDD0 will be identified as /dev/sda, HDD1 as /dev/sdb, HDD2
as /dev/sdc, etc. When creating mount points, /boot must be mounted on /dev/sda.

3 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 Driver on an Exist-

ing System
If you are currently running SLES and would like to access drives or arrays attached
to the Rocket RAID 1720 controller, follow the steps outlined below:

Note:
1. If a SCSI adapter is used to boot the system, make sure the RocketRAID
1720 controller BIOS loads/posts after the SCSI adapters BIOS. It may be
necessary to move the adapter(s) to another PCI slot.
2. The driver may work incorrectly on certain motherboards (such as DFI77B
KT400). For these motherboards, add the acpi=off kernel parameter in the /
boot/grub/menu.lst:
kernel (hd0,1)/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda1 acpi=off
initrd (hd0,1)/initrd
Step 1 Update Grub
If you are running an SLES SMP System, you must first update the /boot/grub/menu.
lst.
Example:
default=0
timeout=8

5 - 10
Linux Driver Support

title Linux

kernel (hd0,1)/vmlinux root=/dev/hda1 acpi=off

initrd (hd0,1)/initrd

Reboot the system to allow the new kernel parameters to take effect.

Step 2 Install the Driver Module

Extract the module file from the file /linux/suse /[arch]-[version]/install/update.tar.gz
(from the driver disk), using the following commands:

# mount /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy

# cd /

# tar xfz /mnt/floppy/linux/suse/i386-sles9/install/update.tar.gz

The driver modules will be extracted to the directory /lib/modules/[kernel-ver]/kernel/

drivers/scsi/ .

After you have extracted the driver module, you can load it by following commands:

# modprobe sd_mod

# insmod rr172x.ko

Then you can access the arrays attached to the controller as SCSI devices (e.g. /dev/
sda).

Step 3 Mounting and Partitioning the Device

Note: Many versions of SuSE include YAST. YAST is a graphical configuration
utility that is capable of executing the commands described below. We recommend
using YAST, if available, as it may help simplify the installation process.
Example: A RAID array has been configured between several hard disks.
This array will be registered to the system as device /dev/sda.
1. To create a partition on this array (which will listed as /dev/sda1), use the
fdisk /dev/sda command.
2. Next, use the mkfs /dev/sda1 command to setup a file system on this
partition.

5 -11
Linux Driver Support

3. Use the command mkdir xxxx to create a mount point for the RAID array.
Then, mount /dev/sda1 /xxxx in order to access it.

Note: xxxx represents the desired name of the mount point.

Step 4 Configure System to Automatically Load the Driver

To avoid typing in insmod rr172x.o each time the operating system is booted, the
system must be instructed to automatically load the module during bootup. To install
the module, type in the following commands (first change to the directory where the
proper rr172x.ko file is located):

1. Edit the file /etc/sysconfig/kernel, and add the RR1720 module to the line
INITRD_MODULES=

Example:

INITRD_MODULES=reiserfs RR172x

2. Run the depmod command to update the module configuration:

# depmod

3. Next, run the mkinitrd command to update the initrd file:

# mkinitrd

4. If you are using the lilo boot loader, run lilo again:

# lilo

Step 5 Configure System to Mount Volumes during Startup

The system can be instructed to automatically mount the array(s) during startup by
modifying the file/etc/fstab.

For example, add the following line to tell the system to mount /dev/sda1 to location /
mnt/raid after startup:

/dev/sda1 /mnt/raid ext2 defaults 0 0

5 -12
Linux Driver Support

4 Updating the Driver

To update the driver, simply reinstall the driver following the steps in previous
section, Install RocketRAID 1720 Driver on an Existing System .

Note: If the driver is loaded in initrd (when system is installed onto a disk or array
attached to the RocketRAID 1720), you need to run the mkinitrd command to update
the initrd file. If you are using the lilo boot loader, run lilo again (# lilo).

5 - Uninstalling the Driver

To uninstall the RocketRAID 1720 driver
Note: The driver cannot be uninstalled while the system is booted from a disk or array
attached to the RocketRAID 1720.

To uninstall the driver, remove the lines added to /etc/modules.conf and /etc/fstab.

5-13
Chapter 6
FreeBSD Driver Support

Contents of this Chapter:

1 - Installing FreeBSD on the RocketRAID 1720 Controller
2 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 Driver on an Existing System
3 - Updating the Driver
4 - Uninstalling the Driver
FreeBSD Driver Support

1 - Installing FreeBSD on the RocketRAID 1720 Con-

troller
If you would like to install FreeBSD onto arrays attached to the RocketRAID 1720
host adapter, please follow the steps below.

Step 1 Prepare the Driver Diskette

When installing FreeBSD to a disk or array attached to the RocketRAID 1720, you
must prepare a RocketRAID 1720 driver diskette before starting the installation
procedure.

First, obtain the driver diskette image file from the driver package.

In a DOS or Windows system, create the boot diskette using the rawrite.exe utility.
This utility can be found on the FreeBSD CD (under \tools). Run it under a DOS-
Prompt window and follow its prompt.

On a FreeBSD system, use the dd command to make the driver diskette. For
example, Insert a floppy disk into the floppy drive and type the following command (if
you are installing FreeBSD 5.x versions):

# dd if=freebsd_5.x.img of=/dev/fd0

Step 2 Install FreeBSD

1. Start the FreeBSD installation procedure by booting from installation CD.

2. If you are installing FreeBSD 5.0 or earlier versions, skip this step. When the
Welcome to FreeBSD screen appears, select 6.

3. When the Hit [enter] to boot immediately or any other key for command
prompt screen appears, press the SPACE key to stop the loader from
autobooting.
BTX loader 1.00 BTX version is 1.01
Console: internal video/keyboard
BIOS driver A: is disk0
BIOS driver B: is disk1

BIOS driver C: is disk2

6 -1
FreeBSD Driver Support

BIOS 636kB/74512kB available memory

FreeBSD/i386 bootstrap loader, Revision 0.8
(mailto:[email protected], Sat Apr 21 08:46:19 GMT
2001)
-
Hit [Enter] to boot immediately, or any other key for
command prompt.
Booting [kernel] in 9 seconds
<-press SPACE key

A prompted label ok will appear at the bottom of the screen.

4. Insert the RocketRAID 1720 driver diskette into floppy drive. Type in load
diskx:rr172x-x.x (without quotation marks), and then press enter.
for FreeBSD 4.3-RELEASE
ok load kernel
ok load disk1:rr172x-4.3.ko

for FreeBSD 4.4-RELEASE

ok load kernel
ok load disk1:rr172x-4.4.ko

for FreeBSD 4.5-RELEASE

ok load disk1:rr172x-4.5.ko

for FreeBSD 4.6.2-RELEASE

ok load disk1:rr172x-4.6.2.ko

for FreeBSD 4.7-RELEASE

ok load disk1:rr172x-4.7.ko

for FreeBSD 4.8-RELEASE

ok load disk1:rr172x-4.8.ko

for FreeBSD 4.9-RELEASE

ok load disk1:rr172x-4.9.ko

6 -2
FreeBSD Driver Support

for FreeBSD 4.10-RELEASE

ok load disk1:rr172x-4.10.ko

for FreeBSD 4.11-RELEASE

ok load disk1:rr172x-4.11.ko

for FreeBSD 5.0-RELEASE

ok load disk0:rr172x-5.0.ko

for FreeBSD 5.1-RELEASE

ok load disk0:rr172x-5.1.ko

for FreeBSD 5.2.1-RELEASE

ok load disk0:rr172x-5.2.1.ko

for FreeBSD 5.3-RELEASE

ok load disk0:rr172x-5.3.ko

for FreeBSD 5.4-RELEASE

ok load disk0:rr172x-5.4.ko

for FreeBSD 5.3-AMD64-RELEASE

ok load disk0:rr172x-5.3-amd64.ko

for FreeBSD 5.4-AMD64-RELEASE

ok load disk0:rr172x-5.4-amd64.ko
5. After the driver has been loaded, remove the floppy diskette from the floppy
drive.
6. Type in boot and continue with installation as normal. Refer to FreeBSD
installation guide for additional information.

ok boot

Note: On some systems, when ACPI is enabled, FreeBSD may not function
properly. Try disabling ACPI in the motherboards BIOS settings, or type the
command set hint.acpi.0.disabled=1 under the boot prompt, in order to
solve the problem.

6 -3
FreeBSD Driver Support

7. Before exiting installation, an additional step must be taken to copy the

RocketRAID 1720 driver module to the system. On the driver diskette, there is a
setup script labeled postinstall, which will complete this task. Before rebooting
the system, press Alt-F4 to enter the command shell, and type the following
commands:
# mount o ro /dev/fd0 /mnt
# sh /mnt/postinstall
# umount /mnt

Then, press Alt-F1 to return to the setup screen, and choose [X Exit
Install] to finish setup.

2 - Installing the RocketRAID 1720 Driver on an Exist-

ing System
If you are currently running FreeBSD and would like to access drives or arrays
attached to the RocketRAID 1720 Controller, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1 Copy the Driver Module

If you have made FreeBSD drivers into a diskette, you can insert the driver diskette to
floppy drive, then using the following commands to copy the driver module:
For FreeBSD 4.x:
# mount o ro /dev/fd0 /mnt
# cp /mnt/rr172x-xxx.ko /modules/rr172x.ko
# umount /mnt

For FreeBSD 5.x:

# mount o ro /dev/fd0 /mnt
# cp /mnt/rr172x-xxx.ko /boot/kernel/rr172x.ko
# umount /mnt
Alternately, it is possible extract the files from the .img files directly, without using a
floppy diskette:

6-4
FreeBSD Driver Support

For FreeBSD 4.x:

# vnconfig vn0c freebsd_xxx.img

# mount /dev/vn0c /mnt
# cp /mnt/rr172x-xxx.ko /modules/rr172x.ko
# vnconfig du vn0c myfilesystem mount=/mnt

For FreeBSD 5.x:

# mdconfig a t vnode f freebsd_5.x.img u 0
# mount /dev/md0 /mnt
# cp /mnt/rr172x-xxx.ko /boot/kernel/rr172x.ko
# umount /mnt
# mdconfig d u md0

Step 2 Test the Driver Module

Test the driver module to ensure that it works with the system, by loading it during
bootup. If the module has been loaded successfully you should see the RocketRAID
1720 banner and a display screen of the attached drives. You can now access the
drives as a SCSI device.

Note:If you have no other SCSI device, the first device is /dev/da0, then /dev/da1,etc.

Example: F1 FreeBSD
Default: F1
>> FreeBSD/i386 BOOT
Default: 0:ad(0,a)/boot/loader
boot:
BTX loader 1.00 BTX version is 1.01
Console: internal video/keyboard
BIOS driver A: is disk0
BIOS driver C: is disk2
BIOS 636kB/74512kB available memory
FreeBSD/i386 bootstrap loader, Revision 0.8
(mailto:[email protected], Sat Apr 21 08:46:19 GMT 2001)
Loading /boot/defaults/loader.conf
/kernel text=0x24f1db data=0x3007ec+0x2062c -

6-5
FreeBSD Driver Support

<- For FreeBSD 5.1 and later: select 6 on Welcome to

FreeBSD screen.

Hit [Enter] to boot immediately, or any other key for command

prompt.
Booting [kernel] in 9 seconds

<-press SPACE key

Type ? for a list of commands, help for more detailed
help.
ok load rr172x
/modules/rr172x.ko text=0xf571 data=0x2c8+0x254

ok autoboot

Note: If you have configured a RAID 10 using 4 disks, it will be registered to system
as device /dev/da0. You can use /stand/sysinstall to create partitions and
disklabels (like da0s1e) on da0. Then, create a new filesystem using newfs /dev/
da0s1e. Now you can mount /dev/da0s1e to somewhere to access it

Step 3 Configure System to Automatically Load the Driver

To avoid typing in load rr172x each time the operating system is booted, the
system must be instructed to automatically load the module during bootup. To
configure the system to automatically install the module, type in the following
commands:

# echo rr172x_load=YES >> /boot/defaults/loader.conf

This command will instruct the loader to load the RocketRAID 1720 module together
with the kernel. After using this command, reboot the system. The RocketRAID 1720
module should now automatically load each time the operating system starts up.

Note: When using FreeBSD 4.x, type in the following command to configure the
system:

# mknod /dev/rr172x c 200 0

Then, check to make sure the node /dev/rr172x

, is present in the /dev directory.

6-6
FreeBSD Driver Support

Step 4 Configure the System to Mount Volumes at Startup

Instruct the system to automatically mount the array by modifying the file /etc/fstab.

Example: Add the following line to instruct the system to mount /dev/da1s1e to
location /mnt/hpt after startup:

/dev/da1s1e /mnt/hpt ufs rw 0 0

3 - Updating the Driver

To update the driver with a newer revision, simply reinstall the driver following the
steps discussed in the previous section, Install the driver on an existing system.

4 - Uninstalling the Driver

The driver can only be uninstalled when the system is not booting from devices
attached to the RocketRAID 1720 controller. To uninstall, remove the line
RR172x_load=YES located in /boot/defaults/loader.conf, and then delete the driver
module /modules/rr172x.ko or /boot/kernel/rr172x.ko.

6-7
Appendix
Customer Support
Customer Support

Customer Support
If you encounter any problems while utilizing the RocketRAID1720, or have any
questions about this or any other HighPoint product, feel free to contact our Cus-
tomer Support Department.

Troubleshooting Checklist
Before contacting our Customer Support department:

Make sure the latest BIOS, driver and RAID Software have been installed for the
RocketRAID1720. Updates are available from our website.

Prepare a list of the computer systems hardware and software (motherboard, CPU,
memory, other PCI devices/host adapters, operating system, applications)

Contact Information
E-mail address: [email protected]

Phone: 408-240-6119 (request for support)

9:00AM-5:00PM, Pacific Standard Time

Additional information about HighPoint products is available from our web site:

http://www.highpoint-tech.com

A-1
FCC Part 15 Class B Radio Frequency Interference statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equip-
ment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the users
authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.

European Union Compliance Statement

This Information Technologies Equipment has been tested and found to comply

with the following European directives:

European Standard EN55022 (1998) Class B
European Standard EN55024 (1998)