Intel
Integrated RAID Controller GSU31
User
’
s Manual
Rev 1.0
5-9
RAID Features
5.2.5
Arrays
An array is a group of disks containing one or more RAID volumes. A RAID volume must be
created either on an existing array or on a group of available individual disks. Creating a RAID
volume on a group of available disks (disks that are not yet a part of an array) also implicitly
creates an array consisting of that group of disks. If there are pre-existing arrays with available
capacity and enough disks for the specified RAID level desired, then the RAID volume will be
created in the existing array of the user
’
s choice. These arrays are listed on the various RAID
Storage Console configuration screens, most notably on the View / Actions screens under both
RAID Volumes and Logical Arrays sections.
Additional RAID volumes created in a specific array will reside on all the physical disks in the
array. Thus each RAID volume on the array will have its data spread evenly across all the disks in
the array. RAID volumes of different RAID levels may coexist on the same array. It is not possible
to have multiple arrays on the same disk(s). If physical disks of different capacity are grouped
together in an array, then the capacity of the smallest disk will become the usable capacity of all the
disks in the array. It is, therefore, wasteful of capacity to have disks of different capacity in the
same array.
5.2.6
RAID Volumes
The logical disk capacity that is organized in a RAID level with one or more physical disks is
referred to as a RAID volume. RAID level refers to the level of data performance and protection of
a RAID volume. A RAID volume refers to the group of physical disks which are used to hold the
Select Existing Array
Selecting the existing array allows the user to create, or migrate a volume on the
array. An array is a group of disks containing one or more RAID volumes. The
data from each RAID volume on an array is evenly spread across all disks in the
array. A RAID volume must be created either on an existing array or on a group
of unused individual disks. If an array already exists and has available capacity,
then you may elect to create a new volume on the existing array.
Select Member Disks
Select the drives you wish to use in this RAID volume. Select either an existing
array or individual member disks. Select the drives with available capacity that
you would like to include in this new RAID volume. Creating a RAID volume on a
group of unused disks, also, implicitly, creates an array consisting of that group
of disks.
Volume Caching
Change the caching options for each volume.
Table 5-6. RAID Configuration Parameters (Sheet 2 of 2)
Parameter
Description
Table 5-7. Array Status
Status
Description
Idle
Array is fully operational and functional.
Volume Initialization
This state occurs when a volume is created on an array. Initialization occurs
automatically after the creation of a new RAID 5 volume.
Changing
When a RAID volume in an array is undergoing a migration, the array is in the
changing state.
Expanding
Array is undergoing an Online Capacity Expansion, for example, a disk has been
added to the array. Upon completion of the expansion, the volume
’
s state returns
to normal.