HP Compaq Integrated Smart Array Controller - Manual (Page 19)

Controller Features 1-5
Compaq Confidential – Need to Know Required
Writer: CDresden Project: Compaq Integrated Smart Array Controller User Guide Comments:
Part Number: 153236-001 File Name: b-ch1 Controller Features.doc Last Saved On: 8/26/99 8:09 PM
Expanding and Extending Capacity
The Compaq Array Configuration Utility (ACU) makes changing your storage
configuration simple, even in fault-tolerant configurations, without requiring a
data backup-and-restore cycle. If you are using Microsoft Windows NT or
Novell NetWare operating systems with hot-plug drives, storage expansion or
extension can be performed online without shutting down the server or exiting
the operating system.
The Compaq ACU supports two important utilities:
■ Capacity expansion–Adding capacity and creating new drives
■ Capacity extension–Enlarging existing logical drives
Online RAID Level and Stripe Size Migration
The Array Configuration Utility allows you to reconfigure a currently
configured logical drive for a new fault-tolerance (RAID) level or move an
existing logical drive’s stripe size to a new stripe size online without
disruption to system operations and without loss of data. For more information
about online RAID level and stripe size migration, refer to Chapter 6.
Wide Ultra2 SCSI Technology
The Integrated Smart Array Controller uses Wide Ultra2 SCSI technology for
improved performance. Wide Ultra2 SCSI technology uses Low Voltage
Differential (LVD) signaling to allow maximum burst rates on the Ultra2 SCSI
bus of up to 80 MB/s. LVD signaling doubles the maximum burst rates
available in Wide-Ultra SCSI-3 devices.
NOTE: The maximum burst rate of up to 80 MB/s provided by Wide Ultra2 SCSI (LVD)
signaling is achieved only when the array contains Wide Ultra2 SCSI (LVD) devices
exclusively.
Wide Ultra2 SCSI Compatibility
The Integrated Smart Array Controller is compatible with your existing SCSI
devices. Wide Ultra2 SCSI works with devices that respond at transfer rates of
up to 80 MB/s. Connected peripherals are limited to response times no faster
than the transfer rate of the slowest device in the array.