To create an array:
1. Select menu "Manage|Array".
2. Click the Create Array button. The create array page will appear.
Figure 1 Create Array
3. Choose the array type you want to create from the drop-down list.
4. Enter a name for the array.
5. If you are creating a redundant array, choose an Creation option for the array.
6. If you are creating RAID5, specify a Creation option for the array:
Zero Build
This method requires each and every stripe in the RAID 5 array to be zeroed out. Note that, the result of an XOR on a set of zeros is also zero. Consequently this method of initialization permits parity to be determined and written to disks during the regular operation of the array (in response to write operations) using the "read-modify-write" method.
Scrub (build parity)
This method requires the parity of each and every stripe to be evaluated and written to the appropriate location on the RAID array. A ¡°scrub¡± may be performed on an un-initialized array (i.e., an array with un-initialized disks) so that parity can be determined and written to disks during the regular operation of the array (in response to write operations) using the ¡°read-modify-write¡± method.
No Build
This method assumes that a RAID 5 array is already in a consistent state with respect to the parity information contained in it. This is an initialization method that is typically employed in scenarios where the data and parity in the disks comprising an array are in a consistent state. For instance, all the drives may be zeroed out already by the manufacturer, thereby making them suitable for initialization using a no build. This method is however unsuitable for use when data in the disks used for building the array cannot be relied upon to be in a consistent state, i.e., the parity data is comprised of invalid values.
7. Select disks from the Available Disks list.
8. Click Create. If you have specified an initialization option, the initialization process will start automatically.
To delete an array:
1. Select menu "Manage | Array".
2. Click the Maintenance button. Array Information dialog will appear.
Figure 2 Array Information
3. Click the Delete button.
Note: An array in use by operating system cannot be deleted. It's recommended to dismount any file systems on the array in operating system before deleting an array.
When an array member in a redundant array fails, the array become broken. A broken array can be automatically rebuilt using spare disks; however, if you have no spare disks configured, you can still rebuild the array by adding a new disk to it. To add a disk to a broken array:
1. Select menu "Manage | Array".
2. Click the Maintenance button.
3. Click the Add Disk button.
4. If the disk is successfully added to the array, rebuild process will start automatically.
For a RAID 1 or RAID1/0 array, verify process compares the data of one mirror pair with the other. For RAID 5, verify process calculates RAID5 parity and compares it to the parity data on the array. Verification checks each sector on a drive. 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. Select menu "Manage | Array".
2. Click the Maintenance button.
3. Click the Verify button.
4. Verify process will start.
When a redundant array becomes critical state, a rebuilding is needed. Rebuild process for an array generally starts automatically. If you have aborted a rebuild process, you can start it manually. To rebuild an array:
1. Select menu "Manage | Array".
2. Click the Maintenancebutton.
3. Click the Rebuild button.
4. Rebuild process will start.
To rename an array:
5. Select menu "Manage | Array".
6. Click the Maintenance button.
7. Enter a new name for the array.
8. Click the Rename button.
Note: An array with running background tasks cannot be renamed.