Chapter 1: About This Guide ● 13What You Need to Know Before You BeginYou should be familiar with computer hardware, data storage, RAID technology, and SAS andSerial ATA (SATA) technology. (For an introduction to SAS, see page 80.)You should also be familiar with Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) concepts and technology.Note: Because this guide covers multiple Adaptec RAID products, some of the features andfunctions described may not be available for your controller. For more information, see AboutYour RAID Controller on page 17.Terminology Used in this GuideBecause you can use your Adaptec RAID controller to manage data storage in a variety ofconfigurations, the generic term “storage space” is used to refer to controller(s) and disk drivesbeing managed with Adaptec Storage ManagerTM or the other utilities described in this guide.Many of the terms and concepts referred to in this guide are known to computer users bymultiple names. This guide uses these terms:● Controller (also known as adapter, board, or card)● Disk drive (also known as hard disk, hard drive, or hard disk drive)● Enclosure (also known as a RAID enclosure, storage enclosure, or JBOD enclosure)● Array (also known as a container or logical drive)Note: In DAS environments, Adaptec Storage Manager refers to arrays as logical drives.Your RAID controller creates arrays, which your operating system (and Adaptec StorageManager) recognizes as logical drives. For more information, refer to the Adaptec StorageManager User’s Guide on the Adaptec RAID Controller Installation DVD.How to Find More InformationYou can find more information about your Adaptec RAID controller and the software andutilities included with it by referring to these documents:● Readme.txt—Includes updated product information and known issues; located on theRAID Controller Installation DVD.● Adaptec Storage Manager User’s Guide—Describes how to install and use the AdaptecStorage Manager software (see page 73) to manage your direct attached storage; located onthe RAID Controller Installation DVD.● Adaptec Storage Manager Online Help—Describes how to use the Adaptec StorageManager software; accessible from the main window of Adaptec Storage Manager.● Adaptec RAID Controller Command Line Utility User’s Guide—Describes how to use theincluded Adaptec RAID Controller Configuration (ARCCONF) command line utility (seepage 73) to perform basic array and configuration management functions; located on theRAID Controller Installation DVD.
