Adaptec AHA-3980 User's Guide download pdf (Page 31)

Creating and Managing Arrays

Stock Number: 510685-00, Rev. A Page: 4-1

Print Spec Number: 493069-00

Current Date: 3/3/99 ECN Date: 3/28/95

4-1

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Formatting Arrays

Whenever you create an array or redefine disks (other than spares)

in an existing array, you must format the array. To do so, you can

■

Perform a low-level format, or

■

Initialize the array with zeroes

Both types of formatting accomplish the same things: they erase all

existing data on an array, and format the array for the specified

array type. Once you low-level format or initialize an array, the

array is ready for use.

Choosing the Formatting Method

You have two options for formatting an array: Low-level Format or

Initialize Array to Zero. Either method is acceptable. In choosing a

method, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each:

■

Low-level Format:

Performs a low-level SCSI format. This

writes a consistent pattern to the disks and checks the disks for

defects. Low-level formatting can be slow (hours), with the

speed varying by drive model. You cannot abort low-level for-

matting. You also cannot exit to DOS while formatting is under

way—you will hang the system.

■

Initialize Array to Zero:

Fills the array with zeroes. This

option is usually faster than the Low-level Format option, but

does not verify the integrity of the disks. You can abort an ini-

tialization or exit to DOS while it is under way; in both cases,

however, you must later complete the initialization.

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Adaptec AHA-3980 User's Guide Page 31