Port Multiplier FAQ

5X1 eSATA Hardware Port Multiplier

Q1: How do you set up a RAID configuration using the drives connected to the AD5SAHPM-E (5X1 Hardware Port Multiplier)?
A: You have to install the SiI 4726 Manager utility on your system included with the AD5SAHPM-E on the Driver Disc version 9.08 and above, or download the latest version of the utility from the Host Controller Driver Download section. The SiI 4726 Manager communicates with the AD5SAHPM-E allowing you to set up the type of RAID configuration you want.
You then go to Disk Management in Windows to format and assign a drive letter to the RAID set.

Q2: Which devices can you connect the AD5SAHPM-E (5X1 Hardware Port Multiplier) to be able to configure a RAID set using the SiI 4726 Manager?
A: RAID configuration is programmed via one of Addonics SATA controllers that has SiI3124 or SiI3132 chipsets. You cannot create RAID sets using other types of SATA host controllers.

Q3: Where can I get a more detailed information on using the SiI4726 Manager?
A: The SiI4726 Manager Utility manual and User Manual can be accessed from the 9.08 Driver Disc. The latest version of the SiI4726 Manager User's Guide can also be downloaded from the Support section of our website, under User Guides.

Q4: Once I configured my RAID set and I'm able to access it in My Computer in Windows, would I be able to connect it to another system via SATA, eSATA or USB?
A: Yes. Once the RAID configuration is set up, the entire RAID set can be moved to any computer and connected via SATA, eSATA or USB.

Q5: Is there any limitation on what type of RAID set can be recognized when the RAID set is moved to another computer?
A: SATA controllers besides the SiI3124 and SiI3132 chipsets will only detect a single physical or logical drive (RAID array) from the Hardware Port Multiplier, regardless of whether or not it is configured as individual drives (JBOD). When connected through a controller using SiI3124 or SiI3132, or when connected through USB using the eSATA-USB adapter (model AAU2ESA), all of the drives connected will be seen.

Q6: Does AD5SAHPM-E (5X1 Hardware Port Multiplier) support SATA optical drives when connected to the system via USB using the Addonics eSATA-USB adapter model ADU2ESA?
A: No. The AD5SAHPM-E (5X1 Hardware Port Multiplier) only support SATA optical drives when connected to SATA controllers which have the SiI3124 or SiI3132 chipsets.

Q7. I would like to boot my operating system from a hard drive connected onto the Port Multiplier. What should I do?
A. Due to the fact that PM-compatible controllers are only capable of seeing one drive from the port multiplier, you will need to install the controller drives onto the boot drive and connect it onto port one of the port multiplier.

Q8. What if the AD5SAHPM-E (5X1 Hardware Port Multiplier) fails? Will I lose the RAID configuration or data from the drives connected to the host controller?
A. Provided the RAID volumes are still intact when the Hardware PM fails, you can retain the data when the drives are brought to a new Hardware PM. When you connect the drives (try to keep them all in the same SATA ports as the previous Hardware PM), they should all show up as JBOD (individual drives). Once they are all seen, create the same type of RAID set as the previously failed Hardware PM board’s configuration. After the RAID set is applied the RAID volume and it’s contents should be seen by the system.

2X1 eSATA / USB 2.0 Hardware Port Multiplier (2X1 HPM)

Q1: How do you set up a RAID configuration using the drives connected to the AD2SAHPMEU?
A: The AD2SAHPMEU has a rotary switch on the front panel, allowing simple configuration of various different RAID configurations. More information about each RAID configuration and a diagram of the rotary switch settings can be found on the main product page. For advanced configuration of drives, the rotary switch can be set to "GUI" option. GUI allows more flexibility than the rotary switch, such as allowing creation of RAID volumes with different drive capacities on different RAID sets. When the rotary switch is configured as GUI, a new option "Configure Box" will appear in the SteelVine Manager to manage RAID through the software.

Q2: Which devices can you connect the AD5SAHPM-E (5X1 Hardware Port Multiplier) to be able to configure a RAID set using the SiI 5744 Manager?
A: RAID configuration is programmed via one of Addonics SATA controllers that has SiI3124 or SiI3132 chipsets. You cannot create RAID sets using other types of SATA host controllers. The USB 2.0 connection also supports configuration of RAID.

Q3: Once I configured my RAID set and I'm able to access it in My Computer in Windows, would I be able to connect it to another system via SATA, eSATA or USB?
A: Yes. Once the RAID configuration is set up, the entire RAID set can be moved to any computer and connected via SATA, eSATA or USB.

Q4: Are optical drives supported by the AD2SAHPMEU?
A: The AD2SAHPMEU only supports one ATAPI optical drive, regardless of whether it is connected through eSATA or USB connection.

Q5: Where can I get a more detailed information on using the SiI5744 Manager?
A: The SiI5744 Manager Utility manual and User Manual can be accessed from the 9.09 Driver Disc. The latest version of the SiI5744 Manager User's Guide can also be downloaded from the Support section of our website, under User Guides.