This chapter consists of the following sections:
• Overview
• MRU Windows System Tray Application
• Marvell RAID Utility Browser GUI
The Marvell RAID Utility (MRU) interfaces with the RAID adapter to manage and maintain the storage and enclosure devices connected to the adapter. RAID allows multiple physical drives to be combined together to create arrays and virtual disks depending on the type of adapter used. There are two types of RAID adapters: IO Controllers (IOCs) and RAID-On-Chip Controllers. IOCs such as the Marvell 88SE64xx/88SE63xx (Odin/Odin 2) SAS Controllers, allow you to create and manage virtual disks. ROC controllers such as the Marvell 88RC8180 SAS/SATA Universal Storage Controllers, allow you to create and manage arrays. Virtual disks and arrays can continuously protect critical data and improve performance depending on the RAID level you choose. For more information, see section A.10, Comparing RAID Levels.
The adapter can be controlled using either the Command Line Interface (CLI) or the browser-based Graphical User Interface (GUI). Most functions pertaining to creating and managing arrays and virtual disks can be performed using the Marvell RAID CLI (and the Marvell RAID BIOS Configuration Utility). The MRU browser GUI offers a rich and interactive browser-based interface with additional capabilities.
As mentioned in the Overview, the Marvell RAID CLI is an alternative to using the MRU GUI. It offers a subset of the capabilities available in the GUI. The CLI can be used only to issue commands to a local adapter. Use the MRU GUI to control remote adapters.
Figure 2-1 shows the Marvell RAID CLI in Windows OS.
Figure 2-1 The Marvell RAID Command Line Interface Help Menu
For more information, see Chapter 3, Marvell RAID Command Line Interface (CLI).
2.3 MRU Windows System Tray Application
The MRU System Tray application is available only on Windows OS and appears as an icon in the system tray (also called task bar). Clicking this icon launches the MRU in your default browser. Figure 2-2 shows the MRU system tray application icon.
Figure 2-2 MRU System Tray Application Icon
Figure 2-3 shows the right-click menu options for the system tray application. This menu allows you to perform the following tasks:
• Launch the MRU in the browser
• Enable/disable audible alarm
• Enable/disable popup messages (event alerts)
• Exit the MRU application
Figure 2-3 MRU System Tray Application: Right-click Menu
2.4 Marvell RAID Utility Browser GUI
The Marvell RAID Utility (MRU) browser-based GUI allows you to control both local and remote adapters. The GUI presented is dependent on the type of adapter. Given the difference in capability between IO Controllers (can create virtual disks) and RAID-On-Chip Controllers (can create arrays), the MRU presents a GUI that is appropriate for each adapter type.
For more information, read the following chapters:
• Chapter 4, MRU Browser GUI: IO Controllers (IOC)
• Chapter 5, MRU Browser GUI: RAID-On-Chip (ROC) Controllers