HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL 8-Port SAS 6Gb/s RAID HBA User Manual

1. Introduction

The HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL is an 8-Port SAS 6Gb/s PCIe 2.0 x8 RAID Host Bus Adapter designed for high-performance storage solutions. This adapter supports both SAS and SATA devices, offering a range of RAID configurations including RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, 50, and JBOD. It is compatible with major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD, and features a unified web-based management interface for easy configuration and monitoring.

Key Features:

6Gb/s (600MB/s) data transfer rate.
PCI-Express 2.0 x8 interface.
2 Internal Mini-SAS ports (SFF-8087) supporting up to 8 SAS/SATA drives.
Supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 10, 50, and JBOD.
Hot-swap and hot-plug capabilities.
Comprehensive OS support for Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD.
Unified Web-Based Management (Web GUI) and Command Line Interface (CLI).
Advanced RAID features including Online Capacity Expansion (OCE) and Online RAID Level Migration (ORLM).
S.M.A.R.T. array monitoring and alerts.

HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL RAID HBA card — Figure 1: HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL 8-Port SAS 6Gb/s RAID HBA.

2. Package Contents

Verify that all items are present in your RocketRAID 2720SGL package:

RocketRAID 2720 Host Adapter
Quick Installation Guide
Software CD
Low Profile Bracket

Note: Mini-SAS to SATA cables are not included with the SGL package and must be purchased separately.

Figure 2: HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL product packaging.

3. Setup and Installation

3.1 Physical Installation

Power Off System: Ensure your computer system is completely powered off and disconnected from the power source.
Open Chassis: Open the computer chassis to access the motherboard's PCIe slots.
Insert HBA: Locate an available PCI-Express 2.0 x8 slot or higher (e.g., x16) and carefully insert the RocketRAID 2720SGL HBA until it is firmly seated.
Secure Card: Secure the HBA with the bracket screw. If using a low-profile chassis, replace the standard bracket with the included low-profile bracket.
Connect Drives: Connect your SAS or SATA drives to the two internal Mini-SAS (SFF-8087) ports on the HBA using appropriate Mini-SAS to SATA breakout cables (not included). Each port supports up to four drives.
Close Chassis: Close the computer chassis and reconnect the power.

HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL showing Mini-SAS ports — Figure 3: Close-up of RocketRAID 2720SGL showing internal Mini-SAS ports.

3.2 Driver Installation

After physical installation, power on your system. The operating system will detect new hardware. Install the appropriate drivers from the included Software CD or download the latest drivers from the HighPoint website for your specific operating system (Windows, Linux, FreeBSD).

Windows: Follow the on-screen prompts to install drivers. It is recommended to download the latest drivers and Web interface from the HighPoint website.
Linux/FreeBSD: Refer to the Quick Installation Guide or HighPoint's online documentation for specific driver installation procedures for your distribution.

3.3 BIOS Configuration (Optional)

The RocketRAID 2720SGL has its own BIOS. During system boot, you may see the card's BIOS post screen. Advanced configuration or firmware updates can be performed via the BIOS or the Web GUI. If you encounter boot issues when using multiple RAID controllers, you may need to adjust specific BIOS settings:

Access the RocketRAID BIOS by pressing the designated hotkey (often Ctrl-H) during the card's boot-up sequence.
If the RocketRAID is not your boot drive, consider disabling "EBDA Reallocation" and "INT13" settings within the RocketRAID BIOS to prevent conflicts with other controllers.
If the RocketRAID is your boot drive, only disable "EBDA Reallocation."
Save changes and exit the BIOS.

Note: Firmware updates are often best performed from a bootable DOS environment if conflicts arise with other RAID controllers. Refer to HighPoint's support documentation for detailed instructions on creating a bootable USB for firmware updates.

4. Operating the RocketRAID 2720SGL

4.1 RAID Configuration

The RocketRAID 2720SGL supports various RAID levels to optimize performance or data redundancy:

RAID 0 (Striping): Maximizes performance by striping data across multiple drives. No redundancy.
RAID 1 (Mirroring): Provides data redundancy by mirroring data onto two drives.
RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): Offers a balance of performance and data redundancy. Requires at least three drives.
RAID 10 (Striping of Mirrors): Combines RAID 0 and RAID 1 for both performance and redundancy. Requires at least four drives.
RAID 50 (Striping of RAID 5 arrays): Combines RAID 0 and RAID 5 for higher performance and redundancy with more drives.
JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks): Treats individual drives as separate entities without RAID functionality.

RAID arrays can be configured using the Web GUI, CLI, or the card's BIOS utility.

4.2 Management Interface

HighPoint provides several tools for managing your RAID arrays:

Web GUI (HighPoint RAID Management - HRM): A web browser-based interface for local and remote monitoring and configuration. Access typically via a specific IP address or localhost port after driver installation.
CLI (Command Line Interface): For advanced users and scripting, allowing management through command-line commands.
BIOS Utility: Accessible during system boot (Ctrl-H) for basic RAID creation and management before the operating system loads.

4.3 Advanced Features

Online Capacity Expansion (OCE): Allows expanding the capacity of an existing RAID array by adding more drives without data loss or downtime.
Online RAID Level Migration (ORLM): Enables changing the RAID level of an existing array (e.g., from RAID 0 to RAID 5) without data loss.
Native Command Queuing (NCQ): Optimizes the order of read/write commands for improved performance with SATA drives.
S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology): Monitors drive health and predicts potential failures.
Disk Scrubbing: A process to verify data integrity and correct errors on RAID arrays.
64-bit LBA Support: For RAID arrays larger than 2TB.

5. Maintenance and Monitoring

Regular monitoring of your RAID array and connected drives is crucial for data integrity and system stability.

5.1 Array Monitors, Alerts, and Indicators

Hard Drive LED Indicators: Activity and Failed LEDs (if applicable to your system/enclosure) provide visual status.
SMTP Email Notification: Configure email alerts for critical events and error reporting.
Alarm/Buzzer Alerts: Audible alerts for drive or array failures.
SAF-TE (I2C) and SGPIO: Enclosure management support for compatible drive enclosures.
SHI (Storage Health Inspector): Drive analysis driven from S.M.A.R.T. data for proactive maintenance.

5.2 Drive Compatibility

For optimal performance and reliability, it is recommended to use enterprise-grade or RAID-specific hard drives. Desktop-class drives may exhibit unexpected behavior or become unresponsive under heavy load in a RAID environment due to differences in error recovery control (ERC) or Time-Limited Error Recovery (TLER) features.

6. Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues you might encounter with the RocketRAID 2720SGL.

6.1 System Fails to Boot or Hangs at POST

Multiple RAID Controllers: If you have another RAID controller in your system, conflicts can occur. Try disabling "EBDA Reallocation" and "INT13" in the RocketRAID BIOS if it's not your boot drive. If it is your boot drive, disable only "EBDA Reallocation."
BIOS Access: If the system hangs before you can access the RocketRAID BIOS (often by pressing Ctrl-H), try pressing the End key immediately when the RocketRAID BIOS screen appears to bypass it and proceed with boot.
Firmware Update Issues: Ensure firmware is up-to-date. If a Web GUI update caused issues, consider performing the update from a bootable DOS environment as described in HighPoint's support documentation.

6.2 Drives Become Unresponsive or Drop Offline

Drive Type: Using desktop-grade hard drives in a RAID environment can lead to instability. These drives may not handle error recovery in a timely manner, causing the controller to mark them as unresponsive. Use enterprise or RAID-specific drives for best results.
Cabling: Ensure all Mini-SAS to SATA breakout cables are securely connected and are of good quality. Faulty cables can cause intermittent drive connectivity issues.
Heat: The controller chip can generate significant heat. Ensure adequate airflow within your chassis, especially around the HBA's heatsink. Consider additional cooling if temperatures are consistently high.

6.3 Audible Alarm Sounds Constantly

This typically indicates a drive or array failure. Check the Web GUI or BIOS utility for specific error messages.
Verify all drives are properly connected and functioning. A drive that is not fully initialized or has errors can trigger the alarm.

7. Specifications

Model Number	RocketRAID 2720SGL
Hardware Interface	SAS
PCIe Interface	PCI-Express 2.0 x8
Data Transfer Rate	6Gb/s (600MB/s) per port
Ports	2 Internal Mini-SAS Connectors (SFF-8087)
Drive Support	Up to 8 SAS/SATA drives
RAID Levels	0, 1, 5, 10, 50, JBOD
Operating System Support	Windows (XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7 - 32/64-bit), Linux (Fedora Core, Red Hat Enterprise/CentOS, SuSE, Debian, Ubuntu), FreeBSD
Form Factor	Low Profile Plug-in Card
Item Weight	4.8 ounces

8. Warranty Information

The HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL comes with a 3-year warranty from the manufacturer. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims. For detailed terms and conditions, refer to the official HighPoint website or contact their customer support.

Legal Disclaimer: Device is currently working. DOA (Dead On Arrival) parts will be honored as long as the serial number of the item returned matches.

9. Support and Resources

For further assistance, updated drivers, firmware, and detailed documentation, please refer to the following resources:

Official User Guide (PDF): Download User Guide
HighPoint Support Website: Visit the HighPoint Technologies Support Page for the latest drivers, firmware, and FAQs.
Product Page: For more information about the RocketRAID 2720SGL, visit the Amazon Product Page.

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