METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTENDING STORAGE FUNCTIONALITY AT THE BIOS LEVEL

A method and apparatus for implementing RAID through control of the IO channels on the motherboard is provided. One exemplary method locates IO channels on a motherboard. Next, the IO channels on the motherboard are controlled where the IO channels are configured to communicate with a storage media. Then the storage media associated with the IO channels is managed as a RAID. Some notable advantages of the discussed methods and apparatuses include the simplicity of implementing the host based RAID through existing infrastructure contained within a computing system. Additionally, the added benefits of improving reliability and system performance associated with a RAID subsystem are made available in a cost effective manner because most of already existing infrastructure.