IBM SSA RAID Adapters for PC Servers
IBM SSA RAID and SerialRAID PC-DOS Configurator and Utilities - README.TXT
Version Adapters - Last Updated 16th December 1999
1.0 - INTRODUCTION 2.0 - SSA PC-DOS CONFIGURATOR - ISSACFG.EXE 3.0 - SSA MICROCODE DOWNLOAD UTILITIES .1 - Adapter Microcode Downloader - ISSAADLD.EXE .2 - Adapter Microcode Downloader - DOWNLOAD.COM .3 - Disk Microcode Downloader - ISSADDLD.EXE .4 - Enclosure Microcode Downloader - ISSAEDLD.EXE 4.0 - HAVING PROBLEMS? .1 - PC Server BIOS Levels .2 - Service and Technical Support .3 - Further Reading 1.0 INTRODUCTION ---------------- This readme file describes the programs which enable configuration and maintenance to be performed on the SSA resources connected to your IBM RAID adapter. It also includes important information about this product in section 4, Having Problems?. This readme file contains information specific to the following adapters : IBM SSA RAID Adapter LL03, IBM SSA RAID Adapter LL11, IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter LL10, IBM SerialRAID Adapter LL04, IBM Advanced SerialRAID/X Adapter LL05. *** Please note which download tools you should be using for your adapter type *** The supplied PC-DOS diskette is "bootable" and includes: ISSAADLD.EXE - A program to download adapter microcode ONLY for the IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter LL10, IBM SerialRAID Adapter LL04, IBM Advanced SerialRAID/X Adapter LL05. DOWNLOAD.COM - A program to download adapter microcode ONLY for the IBM SSA RAID Adapter LL03, IBM SSA RAID Adapter LL10. ISSADDLD.EXE - A program to download drive microcode to all IBM SSA Ultrastar disk drives. (XP,2XP,3XP) ISSAEDLD.EXE - A program to download enclosure controller microcode to all IBM 7133 Model 40 enclosures. ISSACFG.EXE - A program to view and attach SSA disk drives for use by your operating system - where supported. 2.0 SSA PC-DOS CONFIGURATOR - ISSACFG.EXE ----------------------------------------- Help is available on every screen by pressing the "F1" key. Introduction : Throughout the online help, the word "Resource" means "something to which I/O may be performed". A resource may be a disk, or an adapter function, such as RAID or Fast Write. The adapter function typically works by providing resources, utilising other resources. e.g. The RAID 5 function of SSA adapters provide RAID 5 array Resources, using the XOR hardware in the adapter, and by making use of disk resources. At any given time, every SSA resource has a designated use, and this configuration utility can be used to change it. New Resource ------------ A New Resource is normally one which is new from the factory. It can also be a resource which has been used in a non-PC environment (such as AIX). Also, resources which are members of array types not supported by the current adapter, get placed under the 'New' classification, with the word 'Preconfigured' displayed next to them. Finally, if two System Resources with the same Disk Number are accidentally connected to an adapter, one will be listed as a System Resource, and the other will be listed as a New Resource. Free Resource ------------- A Free Resource is one which is not currently used for any purpose. It can be assigned a use, or used to construct other types of resource (such as RAID array resources and Fast Write resources). System Resource --------------- A System Resource is one which the operating system can make use of. Every System Resource has a unique Disk Number, which the operating system uses to distinguish between resources. System Resources are presented to the system in ascending order of Disk Number. Hot Spare Resource ------------------ A Hot Spare Resource is one which is currently not in any active use. If a (suitably configured) array resource loses one of its component resources, the Hot Spare Resource will be taken and used to replace the failed/missing component. Rejected Resource ----------------- A Rejected Resource is one which used to be a member of an array resource, but is no longer. Arrays reject member resources if they fail or are found to contain corrupt data. If an array loses a component, replaces it with a Hot Spare, and the original component returns, it too will be Rejected. RAID 0 Resource --------------- RAID 0 is also known as STRIPING. Such an array will provide a large bandwidth for processing large data files. RAID 1 Resource --------------- RAID 1 is also known as MIRRORING or DUAL COPY. This provides the highest assurance of data availability but requires real disk capacity of two times the data size. It allows two disks to be mirrored. RAID 5 Resource --------------- RAID 5 provides redundancy with good performance for reading large or small data files. Data can be reconstructed in the event of one member failure. However, due to the "read/modify/write" penalty in updating parity during write operations, the write performance is not as good as with other RAID options. RAID 10 Resource ---------------- RAID 10 is a combination of RAID 0 and RAID 1. Data is striped across an array of disks (RAID 0), and this data is mirrored onto another array of disks (RAID 1). This gives high performance and data availability. Fast Write Resource ------------------- Fast Write can provide a performance boost for certain workloads by completing a write command as soon as the data enters the adapters non-volatile memory, without having to wait for it to be transferred from the memory onto the disk (or array) resource below it. In addition, the configuration utility can be used to create, modify, and delete array and Fast Write Resources. For example, 5 disk resources could be made into a single 4+Parity RAID 5 resource. Overall configuration proceeds in the following steps: 1. New Resources are deleted from the New Resources list, and become Free Resources as a result. (Note RSM refers to New resources as "System (AIX)" resources) 2. Free Resources can optionally be combined together to make RAID and/or Fast Write Resources, which themselves start life as Free Resources. 3. Free Resources may optionally be designated as Hot Spare Resources, to protect against failure of array components. 4. Free Resources can be made visible to the operating system by adding them to the System Resources list. A system reboot may be necessary in order that the new resources are seen by the operating system. (Note RSM refers to System resources as "System (PC)" resources) All configuration proceeds on a per-adapter basis, and you must select your adapter before the menus providing the above functions are available. The menus provided are -- List New Resources -- List Free Resources -- List System Resources -- List Fast Write Resources -- List Hot Spare Resources -- List Rejected Resources -- List array resources -- List Non-volatile RAM -- Run Concurrent Diagnostics -- Run Non-Concurrent Diagnostics -- Run Disk Service Aids -- View the Adapter Vital Product Data Note: Many of the available options allow for the F9 key to be be pressed to identify the resource by flashing the "Check" light on the disk(s). F10 will turn off the "Check" light(s). Select the required function using the cursor up/down keys and press the Return key. 3.0 SSA MICROCODE DOWNLOAD UTILITIES ------------------------------------ IMPORTANT NOTES RE: MICROCODE DOWNLOADING ----------------------------------------- * Do NOT download whilst disks are performing I/O. * All open occurrences of the SSA Text/RSM configurators should also be closed, prior to performing the download. Since RSM may be in use by a remote user, you should stop the "SSA Remote Systems Management" service prior to performing the download - remembering to restart it when all downloads have completed. * Only use this utility program when instructed to do so by your service representative or have downloaded an update from the Website. Note that DOWNLOADING INCORRECT IMAGES COULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON YOUR SSA SUBSYSTEM. * Ensure you have the correct type (LL) of microcode for your adapter. See below. 3.1 Adapter Microcode Downloader - ISSAADLD.EXE ----------------------------------------------- THIS DOWNLOAD UTILITY IS FOR USE WITH : IBM Advanced SerialRAID/X Adapter LL05, IBM SerialRAID Adapter LL04, IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter LL10. If you attempt to use this downloader and receive the message : "Download(s) could not be done as the current level of firmware on the" "adapter(s) is too early to accept a replacement from this program." "You are advised to use an alternative program." see 3.2 DOWNLOAD.COM Where LL is the "Loadable Microcode Level" as displayed in the adapter VPD. (Select the adapter you wish to update after running issacfg and then select Adapter VPD to check the LL field, this should correspond to the file extension of the adapter microcode file you have obtained.) IBM SSA Adapter Firmware Downloader for DOS32, version 1.v (v=version number) usage: issaadld [-a node] [-q] [-p] firmware.Lxx flags: -a node identify adapter by node number (default all adapters) -q quiet mode (default is verbose) -p pause just before loading firmware firmware.Lxx input adapter firmware image file (xx is LL field) Example of use : You have an IBM Advanced SerialRAID/X Adapter at node 13 and the associated microcode image (ADAP7100.L05) Copy the firmware onto the DOS diskette and use this diskette to boot the server into PC-DOS. To only apply the new microcode to the adapter at node 13 : issaadld -a 13 ADAP7100.L05 To apply the download to all suitable (LL05) adapters : issaadld ADAP7100.L05 This download utility can detect your adapters so care should be taken with all microcode filenames, as damage may result when the wrong type of microcode is loaded onto an adapter. The node number of an adapter can be found by running the SSA PC-DOS Configurator, and selecting the Adapter List. 3.2 Adapter Microcode Downloader - DOWNLOAD.COM ----------------------------------------------- ========================================================================= INCORRECT USE OF THIS PROGRAM MAY RESULT IN ADAPTER(S) BECOMING UNUSABLE. ========================================================================= THIS DOWNLOAD UTILITY IS FOR USE WITH : IBM SSA RAID Adapter - LL03 IBM SSA RAID Adapter - LL11 NB: To perform adapter firmware or drive microcode updates under DOS, you should download the latest DOS Firmware Diskette Image from the SSA Customer Support Homepage: http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/products/ssa Obtain the diskette image relevant to your adapter LL type. Run the exe and insert a blank diskette into your floppy drive. Follow the prompts to create a PC-DOS bootable diskette, print or view the readme.now file on the diskette Boot the server using the diskette created and follow the instructions in the readme.now file. 3.3 Disk Microcode Downloader - ISSADDLD.EXE -------------------------------------------- ISSADDLD downloads a disk microcode image to a specific disk, or to all disks on a given SSA adapter, or to all disks on all SSA adapters. IBM SSA Disk Microcode Downloader for DOS32, version 1.v (v=version number) usage: issaddld [-a node] [-u uid] [-v vendor] [-f] [-q] [-p] ttttllll.DL flags: -a node identify adapter by node number (default all adapters) -u uid disk serial number (default all disks) -v vendor identify drive vendor (default is IBM) -f force download (default is to upgrade) -q quiet mode (default is verbose) -p pause just before loading firmware ttttllll.DL input disk microcode image file tttt is the product type llll is the code level Examples -------- For drive microcode updates please refer to the drvupdos.txt file supplied with the new drive microcode files. 3.4 Enclosure Controller Microcode Download - ISSAEDLD.EXE ---------------------------------------------------------- IBM SSA Enclosure Microcode Downloader for DOS32, version 1.v (v=version number) usage: issaedld [-a node] [-d disp] [-e eli] [-f] [-t] [-q] [-p] mcodeNNN.hex flags: -a node only download enclosure(s) attached to an adapter -d disp only download enclosure(s) with disp on their LED displays -e eli only download enclosure with Enclosure Logical Identifier -f force download, even if downgrades microcode -t temporary download -q quiet mode (default is verbose) -p pause just before loading microcode mcodeNNN.hex input Intel Hex microcode file (NNN is code level) Examples -------- To download a new level of controller microcode image (for instance, mcode014.hex) to ALL the suitable enclosures on ALL the adapters : issaedld mcode014.hex To download a new level of controller microcode image (for instance, mcode014.hex) to ALL the suitable enclosures attached to the adapter with node number 12 : issaedld -a 12 mcode014.hex To download a new level of controller microcode image (for instance, mcode014.hex) to ALL suitable enclosures with LED display names of TEST : issaedld -d TEST mcode014.hex 4.0 Having Problems? -------------------- 1) If the PC-DOS configurator reports that no adapters are responding, ensure that the SSA CBIOS banner appears during bootup. If not there may be a problem with your adapter hardware. 2) If you use the PC-DOS configurator to attach an SSA logical device as a system resource then, depending on your system's boot order, it is possible for your PC to hang - trying to boot from a non-existent operating system on the SSA resource. If this occurs: - Try to set-up the PC BIOS such that the boot order is from diskette first. If this is not possible, remove the connections to the SSA Subsystem BEFORE booting DOS from the diskette. When the A:\> prompt appears you may now reconnect the SSA Subsystem and use the Configurator or Service Aids as before to correct the problem by attaching the resource with a higher "resource number". 3) In the unlikely event of a hardware fault on your SSA adapter, it may fail its Power On Self Tests. If this happens then you may not be able to communicate with it. A Service Code may be obtained if you can boot your operating system and select "Analyse" from the Event Logger section of RSM. If communication cannot be established with an adapter, RSM may report a "Failed to communicate" error on the Adapter List page. If you are unable to boot your operating system, and you are unable to run the SSA Configurator from this DOS Service Aids Diskette please call for service. NOTE: One cause of such a failure would be defective/missing/badly plugged DRAM on the adapter. You may care to check this before placing a service call. RSM reports this as one of the above "Failed to communicate" errors. 4) If you wish to create a RAID array you should ensure that all of the disks you elect to use as array members are the same or similar capacity and are on the same SSA loop. Note: The smallest capacity of an array member is used when determining the size of the array. 5) Isolated instances have been seen when a 520 server, will not boot first time from an operating system installed on an SSA DRIVE. The temporary solution is to reboot the PC Server. 4.1 PC Server BIOS Levels ------------------------- NOTE: It is recommended that you ensure that the Server you are using has the latest BIOS. These can be obtained from the follow sites: www.pc.ibm.com/us/netfinity : IBM PC Company Web site. www.compaq.com : Compaq company Web site. www.hp.com : Hewlett Packard company Web site. www.dell.com : DELL Company web site. For supported Servers and BIOS Levels Tested see the relevant operating system readme file. 4.2 Service and Technical Support ----------------------------- We are happy to help you with your IBM Adapter questions. You can contact us through one of the following: For Technical Support: - Please contact your supplier in the first instance - SSA Online Customer Support Homepage (All adapter/drive microcode and all customer host software including device drivers - look here first) http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/products/ssa For Product Information: http://www.storage.ibm.com/storage/ 4.3 Further Reading ------------------- The CD-ROM supplied with your adapter contains Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the : Installation Guide User's Guide and Maintenance Information Manual These can be found in the \docs directory of the CD-ROM. PostScript versions are also supplied. Otherwise copies may be ordered via your service representative / supplier or downloaded from the website. 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