Hardware Inspection; Turning On The Storage Subsystem - IBM DS3500 Installation, User's, And Maintenance Manual

Set a regular schedule of periodic health check evaluations to keep the firmware levels current and to
preserve optimal data access and performance.

Hardware inspection

In addition to the health check process, regular hardware inspection and maintenance helps to support
the optimal performance of the storage configuration. Periodically inspect the components of the storage
configuration.
For best results, follow these guidelines:
v Maintain an up-to-date storage subsystem profile for the storage configuration. Save the profile to a
server disk that will remain accessible in case of a DS3500 storage configuration failure. Do not save
the profile only to a LUN in the storage subsystem.
v Develop a change-management plan. The plan should include schedules for updating subsystem
firmware and server host software.
Note: Some updates might require storage subsystem downtime.
v Use applicable IBM-approved cables for all situations. Note in the configuration documentation
whether any cables are not IBM-approved.
v Create and maintain a cabling diagram of the current configuration. Keep this diagram updated as you
make configuration changes, and keep the cabling diagram available for review.
v Create and maintain a list of other components that are being used within the cabling diagram (such as
the host system and other attached devices).
v Make sure that all controllers and ESMs are correctly seated.
v Make sure that all drives are correctly seated.
v Make sure that cables are managed correctly.
v Ensure proper air flow and temperature for all components in the storage configuration.
You can find details about many of these inspection and maintenance responsibilities in other sections of
this document.
In addition to these inspection and maintenance responsibilities, conduct training for staff that support
storage configurations. Although training is not a part of the health check process, training reduces the
potential for configuration problems and contributes to the correct operation of the system.

Turning on the storage subsystem

This section contains instructions for turning on the storage subsystem under normal situations. "Turning
off the storage subsystem" on page 4-14 contains instructions for turning off the storage subsystem under
normal and emergency situations. When you turn on and turn off the storage subsystem, be sure to use
the startup sequence that is described in this section. If you are turning on the storage subsystem after an
emergency shutdown or power outage, see "Restoring power after an unexpected shutdown" on page
4-17.
The following procedure addresses two situations:
v The entire storage subsystem has been shut down (the main circuit breakers for the rack are off).
v Some storage enclosures are being powered-on while others remain online (the main circuit breakers
for the rack are on). You might encounter this if you are adding a storage enclosure to increase storage
capacity.
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System Storage DS3500 and EXP3500: Installation, User's, and Maintenance Guide