All contents of this manual are copyrighted by Accusys, Inc. The information contained herein is the exclusive property of Accusys, Inc. and shall not be copied, transferred, photocopied, translated on paper, film, electronic media, or com- puter-readable form, or otherwise reproduced in any way, without the express written per- mission of Accusys Inc.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Regulatory information For Europe This drive is in conformity with the EMC directive. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
About this manual Intended user This manual is designed and written for users of the ACS-8930 RAID controller. The user should ideally be familiar with RAID planning and data storage operations and have experi- ence in electronic or computer engineering.
Perform Quick Setup (Chapter 3, optional) Configure: Open Monitor Utility (Chapter 4, recommended) Configure (Chapter 5) ACS-8930 is available in a 16 channel and an 8 channel configuration. Each configuration has two versions offering different host interfaces: SCSI to IDE Fibre to IDE This manual contains the information necessary to set up both configurations and all four versions.
Preface Guide to conventions Important information that users should be aware of is indicated with the following icons: This icons indicates the existence of a potential hazard that could result in personal injury, damage to your equipment or loss of data if the safety in- struction is not observed.
BOUT THIS MANUAL Intended user......................3 Organization of the manual ................. 3 ....................4 SING THIS MANUAL .................... 5 UIDE TO CONVENTIONS CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION TO ACS-8930...... 10 ....................... 10 VERVIEW ......................11 EATURES Three Operating modes..................11 Self-Diagnostic Mode..................11 Configuration Mode...................
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Table of Contents .................... 19 UPPLIED ACCESSORIES IDE Cable ......................19 3-in-1 Combo Cable................... 19 DB9 Cable......................19 CHAPTER 2 - INSTALLATION ..........20 ..................20 NSTALLATION FLOWCHART ..................21 INSTALLATION NOTICES ................. 22 ARDWARE CONFIGURATIONS SCSI to IDE......................22 Fibre to IDE.......................
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CHAPTER 5 - CONFIGURATION ..........42 ..................42 ONFIGURATION OVERVIEW System configuration..................42 RAID configuration.................... 43 How to configure ACS-8930 ................44 ..............45 INDING YOUR WAY AROUND THE MENUS ..................46 CCESSING THE MAIN MENU Using the Monitor Utility................... 46 Using the Control Panel ..................
RAID is a storage technology used to improve the processing capabilities of the storage system, providing a combination of reliability and performance. ACS-8930 is designed to meet today’s demand for higher storage solutions. Ideally suited for integration with databases, e-mail, web servers and imaging systems, ACS-8930 provides maximum data protection and exceptional performance.
To ensure flawless operation, ACS-8930 has a built-in self-diagnostic utility. Self-diagnostic Mode is entered automatically upon power up, or after the ACS-8930 has been reset. In this mode, all components are tested, and any potential problems are reported. Once the tests are complete, ACS-8930 switches automatically to Operation Mode.
Full details on changing configurations are given in Chapter 5 Operation Mode Operation Mode is the default state of ACS-8930. In this mode, the controller box front panel LCD continuously displays the current status of ACS-8930. A typical display looks like the...
Hot Swapping allows for the removal and installation of disk drives without interruption of data access while the ACS-8930 system is in use. This is usually performed when there is no Hot Spare drive configured. There is no need to power down the system.
Some vendors may ship certain components as standard, while other vendors treat the same component as optional. In its most basic configuration, your package should include the fol- lowing: ACS-8930 Controller Box ×1 ACS-8930 Controller User’s Manual ×1 IDE Cables ×8 / ×16 (depending on con- figuration purchased: 8 or 16 IDE channels) 10-pin DB9 cables ×2 (one for RS232...
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File servers, with multiple random access of varying file size, generally have little or no performance improvement with additional cache. ACS-8930 disk arrays do not require the installation of different drivers for use with different operating systems. ACS-8930 is independent and trans-...
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Familiarizing yourself with the RAID controller Overview 16 channel configuration: 8 channel configuration: Control Panel 16 channel configuration:...
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Chapter 1 – Introduction to ACS-8930 The two-line, 16-character LCD displays the 8 channel configuration: status and configuration information for ACS-8930. The Scroll buttons are used to scroll through screens and highlight menu items The Enter button is used to select an option...
All ports are located on the rear panel of the 8 channel configuration: controller. ACS-8930 is available in two configurations, supporting the insertion of up to eight or up to 16 IDE cable sets. The rear views of each are shown on the right.
Chapter 1 – Introduction to ACS-8930 Supplied accessories IDE Cable Either 8 cables or 16 cables included, de- pending on configuration purchased. 3-in-1 Combo Cable The combo cable supplied with the 8 channel configuration includes the following connectors: An RS232 connector to link to the host terminal COM port enabling use of the...
Instructions on how to install and upgrade DRAM Instructions on turning on Installation flowchart Installation of ACS-8930 is simple. This chapter will lead you though the following steps: Connect the controller to one or two hosts. Connect Connect an IDE cable from each hard disk drive in the in- cables tended array to the IDE connector on the controller box.
To avoid overheating, ACS-8930 should be installed in a well-ventilated area and in such a way that sufficient airflow is maintained across the controller chips.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Hardware configurations The two configurations of ACS-8930 (16 channel and 8 channel) are each available with either a SCSI or a fibre interface provided through a customized daughterboard. SCSI to IDE The SCSI to package contains either the ACS-7483 or ACS-7123 daughterboard.
The fibre to IDE package contains either the ACS-7143 or ACS-7133 daughterboard. fibre daughterboard ACS-7143 ACS-7143 is for use with the eight-disk-channel version of ACS-8930. ACS-7143 pro- vides two fibre host channels. ACS-7143 requires the use of an additional bridge board, ACS-5160, which acts as the host interface.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Cabling – 16 channel configuration Read the pre-installation notices earlier in this chapter before proceeding with cabling. HDD, function and power cable connection 1. Connect an IDE cable from each hard disk drive in the intended array to the IDE connector on the backplane.
Chapter 2 – Installation Host cable connection The 16 channel configuration of ACS-8930 is designed so that host cables can be connected while ACS-8930 is mounted inside a case. For clarity, ACS-8930 is shown unmounted in this section. 1. Press the control panel inward as indi- cated to release the control panel re- lease latch.
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ACS-8930 User’s Manual 5. SCSI to IDE configuration Connect a SCSI cable from the host system SCSI card to one of the SCSI connectors on the daughterboard. Users setting up a dual host configuration should connect two SCSI cables – one linking to each host.
Chapter 2 – Installation Cabling – 8 channel configuration Read the pre-installation notices earlier in this chapter before proceeding with cabling. Host cable connection 1. Remove the controller box cover by sliding it back and lifting off. 2. SCSI to IDE configuration Connect a SCSI cable from the host system SCSI card to the SCSI connector on the daughterboard.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual HDD, function and power cable connection 1. Connect an IDE cable from each hard disk drive in the intended array to the IDE connector on the backplane. A notch on the upper side of IDE cable connector guides correct insertion.
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Chapter 2 – Installation 3. Connect a power cable to the connector on the backplane.
Read the pre-installation notices earlier in this chapter before proceeding with installation. ACS-8930 is normally supplied without any DRAM installed. The ACS-8930 con- troller requires a minimum 32 MB DRAM SODIMM installed in the socket on the controller board in order to operate.
Chapter 2 – Installation Installing SODIMM – 16 channel configuration To install a SODIMM, ensure the system power is off and disconnected. Then: 1. Press the control panel inward as indi- cated to release the control panel re- lease latch. 2.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual 6. Insert a memory card at a 45-degree angle into the memory card socket on the controller board so that the gold teeth of the card are no longer visible. 7. Press the card down firmly until the latches lock it into place.
Chapter 2 – Installation Installing SODIMM – 8 channel configuration To install a SODIMM, ensure the system power is off and disconnected. Then: 1. Remove the controller box cover by sliding it back and lifting off. 2. Remove the daughterboard by lifting gently but firmly to disconnect it from the controller board connectors.
1. First turn on the power source 2. Then boot the host computer(s) When ACS-8930 is running, you are ready to configure one or more arrays. You have the following options: 1. Turn to Chapter 3 to perform a quick setup of a single RAID using the control panel.
Quick Setup can be completed very quickly using this method. Use of the Monitor Utility requires a connection to be established first between the host terminal and ACS-8930. Quick Setup can only be used to establish a single array. To establish a mul- tiple array, turn to Chapter 5.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Quick Setup with the control panel 1. Turn on ACS-8930. The controller will enter ACS-8930 self-diagnostic mode and automatically enter Operation Mode. A typical operation mode screen ×××111×× is shown. Full explanation of the control panel messages is given in Appendix C.
Monitor Utility are given in Chapter 4. Users wishing to perform Quick Setup via the monitor utility must first establish a connection between the host terminal and ACS-8930. Follow the instructions in Chapter 5, Accessing the Monitor Utility. Then: Press Ctrl and D together to launch the Monitor Utility.
COM port before. A connection must then be established between the host computer and the ACS-8930 RAID controller. This is done by means of a terminal program, such as HyperTerminal. This section outlines the process to set up a HyperTerminal connection.
Press OK. The Connect to dialog box appears. Select COM1 or COM2 from the Con- nect using: dropdown menu, depend- ing on which port is linked to ACS-8930. Click OK. The COM Properties dialog box will appear. Set the following values:...
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Using the Monitor Utility Once a connection has been set up between ACS-8930 and the host computer: Make sure ACS-8930 is turned on. Press the Ctrl and D keys together to launch the Monitor Utility. To enlarge the size of the Monitor Utility window in HyperTerminal, select Font…...
Chapter 4 – Accessing the Monitor Utility Monitor utility control keys The monitor utility control keys differ depending on which area is active: Menu area or Output area. The control keys are listed at the bottom of the Monitor Utility screen. Menu area controls A / ↑...
Set host connection parameters. Users of the Fibre to IDE Set host con- configuration of ACS-8930 should turn to Setting fibre pa- nection pa- rameters. Users of the SCSI to IDE configuration of ACS-8930 rameters should turn to Setting SCSI parameters. Specify communication protocols between ACS-8930 and the...
Enter alert set- pager numbers to which alert messages will be sent in the tings event of an error with ACS-8930. Turn to Entering and editing alert settings. The default settings are appropriate for most users. Turn to Check and ad- Advanced settings.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual How to configure ACS-8930 There are two ways to configure ACS-8930: Using the Control Panel Using the Monitor Utility These two methods are functionally identical. Only the interface differs. In each, the user scrolls through menus and submenus to locate and select the desired configuration option.
All configuration options are exercised from within these submenus. The main menus, as viewed from the Monitor Utility, for the two available hardware configu- rations of ACS-8930 are shown below: Fibre to IDE configuration SCSI to IDE configuration...
Using the Monitor Utility 1. Run HyperTerminal (or the terminal program used to establish an RS232 connec- tion with ACS-8930) and open the connection established with ACS-8930 in Chapter 4. 2. Press Ctrl D to launch the Monitor Utility. The menu area will be blank.
Chapter 5 – Configuration Using the Control Panel 1. Turn on ACS-8930. The controller will en- ACS-8930 ter self-diagnostic mode and automatically enter Operation Mode. A typical operation ××111××× mode screen is shown 2. Press Enter to enter configuration mode. If...
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Setting array parameters The parameters of the single or multiple ACS-8930 arrays are set and reconfigured from the RAID params submenu located at Main menu > RAID Params menu. 1.1.1 1 RAID params 1.1 Array 1 No / Yes...
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If no capacity is allocated to a slice, that slice will not be created. A slice must be mapped to a LUN before it can be accessed. After creating slices, users should go to the Fibre Params / SCSI Params menu (depending on ACS-8930 model) to map each to a LUN.
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Configuration changes made in the RAID Params menu must be saved to the ACS-8930 non-volatile memory and ACS-8930 restarted for the changes to take effect. This is done in the NVRAM menu located at Main menu > NVRAM...
Enable or Disable (Default: Enable). Disable termination is a terminator has been installed on each SCSI bus If ACS-8930 is the only SCSI device on the bus or is at the end of a daisy chain the termination should be enabled. If ACS-8930 is in the middle of a daisy chain the termination should be disabled.
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Select a Logical Unit Number (LUN 0 to LUN 7) and a corresponding slice on which to map it. A RAID may be divided into several logical units (that portion of a disk array seen by the host system as a single logical device). ACS-8930 can support up to eight logical units in total. Secondary SCSI...
The parameters of the fibre channel connection(s) to the host(s) are set and reconfigured from the Fibre Params submenu located at Main menu > Fibre Params menu. ACS-8930 is available in two hardware configurations: With a fibre channel interface and with a SCSI interface. The Fibre Params menu is only present on the fibre channel interface configuration.
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2.3.1.2 Port 1 or Port 2. The two ports are equivalent to the two host channels. Then choose Enable (to allow hosts on that channel to view ACS-8930) or Disable (to make ACS-8930 invisible to hosts on that channel). 2.3.2...
RS232 Params menu The administrator should specify the communication protocols between ACS-8930 and the external modem and between ACS-8930 and the remote terminal or terminal emulation software. This is done in the Modem Port menu located at Main menu > RS232 Params menu >...
Parity None, Odd or Even (Default: None) The remote terminal settings and those of ACS-8930 must match. So, if the administrator increases the Baud rate of the ACS-8930 port, the baud rate of the terminal emulation software (e.g. HyperTerminal) connection must like-...
Entering and editing alert settings The administrator can specify two fax numbers and two pager numbers to which alert mes- sages will be sent in the event of an error with ACS-8930. To configure alert settings, follow the instructions in succeeding sections to:...
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Pager alert settings Pager alert settings are all entered and edited from the Pager Info submenu, located at Main menu > System Params menu > Pager Info 4.2.1 4.2 Pager Info Enable / Disable System params Paging 4.2.2...
(Default: 5). 4.2.7 Page Now Instruct ACS-8930 to send a test pager alert immediately. When the above data has been entered appropriately, go to the NVRAM submenu to update settings so that the configuration changes are saved. Fax alert settings Fax alert settings are entered and edited from the Fax Info submenu, located at Main menu >...
ACS-8930 User’s Manual 4.3.6 FAX Now Instruct ACS-8930 to send a test fax alert immediately. The alert fax header should be input in the Company Info submenu, located at Main menu > System Params menu > Company Info 4.4.1 4.4 Company Info...
Chapter 5 – Configuration Configuration changes made in the System Params menu must be saved to the ACS-8930 non-volatile memory for the changes to take effect. This is done in the NVRAM menu located at Main menu > NVRAM menu. See Saving Con- figurations later in this chapter.
Select Yes to halt the transmission of subsequent alert faxes / pager messages when the message has been received and acknowledged (Default: No). Add Disk Select disk number (1 to 16 / 1 to 8 depending on configuration) Add a disk to an existing configuration while ACS-8930 is online (Default: None).
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Firmware later in this chapter. Configuration changes made in the RAID Functions menu must be saved to the ACS-8930 non-volatile memory for the changes to take effect. This is done in the NVRAM menu located at Main menu > NVRAM menu. See Saving Con-...
ACS-8930 User’s Manual Updating the Firmware ACS-8930 is shipped with firmware installed. The user may however wish to download new or upgraded editions of the firmware to the controller. Ask your vendor about the latest firmware edition or refer to the website www.accusys.com.tw A terminal emulation program, such as HyperTerminal, is required to download firmware.
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Chapter 5 – Configuration 4. Locate the updated firmware file to send. If using HyperTerminal, go to the Transfer menu and select Send Text File… 5. Send firmware file as a text file. The file will start to download. When prompted, enter Go (case sensitive) to update the firmware.
Unable to access ACS-8930 after the operating system boots up. Possible Cause: ACS-8930 is not configured. Fix: Make sure ACS-8930 is configured for a RAID level. If no RAID level is configured the operating system will not detect ACS-8930 as a disk drive.
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Parity, and XON/XOFF Flow control. Make sure the terminal is configured for these settings. If the settings were changed in Configuration Mode, verify the settings of the ACS-8930 in the RS-232 Params, Terminal option and change the terminal settings accordingly.
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SCSI IDs already in use. The ACS-8930 is identified as all SCSI IDs. Possible Cause: The SCSI ID set for ACS-8930 is identical to the reserved SCSI ID used by the SCSI card in your system.
Appendix B – Introduction to RAID levels The ACS-8930 can support the following RAID levels: 0, 1, 0+1, 3, 30, 5 and 50. Which is the right level for you? The answer depends on the application you use your RAID for.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual RAID 0 RAID 0 links each drive in the array as one huge drive. Storage capacity is determined by the smallest drive in the array. That capacity is then applied to format all other drives in the array. If using a 40 GB, 60 GB, and 50 GB drive in a RAID 0 array, your system will see one huge drive of 120 GB (40 GB×3).
Appendix B – Introduction to RAID levels RAID 1 RAID 1 is commonly referred to as Disk Mirroring, Disk Shadowing or Disk Duplexing as all data is duplicated across both disks. As data is identical on both disks, storage capacity is that of the smaller disk.
ACS-8930 User’s Manual RAID 0+1 RAID 0+1 combines mirroring and striping functions on a minimum of four hard disks. Mirroring provides full redundancy and protects data in case of multiple drive failure (providing that data on one of each mirrored pair of drives is intact).
Appendix B – Introduction to RAID levels RAID 3 RAID 3 uses a mathematical expression that compares data from two drives and calculates a third piece of data called “parity”. Should one of the drives fail, parity data can be used to rebuild the failed data.
RAID 30 stripes data, just as a RAID 0 array, but across RAID 3 arrays (“sub-arrays”) rather than individual logical drives. ACS-8930 creates RAID 30 arrays from two RAID 3 sub-arrays. The properties of a RAID 30 array are similar to those of a RAID 50 array but RAID 30 is better suited for use with large files.
Appendix B – Introduction to RAID levels RAID 5 RAID 5 uses a mathematical expression that compares data from two drives and calculates a third piece of data called “parity”. Should one of the drives fail, parity data can be used to rebuild the failed data.
RAID 50 have properties similar to RAID 30 arrays and are constructed by building a RAID 0 array from RAID 5 sub-arrays. ACS-8930 creates RAID 50 arrays from two RAID 5 sub-arrays so an even number of drives is required.
Appendix C – Control Panel Messages Status messages When ACS-8930 is in operation mode, scroll buttons ▼ and ▲ can be used to display the following system data: Installed Memory RAID Capacity Firmware Version Serial Number CPU Type RAID Members...
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ACS-8930 User’s Manual Error Messages The following is a listing of the error messages generated by ACS-8930 and their meaning. Number of disk channel Legend: Total number of disks detected by the controller Number of disks specified in 1 RAID Params, 3 Disk Number menu option.
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Appendix C – Control Panel Messages Error Message Explanation RAID 5 Check ERROR! The R5 Check function failed. Possible wrong RAID configuration or not initialized (Init RAID5). UPS interrupt detected ! A power outage was detected by the UPS and notified the ProRAID via the UPS port Param vendor ID ERROR! The information in NVRAM has been erased.
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ACS-8930 User’s Manual Error Message Explanation DISK: #x is off-line! Disk number (x) failed and was removed from the RAID configuration. DISK: #x not installed! The disk (x) has not been detected by the controller. Possible bad disk. DISK: #x ERROR status ? ! The disk (x) caused an error.
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Appendix C – Control Panel Messages Error Message Explanation Paging: Modem is busy! The modem is currently is use and unable to send a page notification. Invalid NVRAM The information stored in the NVRAM area is invalid and unable to be used. No Configuration The ProRAID is currently not configured for any RAID level.
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ACS-8930 User’s Manual Array See Disk Array. Array Management Software The body of software that provides common control and management for a disk array. Array Management Software most often executes in a disk controller or intelligent host bus adapter, but may also execute in a host computer. When it executes in a disk controller or adapter, Array Management Software is often referred to as Firmware.
Appendix D – Glossary The substitution of a (usually defective) unit by a replacement that takes place while the system is online. Logical Unit Disk storage space on one or more physical drives that appears to the host computer as a single drive.