Compaq StorageWorks 4000 - RAID Array Technology Brief
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Compaq StorageWorks 4000 - RAID Array Technology Brief

Compaq StorageWorks 4000 - RAID Array Technology Brief

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Technology Brief
June 1999
ECG0205699A
Prepared by ECG Technology
Communications Group
Compaq Computer Corporation
Contents
Introduction ............................... 3
Hardware Technology ............... 4
4000 ........................................ 4
4000 Controllers....................... 5
Channel Host Adapter .............. 7
Storage Hub 7.........................10
Storage Hub 12.......................10
Cables ....................................12
Hardware Architecture .............12
Firmware...................................14
Supported .................................15
Systems Supported.................15
Systems Supported.................15
Compaq Utilities .......................16
Windows NT ...........................19
Performance .............................20
SCSI Technology ......................21
For More Information................22
Diagnostics Utility ....................23
Compaq RAID Array 4000
Overview
Abstract: The Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4000 (RA4000),
formerly the Fibre Channel Storage System, is an external storage
solution incorporating Fibre Channel interconnect technology. This
solution overcomes inherent limitations of small computer systems
interface (SCSI) interconnect technology. Fibre Channel interconnect
technology is designed to satisfy the requirements of such enterprise
applications as databases, data marts, email, groupware, Web
servers, and file and print for large storage capacity and scalable
input/output (I/O) performance.
The architecture of this Fibre Channel storage solution enables
administrators to simultaneously achieve multiple goals:
To provide hardware redundancy and failover capabilities with
no single point of failure (NSPOF).
To build a scalable external storage solution for high capacity or
high growth applications by:
Scaling a single I/O slot to more than 3.2 TB.
Scaling an 8-PCI-slot server to more than 25.6 TB.
To scale cache and processing power for increased I/O
performance.
To conserve I/O slots for connecting other types of I/O devices.
This technology brief explains the hardware components, hardware
architecture, firmware functionality, software support, and
performance expectations for the RA4000.

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  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    ECG0205699A Overview Prepared by ECG Technology Communications Group Compaq Computer Corporation Abstract: The Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4000 (RA4000), formerly the Fibre Channel Storage System, is an external storage Contents solution incorporating Fibre Channel interconnect technology. This Introduction ....... 3 solution overcomes inherent limitations of small computer systems Hardware Technology ....

  • Page 2: June

    PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION), EVEN IF COMPAQ HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. The limited warranties for Compaq products are exclusively set forth in the documentation accompanying such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting a further or additional warranty.

  • Page 3: Introduction

    The RA4000 solution provides enterprises with increased availability, scalability in both performance and capacity, and a tight integration with ProLiant servers. This leap in capacity, scalability, and availability results from innovations to proven Compaq hardware and software products and from total storage system integration. The RA4000 targets computing environments that require large, rapidly growing storage capacity and scalable I/O performance.

  • Page 4: Hardware Technology

    Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) topology: Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4000 Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4000 Controller Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4000 Redundant Controller Compaq StorageWorks Fibre Channel Host Adapter/E Compaq StorageWorks Fibre Channel Host Adapter/P Compaq StorageWorks Fibre Channel Storage Hub 7...

  • Page 5: Storageworks Raid Array 4000 Controllers

    The RA4000 Controller is an intelligent Fibre Channel-to-SCSI array controller integrated into the RA4000 solution. The controller is based on the Compaq SMART-2 architecture and has two Wide-Ultra SCSI-3 channels. Each channel can transfer data at 40 megabytes per second (MB/s) for a total of 80 MB/s possible internal bandwidth.

  • Page 6: Online Capacity Expansion

    For owners of the original Fibre Channel Storage System Controller with 32 MB of cache, Compaq offers a memory upgrade that expands the total memory available to 64 MB. 16 MB of dedicated read cache remains integrated on the original base controller board. The 48 MB memory upgrade is a user-configurable, battery-backed board.

  • Page 7: Compaq Storageworks Fibre Channel Host Adapter

    DRAM bit errors, DRAM chip failures, and memory bus errors on the Array Accelerator connector. Compaq StorageWorks Fibre Channel Host Adapter The Fibre Channel Host Adapter is available in either a PCI version or an EISA version.
  • Page 8 Compaq RAID Array 4000 Overview In Figure 1, the Fibre Channel Host Adapter connects to a Storage Hub 7. The Storage Hub 7 connects to the RA4000. GBICs are installed at all fiber interconnections. Figure 1. Single controller configuration Additional RA4000s can be added simply by connecting them to the hub while the loop is not active.
  • Page 9 This configuration provides for an NSPOF server and storage system. Figure 4. Redundant controllers in a clustered configuration The Fibre Channel Host Adapter supports the Compaq ProLiant and rack-mountable ProLiant family of servers. For up-to-date information about specific server models supported, refer to the Compaq website: www.compaq.com/products/storageworks/...

  • Page 10: Storageworks Fibre Channel Storage Hub 7

    48 RA4000s for a total capacity of approximately 14 TB. RA4000s can be added to the Storage Hub 7 as requirements for storage capacity grow. When an RA4000 is added to the hub, restart all servers on the system and run the Compaq Array Configuration Utility.

  • Page 11: Gigabit Interface Converters

    Compaq products ship with instructions for making clean connections. Cleaning should be performed any time that an open connection might have been exposed to dust or that there is doubt about the connector’s cleanliness. A cleaning kit is available from Compaq for this purpose.

  • Page 12: Cables

    5-meter multi-mode cable. Standard lengths for multi-mode cable option kits are 2 meter, 5 meter, 15 meter, 30 meter, and 50 meter. For installations requiring longer cable lengths, single-mode cables, or additional cables, customers may contact a Compaq reseller or special cable supplier. Refer to www.compaq.com...
  • Page 13 This port bypass capability improves fault tolerance. Figure 7. Compaq StorageWorks Fibre Channel Storage Hub 7 The shortwave laser technology used in the RA4000 supports transmission distances between components of up to 500 meters on 50-micron, multi-mode fiber optic cable with no electromagnetic interference.

  • Page 14: Firmware

    For easy maintenance, flash firmware upgrades for the RA4000 onto the RA4000 Controller using Compaq Options ROMPaq. It is provided on the Compaq SmartStart and Support Software CD 4.30 or later that is provided with the Fibre Channel Host Adapter. Controllers in redundant configurations must have the same firmware version (2.36 or later).

  • Page 15: Operating Systems Supported

    Systems ROMPaq to flash the ROM on existing servers before installing a Fibre Channel Host Adapter. Systems ROMPaq is a special Compaq utility for updating the firmware in Compaq servers. It is also provided on the Compaq SmartStart and Support Software CD 4.30 or later.

  • Page 16: Compaq Utilities

    RA4000 Controller that make it easy for administrators to configure, modify, expand, manage, and monitor their storage. The ACU is provided on the Compaq SmartStart and Support Software CD 4.30 or later. It can be used to: Perform initial configuration of the RA4000 Controller.

  • Page 17: Fibre Fault Isolation Utility

    Fibre Fault Isolation Utility Since the RA4000 is the first Compaq product to use a FC-AL topology and the loop includes many components, Compaq developed two new support tools found on the SmartStart and...

  • Page 18: User Diagnostics Utility

    The User Diagnostics Utility is available on the Compaq SmartStart and Support Software CD 4.30 or later that is provided with Compaq servers and that ships with the Fibre Channel Host Adapter kit. There are two versions of User Diagnostics on the CD:...

  • Page 19: Array Diagnostics Utility

    Compaq customer service for telephone support. An offline version of the ADU is provided on the Compaq Support Software CD 4.30 or later. The ADU is designed for use not only with RA4000 Controllers, and with Compaq SMART-2 and SMART Array Controllers.

  • Page 20: Performance

    (OLTP) application. The accesses were 67 percent reads and 33 percent writes. The test results shown in Figure 9 indicate that a Compaq SA3200 Controller occupying a single PCI server slot can support approximately 939 simulated OLTP I/O per second.

  • Page 21: Migration To Ra4000 From Scsi Technology

    Data marts Migration to RA4000 from SCSI Technology Incompatibilities in bus and drive mapping exist between Compaq ProLiant Storage Systems and the RA4000. For this reason, data stored on hard drives in a ProLiant Storage System connected to a Smart Array Controller cannot be migrated directly to an RA4000. Instead, migrating stored data from an existing storage system to an RA4000 requires a full backup and restore operation.

  • Page 22: Clustering With Ra4000

    Compaq software enables rapid installation, configuration monitoring and management, and deployment of clustered environments throughout the enterprise. Compaq SmartStart and Compaq Insight Manager are now cluster enabled, allowing easy installation and sophisticated management, either locally or from remote locations. Compaq installation and systems management software, along with MSCS software, brings easy, efficient cluster administration for MSCS clusters.

  • Page 23: Appendix A: User Diagnostics Utility

    Compaq RAID Array 4000 Overview APPENDIX A: User Diagnostics Utility Table 3 summarizes the steps required to run the Compaq User Diagnostics Utility on a Compaq server, notebook computer, or handheld PC. Table 3. Compaq User Diagnostics Utility for server, notebook computer, or handheld PC...

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