Chapter 1. Introduction; Ds4500 Storage Server Overview; Product Updates - IBM TotalStorage DS4500 User Manual

Chapter 1. Introduction

The IBM TotalStorage DS4500 Fibre Channel Storage Server (referred to
throughout this book as the DS4500 Storage Server) is a high-performance unit that
provides dual, redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controllers and Fibre
Channel interfaces to both the host and drive channels.

DS4500 Storage Server overview

The DS4500 Storage Server (Machine type 1742, models 90U and 90X) supports
direct attachment of up to four hosts that contain two host adapters each, and is
designed to provide maximum host-side and drive-side redundancy. By using
external Fibre Channel switches in conjunction with the DS4500 Storage Server,
you can attach up to 64 hosts with two adapters each to a DS4500 Storage Server.
Each DS4500 Storage Server contains several removable components, called
customer replaceable units (CRUs), that you can access from either the front or
back of the unit. These CRUs include the battery, RAID controllers, storage server
fan, power supplies, fan and communications module, mini hubs, and Small
Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) modules. The DS4500 Storage Server also has a
removable front bezel.
The DS4500 Storage Server functions with at least one external storage expansion
enclosure containing Fibre Channel or SATA hard drives. The DS4500 Storage
Server supports a maximum of 224 hard drives when the drives are configured
using IBM DS4000 EXP700, DS4000 EXP710, or DS4000 EXP100 storage
expansion enclosures. If the drives are configured using IBM FAStT EXP500
storage expansion enclosures only, a maximum of 220 hard drives are supported.
Attention:
v In order to attach DS4000 EXP100 or EXP710 storage expansion enclosures to
v The DS4500 controller units are not compatible with the DS4400 or FAStT500

Product updates

Download the latest version of the DS4000 Storage Manager host software and the
any appropriate DS4000 product series firmware at the time of the initial installation
and when product updates become available.
To be notified of important product updates, you must first register at the IBM
Support and Download Web site:
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005
a DS4500 Storage Server, the DS4500 Storage Server controller firmware must
be at version 06.xx.xx.xx or higher. In addition, you must purchase the FC/SATA
Enclosure Intermix premium option to combine EXP100s with EXP700s or
EXP710s in the same DS4500 Storage Server configuration.
controller units. The DS4500 controller units are keyed to prevent them from
being mistakenly inserted in the non-supported storage server units. Do not force
fit the controller units or the backplane might be damaged.
Important
In order to keep your system up to date with the latest firmware and other
product updates, use the information below to register and use the My
support web site.
1