IBM SSA RAID Adapter for PC Servers
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DOS Configurator and Utilities - README.TXT
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This "README.TXT" file describes programs which enable configuration and
maintenance to be performed on the SSA disk drives connected to your
IBM SSA RAID adapter for PC Servers. It also includes important information
about this product in the "Problems?" and "PC Server BIOS" sections.
The diskette is "bootable" and includes:
ISSACFG.EXE - A program to view and attach SSA disk drives to your
operating system.
DOWNLOAD.COM - A program to update the adapter firmware.
ADAPTER.IMG - The default firmware.
ISSADDLD.EXE - A program to update the microcode on the SSA disk drives.
SSA Configurator - ISSACFG.EXE
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The Configurator's purpose is to allow configuration of the available SSA
resources and make these configured resources available to the operating
system. You must enable the SSA CBIOS (during the boot sequence) in order
to use this program.
Help is available on every screen by pressing the "F1" key.
In order to configure the disks, the adapter to which they are attached
must be selected from the SSA Adapter List in the opening menu. Once
the adapter has been selected, disks can be configured for use.
A New Disk must be moved from its initial New Disk class to a Free Resource
to be a candidate for either attachment to the operating system or for
adding to an array.
This action is completed using the New Disks option from the Configurator
main menu.
An array can be created by first selecting the Adapter that will control
the array, using the SSA Adapter List screen.
Select the type of array required and press Enter. Components of the array
are added by using the Insert key and then selecting a component from the
list of candidates which are resources in the Free Resources class.
When all the components required have been added, the array needs to be
attached to the operating system using the System Resources screen.
The main screens available for configuration are:
SSA Adapter List: Identifies each SSA adapter installed. By
selecting an adapter it is then possible
to create / modify / delete an array
controlled by that adapter and also run a
utility to display the SSA Configuration
of that adapter.
Once an adapter has been selected, options exist to:
1. Configure new disks.
2. Create system resources.
3. Create arrays.
4. Configure Rejected Resources.
5. View non-volatile RAM.
6. Configure Hot Spare Resources.
7. View SSA Configuration (via Disk Service Aids).
NOTE: Many of the available options allow for the F9 key to be pressed in
order to identify the resource by flashing the Check LED.
New Disks: Lists all the New disks. Selected disks
can be moved to the Free Resources class.
Free Resources: Identifies resources that are candidates
for attachment. These can be disks or
arrays.
System Resources: Lists resources that are in the Attached
class and is used to attach Free Resources
in a controlled order. The order of the
resources in the list is generally the
order of the drive letters.
The menu can also be used to detach
resources and move them to the Free
Resources class.
Firmware Download - DOWNLOAD.COM
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*** !WARNING! ***
It is assumed you have downloaded the latest DOS diskette from
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/searchfiles.html (keywords "ssa raid")
You must also download ssaflash from the above web page.
Extract ssaflash to a temporary directory on your hard disk.
Run install.bat, select [3] (Dos) [Y] and insert the DOS diskette.
Then select the configuration that matches your system :
Possible Scenarios - please select which of these apply.
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a) You have only one adapter which is an LL03.
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SSAFLASH will copy the correct microcode to the DOS disk.
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b) You have more than one adapter, all of which are LL03.
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SSAFLASH will copy the correct microcode to the DOS disk.
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c) You have only one adapter which is an LL11.
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SSAFLASH will copy the correct microcode to the DOS disk.
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d) You have more than one adapter, all of which are LL11.
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SSAFLASH will copy the correct microcode to the DOS disk.
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e) You have more than one adapter, any combination of LL03 , LL11.
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**********************!!!WARNING!!!***********************
IF YOU USE THE DOWNLOAD.COM WITHOUT READING THIS CAREFULLY
YOU WILL DAMAGE YOUR ADAPTERS.
**********************************************************
NB : The DOS download utility (DOWNLOAD.COM) cannot detect which type of
adapter(s) you have installed, and will attempt to download to EVERY
adapter it finds, EVEN if the microcode is incorrect for that adapter.
Solution i)
You should boot into your native OS (ie OS2, NT, Netware) and use ISSAADLD.EXE
to download microcode. The download should be repeated with each firmware
image applicable to your system.
See native OS readme.txt for how to use ISSAADLD.EXE
Solution ii)
If you cannot get to your native OS, you must proceed very carefully.
It is recommended that you create as many DOS diskettes as you have
adapter types, ie
Run SSAFLASH install.bat, select [3],[Y],[1] and label disk LL03
Run SSAFLASH install.bat, select [3],[Y],[3] and label disk LL11
As an example :
You have a configuration with both adapter types (LL03,LL11)
You must remove one type, ie LL11. Insert the DOS disk you
created above that corresponds to the adapter type remaning,
and run DOWNLOAD.COM
Remove the LL03 adapter and replace the LL11. Insert LL11 DOS
disk and run DOWNLOAD.COM
Replace all adapters and reboot.
End of Scenarios
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The downloader is able to download firmware to all cards present in your
PC.
NOTE: It should normally only be used when you are requested to update your
adapter firmware by an IBM Service Representative or investigation of the
adapter VPD indicates the adapter is not at the level indicated on the
IBM PC Company web site.
INCORRECT USE OF THIS PROGRAM MAY RESULT IN THE ADAPTER BECOMING UNUSABLE.
The program will always update all adapters found in the machine,
regardless of date or issue of the firmware they already have.
Use of the Program
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IMAGEID.COM - an optional image identification utility.
The download is accomplished by simply typing
DOWNLOAD.
No further user interaction is required until all adapters on the system
finish downloading, when the program indicates that the diskette should be
removed from the drive.
Occasionally the system may not reboot when the floppy diskette is removed.
Simply perform a power cycle if the situation arise. The firmware WILL have
been updated.
DASD Microcode Download - ISSADDLD.COM
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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.
usage: issaddld [-a node] [-u uid] [-v vendor] [-f] [-q] microcode
flags: -a node identify adapter by SSA node number
(default all adapters)
-u serial 15 character full 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)
microcode input disk microcode image file
Examples
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To download a new IBM DFHC microcode image (for instance, DFHC7968.DL) to
all the disks on all the adapters:
issaddld DFHC7968.DL
To update all the DFHC disks on the adapter referred to as node 13:-
issaddld -a 13 DFHC7968.DL
Important
---------
Do NOT download whilst disks are performing I/O. All open occurrences of the
SSA Configurator should also be closed, prior to performing the download.
Only use this utility program when instructed to do so by your service
representative since downloading incorrect images, for example, could have
a detrimental effect on your SSA Subsystem.
Errors may be generated in SSA Event Log. These can be ignored and are
a result of adapter reset which is necessary to initialise the new microcode.
Problems?
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1) If the SSA CONFIGURATOR reports that no adapters are responding, ensure
that the SSA CBIOS has been enabled. During the power-up sequence of
your computer you will see a message such as:
SSA CBIOS is disabled, press the Tab key to enable it.
Ensure that the message indicates that the CBIOS is ENABLED.
2) If you use the DOS Configurator to attach a 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.
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 - whether the CBIOS is enabled or not.
A Service Code can be obtained if you can boot your operating system and
select "SSA Event Log Analysis" from the SSA Configurator Screen.
If you are unable to boot your operating system, and you are unable to
run the SSA Configurator from this DOS Service Aids Diskette (no matter
whether the SSA CBIOS is enabled or disabled) then please call for
service.
NOTE: On 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.
4) If your primary boot device is not an SSA logical drive, you must
disable the IBM SSA CBIOS during the next reboot sequence. If you do not
do this then the system will again appear PC to hang - trying to boot
from a non-existent operating system on the SSA resource.
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.
6) 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.
Note: The smallest capacity of an array member is used when determining
the size of the array.
PC Server BIOS Levels
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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:
(919)-517-0001 : IBM PC Company BBS Research Triangle Park, USA.
ftp.pc.ibm.com : IBM PC Company anonymous ftp site.
www.compaq.com : Compaq company web site.
www.hp.com : Hewlett Packard company web site.
At the time of writing, the tested levels are:
PC Server 704 PCI/EISA, Flash BIOS 10 (06-26-97)
PC Server 720 PCI/MCA, Flash BIOS v1.09 (06-16-97)
PC Server 520 PCI/EISA, Flash BIOS 16T3C (07-15-96)
PC Server 320 PCI/EISA, Flash BIOS 16T3B (07-15-96)
PC Server 330/325 PCI/EISA, Ship level at time of writing
COMPAQ ProLiant 1500, COMPAQ System BIOS E12 (12/30/1996)
COMPAQ ProLiant 2500, COMPAQ System BIOS E24 (12/30/1996)
COMPAQ ProLiant 5000, COMPAQ System BIOS E16 (12/30/1996)
COMPAQ ProLiant 6000, COMPAQ System BIOS E20 (05/16/1997)
HP NetServer LH Pro, Phoenix BIOS v 4.05.14PF Plug and Play (12/11/96)
HP NetServer LX Pro, AMIBIOS - American Megatrends V 1.00.4.CD0L
Service and Technical Support
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We are ready to help you with your IBM SSA RAID Adapter questions. You can
contact us through one of the following:
For Technical Support:
- Please contact your supplier in the first instance
- BBS, for latest files etc.
o US: (919) 517-0001 (300 - 28.8K, 8-N-1)
o UK: (0)1705-492831 (2.4K - 14.4K, 8-N-1)
o Germany: (0)6131-845070 (2.4K - 14.4K, 8-N-1)
For Product Information:
- WWW, http://www.storage.ibm.com/storage
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