Accusys ACS-7630 User Manual
Preface
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Notice
Product features and specifications described in this manual are subject to change without
notice.
The manufacturer shall not be liable for any damage, or for the loss of information resulting
from the performance or use of the information contained herein.
Trademarks
Accusys and the names of Accusys products and logos referenced herein are either
trademarks and/or service marks or registered trademarks and/or service marks of Accusys,
Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, MS-DOS are either trademarks or registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or service
marks of their respective owners.
All contents of this manual are copyrighted by Accusys, Incite information contained herein is
the exclusive property of Accusys, Inc. and shall not be copied, transferred, photocopied,
translated on paper, film, electronic media, or computer-readable form, or otherwise
reproduced in any way, without the express written permission of Accusys Inc.
© Copyright 2004 Accusys, Inc.
All rights reserved.
This manual version 2.0a
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Accusys 7630
About this manual
Intended user
This manual is designed and written for users of the ACS-7630 RAID controller. The user
should ideally be familiar with RAID planning and data storage operations and have
experience in electronic or computer engineering.
Organization of the manual
This manual consists of the following sections:
Chapter 1: Introduction provides details of key features, checklists of package contents
and user requirements, and an overview of the controller box and its features.
Chapter 2: Before you begin contains all the information you need to decide whether to
set up a RAID 0 or RAID 5 array and lists important pre-installation notices.
Chapter 3: Setting up the controller guides you through process of installing ACS-7630
in a system or externally and explains how to replace drives.
Chapter 4: Initializing the array explains how to launch the automatic initialization
process.
Chapter 5: Formatting tells you how partition and format the array so that your system can
start using it.
Appendix A: FAQ helps you deal with encountered problems in the form of Q&A.
Appendix B: Glossary defines relevant technical terms used in this manual.
Appendix C: Specifications list technical specification of ACS-7630.
Appendix D: Regulatory Information provides information of related certification and
standards.
Appendix E: Contact Us lists contact details of Accusys business units around the wo rld.
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Preface
Using this manual
This guide contains all the information you need to set up and start using your RAI D controller
and to monitor its performance in real time. The setup process will follow these steps:
Prepare:
Configure:
Install:
Initialize:
Format:
Familiarize yourself with the features and capabilities of
ACS-7630 (Chapter 1)
Decide whether to set up a RAID 0 or RAID 5 array
(Chapter 2)
Set the RAID and Master / slave configurations
(Chapter 3)
Attach the necessary cables and either mount the
controller box inside your system or set up the controller
box externally (Chapter 3)
Initialize the array (Chapter 4)
Partition the array to enable your computer’s operating
system to begin using it (Chapter 5)
Format the array (Chapter 5)
When you have reached this point, your RAID controller will be ready for use. To get the most
from ACS-7630, you should also set up the ACSView GUI on your system. With th is browser
you can monitor the status of your array at any time and from any computer on your LAN. You
will find full installation instructions and information on the monitoring capabilities of ACSView
in the ACS-7630 ACSView User’s Manual. Ask your vendor for details.
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Accusys 7630
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
instruction is not observed.
This icon indicates useful tips on getting the most from your RAID controller.
Important terms, commands and programs are put in Boldface font.
Screen text is given in screen font.
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Table of Contents
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PREFACE....................................................................................................................... 1
NOTICE....................................................................................................................... 1
TRADEMARKS ............................................................................................................ 1
ABOUT THIS MANUAL................................................................................................. 2
Intended user........................................................................................................ 2
Organization of the manual .................................................................................2
U
SING THIS MANUAL.................................................................................................. 3
GUIDE TO CONVENTIONS ........................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION................................................................................ 7
O
VERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 7
KEY FEATURES........................................................................................................... 8
Hard drive hot swapping ..................................................................................... 8
Automatic drive rebuilding .................................................................................. 8
M
AKING SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING...................................................................... 8
What's in the box.................................................................................................. 8
What else you need............................................................................................... 8
F
AMILIARIZING YOURSELF WITH THE CONTROLLER ................................................... 9
Overview.............................................................................................................. 9
Front view............................................................................................................ 9
Rear view ........................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 2 - BEFORE YOU BEGIN...................................................................... 11
P
RE-INSTALLATION PLANNING .................................................................................11
Introduction to RAID levels ............................................................................... 11
RAID 0 ............................................................................................................... 12
RAID 5 ............................................................................................................... 13
P
RE-INSTALLATION NOTICES.................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER 3 - SETTING UP THE CONTROLLER................................................ 15
I
NSTALLATION FLOWCHART..................................................................................... 15
SETTING CONFIGURATIONS ...................................................................................... 16
RAID 0 configuration......................................................................................... 16
RAID 5 configuration......................................................................................... 16
Master configuration ......................................................................................... 17
Slave configuration............................................................................................ 17
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Cable select configuration................................................................................. 17
M
OUNTING CONTROLLER BOX.................................................................................. 18
Mounting controller box in system..................................................................... 18
Installing controller box externally.................................................................... 18
L
OADING DRIVES IN THE CONTROLLER BOX ............................................................. 19
Fixed connector drive carrier............................................................................ 20
Cable connector drive carrier............................................................................ 21
REMOVING / REPLACING A DRIVE ............................................................................. 22
Swapping drives................................................................................................. 22
What if a disk fails?............................................................................................ 22
Removing a drive from a fixed connector drive carrier..................................... 22
Removing a drive from a cable connector drive carrier.................................... 23
CHAPTER 4 - INITIALIZING THE ARRAY.......................................................... 24
CHAPTER 5 - FORMATTING.................................................................................. 26
P
ARTITIONING THE ARRAY ....................................................................................... 26
FORMATTING THE ARRAY......................................................................................... 27
APPENDIX A - FAQ.................................................................................................... 28
APPENDIX B - GLOSSARY.......................................................................................29
APPENDIX C - SPECIFICATIONS.......................................................................... 31
APPENDIX D - REGULATORY INFORMATION................................................. 32
APPENDIX E - CONTACT US.................................................................................. 33
A
CCUSYS, INC.......................................................................................................... 33
ACCUSYS U.S.A., INC. ............................................................................................. 33
ACCUSYS GERMANAY.............................................................................................. 33
ACCUSYS KOREA, INC.............................................................................................. 33
ACCUSYS CHINA, INC............................................................................................... 34
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
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This chapter introduces the features and capabilities of
ACS-7630.
You will find:
A full introduction to your ACS-7630 controller
Details of key features
A checklist of package contents
A checklist of what else you need to start installation
An overview of the controller box and its features, including
connectors, LEDs and jumpers
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Overview
Congratulations on your selection of the Accusys 7630 (ACS-7630). The ACS-7630 is a
high-performance and extremely flexible RAID (Redundant Array of Independent/Inexpensive
Disks) controller. RAID is a storage technology used to improve the processing capa bilities of
a storage system, providing a combination of reliability and performance.
The ACS-7630 is the ultimate approach to a flexible RAID solution. It can manage two
different RAID levels (0 and 5), with three IDE disks in a single RAID group. With a
cost-effective IDE approach, supporting Ultra DMA mode, the ACS-7630 strips data to three
disk drives simultaneously, and delivers optimized performance, comparable to more costly
SCSI based solutions.
Featuring intelligent online recovery, the ACS-7630 lets you hot swap a failed drive: data will
automatically be rebuilt to the new drive without any system down time. If a RAID 5 array
exists and one IDE disk drive fails, data is secured by the other d rives, and an alarm sounds to
alert you. RAID 5 rebuild will proceed automatically (during power on) as soon a s you lock the
disk carrier. If a RAID 0 array fails, there i s no way to recover the data of the RAID system. You
should proceed by reconfiguring the new RAID with a new IDE disk.
The ACS-7630 Controller Box features a user-friendly rack design that lets you easily install
three drives. Each drive carrier supports a one-inc h high 3.5-inch form factor drive. Security is
provided by a key-locking system that prevents unauthorized access to each disk drive.
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Key features
The ACS-7630 supports the following features:
Automatic on-line rebuilding
Drives are hot swappable
Supports RAID level 0 and 5
Can be configured as master or slave IDE drive
Host transparent and OS independent
Fan cooler (Ball bearing type)
Supports 3 IDE hard drives
Key locking to prevent unauthorized access to the disk drives
Requires no software drive or add-in card
Audible alarm on drive failure
Hard drive hot swapping
Hot Swapping allows for the removal and installation of disk drives without the n eed to powe r
down the system while ACS-7630 is configured as a RAID 5 array.
Automatic drive rebuilding
If a member drive in a RAID 5 array is replaced on-line, the controller will automatically start to
rebuild data to the new drive.
Making sure you have everything
What's in the box
Some vendors may ship certain components as st andard, while other vendo rs treat the same
component as optional. In its most basic configuration, your package should include the
following:
ACS-7630 Controller Box
ACS-7630 Controller User’s Manual
Three disk drive carriers with key locks
Disk drive mounting screws
Two keys for drive carriers (identical)
What else you need
In order to setup a working system the following user-supplied items are required:
System with IDE/ATA Interface
Case with two half-height 5 ¼” drive bays with front bezel access
One IDE channel cable connector
One free power supply connector
One 3-pin RS232 cable connector (data connection for GUI interface, if required )
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
Familiarizing yourself with the controller
Overview
The Controller Box has three drive carriers, accessed from the front.
The sides of the box each feature a guide rail channel and mounting scre w holes to enable
the box to be secured inside a computer case.
The connectors and jumpers are located on the rear panel.
Front / Drive carriers
Guide rail channel
Holes for mounting screws
Rear / Connectors & jumpers
Front view
Three Drive Carriers
Disk Activity Indicators
Each drive carrier can hold a one-inch high 3.5-inch form factor IDE disk drive. This makes it
easy to hot swap a drive in the event of a failure, without affecting the status of the remaining
drives.
Drive Carrier Lock
Drive Carrier Lock – Unlocked
orientation
Drive Carrier Lock – Locked
orientation
Green Disk Activity Indicator
Amber Disk Activity Indicator
Red Disk Activity Indicator
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Accusys 7630
Disk Activity Indicators
These indicators show the status of each individual disk drive.
Indicator Disk Activity
Green Disk drive is properly installed and locked
Amber Disk drive is being accessed
Red Disk drive is not present, is not properly
installed, is unlocked, or disk has failed
Red Flashing Disk drive is rebuilding data
In the event that a drive fails, the Red indicator turns on and an alarm sound s. You can turn off
the alarm by unlocking the drive carrier.
The drive carrier lock acts as an On/Off switch for the drives and
provides security by preventing non-key holders from accessing the
drives.
To lock each carrier, insert the key and turn it in a clockwise
direction. To unlock a carrier, turn the key in a counterclockwise
direction.
Rear view
Master/Slave configuration
jumper pins
RAID level configuration jumper
pins
Jumper head
Connector for IDE 40-pin
interface cable
Power connector
3-pin RS232 connector (Terminal
port)
The settings for the master / slave and RAID configuration jumpers are described in
Chapter 3.
The IDE cable is the route used for reading and writing to the array.
The power connector supplies power to the controller box.
The 3-pin RS-232 cable is used for remote monitoring of ACS-7630. The RS-232 port is
configured with DTE and PC compatible pin assignments.
The cooling fan inside the controller box provides air circulation for the disk drives.
Cooling fan vent
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Chapter 2 – Before you begin
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This chapter contains includes all the information you need to
decide which RAID level to use and to prepare for installation.
You will find:
A full introduction to and comparison of RAID levels 0 and 5
Important notices on the safe operation and installation of
ACS-7630
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Pre-installation planning
Introduction to RAID levels
The ACS-7630 can support the following RAID levels: 0 and 5. Which is the right level fo r you?
The answer depends on the application it is used for.
RAID Level 0 offers high transfer rates, and is ideal for large blocks of data where speed is of
importance. Computer Aided Design, Graphics, Scientific Computing, Image and Multimedia
applications are all good examples. If one drive in a RAID 0 array fails however, the data on
the whole array is lost.
RAID Level 5 arrays offer high I/O transaction rates, and are the ideal choice when use d with
on-line transaction processing applications, such as those used in banks, insurance
companies, hospitals, and all manner of office environments. These applications typically
perform large numbers of concurrent requests, each of which makes a small number of disk
accesses. If one drive in a RAID 5 array fails, the lost data can be rebuilt from data on the
functioning disks.
Further information on RAID concepts can be found in Appendix B, Glossary.
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