Accusys ExaRAID A12S-PA User Manual

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Quick Start Guide Quick Start Guide

Welcome

A12S-PA 12 bay disk array provides superior functionality and performance
for managing your information. The 12 bay disk array offers the following
models:
A12S-PA: 12 bay disk array operated by a single RAID controller.
With a Java based GUI, the RAIDGuard X Server and Client software offers
improved manageability for Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems.

What's in the box…

 This guide
 Installation CD-ROM including: user manuals

for RAIDGuard X A12S-PA; JRE, Drivers and
RAIDGuard X Client and Server.

What's in the box…

 2 power cables
 2 front panel keys
 1 set of rails and rail extenders

 4 screw packs

What else you need…

 SATA II Hard Disk Drives (the number will

vary depending on the RAID configuration).

 Host server with spare PCIe slot.
 Static grounding strap or electrostatic discharge

(ESD) safe work area.

Mounting In a Rack

Your disk array is designed to be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack.
Mount the disk array before installing the hard drive disks.

1. Attach eight rack nuts into the rack, making sure that they correspond

with the mounting points on the rails.

2. Attach the rails and adjust the length to fit the rack.

3. Secure the rails with two nuts and bolts on both the front and back of

the rack.

4. Tighten the locking screws on the top of the rails.

5. Slide the disk array into the rack and secure into place with the fixing

screws.

Hard Drive Installation

1. Unlock the front panel door and pull it open.

2. Press the silver button to release the handle, and pull the disk tray out.

3. Insert the HDD into the disk tray, with the connectors facing outward.

4. Slide the HDD forward until the connectors align with the end of the

disk tray.

5. Secure into place with four screws, two on either side of the disk tray.

6. Reinsert the disk tray and push the handle down to lock into place.

7. Close and lock the front panel.

 The 12 bay chassis
 12 disk trays
 1 ACS-62100 RAID controller
 1 single port Re-drive card
 1 external PCIe x4 cable

Card Installation

1. Turn off the host server and open the server case.

2. Remove the blanking plate from the PCIe slot.

3. Position the connector of the card over the PCIe slot.

4. Press the connector of the card gently but firmly into the PCIe slot, until it is

correctly and securely seated.

5. Secure the metal bracket of the card to the system case with a screw.

Optional items…

Battery backup module to back up cached data in
the event of a power failure.

Note: The A12S-PA is shipped with the controller and disk trays installed in
the 12 bay chassis.

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Cable Connection

1. Insert one end of the external PCIe x4 cable into the external PCIe port on

the back of the disk array, and the other end into the external PCIe port of
the host server.

2. Plug the power cables into the power sockets on the back of the disk array,

and connect the other end to a power source.

3. Press both power switches on the back of the disk array.

Caution: The disk array is heavy. To prevent injury, always move the

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disk array with the help of at least one other person.
Note: You may need to install rail extenders to the front of the rack to
properly secure the disk array into place.

Initial Setup

The easiest way to start is to run Quick Array Configuration from the
BIOS.

1. Start the server and watch the screen. When the message “Press

< Enter > to enter the BIOS menu” appears on the screen, press
Enter.

2. Enter the password the default is 00000000 (8 zeros) and press Enter.

3. Go to RAID Configuration > Config Array > Quick Array

Configuration.

4. Select the RAID level. The BIOS will recognize how many drives are

installed and provide the best solution. Type Y to begin configuration.

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Note: The hard drives in a RAID should match in size and speed. All
drives in any array should be identical models with the same firmware
versions. The smallest drive will determine the size of the array.

Software Installation

The details below are applicable only to the Microsoft Windows operating

Caution: Do NOT remove the external PCIe x4 cable when in use as this
will cause data loss.
Caution: Before powering on, make sure the hard drive disks,
controller, Re-drive card, external PCIe x4 cable, and power cables are

Note: The PCIe slots on some motherboards are for graphics cards only.

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Check with the motherboard vendor for compatibility.
Note: The single port Re-drive card is compatible with PCI Express slots
x4, x8, and x16.

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properly installed and connected.
Note: Remove the external PCIe x4 cable by putting your finger into ring
of the cable connector and pull gently to release it.

system. For other operating systems see the User’s Manual.
Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive of the host server, and choose the
required application.

Installing Java

It is necessary to install Java Runtime Environment v1.6.02 or later . For the
latest version see www.java.com.
When you execute the Windows installer application on the CD-ROM, Java
is automatically installed.

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Installing RAIDGuard X Server

RAIDGuard X Server is the application that runs on the host server that the
A12S-PA disk array is connected to. Once it is installed correctly, the disk
array can be monitored from any remote computer with Java installed.
Choose which operating system to install for and follow the on-screen
instructions.

Installing RAIDGuard X Client

Choose which operating system to install for and follow the on-screen
instructions.

RAIDGuard X Server

Run the application when you want to connect to the RAID controller.

1. Go to Start > Programs > Accusys > RAIDGuard X > RAIDGuard X

Server.

2. One installed, the RAIDGuard X Server icon will be displayed in

the Windows notification area.

Basic Configuration

RAIDGuard X Client

The RAIDGuard X Client is responsible for monitoring and administering
the disk array remotely from any computer with Java installed.

1. Click on the desktop icon, or go to Start > Programs > Accusys >

RAIDGuard X > RAIDGuard X Client.

2. Add a controller by clicking the Add Controller icon.

3. Click the controller to administer and enter the password. The default

password is 00000000 (eight zeros). Click Add.

One a controller has been added, you can configure the disks assigned to the
controller. Follow the steps to below to either create an array or configure an
existing one.

Creating and Deleting an Array

Administrators can choose how best to distribute the disks available. Once an
array has been created, it can be further administered. To create an array:

1. Click the Create Array icon .

2. Select the RAID level from the drop down menu.

3. Select the stripe size from the drop down menu.

4. Click on the drives to be added to the array.

Optional: From the drop down menu select either On The Fly Initialization or
Performance Evaluation.

5. To automatically assign a LUN, check the box.

6. Click Create Array to complete the process.

Deleting an array removes the selected array and allows the drives to be used
in another array or reconfigured for a new array. When you delete an array, all
data on the array will be lost. To delete an array:

1. Click the Delete Array icon .

2. Click on the disks containing the array to be deleted.

3. Check the Confirm box.

Click Delete Array to complete the process.

4.

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Error Alerts

Errors alerts are activated when a problem occurs with the RAID controller or
array. The alerts can be detected in two ways:
Beeper - An audible alarm sounds when an error has occurred. To set the
beeper:

1. Click the Preferences icon > Mode tab > Check the Beeper box.

2. Click OK to set the beeper.

E-Mail - E-mails are sent to administrative staff when an error or event occurs.
To set e-mail alerts:

1. Click the Email icon .

2. Enter the e-mail addresses of recipients (max 20).

3. Enter the SMTP server name and e-mail address.

4. If required, enter the SMTP user name and password.

5. To generate a log for SMTP POST event, check the box.

6. Click OK to confirm.

Advanced Configuration

Options

The Options menu provides the methods for changing the details of the array.
Check the required option and then click Next to proceed.

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Slicing

Hard drive slicing partitions the drives of an array so that it appears as a
separate volume. To slice or merge an array:

1. Select the array to slice or merge by clicking on a disk with an array

number.

2. Click on the slice to create and use the slider bar or buttons to adjust

the size. Click OK to confirm.

3. Check the Confirm box and click OK.

LUN Map

A LUN is a unique identifier used on a SCSI bus that enables it to
differentiate between up to eight separate devices. Use the LUN map to
attach a unique identifier to a slice. To map a LUN:

1. Select the array to map.

2. Choose a LUN and from the drop down list select a series to map to.

3. Check the Confirm box and click OK.

Expansion

Expansion allows the adding of extra drives to an array with the need to
rebuild the array. To expand an array:

1. Select the array to add additional disks to and select the number of

disks to be added. A “+” sign appears above the disk(s) to be added.

2. Check the Confirm box and click Expand Array.

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Migration

Migration allows RAID types to be changed without the need to delete the
array and rebuild. For example, from RAID level 1 to RAID level 5.
To migrate an array:

1. Select the array to migrate. From the drop down menu, select the

RAID level to migrate to then select the total number of drives to
include in the array. A “+” sign appears above the disk(s) to be added
and a “-” sign above the disk(s) to be removed.

2. Check the Confirm box and click Migrate.

Snapshot

The snapshot function mirrors the data from one slice onto another, thereby
backing up the data. To create a snapshot:

1. Select Create Shot.

2. Select the shot, source volume, and destination volume.

3. Check the Confirm box and click OK.

Note: The destination volume must be the same size or bigger than
the source volume.

Health Center

If there are problems with the array then the health center can help to
resolve them. To verify, rebuild, or condition an array:

1. Select the array to verify, rebuild, or condition.

2. Select Rebuild parity data, V erify parity dat a, or Refresh array dat a and

parity. For Refresh array data and parity, choose the priority level.

3. Click OK to start the operation. Click OK to start the operation.

Unlock drives

Locked drives are drives that for one reason or another have stopped being
recognized by the controller. To unlock or change the ID of a drive:

1. Select the drive with the icon. It will change to the icon.

2. Check the Confirm box and click Unlock Drive.

Updating System Code, Boot Code, BIOS &
EFI

1. Download the latest firmware from www.accusys.com.tw.

2. Start the RAIDGuard X Client.

3. Add a controller.

4. Click Controller > Update > Update System Code, Update Boot Code,

or Update BIOS & EFI.

5. Go to the location of the downloaded files and click Open.

Caution: Before updating the system code, boot code, or BIOS & EFI,
right click on the RAIDGuard X Server icon in the Windows notification
area, and check Remove From Windows Startup.
If you want to use Mac to boot, please use EFI.

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FAQ

1. Q: RAIDGuard X Server displays the “Find no RAID Card” window.
A: Make sure that the RAID controller and Re-drive card are properly connected.

2. Q: Hard drives aren’t being displayed in the RAIDGuard X Client.
A: Make sure that the external PCIe x4 ca bl es a re co rr ec tly in stalled.

3. Q: The software has stopped working correctly.
A: Restart the host server. If this doesn’t work, insert the Installation CD into the computer/server

CD-ROM drive, and select Setup > Next > Repair > Install > Finish.

4. Q: Updating system code, boot code, BIOS and EFI doesn’t work correctly.
A: Do the following: 1) Check that the correct version is being installed. For example, if the BIOS

software is selected when updating the firmware, the message “Command Failed” will be
displayed. 2) Contact your reseller.

5. Q: E-Mail alerts aren’t working.
A: Check that the correct details are entered and that the use name and password are entered

if required. See your network administrator for details.

Contact Us

Taiwan - Accusys, Inc.

Address: 5F, No.38, Taiyuan St., Jhubei City, Hsinchu County 30265, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone] http://www.accusys.com.tw/

America - Accusys U.S.A., Inc.

Address: 46710 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538, U.S.A.

Tel: [phone], FAX:[phone] Toll-free number:[phone] e-mail: [e-mail]

Korea - Accusys Korea, Inc.

Address: Baegang B/D 5F Shinsa-Dong 666-14 Kangnam-Gu, Seoul, Korea

Tel: [phone], Fax : [phone]

China - Accusys Beijing, Inc.

No. 1701, Blk B, Horizon International Tower, No. 6 Zhichun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, ZIP: 100088, China

Tel: [phone]/82/83 Fax: [phone] http://www.accusys.com.cn/

China - Accusys Shanghai Inc.

Room 701, No. 666, Kirin Tower, Gubei Road, Changning Area Shanghai, ZIP: 200336, China

TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone]

Europe - Accusys EU B.V

Address: Orionweg 6, 4782 SC Moerdijk, The Netherlands

Tel: [phone] Fax : [phone] E-mail: [e-mail], [e-mail]

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http://www.accusys.co.kr/ e-mail : [e-mail]

e-mail: [e-mail], [e-mail]

e-mail: sales@accusy s.com.cn, [e-mail]

P/N: 42-33000-5024