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This document provides installation and set up information for getting your DataDirect
Networks SFA12K system up and running as quickly as possible. The features and functions
of the SFA12K are fully documented in the SFA OS User Guide.
In this document, except where otherwise specified, SFA12K represents SFA12K-20,
SFA12KX, SFA12K-40, SFA12KXi, SFA12KXE, and SFA12K-20E.
This version of SFA12K Hardware Installation & Configuration Guide is specific to SFA OS
version 2.3.1. Information given in this document applies to the following configurations,
unless otherwise noted:
• SFA12K-20—the block storage appliance
• SFA12KX/12K-40—the high performance block storage appliance, twice the disk
bandwidth performance of SFA12K-20
• SFA12KXi—the ultra-high IOPS and bandwidth block storage appliance
• SFA12KXE/12K-20E—thefilesystemappliancemodel with embedded virtual machine
support for DDN GRIDScaler and DDN EXAScaler scalable parallel file system
solutions
Refer to the SFA OS Compatibility Guide for the list of expansion enclosures, disk drives,
certified solutions, client operating systems, and HBAs and HCAs that are currently
supported.
Related Documentation
• SFA OS Product Release Notes
• SFA OS Compatibility Guide
• SFA OS CLUI Command Reference
• SFA API Reference Guide
• 42U/45U 28" Wide Rack Installation and Service Guide
2.Install the controllers, BBU, ATS, and disk enclosures into rack (Section 3).
3.Connect the disk enclosures to controllers (Section 4).
4.Install the disk modules into the disk enclosures (Section 5).
5.Connect the cables between controllers, BBUs, ATSs, and PDU (Sections 6 and 7).
6.Configure the ATSs (Section 8).
7.Configure the network ports via the serial console (Sections 9 to 12).
8.Configure the BBUs (Section 13).
9.Validate the hardware and configure subsystem settings (Section 14).
10. For E-platforms, use either a VNC viewer or SSH to access the preconfigured Virtual
Machines (Section 15).
For block-storage configurations, create storage pools, virtual disks, spare pools, and
presentations (Sections 16 to 21).
System Installation and Configuration
2.Unpacking the System
If your system is already installed in the racks, refer to the DDN 42U/45U 28" Wide Rack
Installation and Service Guide for instructions on removing the system from the shipping
crate and positioning the system.
Before you unpack your SFA12K, inspect the shipping containers for damage. If you detect
damage, report it to your carrier. Retain all boxes and packing materials in case you need to
store or ship the system in the future.
2.1Packing List
The SFA12K ships with the following:
• Two controllers with rackmount kit
• Two battery backup units (BBU) with rackmount kit
• Two automatic transfer switches (ATS) with rackmount kit and serial cable
• InfiniBand ICL cables (3 cables for SFA12K-20, 12KXE, 12K-20E; 6 cables for SFA12KXi,
12KX, and 12K-40)
• Two Ethernet cables (controllers to management networks)
Each couplet accessory kit is included in one of the two controllers’ packaging kits.
2.2Safe Handling
• Do not lift the enclosure or controller by yourself
• Anti-tip plates should be firmly attached to the bottom of the rack to prevent the rack
from tipping over when a drawer is pulled out of the rack
• Do not pull out more than one drawer at once
• Remove disk modules to minimize weight of the enclosure
Also refer to the SFA OS User Guide and the 42U / 45U 28" Wide Rack Installation andService Guide for additional information on safety requirements.
System Installation and Configuration
3.Rack Installation
Refer to Appendix A for instructions on how to install a SFA12K controller, BBU, and ATS
into a rack.
Refer to the StorageScaler 7000 User Guide for instructions on how to install the SS7000
disk enclosures and cable management hardware into a rack.
Refer to the StorageScaler 8460 User Guide for instructions on how to install the SS8460
disk enclosures and cable management assembly into a rack.
4.Disk Enclosure Cabling
Using the cabling diagrams provided in Appendix B, connect the disk enclosures to the two
controllers as shown.
If your system is shipped with the cables attached between the disk enclosures and
controllers’ I/O channels, verify that the disk enclosures are correctly connected to the two
controllers.
NOTE :
Incorrect wiring can prevent the system from operating correctly or from
operating at all.
The disk modules are shipped separately from the disk enclosures.
When handling the disk modules and components, avoid contact with
!
Warning
backplane components and module connectors. Electrostatic discharge
can damage the circuit boards.
System Installation and Configuration
CAUTION !
Ensure that the disk modules are at room temperature before
installation. It is recommended that the disks are allowed at least two
hours to acclimate to room temperature prior to installation.
For E-platforms and pre-configured systems, each disk module has been pre-labeled with a
slot number. Refer to Appendix C for information on proper disk placement.
For block-storage configurations:
• Create a more balanced load by evenly distributing the disk modules among the disk
enclosures
• Always fill the rows from front to back (also see Section 5.1 for blank module
requirements)
• Place disks with similar rotational speed in the same row
• If a mixture of disk technologies will be populated into one enclosure, for optimal
cooling, the best loading order from front to back will be:
❖ 10,000 RPM disks, 7,200 RPM disks, then SSD
❖ 3.5" HDD, then 2.5" HDD or smaller
Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate the layout of disks in the SS7000 and SS8460 enclosures
The SS7000 and SS8460 enclosures require blank modules to complete any partially
populated rows.
For example on the SS8460, if two rows are full, the third has six disk modules, and the other
rows are empty, then:
• The partially populated row #3 must have six blank modules
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
• The completely empty rows #4, #5, and #6 do not need any blank modules
Retain any unused blank modules for future use.
5.2Racked Systems
If your system is already installed in the racks, there are four shipping screws installed on the
front panel of each disk enclosure to secure them for transit. These screws must be removed
or loosened before the enclosure can be pulled out for disk module installation.
For SS8460 enclosures, remove the four shipping screws as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Shipping Screws on SS8460 Front Panel
For SS7000 enclosures, loosen the four shipping screws as shown in Figure 4.
1.Slide the enclosure out from the rack by squeezing the tabs on both rack slides. Keep
pulling until the enclosure locks and you hear a clicking sound.
2.Open the enclosure covers.
3.Release the handle on the disk module.
4.Insert the module into a disk bay. Cam the disk module home. The camming foot on the
base of the module will engage into the slot in the enclosure.
5.When the module is fully inserted, close the handle.
6.After you have installed all the disk modules (and blank modules) in this enclosure,
close the enclosure covers and engage all cover latches.
7.Squeeze the tabs on both rack slides and push the enclosure back into the rack.
Refer to the respective StorageScaler 8460 and StorageScaler 7000 User
Guides if you need detailed instructions for disk module installation.
1.Verify that the power switches on all the power distribution units (PDUs) are set to
OFF.
2.Connect the two ATSs’ Source A and Source B connectors to the PDUs. It is
recommended to connect the ATS’ Source A to the PDUs on the left side when viewed
from the back of the rack and connect Source B to the PDUs on the right side.
3.Connect the disk enclosures’ power supplies to the PDUs.
4.Connect the PDUs to your AC power source. For maximum redundancy, connect the
PDUs to different AC circuits.
Figure 12 illustrates an example for the PDU wiring. Actual wiring varies depending on the
PDU type, geography, and enclosure configurations.
You must configure the ATSs’ Line VRMs and voltage transfer range
values for use at your site before powering up the SFA12K system.
8.1Access the Web Interface
The SFA12K family dedicated ATSs are factory configured with a default IP address (see
Table 2). It is recommended that the ATS network interfaces be used only for initial setup.
Refer to the SFA OS User Guide for information on how to display the current network
interface settings on the ATS.
NOTE :
1.Temporarily unplug the controllers’ and BBUs’ power cables from the ATSs as shown
in Figure 13 and Figure 14.
!
Warning
It is recommended that the ATS remains disconnected from any
management networks after initial setup unless you plan on monitoring
it with event notifications as outlined in the SFA OS User Guide.
To ensure that the BBUs and controllers remain powered off during ATS
configuration, it is important to completely remove the power source.
Figure 13. Disconnect Power Cables from ATS (with BBU Model 5P1550GR)
Controller
BBU
Model 5P1550GR
ATS
Figure 14. Disconnect Power Cables from ATS (with BBU Model 1550)
3.Ensure the ATS digital display shows “0”, indicating that it is ready.
4.Connect the Ethernet RJ-45 port on the ATS front panel directly to the network
interface of the computer that will be used to configure the ATS (Figure 15).
Figure 15. ATS Front Panel
Displays 0 when
bootup is complete
Ethernet port
5.Configure the IP address of the setup computer’s Ethernet port to an address in the
same subnet as the ATS you are connecting to (see Table 2). Refer to your operating
system reference documentation on how to configure the Ethernet port.
Table 2. Network Interface Settings for ATS Units
ATS 0ATS 1
IP Address10.0.0.310.0.1.3
Subnet Mask255.255.255.0255.255.255.0
Gateway10.0.0.010.0.1.0
Configuring Computer IP Address10.0.0.410.0.1.4
6.Open a browser to access the ATS by its IP address as shown in Table 2 above.
Use Mozilla Firefox version 1.x or higher. Use Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 5.5 or
higher on Windows operating systems.
7.Enter the user name and password. The default administrator user name is apc and
password is apc. Note that entries are case sensitive.
If you are unable to connect to the ATS Web interface, check the Ethernet cabling and retry.
8.2Configure the Parameters
You must configure these parameters according to the nominal AC voltage at your site.
1.Log in to the ATS’s Web interface as described in Section 8.1 above.
2.Determine the Source A and Source B voltages (Figure 16):
❖ Go to Unit tab
❖ Select Measurements
If the two AC Line voltages are within 10 volts, then compute their average and
proceed; otherwise, please contact DDN Support.
3.Determine the nominal AC line voltage for the system. This is the value from the list
(200, 208, 220, 230, 240) that is closest to the average just computed.
For example, using the data in Figure 16:
Source A Voltage = 249
Source B Voltage = 240
Average AC Line voltage = (249 + 240)/2=244.5
Nominal AC line voltage = 240 because that is the closest number to 244.5 from the list.
Note: Use this value when setting the BBUs’ nominal voltage (as described later in
Section 13).
❖ In the Voltage Transfer Range field, select “Wide”
❖ In the Sensitivity field, select “Low”
❖ In the Line VRMS field, enter the nominal AC line voltage value determined in
step 3 above
❖ In the Wide VRMS Limit field, enter “30”
❖ Click Apply to save the changes
5.Select preferred source:
❖ Go to Unit tab
❖ Select Configuration - source (Figure 18)
Figure 18. Select Preferred Source
❖ In the Preferred Source field, select “None”
❖ Click Apply to save the changes
6.Verify that the Input A and B LEDs are both illuminated on the front panel (Figure 19).
Figure 19. ATS Front Panel
Input LEDs
7.Repeat steps 1 to 6 above on the other ATS.
8.3Other Recommended Configurations
You may configure the date and time, administrator user name and password, and event
notifications for the ATS. Refer to the SFA OS User Guide (SFA12K ATS Recommended
Configurations) for more information.
When the power is restored to the rack after a power interruption
(regardless of the subsystem being safely shut down), the controllers will
power up automatically. Please refer to the SFA OS User Guide (Powering
On After Subsystem Shutdown) for more information.
1.Turn on all the PDUs.
2.Turn on the power supply modules on all the disk enclosures.
NOTE :
ALL the disk enclosures must be powered up before powering on the
controllers.
3.On both ATSs (Figure 22):
❖ Verify that the unit displays “0” on the front panel, indicating that it is ready
❖ Verify that both Input A and B LEDs are ON, indicating that the ATS is operating
with full source redundancy
❖ Verify that the Output LED is ON, indicating that output voltage is available
Figure 22. ATS Front Panel
Input LEDs
Output LED
Displays “0”
4.Turn on both BBUs:
❖ For systems using Model 5P1550GR, go to step 5
❖ For systems using Model 1550, go to step 6
5.On both BBUs (Model 5P1550GR) (Figure 23):
❖ Press and hold the Power button on the front panel for at least 2 seconds to turn on
the unit. The LCD displays “UPS starting” then changes to “Normal mode.”
Figure 23. BBU Status LED Indicators on Front Panel (Model 5P1550GR)
If you turn on the controller by pressing only the controller power button, the controller will
automatically turn on its dedicated BBU once the controller is completely up and running.
Note that if you take this approach, you will not be able to verify that the BBU is on until that
point.
This feature is available:
• To ensure that the controller’s BBU is running even if you forget to turn it on
• To provide the ability to turn on the controller with a single push button
• To allow the controller and its BBU to be restarted remotely via IPMI
10.Serial Interface Setup & Accessing the CLUI
The SFA12K can be configured and administered either via serial connection (using the
supplied serial cable) or via Ethernet connection. However, in order to use the Ethernet
connection, it is first necessary to configure the network settings on each controller. This
can only be done using the serial interface as described in Section 11. The RS-232 console
can also be used to log the console output and to upgrade the BIOS/BMC firmware.
When the RS-232 null modem cable is attached to the controller, its
!
Warning
1.Connect a null modem cable between a PC and the RS-232 connector on the back of the
controller (Figure 26).
2.On the RS-232 console, load a serial console program (such as HyperTerminal,
minicom, PuTTY, or screen) and use the following settings for the serial connection:
❖ Bits per second:115,200
❖ Data bits:8
❖ Parity:None
❖ Stop bits:1
❖ Flow control:None
corresponding opposite cable end must always be connected to a PC or
properly terminated. It should not be left unterminated or the operation
of the controller may be affected.
Figure 26. RS-232 Port on Controller
3.Once connected, press the <Enter> key to bring up the login prompt. Enter the user
name user and password user.
The CLUI commands are independent of case. Most of the keywords can be abbreviated and
most of the punctuations are optional.