Dell 58296 User Manual

CLIENT USER’S GUIDE

Dell® PowerEdge® Expandable RAID

Controller

Battery Backup Module Guide

Dell® PowerEdge® Expandable RAID Controller

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

 1996 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
 1996 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Part Number 58296

PowerEdge Battery Backup Module User’s Guide

ii

Preface

The PowerEdge Battery Pack Module is a mezzanine card that
mounts on top of the PowerEdge adapter card. The PowerEdge
Battery Backup Module provides emergency battery power for
the cache memory mounted on the PowerEdge adapter card..

Technical Support If you need technical assistance, see the “Getting Help” Chapter in the

Installation and Troubleshooting Guide that accompanied your
Dell computer.

Dell TechConnect BBS The TechConnect BBS permits you to access technical

information about the Dell PowerEdge Expandable RAID
Controller. For the correct BBS number in your area, see the
“Getting Help” chapter in the Installation and Troubleshooting
Guide that accompanied your Dell computer.

Web Site You can access the Dell Computer Corporation web site at:

http://www.us.dell.com

Preface

iii

1 Installing the Battery Pack

Overview

The PowerEdge Battery Backup Module protects the data handled
by the PowerEdge® Expandable RAID Controller by providing
protection from power supply interruptions to the PowerEdge
cache memory.

The PowerEdge Battery Backup Module monitors the voltage
level of the DRAM modules installed on the PowerEdge card and
supporting circuitry. If the voltage drops below a predefined level,
the Battery Backup Module switches the memory power source
from the PowerEdge card to the battery pack attached to the
PowerEdge Battery Backup Module.

As long as the voltage level is below the predefined value, the
PowerEdge Battery Backup Module provides the memory refresh
cycles necessary to retain the contents of the PowerEdge memory
modules.

If the voltage level returns to an acceptable level, the Battery
Backup Module switches the power source back to the
PowerEdge adapter card.

Cont’d

Chapter 1 Installing the Battery Pack 1

Overview, Continued

Battery Backup Module The backup module is shown below. There are no

jumpers to set. There are only two connectors that attach this
daughtercard to the PowerEdge controller card. Two three-pin
connectors (J1 and J2) attach the primary onboard battery pack
and a secondary battery pack.

Bottom of board

J5

J6

J2

Front of board

P/N: BAT-NIMH-4.8.01

CAUTION

ATTENTION

American Megatrends, Inc.

Danger o f ex plo sion if ba ttery is inco rrec tly replac ed. Replace

only with the same or equivalent type recom mended by the

ma nufacturer. D isp ose of used batteries according to the

ma nufacturer's instructio ns.

Il y a danger d'e xplosion s'il y a remp lac ement incorrect de la

batterie. Rem placer uniquement avec une batterie du mem e]

typ e o u d'un type equ iva len t recom mande p ar le c onstructeur.

Me ttre au rebut les batteries usagees conformement aux

instructions du fab ricant.

WARNING

PROMARK YYWW IIZ9503MSO

BEFORE ADDING OR REMOVING DRAM MODULE, DISCONNECT

BATTERY PACK FROM BATTERY BACKUP MODULE.

2 PowerEdge Battery Backup Module User’s Guide

Installing the Battery Backup Module

Static Electricity The PowerEdge PC SCSI Disk Array adapter card and the PowerEdge

Battery Backup Module contain sensitive electronic components.
Make sure you ground yourself by wearing an antistatic
wristband or by maintaining contact with an electrical ground
while you are installing the PowerEdge Battery Backup Module.

Warning

Do not place the PowerEdge Battery Backup
Module or the PowerEdge adapter card on a
conductive surface while the battery is being

attached or after the battery is attached.

Installing Onboard Battery Pack

You should not have to install the onboard battery pack. It should
already be mounted on the Dell PowerEdge Battery Backup
Module.

Warning

Before changing the memory on the PowerEdge

card, you must disconnect the battery pack.

Chapter 1 Installing the Battery Pack 3

Install the Battery Backup Card

Remove the PowerEdge card and place it on a flat, clean, static­free surface. Remove the four shunts from the 8-pin connector.
Install the PowerEdge Battery Backup daughtercard on the
PowerEdge adapter card as shown below.

Warning

Do not place the PowerEdge Battery Backup Module or the

PowerEdge adapter card on a conductive surface while the battery

is being attached.

Cont’d

4 PowerEdge Battery Backup Module User’s Guide

Install the Battery Backup Card, Continued

Attach Module to PowerEdge Controller Fasten the Battery Backup Module to the

PowerEdge RAID controller using the q” screw and nylon
washer supplied with the Battery Backup Module. First, insert the
screw through the nylon washer. Then insert the screw through
the hole on the PowerEdge controller, starting at the back of the
PowerEdge controller. Next, tighten the screw into the threaded
standoff on the Battery Backup Module. The screw must not be
as tight as you can make it. Tighten the screw so that it is flush
with the back of the PowerEdge controller, but not so tight that it
cannot be turned anymore.

Chapter 1 Installing the Battery Pack 5

Cont’d

Install the Battery Backup Card, Continued

The PERC with the PowerEdge Battery Backup Module installed
on it should appear as follows:

Dirty

SCSI

Cache

Activity

i960

1

4.8V, NIMH 9634 PROMARK
AMERICAN MEGATRENDS

1 1

See the Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller User’s Guide for
additional information about installing the PowerEdge
Expandable RAID Controller.

6 PowerEdge Battery Backup Module User’s Guide

Connecting Battery Packs

The PowerEdge Battery Backup Module usually is shipped with
an onboard four-cell Nickel- Metal Hydride battery pack already
installed. If this is the case, you must only insert the battery
connector into J2, as shown below. The battery cable connector is
keyed to make sure that the proper connection is made.

J2

CAUTION

American Megatrends, Inc. P/N: BAT-NIMH-4.8.01

ATTENTION

Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace

only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the

manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the

manufacturer's instructions.

Il y a danger d'explosion s'il y a remplacement incorrect de la

WARNING

PROMARK YYWW IIZ9503MSO

BEFORE ADDING OR REMOVING DRAM MODULE, DISCONNECT

batterie. Remplacer uniquement avec une batterie du meme]

type ou d'un type equivalent recommande par le constructeur.

BATTERY PACK FROM BATTERY BACKUP MODULE.

Mettre au rebut les batteries usagees conformement aux

instructions du fabricant.

Attac h battery pack
conne ctor to J2

Install PowerEdge Card Install the PowerEdge card in the computer. See the Dell

PowerEdge RAID Controller User’s Guide for complete

installation instructions.

Chapter 1 Installing the Battery Pack 7

8 PowerEdge Battery Backup Module User’s Guide

2 Using the Battery Backup Module

Charging the Battery Pack

The battery pack is shipped uncharged. You must charge the
battery pack before you can use it. The minimum time that the
battery must be charged is:

AMI Part Number Description Time to Charge

BAT-NIMH-4.8-01 Battery, NIMH, 4.8V, 650mA onboard

battery pack with mounting brackets

BAT-NIMH-4.8-02 Battery, NIMH, 4.8, 1200mA external

offboard battery pack

The full data retention time is not available until the battery pack
is fully charged. It is a good idea to set the PowerEdge cache
write policy option to Write-Through during the battery pack
charging period. After the battery pack is fully charged, you can
change the cache write policy to Write-Back.

Removing the Battery Pack

A new battery pack should be installed in the battery backup
module every 3 to 5 years.

Primary - 12 hours (to 100%)

Primary - 6 hours (to 90%)

4 hours

Secondary - 60 hours

Step Action

1 Bring down the operating system properly. Make sure that cache memory has been

flushed. You must perform a system reset if operating under DOS. When the computer

reboots, the PowerEdge controller flushes cache memory.
2 Turn the computer power off.
3 Remove the computer cover.
4 Disconnect the battery pack from the battery backup module. Remove any other items

that you want to remove, such as the battery backup module, PowerEdge controller, or

DRAM modules.
5 Replace the computer cover and turn the computer power on.

Chapter 2 Using the Battery Backup Module 9

Changing DRAM Modules

Important

The battery backup module must be disconnected

before you add or remove DRAMs to or from the

PowerEdge controller card.

Step Action

1 Bring down the operating system properly. Make sure that cache memory has been flushed.

You must perform a system reset if operating under DOS. When the computer reboots, the

PowerEdge controller flushes cache memory.
2 Turn the computer power off. Disconnect the power cables from the computer.
3 Remove the computer cover.
4 Disconnect the battery pack cable from the battery backup module.
5 Remove the PowerEdge controller.
6 You can now add or remove DRAM modules from the PowerEdge controller. Follow the

instructions in the PowerEdge RAID Controller User’s Guide.
7

Reinstall the PowerEdge controller in the computer. Follow the instructions in the PowerEdge

RAID Controller User’s Guide.

8 Reattach the battery pack cable to the battery backup module
9 Replace the computer cover and turn the computer power on.

Disposing of a Battery Pack

A new battery pack should be installed every 3 to 5 years. The
material in the battery pack contains heavy metals that can
contaminate the environment. Federal, state, and local regulations
prohibit the disposal of NIMH batteries in public landfills. These
batteries must be sent to a specific location for proper disposal.
You can call the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at
352-376-6693 (FAX: [phone]) for an authorized battery
disposal site near you. For a list of battery disposal sites, write to:

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
2293 NW 41st Street
Gainesville FL 32606
Voice: 352-376-6693
FAX: [phone]

10 PowerEdge Battery Backup Module User’s Guide

3 Specifications

Fast Charge Rate 235 mA
Trickle Charge Rate 24 mA

Charge Time for Battery Packs The following time-to-charge values are

calculated assuming 80% efficiency in the charging process. The
time-to-charge values may vary depending on individual battery
packs.

AMI Part Number Description Time to Charge

BAT-NIMH-4.8-01 Battery, NIMH, 4.8V, 650mA

onboard battery pack with mounting

brackets

BAT-NIMH-4.8-02 Battery, NIMH, 4.8, 1200mA

external offboard battery pack

Primary - 12 hours (to 100%)

Primary - 6 hours (to 90%)

Retention Time for Cache Memory The retention time for cache memory will vary with

the SIMM size and number of DRAM SIMM banks used.
See Appendix A for the data retention time.

4 hours

Secondary - 60 hours

Chapter 3 Specifications 11

Appendix A Data Retention Time

The data retention time is a function of:

• the capacity of the battery pack, and

• the load of the backed up circuitry.

Capacity and Load Factors The data retention time as a function of the battery pack

capacity and load is listed below.
The load is the DRAM SIMM and the PERC Controller.

Battery Pack DRAM Size Data Retention Time

BAT-NIMH-4.8-01 1 Bank of 1 MBx36 (12 chips)

2 Banks of 1 MBx36 (12 chips)

BAT-NIMH-4.8-02 1 Bank of 1 MBx36 (12 chips)

2 Banks of 1 MBx36 (12 chips)

The information in this table is not complete. See the “Getting
Help” Chapter in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide
that accompanied your Dell computer for additional information
about technical support.

See the Technical Update shipped

with the PERC or Dell Server.

Chapter 3 Specifications 13