Intel® RAID Controller SRCMR
User’s Guide
Order Number: A75271-001
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Contents
1 Introduction and General Information
Intended Audience ............................................................................................................. 13
RAID Levels ....................................................................................................................... 13
RAID 0 - Data Striping ............................................................................................... 13
RAID 1 - Disk Mirroring/Disk Duplexing ..................................................................... 14
RAID 4 - Data Striping with a Dedicated Parity Drive ................................................. 15
RAID 5 - Data Striping with Striped Parity.................................................................. 15
RAID 10 - Combination of RAID 1 and RAID 0 .......................................................... 16
Chaining............................................................................................................................. 17
Configuring a Chaining Set Using Storage Console................................................... 17
Configuring a Chaining Set using StorCon+............................................................... 17
Levels of Drive Hierarchy Within the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Firmware.................... 18
Level 1....................................................................................................................... 18
Level 2....................................................................................................................... 18
Level 3....................................................................................................................... 18
Level 4....................................................................................................................... 19
Transparency of Host Drives .............................................................................................. 19
Using CD-ROMs, DATs, Tapes, etc........................................................................... 20
2 Getting Started
What is the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Firmware? ........................................................ 21
Standard Firmware.................................................................................................... 21
RAID Hardware Installation and Setup ............................................................................... 22
Minimum Hardware Requirements............................................................................. 22
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR in the Intel Server Board............................. 22
Programming the Flash Memory................................................................................ 23
Recover the Firmware in the Flash Memory ...................................................... 23
SCSI Termination ...................................................................................................... 24
Termination....................................................................................................... 24
Configurable SCSI Parameters.................................................................................. 25
Choosing a Configuration .......................................................................................... 26
How many Hard Disks should be Integrated into the Disk Array?...................... 26
What Level of Redundancy is Needed? ............................................................ 26
Are Hot Fix Drives Needed?.............................................................................. 27
Intel RAID Controller Hardware Features................................................................... 28
Architechure Features (HW).............................................................................. 28
Electrical Characteristics ................................................................................... 28
Environmental Specifications ............................................................................ 28
Supported Hard Drive Technology .................................................................... 28
Support for Non-Hard-Disk-Drive SCSI Devices
(Non-Direct-Access Devices)...................................................................... 29
Compatible Intel RAID Controllers..................................................................... 30
Operational States of an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Firmware Disk Array..................... 31
Operational States for RAID 4/5................................................................................. 31
iii
Methods for the Replacement of a Disk Drive..................................................................... 33
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Quick Start .......................................................................... 34
Make an OS Installation Diskette............................................................................... 34
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR in the Intel Server Board............................. 35
Use Storage Console to Create a RAID Volume........................................................ 36
Set the BIOS Boot Order ........................................................................................... 39
Install the Operating System...................................................................................... 40
Installing Windows 2000.................................................................................... 40
Installing Red Hat Linux 7.1 .............................................................................. 41
Alternative Method to Creating an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Installation Diskette........ 42
Windows NT .............................................................................................................. 42
Windows 2000........................................................................................................... 42
SCO Unixware†......................................................................................................... 42
How to Use Auto Hot Plug with SAF-TE............................................................................. 43
Setting Up Auto Hot Plug........................................................................................... 43
3 Installing Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000
Operating System Installation Procedures.......................................................................... 45
Pre-Installation Requirements Checklist .................................................................... 45
Minimum Hardware Requirements.................................................................... 45
Minimum Software Requirements ..................................................................... 46
Installing an Operating System onto a RAID Volume or Single Disk ......................... 46
Windows 2000 / NT 4.0 Installation Procedures................................................ 47
Installing the OS................................................................................................ 47
Installing an OS onto an IDE or SCSI Disk Drive Not Attached to the
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR..................................................................... 48
Windows 2000 / NT 4.0 Installation Procedures................................................ 48
Upgrading an OS (Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000) that is
Currently Installed on a RAID Volume or Single Disk.................................. 49
Installation to an Existing OS ............................................................................ 51
Installing Drivers for your Intel RAID Controller SRCMR..................................................... 51
4 Installing Linux
Before you Begin................................................................................................................53
Available Drivers and Tools on the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Software
Suite CD-ROM .................................................................................................... 53
Assumptions About Path Names ............................................................................... 53
General Installation Notes .................................................................................................. 54
Minimum Hardware Requirements............................................................................. 54
Minimum Hardware Requirements.................................................................... 54
Minimum Software Requirements ..................................................................... 54
Installing Red Hat Linux 7.x on a RAID Volume (Host Drive)............................................. 55
Installing an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR onto an Existing Linux Server.......................... 56
Installation of Driver Sources from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM ........ 56
GDT Driver Parameters...................................................................................................... 57
Reservation of SCSI Devices..................................................................................... 57
Further Driver Parameters......................................................................................... 58
iv Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Installation of Intel RAID Controller SRCMR StorCon Monitoring Utility.............................. 59
Installation of StorCon from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM................... 59
Using StorCon Monitoring Utility ................................................................................ 59
Remote Monitoring with the Intel SRCD Remote Access Service....................................... 60
SRCD Installation Instructions from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM....... 60
5 Installing Novell Netware
Pre-Installation Requirements Checklist ............................................................................. 61
Minimum Hardware Requirements.................................................................... 61
Minimum Software Requirements ..................................................................... 61
New Installation of NetWare 5.1 ......................................................................................... 62
New Installation of NetWare 5.xx with the SRCRX.HAM Driver ................................. 62
Adding Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Controller(s), Drivers, and/or Storage Console
to an Existing NetWare Installation............................................................................... 63
Installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Driver Package...................................... 63
Installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Tools Kit Package.................................. 64
Configuring Tools for Remote Access ............................................................... 64
ASPI Support for NetWare 5.1............................................................................................ 64
Tips and Tricks................................................................................................................... 65
Optimize Data Throughput......................................................................................... 65
Cache Memory Allocator Out of Available Memory’ in PCI-ISA Systems ................... 65
NetWare-Server Not Stable When Under High Utilization.......................................... 66
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and Non-ASPI Compatible Controllers........................ 66
Last Status Information.............................................................................................. 67
Adding Additional Capacity After an Online Capacity Expansion ............................... 67
Notes on ARCserve............................................................................................................ 67
6 Installing UnixWare
General Installation Notes .................................................................................................. 69
Minimum Hardware Requirements............................................................................. 69
Minimum Software Requirements.............................................................................. 69
Installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR as an Additional Controller.............................. 70
No Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Has Yet Been Configured for UnixWare................ 70
An Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Has Already Been Configured for UnixWare ......... 70
Installing an Operating System onto a Host Drive or Single Disk........................................ 71
Installation of the RAID Software Suite for UnixWare ......................................................... 71
Coordinates of SCSI Devices ............................................................................................. 72
Host Adapter Number (HA)........................................................................................ 72
UnixWare Bus Number, Target ID and LUN............................................................... 73
Configuration Example...................................................................................... 73
Additional Information......................................................................................................... 74
Contents v
7 Storage Console
StorCon Features ............................................................................................................... 75
StorCon Features Include.......................................................................................... 75
StorCon Is .......................................................................................................................... 75
Loading StorCon ................................................................................................................ 76
Loading the StorCon Program Under NetWare.......................................................... 76
Loading StorCon on a Fileserver ............................................................................... 76
Loading StorCon on a Workstation ............................................................................ 76
Loading the StorCon Program Under Windows NT/2000........................................... 77
Uninstalling the RAID Software Suite......................................................................... 79
Loading the StorCon Program Under Windows 95/98................................................ 80
Loading StorCon Under Linux.................................................................................... 80
Loading StorCon Under SCO UnixWare.................................................................... 81
StorCon.............................................................................................................................. 81
The StorCon Program ........................................................................................................ 81
Select Interface.......................................................................................................... 83
Select Controller ........................................................................................................ 83
Monitor and Express / Advanced Setup..................................................................... 84
Monitor Menu.................................................................................................... 85
Express Setup / Advanced Setup Menus .......................................................... 85
Monitor Menu ..................................................................................................................... 86
View Statistics ........................................................................................................... 86
View Events............................................................................................................... 87
View Hard Disk Info ................................................................................................... 88
The Retries Counter.......................................................................................... 88
The Reassigns Counter..................................................................................... 88
The Grown Defects Counter.............................................................................. 88
Last Status........................................................................................................ 89
Save Information ....................................................................................................... 89
Express Setup.................................................................................................................... 91
Configure Host Drives................................................................................................ 91
Host Drive States .............................................................................................. 91
Configure New Host Drive................................................................................. 93
Host Drive Options............................................................................................ 95
Repair Array Drives ................................................................................................... 97
Advanced Setup ................................................................................................................. 99
Configure Controller................................................................................................... 99
Controller Settings............................................................................................. 99
Firmware Update............................................................................................. 100
Intelligent Fault Bus......................................................................................... 100
Non-Intelligent Enclosures .............................................................................. 101
Advanced Settings .......................................................................................... 102
Cluster Channels............................................................................................. 103
Clear Log Buffer.............................................................................................. 103
vi Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Configure Physical Devices ..................................................................................... 104
Keyboard Commands ..................................................................................... 104
SCSI Parameter / Initialize .............................................................................. 105
Check Surface ................................................................................................ 106
View Status/Defects........................................................................................ 107
De-initialize Disk.............................................................................................. 107
Lock/Unlock Disk............................................................................................. 107
Enclosure Status............................................................................................. 108
Configure Logical Drives ................................................................................. 110
Keyboard Commands ..................................................................................... 110
Configure Array Drives ............................................................................................ 112
Keyboard Commands ..................................................................................... 112
Change Drive Name........................................................................................ 113
Expand Array Drive......................................................................................... 113
Add RAID 1 Component.................................................................................. 114
Replace Array Component .............................................................................. 114
Remove RAID 1 Component........................................................................... 114
Remove Array Drive........................................................................................ 114
Add Hot Fix Drive............................................................................................ 115
In the Event of a Drive Failure ................................................................................. 115
Remove Hot Fix Drive ..................................................................................... 116
Hot Fix Pool Access ........................................................................................ 116
Parity Verify..................................................................................................... 116
Periodic Parity Verify....................................................................................... 116
Build/Rebuild Progress.................................................................................... 117
Create New Array Drive........................................................................................... 117
Notes on the Configuration of RAID 0, 1, 4, 5 and 10 Arrays Drives................ 119
Configure Host Drives.............................................................................................. 120
Change Drive Name........................................................................................ 120
Swap Host Drives............................................................................................ 120
Remove Host Drives ....................................................................................... 121
Split Host Drive ............................................................................................... 121
Merge Host Drives .......................................................................................... 121
Partition Host Drives ....................................................................................... 121
Overwrite Master Boot Code ........................................................................... 121
Drive Type (Cluster)........................................................................................ 121
8 Storge Console Plus
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 123
Monitoring of the Whole Subsystem ........................................................................ 123
Remote Configuration and Maintenance.................................................................. 123
The StorCon+ Controls..................................................................................................... 124
The Toolbar ............................................................................................................. 124
The Status Bar......................................................................................................... 125
Window Menu Commands....................................................................................... 125
Help Menu Commands ............................................................................................ 125
File Menu Commands.............................................................................................. 126
Contents vii
View Menu Commands............................................................................................ 126
The Chart Menu....................................................................................................... 126
The Configuration Menu Commands ....................................................................... 127
Select Controller............................................................................................................... 128
Physical Configuration Window................................................................................ 130
Controller Configuration Settings ............................................................................. 132
Change Settings ............................................................................................. 132
Save Information............................................................................................. 132
Firmware Update..................................................................................................... 133
I/O Processors......................................................................................................... 134
Channel Settings............................................................................................. 136
Rescan ID(s)................................................................................................... 136
Hot Plug: Add Disk......................................................................................... 136
Direct Access Devices ............................................................................................. 137
The SCSI Parameter/Initialize ......................................................................... 139
Synchronous Transfer..................................................................................... 139
Disconnect ...................................................................................................... 140
Tagged Queues .............................................................................................. 140
SCSI Read Cache / SCSI Write Cache ........................................................... 140
De-initialize a Physical Disk ............................................................................ 140
Lock / Unlock a Removable Disk..................................................................... 140
Non Direct Access Devices (Raw Devices).............................................................. 141
Logical Configuration Window .......................................................................................... 142
Host Drives.............................................................................................................. 142
Normal Host Drive........................................................................................... 142
Local Mounted Cluster Drive ........................................................................... 143
Remote Mounted Cluster Drive ....................................................................... 143
Private Host Drive Belonging To Another Intel RAID Controller SRCMR......... 144
Array Drives............................................................................................................. 145
Logical Drives.......................................................................................................... 146
Physical Drives ........................................................................................................ 147
The Host Drive Information Window ........................................................................ 147
The Array Drive Information Window ....................................................................... 148
The Logical Drive Information Window..................................................................... 150
Change the Name of a Drive ................................................................................... 151
Remove a Host Drive............................................................................................... 151
Create a New Host Drive......................................................................................... 151
Parity Verify............................................................................................................. 153
Parity Recalculate.................................................................................................... 154
Progress Information ............................................................................................... 154
Expansion of an Array ............................................................................................. 155
Add a Hot Fix Drive.................................................................................................. 157
Remove a Hot Fix Drive........................................................................................... 158
Hot Fix Pool Access................................................................................................. 158
Add a RAID 1 Component (Mirror a Drive)............................................................... 158
Remove a RAID 1 Component (Remove a Mirror Drive).......................................... 159
Replace a Logical Drive........................................................................................... 160
viii Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
The Different States of an Array Drive ..................................................................... 160
The Ready State ............................................................................................. 160
The Idle State.................................................................................................. 161
The Build / Rebuild State................................................................................. 161
The Fail State.................................................................................................. 162
The Error State ............................................................................................... 162
The Statistics Window ...................................................................................................... 163
The Controller Events Window ......................................................................................... 164
StorCon+ Help.................................................................................................................. 165
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Service and Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Mail ................ 167
9 Getting Help
World Wide Web .............................................................................................................. 173
Telephone ........................................................................................................................ 173
In U.S. and Canada: ................................................................................................ 173
In Europe:................................................................................................................ 173
In Asia-Pacific Region:............................................................................................. 174
In Japan:.................................................................................................................. 174
In Latin America:...................................................................................................... 174
10 Regulatory and Certification Information
Product Regulatory Compliance ....................................................................................... 175
Product Safety Compliance ..................................................................................... 175
Product EMC Compliance........................................................................................ 175
Product Regulatory Compliance Markings............................................................... 176
Electromagnetic Compatibility Notices.............................................................................. 177
FCC Verification Statement (USA)........................................................................... 177
ICES-003 (Canada) ................................................................................................. 178
CE Declaration of Conformity (Europe).................................................................... 178
VCCI (Japan)........................................................................................................... 178
BSMI (Taiwan)......................................................................................................... 179
Canadian Users....................................................................................................... 179
Warnings and Cautions .................................................................................................... 179
Warnings ................................................................................................................. 179
Cautions .................................................................................................................. 179
Figures
1. RAID 0 – Data Striping ............................................................................................. 13
2. RAID 1 - Disk Mirroring............................................................................................. 14
3. RAID 0 - Disk Duplexing........................................................................................... 14
4. RAID 4 ..................................................................................................................... 15
5. RAID 5 ..................................................................................................................... 16
6. RAID 10 ................................................................................................................... 16
7. Jumper Positions for Flash Update and REcovery.................................................... 23
8. Operational State Diagram ....................................................................................... 32
9. Controller Settings.................................................................................................... 47
10. Component Selection (Windows NT)........................................................................ 78
11. Component Selection (Windows 2000)..................................................................... 78
Contents ix
12. Add/Remove Programs (Windows 2000 Example)................................................... 79
13. Select Interface ........................................................................................................ 82
14. Remote Machine ...................................................................................................... 83
15. Select Controller....................................................................................................... 83
16. Monitor and Express Setup / Advanced Setup Menu................................................ 84
17. View Statistics Menu ................................................................................................ 86
18. Physical Drive Statistics ........................................................................................... 86
19. Logfile Name............................................................................................................ 87
20. Controller Events...................................................................................................... 87
21. Hard Disk Information............................................................................................... 88
22. Hard Disk Last Status............................................................................................... 89
23. Save Information ...................................................................................................... 89
24. Screen Service Messages and Async. Events.......................................................... 90
25. Select Host Drive...................................................................................................... 91
26. Choose Type............................................................................................................ 93
27. Create Host Drive Confirmation................................................................................ 93
28. Hard Disk Capacity................................................................................................... 94
29. Drive Status.............................................................................................................. 94
30. Host Drive Options ................................................................................................... 95
31. Array Drive Summary............................................................................................... 97
32. Failed Hard Drive ..................................................................................................... 97
33. Select Drive to Repair .............................................................................................. 98
34. Replace Hard Drive Prompt...................................................................................... 98
35. Add Disk to Array Confirmation ................................................................................ 98
36. Array Drive Summary............................................................................................... 98
37. Array Drive Error State Dialog .................................................................................. 98
38. Controller Settings Dialog......................................................................................... 99
39. Select Enclosure .................................................................................................... 101
40. Enclosure Slots ...................................................................................................... 102
41. Advanced Settings Dialog ...................................................................................... 102
42. Cluster Channels.................................................................................................... 103
43. Select Physical Drive.............................................................................................. 104
44. Initialize Disk .......................................................................................................... 105
45. Disk Initialization Confirmation................................................................................ 106
46. View Status/Defects ............................................................................................... 107
47. Enclosure Status .................................................................................................... 108
48. Enclosure Slots ...................................................................................................... 108
49. Block Diagram of a SAF-TE Subsystem. ................................................................ 109
50. Select Logical Drive................................................................................................ 110
51. Select Physical Drive.............................................................................................. 110
52. Create Single Drive ................................................................................................ 111
53. Drive Size............................................................................................................... 111
54. Select Array Drive .................................................................................................. 112
55. Array Drive Menu ................................................................................................... 112
56. Expand Array Dialog .............................................................................................. 113
57. Remove Drive Confirmation ................................................................................... 114
58. Progress Information.............................................................................................. 116
59. Create New Array Drive.......................................................................................... 117
60. Choose Type.......................................................................................................... 118
x Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
61. Strip Size................................................................................................................ 118
62. Choose Build Type................................................................................................. 118
63. Create Array Drive Confirmation............................................................................. 118
64. Drive Size Dialog.................................................................................................... 119
65. Array Drive Status .................................................................................................. 119
66. Host Drive Configuration ........................................................................................ 120
67. Host Drive Cluster .................................................................................................. 121
68. StorCon+ Plus Toolbar........................................................................................... 124
69. Status Bar .............................................................................................................. 125
70. Window Menu ........................................................................................................ 125
71. Help Menu.............................................................................................................. 125
72. File Menu ............................................................................................................... 126
73. View Menu ............................................................................................................. 126
74. Chart Menu ............................................................................................................ 126
75. Physical Configuration Menu.................................................................................. 127
76. Logical Configuration Menu.................................................................................... 127
77. Refresh Rate Settings Dialog ................................................................................. 127
78. Logical Configuration Menu.................................................................................... 128
79. Select Controller..................................................................................................... 129
80. Sockets .................................................................................................................. 129
81. Physical Configuration Icon .................................................................................... 130
82. Example of a Physical Configuration and the Controller Settings ........................... 130
83. Controller Icon........................................................................................................ 131
84. Controller Settings Dialogs ..................................................................................... 131
85. Processor Information ............................................................................................ 135
86. Physical Drive Information...................................................................................... 138
87. Logical Configuration.............................................................................................. 142
88. Host Drive Information Window .............................................................................. 147
89. Array Drive Information Window............................................................................. 148
90. Logical Drive Information Window .......................................................................... 150
91. Create a New Host Drive........................................................................................ 152
92. Array Build Information Dialog................................................................................ 153
93. Parity Verify............................................................................................................ 153
94. Parity Verify Progress Information.......................................................................... 154
95. Logical Configuration.............................................................................................. 156
96. Add Hot Fix Drive ................................................................................................... 157
97. Add RAID 1 Component......................................................................................... 159
98. The Ready State .................................................................................................... 160
99. The Idle State......................................................................................................... 161
100. The Build / Rebuild State........................................................................................ 161
101. The Fail State......................................................................................................... 162
102. The Error State ...................................................................................................... 162
103. Statists Window Icon.............................................................................................. 163
104. Statists Window...................................................................................................... 163
105. Controller Events Window Icon .............................................................................. 164
106. Controller Events.................................................................................................... 165
107. StorCon+ Help ....................................................................................................... 166
108. Services ................................................................................................................. 167
109. RAID Configuration Services.................................................................................. 168
Contents xi
110. RAID Configuration Service Add/Remove Users.................................................... 169
111. RAIDMail................................................................................................................ 170
112. Log File Name........................................................................................................ 170
113. Workstation Names................................................................................................ 171
114. RAID Mail Utility ..................................................................................................... 172
Tables
1. Disk Drive SCSI Parameters........................................................................................ 25
2. RAID Level, Array Type, and Hard Disk Requirements ................................................ 26
3. RAID Level, Hard Drives, and Usable Storage Capacity .............................................. 26
4. Hardware Architecture ................................................................................................. 28
5. Electrical Specifications ............................................................................................... 28
6. Environmental Specifications ....................................................................................... 28
7. Supported SCSI Hard Disk Drive Standards ................................................................ 29
8. Disk, Volume, and Array Limitations............................................................................. 30
9. Operational States ....................................................................................................... 31
10. Additional Operational States....................................................................................... 33
11. Disk Drive Replacement Options ................................................................................. 33
12. Linux Path Names........................................................................................................ 53
13. UnixWare Bus Number, Target ID and LUN................................................................. 73
14. Host Drive Types ......................................................................................................... 82
15. Controller Settings ....................................................................................................... 99
16. Advanced Settings..................................................................................................... 103
17. View Status/Defects................................................................................................... 107
18. Toolbar Icons ............................................................................................................. 124
19. Configuration Menu Refresh Settings......................................................................... 128
20. Controller Settings ..................................................................................................... 132
21. I/O Processor Icons ................................................................................................... 134
22. Direct Access Device Icons........................................................................................ 137
23. Data Transfer Rates................................................................................................... 139
24. Non Direct Access Devices........................................................................................ 141
25. Host Drive Icons......................................................................................................... 142
26. Array Drive Icons ....................................................................................................... 145
27. Logical Drive Icons..................................................................................................... 146
28. Physical Drive Icon .................................................................................................... 147
29. Event Window Icons .................................................................................................. 164
xii Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
1 Introduction and General Information
Intended Audience
To use this product you should have experience in configuring computer equipment. For example,
you should be able to install and configure your operating system (OS) to recognize peripherals and
you should be able to use software utilities to configure and troubleshoot those installed
components. Be sure that you are familiar with the installation and setup of the OS that you are
installing. For detailed OS installation procedures, consult the documentation that came with
the OS.
Read and adhere to all warnings, cautions, and notices in this guide and the other documents in the
user documentation set supplied with this product.
RAID Levels
RAID 0 - Data Striping
Data blocks are split into stripes based on the adjusted stripe size (for example, 128 KB) and the
number of hard disks. Each stripe is stored on a separate hard disk. Significant improvement of the
data throughput is achieved using this RAID level, especially with sequential read and write.
RAID 0 includes no redundancy. When one hard disk fails, all data is lost. RAID 0 requires a
minimum of two disks.
NOTE
✏
In the following figures, the SCSI connections are those on the server board since Intel® RAID
Controller SRCMR is a zero channel RAID adapter.
Figure 1. RAID 0 – Data Striping
13
RAID 1 - Disk Mirroring/Disk Duplexing
All data is stored twice on two identical hard disks. When one hard disk fails, all data is
immediately available on the other without any impact on performance and data integrity.
With Disk Mirroring (Figure 2) two hard disks are mirrored on one I/O channel. If each hard disk
is connected to a separate I/O channel, it is called Disk Duplexing (Figure 3).
RAID 1 represents an easy and highly efficient solution for data security and system availability. It
is especially suitable for installations that are not too large (the available capacity is only half of the
installed capacity). RAID 1 requires a minimum of two disks.
Figure 2. RAID 1 - Disk Mirroring
Figure 3. RAID 1 – Disk Duplexing
14 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
RAID 4 - Data Striping with a Dedicated Parity Drive
RAID 4 works in the same way as RAID 0. The data is striped across the hard disks and the
controller calculates redundancy data (parity information) that is stored on a separate hard disk
(P1, P2). Should one hard disk fail, all data remains fully available. Missing data is recalculated
from existing data and parity information.
Unlike in RAID 1 only the capacity of one hard disk is needed for redundancy. For example, in a
RAID 4 disk array with 5 hard disks, 80% of the installed hard disk capacity is available as user
capacity, only 20% is used for redundancy. In systems with many small data blocks, the parity hard
disk becomes a throughput bottleneck. With large data blocks, RAID 4 shows significantly
improved performance. RAID 4 requires a minimum of three disks.
Figure 4. RAID 4
RAID 5 - Data Striping with Striped Parity
Unlike RAID 4, the parity data in a RAID 5 disk array are striped across all hard disks. The
RAID 5 disk array delivers a balanced throughput. Even with small data blocks, which are very
likely in a multi-tasking and multi-user environment, the response time is very good. RAID 5
offers the same level of security as RAID 4. When one hard disk fails, all data is still fully
available. Missing data is recalculated from the existing data and parity information. RAID 4 and
RAID 5 are particularly suitable for systems with medium to large capacity requirements, due to
their efficient ratio of installed and available capacity. RAID 5 requires a minimum of three disks.
Introduction and General Information 15
Figure 5. RAID 5
RAID 10 - Combination of RAID 1 and RAID 0
RAID 10 is a combination of RAID 0 (Performance) and RAID 1 (Data Security). Unlike RAID 4
and RAID 5, there is no need to calculate parity information. RAID 10 disk arrays offer good
performance and data security. As in RAID 0, optimum performance is achieved in highly
sequential load situations. Identical to RAID 1, 50% of the installed capacity is lost through
redundancy. RAID 10 requires a minimum of four disks.
16 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Figure 6. RAID 10
Chaining
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware supports Drive Chaining (also referred to as Disk
Spanning). Drive Chaining is the process of linking several individual drives to form a large single
drive. Chaining is only available after having selected two or more drives in the Storage Console or
StorCon+. Chaining is an inexpensive method to obtain a large logical unit from many smaller disk
drives.
WARNING
Using logical drives of the type chain as components of array drives is not recommended.
WARNING
Disk Chaining does not offer any form of data protection.
Configuring a Chaining Set Using Storage Console
1. Select Create New Host Drive
2. Select 2 or more drives
3. Press and select Chaining
Configuring a Chaining Set using StorCon+
1. Click on the New host drive icon.
2. Select the Configuration menu, then Host Drive, Create New. A new host drive window
appears.
3. Select a drive(s) using <Shift> and arrow keys. Chaining is greyed out before selecting 2
drives and is available after selecting 2 drives.
4. Select Chaining and press <Enter>.
The System will configure the chain set that is now a logical drive.
Introduction and General Information 17
Levels of Drive Hierarchy Within the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR Firmware
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware is based on four fundamental levels of hierarchy.
Each level has its “own drives” (components). The basic rule is to build up a “drive” on a given
level of hierarchy. The “drives” of the next lower level of hierarchy are used as components.
Level 1
Physical drives are hard disks and removable hard disks. Some Magneto Optical (MO) drives are
located on the lowest level. Physical drives are the basic components of all “drive constructions”.
However, before they can be used by the firmware, these hard disks must be “prepared” through a
procedure called initialization. During this initialization each hard disk receives information which
allows an univocal identification even if the SCSI ID or the controller is changed. For reasons of
data coherency, this information is extremely important for any drive construction consisting of
more than one physical drive.
Level 2
On the next higher level are the logical drives. Logical drives are introduced to obtain full
independence of the physical coordinates of a physical device. This is necessary to easily change
the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and the channels, IDs, without loosing the data and the
information on a specific disk array.
Level 3
On this level of hierarchy, the firmware forms the array drives. Depending on the firmware
installed an array drive can be:
• Single Disks: one disk or a JBOD (just a bunch of drives)
• Chaining sets (concatenation of several hard disks)
• RAID 0 array drives
• RAID 1 array drives, RAID 1 array drives plus a hot fix drive
• RAID 4 array drives, RAID 4 array drives plus a hot fix drive
• RAID 5 array drives, RAID 5 array drives plus a hot fix drive
• RAID 10 array drives, RAID 10 array drives plus a hot fix drive
18 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Level 4
On level 4, the firmware forms the host drives. Only these drives can be accessed by the host
operating system of the computer. The firmware automatically transforms each newly installed
logical drive and array drive into a host drive. This host drive is then assigned a host drive number
which is identical to its logical drive or array drive number.
The firmware is capable of running several kinds of host drives at the same time. For example, in
Windows
single hard disk. On this level the user may split an existing array drive into several host drives.
After a capacity expansion of a given array drive the added capacity appears as a new host drive on
this level. It can be either used as a separate host drive, or merged with the first host drive of the
array drive. Within Storage Console, each level of hierarchy has its own menu:
Level 1 - Configure Physical Devices
Level 2 - Configure Logical Drives
Level 3 - Configure Array Drives
Level 4 - Configure Host Drives
Generally, each installation procedure passes through these 4 menus, starting with level 1.
Installation includes the initializing the physical drives, configuring the logical drives, configuring
the array drives (for example, RAID 0, 1, 4, 5 and 10) and configuring the host drives.
†
2000, drive C is a RAID 5 type host drive (consisting of 5 SCSI hard disks), drive D is a
Transparency of Host Drives
The structure of the host drives installed with StorCon (see Chapter 7, Storage Console) is not
known to the operating system. For example, the operating system does not recognize that a given
host drive consists of a number of hard disks forming a disk array.
To the operating system this host drive simply appears as one single hard disk with the capacity of
the disk array. This complete transparency represents the easiest way to operate disk arrays under
the operating system. Neither operating system nor the PCI computer need to be involved in the
administration of these complex disk array configurations.
Introduction and General Information 19
Using CD-ROMs, DATs, Tapes, etc.
A SCSI device that is not a SCSI hard disk or a removable hard disk, or that does not behave like
one, is called a Non-Direct Access Device. Such a device is not configured with StorCon and does
not become a logical drive or host drive. SCSI devices of this kind are either operated through the
Advanced SCSI programming Interface (ASPI) (MS-DOS
or are directly accessed from the operating system (UNIX
NOTE
✏
Hard disks and removable hard disks are called Direct Access Devices. However, there are some
Non-Direct Access Devices, for example, certain MO drives, which can be operated just like
removable hard disks if they have been appropriately configured (for example, by changing their
jumper settings).
†
, Windows, Novell NetWare† or OS/2†),
†
, Windows NT†).
20 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
2 Getting Started
What is the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Firmware?
We refer to firmware as the operating system which controls the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
with all its functions and capabilities. The firmware exclusively runs on the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR and is stored in the Flash-RAM on the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR PCB. The
controlling function is entirely independent of the PCI computer and the host operating system, and
does not drain computing power or time from the PCI computer. According to the system
requirements needed, the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is available with three firmware variants.
The firmware is either already installed on the controller upon delivery, or can be added as an
upgrade.
Unlike pure software solutions, for example, for Windows NT, the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
is a pure hardware RAID solution. All Intel RAID Controllers are equipped with hardware which
is well suited for disk arrays. The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware uses this hardware with
efficiency and therefore allows you to configure disk arrays that do not load the host computer
(whereas all software-based RAID solutions more or less reduce the overall performance of the host
computer).
The basic concept of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware is strictly modular, and
consequently, in its functioning it appears to the user as a unit construction system.
Standard Firmware
In addition to simple controlling functions regarding SCSI hard disks or removable hard disks, this
version of firmware supports disk chaining and array drive configuration (data striping (RAID 0)
and disk mirroring or duplexing (RAID 1)).
WARNING
Disk chaining does not offer any form of data protection.
21
RAID Hardware Installation and Setup
Minimum Hardware Requirements
• Computer with CD-ROM drive (not attached to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR).
®
Computer must be on the supported hardware list (for example, Intel
• One available 64-bit, 66MHz, Zero channel RAID compatible PCI slot.
• PCI 2.2 compliant System BIOS.
• SCSI hard disk drive(s) (the minimum required to meet desired RAID level).
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR in the Intel
Server Board
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR comes ready to be inserted into the computer system. The
RAID firmware has already been programmed into the flash memory.
WARNING
SHOCK HAZARDS may be present inside the unit in which this card is being installed.
Disconnect all power cords to the unit before removal of any covers. Follow the warnings noted
in your computer’s user or service manual before installing this board. ONLY after all the
covers are reinstalled should you reattach the power cords and power up the unit for the software
installation and use.
SCB2 server board).
NOTE
✏
Take precautions to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage before handling the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR.
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR uses the SCSI controller on the server board so there are no
SCSI cables to connect to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR.
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR into the zero channel RAID capable PCI slot. Refer to
your board documentation for details. The example below refers to the Intel SCB2 server board.
1. Shut down the system.
2. Turn the power off.
3. Insert the Intel RAID controller in the first PCI slot of either the 1-slot (SR1200 chassis) or
3-slot (SR2200 chassis) PCI riser card used on the P64-B PCI segment.
22 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Programming the Flash Memory
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR normally comes ready to be immediately installed into the
computer server board. However, you may need to reprogram the RAID Firmware that’s located in
the flash memory of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. Refer to Chapter 7, Firmware Update for
a normal reprogram of the firmware.
In case the firmware should become corrupted and will not initialize, you will need to recover the
firmware in the flash memory using the following procedure.
Recover the Firmware in the Flash Memory
1. Set the Intel RAID Controller’s IOP to Reset (Flash Recovery) mode:
WARNING
Shock hazards may be present inside the unit in which this card is being installed. Disconnect
all power cords to the unit before removal of any covers. Follow the warnings noted in your
computer’s user or service manual before installing this board. ONLY after all the covers are
reinstalled should you reattach the power cords and power up the unit for the software
installation and use.
a. Take all precautions to prevent ESD damage before handling the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR.
b. Power off all system components and disconnect their power cords.
c. Remove the cover from the system to gain access to the PCI slots.
d. Remove the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR from your system.
e. On jumper block J2B1 move the jumper from position 2-3 to position 1-2 (see Figure 7).
Re-install the adapter in the PCI slot in which it was previously installed.
f. Replace the cover, reconnect all power cords, and power up the system.
123 123
Normal-Run /
"Flash Update"
Figure 7. Jumper Positions for Flash Update and REcovery
J2B1
Reset /
"Flash Recovery"
2. Flash the firmware.
Using the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM:
a. Boot the computer with the bootable Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Software CD-ROM.
b. At the main menu, select the Update Firmware option.
c. The FRU utility will automatically start up, and pause at the license agreement. Press
<Enter> to continue.
d. The FRU utility will pause to ensure that the IIR Controller has been placed in reset mode
(see step 1 above). If the adapter is in reset mode, press <y> to continue, otherwise press
<n>, shut down the system, and perform step 1 above.
e. The FRU utility at this point will automatically update to a set version of the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR firmware.
Getting Started 23
NOTE
✏
When the message Press Ctrl-C to interrupt Firmware Update process appears, this indicates that
the user can interrupt the firmware update process. If the firmware update process is interrupted
the user can then type fru -o to overwrite the existing firmware with a new image and serial
number. This process is used to resolve serial number conflicts in clustering, array roaming, or
merging.
If the firmware requires updating, it will continue and prompt for reboot when complete (note that
this update can take up to 3 minutes to complete). If the firmware has been previously updated, the
FRU will notify the user that the StorCon is to be used for future. The user is then notified to
reboot the system.
3. Reset the jumper to run mode.
a. Power off all system components and disconnect power cords.
b. Remove the system cover.
c. Remove the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR from your system.
d. On Jumper block J2B1 move jumper from position 1-2 to position 2-3. Reinstall Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR in the PCI slot in which it was previously installed. Reattach the
SCSI drives to the adapter card.
e. Replace the cover, reconnect all power cords, and power up the system.
f. Boot the system. (Your firmware has now been successfully restored).
SCSI Termination
Termination
This is a commonly overlooked requirement when connecting SCSI devices together. When these
devices are connected together, the resulting set of devices is typically referred to as a SCSI bus.
SCSI devices such as hard disks and tape drives must be terminated if they are the last physical
devices at either end of the SCSI bus (if nothing else is actively terminating the end of the bus such
as a terminator or backplane). If a device is inserted into the middle of the SCSI bus, then it (the
device itself) should not be terminated. Only terminate each end of the bus. The Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR zero channel RAID design lowers cost by utilizing the SCSI controller and
connectors that are integrated into the system’s motherboard.
24 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Configurable SCSI Parameters
When a SCSI hard disk drive is initialized the first time by the RAID controller, its SCSI
parameters are automatically set to their optimal settings. Manual configuration is not required.
However, the RAID controller allows for the custom configuration of several SCSI parameters on a
hard disk drive-by-hard disk drive basis. There are several settings that can be configured by using
the Storage Console menu Advanced SetupÅConfigure Physical DevicesÅSelect Physical Drive
ÅSCSI Parameter/Initialize. Most settings are set automatically and can not be configured
manually.
Table 1. Disk Drive SCSI Parameters
Parameter Setting/Value Description
Synch. Transfer Not
Configurable
This setting when enabled allows the controller to operate in
synchronous transfer mode.
Synch. Transfer
Rate
Disconnect Not
Tagged Queues Not
Disk Read and
Write Cache
Domain
Validation
Not
Configurable
Configurable
Configurable
On / Off For performance reasons, the Read Ahead and Write cache of the hard
Not
Configurable
Allows for the setting of the speed for the SCSI hard disks (160 MB/sec
for U160 drives). No matter the setting, the SCSI bus will negotiate the
fastest speed up to this setting. Lowering the setting will force the disk
drive to transfer at the lower speed.
Enabling this setting allows for the disk drive to disconnect from the
SCSI bus when it’s not participating in a transfer. This allows for
optimal bus utilization by all devices on the bus.
When enabled, this feature allows the SCSI disk drive to execute more
than one command at a time.
disk drives should always be on.
Using the <F4> key while in this menu accesses this parameter. When
this is set to On, Domain validation allows for a cyclical check of the
correct data transfer at a given rate.
Getting Started 25
Choosing a Configuration
How many Hard Disks should be Integrated into the Disk Array?
The maximum number of physical drives in a disk array is determined by the number of physical
drives the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR can run. The minimum number of hard disks required
for any array depends of the RAID level you wish to realize. The desired usable disk space of the
disk array as well as the issues discussed in the following sections (What Level of Redundancy is
Needed and Are Hot Fix Drives Needed) have a direct impact on the number of physical hard disks
needed for an array.
Table 2. RAID Level, Array Type, and Hard Disk Requirements
Minimum Number of
RAID Level Disk Array Type
RAID 0 Data Striping 2
RAID 1 Disk Mirroring 2
RAID 4 Data Striping with Parity Drive 3
RAID 5 Data Striping with Striped Parity 3
RAID 10 Data Striping and Mirroring 4
What Level of Redundancy is Needed?
RAID 0 (data striping) provides no redundancy but has high data throughput. With RAID 1 (disk
mirroring) the data is 100% redundant because it is mirrored on other SCSI hard disks. RAID 1
provides the highest level of redundancy, but is also the most expensive solution. A combination of
RAID levels 0 and 1 is RAID 10. Two RAID 0 stripe sets are mirrored. If one drive fails, the data
is available on the mirrored drive.
Hard Disks Required
With RAID 4 (data striping with a dedicated parity drive) and RAID 5 (data striping with parity
striped across all RAID disks), parity information is calculated from the data with a simple
mathematical operation (eXclusive OR, XOR), and stored either on one dedicated drive (RAID 4)
or to all drives (RAID 5). Should one drive fail, the data of the defective drive can be reconstructed
using the remaining user data and the previously calculated parity data. RAID levels 4, 5 and 10
can tolerate the failure of one drive just as RAID 1, however RAID 4, RAID 5 or RAID 10 are less
expensive because of their efficient ratio of available to installed capacity.
Table 3. RAID Level, Hard Drives, and Usable Storage Capacity
Available
Capacity with
RAID Level
RAID 0 2 GB 3 GB 4 GB 5 GB
RAID 1 1 GB 1 GB 1 GB 1 GB
RAID 4 NA 2 GB 3 GB 4 GB
RAID 5 NA 2 GB 3 GB 4 GB
RAID 10 NA NA 2 GB NA
*Each hard drive is assumed to have 1 GB capacity.
2 Hard Disks*
Available
Capacity with
3 Hard Disks*
Available
Capacity with
4 Hard Disks*
Available
Capacity with
5 Hard Disks*
26 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Are Hot Fix Drives Needed?
Assume that one of the hard disks of the RAID 5 disk array fails (Hot fix drives are available with
RAID 1, 4, 5, and 10 arrays) The disk array is without redundancy. Time Without Redundancy
(TWR) starts to run. Any unnecessary prolongation of the TWR (the time required to get a
replacement drive, or because you did not immediately recognize the failure) increases the risk of
data loss which will occur should a second drive fail. Therefore, redundancy should be restored as
soon as possible and in an automated manner. Integrating a Hot Fix drive (also referred to as hot
spare) as an immediately available and auto-replacing drive is the most effective way to keep the
TWR as short as possible. Only a hot fix drive can ensure optimal disk array security and constant
data availability.
Using a hot fix drive is not compulsory. If you control the disk array at regular intervals and
immediately replace a defective drive (by shutting down the system or hot-plugging), you can
operate your system without a hot fix drive.
Getting Started 27
Intel RAID Controller Hardware Features
This section provides a summary of the key features, configuration options, and support interface
technology supported by the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR.
Architechure Features (HW)
Table 4. Hardware Architecture
Component Features
I/O Microprocessor The 80302 uses the 100 Mhz Intel® 80960J-100 core with a 64 bit/66MHz internal
bus, which can pump 528 MB/sec of data to and from the internal IOP peripherals.
Cache Memory The 80302 IOP supports up to 5512MB of 64 bit 100 MHz ECC SDRAM operating at
66MHz. The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR utilizes 32MB of embedded memory.
Flash Memory 3.3v, 16Mb (2MB) flash memory chip is used to store the RAID firmware.
I/O Interface (PCI) PCI 2.2 compliant, universally keyed for 3.3 and 5 volt PCI slots.
PCI Transfer Rate 528 MB/sec (Burst.)
PCI Signaling 5 or 3.3 volt.
Electrical Characteristics
Table 5. Electrical Specifications
Attribute Measurements
Voltage Requirements +5, 3.3 Volts (all +/- 5% tolerance)
Power Consumption +5V @ 0.25 Amps = 1.25W
+3.3V @ 2.5 Amps = 8.25W
Environmental Specifications
Table 6. Environmental Specifications
Environmental Stress Test Required Conditions
Thermal: Non-Operating -40 °C (Celsius) to +70 °C
Humidity: Non-Operating 50% to 92% Relative Humidity, non-condensing at 25 °C to 50 °C
for 120 hours
Operating Temperature & Voltage
Shmoo
Form Factor (physical dimensions) Height: 56 mm (2.20 inches)
-5 °C to 60 °C and
+/- 6% V
Weight: 167 mm (6.57 inches)
Shmoo
cc
Supported Hard Drive Technology
The RAID adapter supports up to 15 SCSI devices per SCSI channel. It supports up to 15 hard disk
drives (or 14 hard disks if one of the SCSI ID’s is occupied by a SAF-TE processor) per channel of
the SCSI controller (30 disk drives total for the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR; assuming dual
channel SCSI controller on the server board).
28 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
The adapter supports both Single-ended (SE) and Low Voltage Differential (LVD) hard disk
drives but it is recommended that you use only one type of drive technology (SE or LVD) on any
one channel at a time. Each is explained below. The RAID adapter is designed to optimally utilize
an Ultra 60 SCSI controller implementation on the server board; yet, it is backward compatible with
older SCSI hard disk drive specifications.
NOTE
✏
If both SE and LVD devices are attached to the same channel/bus, the entire bus must operate at
the single ended mode speed of the slower device. See Table 7 for the maximum cable length
distances that apply to each mode.
Table 7. Supported SCSI Hard Disk Drive Standards
Maximum Cable
Length (meters)
SCSI Drive
Standard
SCSI-1
Fast SCSI
Fast Wide SCSI 20 16 3 (3) 16
Ultra SCSI
Ultra SCSI
Wide Ultra SCSI 40 16 NA (3) 16
Wide Ultra SCSI 40 16 1.5 NA 8
Wide Ultra SCSI 40 16 3 NA 4
Ultra2 SCSI
Wide Ultra2
Ultra160 (Ultra3) 160 16 (4) 12 16
NOTES:
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2, 4)
(4)
1. May be exceeded in Point-to-Point and engineered specific applications.
2. Use of the word “Narrow”, preceding SCSI, Ultra SCSI, or Ultra2 SCSI (for example, Narrow SCSI) is
optional.
3. LVD was not defined in the original SCSI standards for this speed. If all devices on the bus support LVD,
then 12-meters operation is possible at this speed. However, if any device on the bus is single-ended only,
then the entire bus swtiches to single-ended mode and the distances in the single-ended column apply.
4. Single-ended is not defined for speeds beyond Ultra.
5. After Ultra2, all new speeds are wide only.
Speed
(MB/Sec)
586(3)8
10 8 3 (3) 8
20 8 1.5 (3) 8
20 8 3 NA 4
40 8 (4) 12 8
80 16 (4) 12 16
Bus Width
(Bits)
SingleEnded LVD
1
Adapter Maximum
Devices per SCSI
Channel
The preceding information is based on the “STA-Endorced Terms & Terminology for SCSI Parallel
Interface Technology” specification published by the SCSI Trade Association. It can be viewed at:
http//www.scsita.org/terms/scsiterms.html
Support for Non-Hard Disk Drive SCSI Devices (Non-Direct Access Devices)
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR will pass through to the host operating system direct access to
non-direct access SCSI devices which are connected to a SCSI bus (channel) of the RAID
Controller. The RAID controller passes through all control of these devices to the host operating
system.
Getting Started 29
Types if supported Non-Direct-Access SCSI devices (this doesn’t cover specific vendors and
models):
• SAF-TE Processors
• Tape Backups
• CD-ROMs
• Scanners
Compatible Intel RAID Controllers
This Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is compatible with the following Intel RAID Controllers using
firmware version 31 and above. All Intel RAID Controllers using earlier firmware versions are not
compatible.
• SRCU31A
• SRCU31LA
NOTE
✏
Compatible refers to the ability of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR to read the RAID
configuration information located on hard disk drives that are members of RAID arrays that have
been created on compatible adapters. Thus RAID arrays created on compatible adapters are
interchangeable between the adapters (Array Roaming).
Adapter Device Limitation Support:
• RAID arrays contain
Host Drives (at least 1 and up to 16 maximum)
Hard Disk Drives up to 30 maximum spanning both channels (all host drives that are
created on an existing RAID array will have their capacity evenly distributed across all
member disk drives of the RAID array)
• Host Drives
Can span across both channels
Can not span across RAID arrays
Table 8. Disk, Volume, and Array Limitations
Adapter Device Limitations
Per Adapter Per RAID Channel Per RAID Array Per Host Drive
Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min
Hard Disk
Drives
RAID Arrays 16 15 1
Host Drives 16 16 16 1
Note:
1. Each Host Drive can only be associated with one RAID Array
2. To create a new RAID array you must initially create a Host Drive selecting the hard disk drives (thar are
30 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
30 15 30 1 30
available and not already memebers of a RAID array) that you wish to be members of the new RAID array.
2
1
Operational States of an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
Firmware Disk Array
Operational States for RAID 4/5
An array drive under the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware operating system can assume
seven different operational states: Idle, Ready, Fail, Build, Rebuild, Expand and Error.
Table 9. Operational States
State Description
Idle State This state is characterized by the fact that the redundant information of the disk
array has never been entirely created. The disk array is in this state after its first
configuration and until you quit Storage Console (StorCon). Should an error occur
while the array is in the build state, the array returns to the Idle state (exception: if
during build state the dedicated drive of RAID 4 fails, the state changes to fail.
Build State After the disk array has been configured for the first time, it assumes the build state
as soon as you quit StorCon. While the array is in the build state, redundancy
information is calculated and stored to the hard disks of the array.
Ready State The disk array is fully operational when in the ready state. All redundant
information is present, that is, a hard disk can fail without impairing the functionality
of the disk array. This is the normal state of a disk array. The state ready/expand
indicates that the RAID level and/or capacity are currently migrated/expanded.
Fail State The disk array changes to the fail state whenever a Logical Drive fails.
Redundancy information is still present, thus allowing the remaining hard disks to
continue working. This state should be eliminated as soon as possible by replacing
the defective hard disk. If a so-called Hot Fix drive has previously been assigned
to a disk array with StorCon, the controller will automatically replace the defective
drive and start the reconstruction of the data and the redundant information.
Therefore, under these circumstances the fail state is only temporary and will be
eliminated by the controller itself.
Rebuild State The disk array will assume this state after the automatic activation of a Hot Fix
drive or after a manual replacement is carried out with StorCon. The data and the
redundant information are reconstructed and stored to the new drive.
Expand State If the capacity or RAID level of an existing disk array is changed, the disk array
changes its state into expand. As soon as the expansion or migration is
completed, the state changes back to ready.
Getting Started 31
32 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Figure 8. Operational State Diagram
Table 10. Additional Operational States
State Description
OK State The disk array is fully operational when in the OK state. All redundant
information is present, that is, a hard disk can fail without impairing the
functionality of the disk array. This is the normal state of a disk array.
Methods for the Replacement of a Disk Drive
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware offer a
variety of methods to replace a defective disk drive. When to use them depends on the physical
environment of your server. With some servers the disk drives are mounted into the server
enclosure. They are not removable. With other servers there is an intelligent backplane (for
example, SAF-TE) and which hosts a number of disk drives with a Single Connector Attachment
(SCA). Another type of server uses the disk drive in a hot pluggable disk carrier. These carriers
are often “stupid” and do not communicate with the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR or server,
though, they can display the disk drive’s temperature or the status of its built-in fan.
Table 11. Disk Drive Replacement Options
Automatic Replacement
Typical
Server
Environment
Manual Hot Plug Auto Hot Plug
Low Cost.
Disk drives are physically
mounted in the server
enclosure and are not
removable.
Additional cost for external
enclosure, cables,
backplanes, etc.
Disk Drives are removable in
an intelligent or
non-intelligent subsystem.
The subsystem complies
with one of the following
enclosure standards:
“SAF-TE” (SCSI Accessed
Fault Tolerant Enclosures)
“SES” (SCSI Enclosure
Services)
“Intelligent Fault Bus” (former
DEC™ fault bus)
Non-Intelligent subsystems
using hot pluggable disk
carriers.
with Hot Fix Drive
Low cost.
High availability.
The Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR has a spare drive
available at all times. Should
one hard drive of an array
drive fail, the spare drive (hot
fix drive), is automatically
built into the array.
continued
Getting Started 33
Table 11. Disk Drive Replacement Options (continued)
Automatic Replacement
Manual Hot Plug Auto Hot Plug
Description StorCon or Storage Console
Plus (StorCon Plus) guides
the user to the point where a
new disk drive can be built
into the array drive.
The subsystem must be
configured with StorCon or
StorCon Plus, before the
auto hot plug can work.
Thereafter a disk drive can
just be pulled out and
plugged in, and the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR
“knows” what to do. In
addition, SAF-TE and SES
report the enclosure status
(power supplies, fans,
temperature etc.) to the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR and
the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR driver.
with Hot Fix Drive
The hot fix drive is assigned
to an array drive. There are
two types of hot fix drives:
Private hot fix drive
(Available for one array drive
only)
Pool hot fix drive
(Several array drives share
this hot fix drive)
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Quick Start
The following section is intended to be used as a quick start when installing the Intel RAID
†
Controller SRCMR using either Windows 2000 or Red Hat
instructions and to get information when using other operating systems, please refer to the chapters
after Chapter 2.
Linux† 7.1. For more detailed
Make an OS Installation Diskette
1. Boot from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Software CD.
2. Select “Make Diskettes”.
3. Create an Operating System installation diskette for the operating system.
34 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR in the Intel
Server Board
NOTE
✏
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR uses the SCSI controller on the server board so there are no
SCSI cables to connect to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR.
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR into the zero channel RAID capable PCI slot. Refer to
your board documentation for details. The example below refers to the Intel SCB2 server board.
1. Shut down the system.
2. Turn the power off.
3. Insert the Intel RAID controller in the first PCI slot of either the 1-slot (SR1200 chassis) or
3-slot (SR2200 chassis) PCI riser card used on the P64-B PCI segment.
Getting Started 35
Use Storage Console to Create a RAID Volume
1. Power on the system and press <Ctrl+G> when the screen below appears.
2. The following two messages will appear at the bottom of the screen:
“Intel (R) Storage Console to start after POST”
“Please wait to start Intel (R) Storage Console…”
3. When Storage Console starts, it will display the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR installed in the
system. Press <Enter> to select this controller.
4. Select “Configure Host Drives” and press <Enter>.
36 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
5. These are drives that do not belong to a logical host drive and can be used for new host drives.
6. Select the number of hard disks that you want to be part of the array with the space bar (these
hard disks become marked with an “*”). For this example, we used four hard disks. Press
<Enter>. Move the selection bar with the arrow keys from one entry to another. To deselect a
drive, highlight the drive with the selection bar and press the space bar.
Getting Started 37
7. The “Choose Type” menu offers different host drive types. For this example we select
“RAID 5 + Hot Fix” and press <Enter>.
8. For security reasons, you will be asked if you want to use the selected disk to create a host
drive. Storage Console displays a warning that all data will be destroyed after confirmation.
Confirm your choice by pressing <Y>. Storage Console creates a new host drive.
9. Enter the appropriate drive capacity and press <Enter>.
10. The new host drive is created. Press <F10> to refresh and begin the build process. Its status is
still “build”, since the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR synchronizes both drives.
NOTE
✏
The array build will continue as a background task. Exit Storage Console, by pressing <ESC>,
and the array build will continue in the background after BIOS POST upon reboot. You can then
proceed with OS installation while the array continues the build process in the background.
11. When leaving Storage Console, by pressing <ESC>, a progress window informs you about the
estimated completion time for the build process.
38 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
12. Upon successful completion of the build process, the disk array changes to “ready” status.
Set the BIOS Boot Order
This step requires entering your system BIOS and setting the proper boot priority. This step may
differ from system to system. Refer to your system documentation for details. The example below
refers to the Intel SCB2 server board.
1. During POST, press <F2> to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
2. Navigate to the “Boot” menu, then access the “Boot Device Priority” submenu and set the
following order:
• Removable Devices
• ATAPI CD-ROM Drive
• Hard Drive
• Intel
®
Boot Agent
Getting Started 39
3. Access the “Hard Drives” submenu and make sure the “Intel Integrated RAID Entry” is on the
top of the priority list.
4. Press <F10> to save your changes and exit. The system will reboot.
Install the Operating System
Installing Windows 2000
Install Windows 2000 Server:
IMPORTANT: When the blue setup screen first appears, hit the F6 key.
1. Boot the system with the Windows 2000 CD-ROM.
2. Press F6 as soon as the first blue screen appears to bypass mass storage detection.
3. When prompted to specify a mass storage controller:
• Select “S” to specify additional storage devices.
• Insert Windows 2000 Installation driver diskette.
• Press <Enter> to select the “Installation Driver” and continue with Windows installation.
Install and Launch the Storage Console and Storage Console+ Utilities:
1. Insert the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Software CD.
2. Select “Install” and follow the on screen instructions to install the Storage Console and Storage
Console+ utilities. (As necessary, refer to Chapter 7, Loading StorCon, for detailed
instructions).
3. Launch the Storage Console and/or Storage Console+ utilities by clicking on the icons located
on the desktop.
40 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Installing Red Hat Linux 7.1
Install Red Hat Linux Server:
1. Boot the system with the Red Hat Linux CD-ROM.
2. At the install prompt, select “linux dd”.
3. When prompted, insert the Red Hat Linux driver diskette.
4. Continue with the Linux OS installation.
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Storage Console Monitoring Utility:
(As necessary, refer to Chapter 7, Loading StorCon, for detailed instructions).
1. Place the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and mount the
CD-ROM:
$ mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
2. Copy the Storage Console utility archive to /usr/sbin:
$ cp /mnt/cdrom/linux/install/storcon-2.00.gz/usr/sbin/storcon-2.00.gz
3. Unpack the archive file and rename:
$ gunzip –d /usr/sbin/storcon-2.00.gz
$ mv /usr/sbin/storcon-2.00 /usr/sbin/storcon
4. Launch the Storage Console utility by typing “storcon” at any prompt
5. Select the Linux interface to run the utility locally
Getting Started 41
Alternative Method to Creating an Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR Installation Diskette
If you are unable to create the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR installation diskette by using the
method described in Chapter 2, you can manually create these disks for the following operating
systems:
Windows NT
1. Insert the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Insert a blank floppy diskette in drive.
3. Go to the directory, \windows\winnt\drivers\i386, and copy all files onto a floppy diskette.
Windows 2000
1. Insert the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Insert a blank floppy diskette in drive.
3. Go to the directory, \windows\win2000. In this directory you will find four files and two
directories. Copy all files and only the ‘winnt’ directory onto the floppy diskette.
SCO Unixware
1. Insert the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM and go to the apps folder.
2. Create a folder on the system hard drive and copy the rawrite.exe application to that folder.
3. Open the UnixWare folder on the CD-ROM, then open the dskimg folder.
4. Copy unixw7.img to the folder created in step 2.
5. Open the command window. From the command prompt, go to the folder created in step 2 and
type the following command: “rawrite”.
6. Enter the file name: “unixw7.img”.
7. When prompted to enter the name of the drive, type in the drive letter of your floppy drive:
<e.g. A:> & then insert a blank floppy diskette in drive and follow instructions on screen.
†
42 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
How to Use Auto Hot Plug with SAF-TE
The following describes the auto hot plug option of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR software.
Auto hot plug provides for the insertion of new disks into a system. The way a new disk is used
can be different depending on the conditions under which it was inserted. If the system has a
degraded array and a disk is hot plugged into the system, the new disk will be used to rebuild the
degraded array. If a system had a degraded array and used one of the available hot fix disks to
rebuild and then a disk was hot plugged, the new disk will become a hot fix disk replacing the post
of the one being used in the array.
Setting Up Auto Hot Plug
Enable SAF-TE on the enclosure. Note: It is possible to have auto hot plug without a SAF-TE
enclosure, but that setup is completely different from that described here.
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR configures devices in the SAF-TE enclosure. The controller
identifies drives as being connected to the SAF-TE backplane and responds appropriately to
requests by the SAF-TE device.
Verify the configuration in the Enclosure Slot Configuration menu.
1. Select the Configure Physical Devices while in the Advanced Setup mode.
2. Highlight the SAF-TE processor and press <Enter>.
3. Select the Enclosure Slot Configuration option.
4. The Enclosure Slots screen is displayed. It shows what drives have been identified in which
slots of the enclosure. Pressing <Enter> once configures the drives; drive information appears
on the page. Pressing <Enter> again removes the drive configuration information from the
page. All devices that are to be hot spare replaceable should have information in their
respective slots. The lack of drive configuration information indicates the absence of a hot
spare. Once the drives have been configured, they are auto hot spare ready.
Note that disks can only be replaced in positions that have been configured for a device. If
there is a degraded array on a controller, and a user plugs in a drive in one of the slots not in use
in the enclosure, the drive will not become available to the system.
If no disks in a volume (array) creation are configured, a message: “Do you want to configure
the selected disks for SAF-TE Auto Hot Plug? (Y/N)” appears. If even one disk of the intended
array is configured, this message will not appear. However, only the configured disks are auto
hot pluggable.
Getting Started 43
44 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
3 Installing Microsoft Windows NT or
Windows 2000
This section covers installation issues related to the Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000
operating systems. For a successful installation, study the Windows NT/2000 system manuals
thoroughly. The required Intel RAID Controller SRCMR disks can be created from the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR system CD-ROM.
Operating System Installation Procedures
✏
NOTE
Begin the installation process in this chapter if you are installing the OS and Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR or upgrading from the Windows NT OS (the OS is currently installed on a compatible Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR) to Windows 2000.
Your installation falls into one of two categories:
• Install the OS on either a RAID volume or single disk that is attached to and configured on the
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR that you are installing, or
• Install the OS on either an IDE hard disk or a SCSI hard disk that is not attached to the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR that you are installing
Pre-Installation Requirements Checklist
This section identifies the minimum hardware and software required to successfully install the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR and the accompanying software suite.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
• Computer with CD-ROM drive (not attached to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR).
Computer must be on the supported hardware list (for example, Intel SCB2 server board).
• One available 64-bit, 66 MHz, Zero channel RAID compatible PCI slot.
• PCI 2.2 compliant System BIOS.
• SCSI hard disk drive(s) (the minimum required to meet desired RAID level).
45
Minimum Software Requirements
Microsoft Windows 2000:
• RAID Software Suite CD-ROM
• 9 MB of free hard disk space (for the RAID Software Suite)
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Server or Advanced Server
• Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Installation diskette
One blank high density floppy diskette may be required to create the installation diskette
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0:
• RAID Software Suite CD-ROM
• 9 MB of free hard disk space (for the RAID Software Suite)
• RAID Driver Installation diskette
One blank high density floppy diskette*
• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation*, Server* or Server Enterprise Edition*
* Not supplied
may be required to create the installation diskette
Installing an Operating System onto a RAID Volume or
Single Disk
If you do not have the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Installation diskette for the operating system
that you are installing, create it before continuing. See Chapter 2 for instructions to create this disk.
Also refer to Chapter 2 for instructions to install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and to set up a
RAID volume.
NOTE
✏
Prior to installing Windows NT, disable the Delayed Write Cache of the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR.
When you do a warm boot by simultaneously pressing the CTRL+ALT+DEL keys, some PCI
server boards carry out a hard reset of the PCI bus. As a consequence, all expanision cards and
devices that are connected to the PCI bus, including the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR, are reset.
During the installation procedure of Windows NT this anomaly can cause the contents of the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR cache RAM to be deleted before the data can be written to the disk(s). If
this happens, the installation cannot be completed correctly. Such a warm boot automatically takes
place after a FAT partition is converted into a NTFS partition at the end of the Windows NT
installation procedure.
To avoid this problem and prevent the risk of data corruption, the Delayed Write function of the
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR cache must be disabled during the complete installation. To
do so, use the StorCon program. Choose Advanced Setup, Configure Controller, Controller
Settings and switch the Delayed Write function OFF. After having completed the Windows NT
installation, switch the Delayed Write function ON again.
46 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Figure 9. Controller Settings
Windows 2000 / NT 4.0 Installation Procedures
This document, when referring to Windows 2000 and Windows NT, applies to the following
Windows operating systems unless otherwise noted:
• Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server, and Professional
• Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition, Terminal Server Edition, and Workstation
Installing the OS
The following installation procedures highlight the Windows setup options that you must install
during OS installation to successfully prepare the operating system for the installation of the RAID
Software Suite.
Install the operating system software using one of the scenarios (boot diskettes or CD-ROM) below
which matches your installation method.
NOTE
✏
For detailed Windows installation procedures, please consult the documentation that came with
your computer system or operating system.
Installing Windows Using the Installation Boot Diskettes:
1. During install let Windows detect the storage devices in your system. When device detection is
complete, press S to specify additional storage devices.
2. Select Other. Insert the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR installation diskette for Windows into
the floppy drive, press <Enter>.
3. Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is automatically selected. Press <Enter>.
4. Complete the text-based portion of the Windows installation procedures. Reboot and continue
with the GUI-based portion of the installation.
Installing Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000 47
5. After the operating system is completely installed, go to Chapter 7, Loading StorCon to
complete the installation.
Installing Windows Using the Bootable Windows CD-ROM:
1. Press F6 as soon as the initial blue screen appears to ensure that the RAID Driver Installation
diskette can be loaded when specifying Other.
2. When device detection is complete, press S to specify additional storage devices.
3. Select Other. Insert the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Installation diskette for Windows into
the floppy drive. Press <Enter>.
4. Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is automatically selected. Press <Enter>.
5. Complete the text-based portion of the Windows installation procedures. Reboot and continue
with the GUI-based portion of the installation.
6. After the operating system is completely installed, go to Chapter 7, Loading StorCon to
complete the installation.
Installing an OS onto an IDE or SCSI Disk Drive Not Attached to the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR
Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR:
1. Power-off the computer.
2. Disconnect all power cords.
3. Remove the computer case to expose the server board inside. Observe all warnings and
cautions documented with your computer system to avoid shock hazards.
4. Install the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR into a Zero channel RAID compatible PCI slot.
5. Replace the computer case and reconnect power cords.
6. Go to the next section for your operating system to continue the installation.
Windows 2000 / NT 4.0 Installation Procedures
NOTE
✏
This document, when referring to Windows 2000 and Windows NT, applies to the following
Windows operating systems:
• Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server, and Professional
• Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition, Terminal Server Edition, and Workstation
Installing the Operating System:
The following installation procedures highlight the Windows setup options that you must install to
successfully prepare the operating system for the installation of the RAID Software Suite.
NOTE
✏
For detailed Windows installation procedures, please consult the documentation that came with
your computer system or operating system.
Install the operating system software using one of the scenarios (boot diskettes or CD-ROM) below
that matches your installation method.
48 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Installing Windows with Installation Boot Diskettes:
1. Booting from Windows installation diskettes initially to setup Windows.
2. Insert boot diskettes and power up your system.
3. During install let Windows detect the storage devices in your system.
4. When device detection is complete, if your disk drive controller is not detected and listed, press
S to specify additional storage devices and install the driver.
5. Continue with the Windows installation.
6. After the operating system is completely installed, go to Chapter 7, Loading StorCon to
complete the installation.
Installing Windows Using the Bootable Windows CD-ROM
NOTE
✏
If the driver for your disk drive controller is on the Windows CD-ROM, then follow prompts and
continue at Chapter 7, Loading StorCon. If you are installing a driver that does not come with the
Windows installation CD-ROM, for example, the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR driver created in
Chapter 2, then follow the procedure below.
1. Insert CD-ROM and power up your system. If the drivers for your disk drive controller are not
on the bootable Windows CD-ROM, press <F6> as soon as the initial blue screen appears to
ensure that the driver diskette can be loaded.
2. When device detection is complete, press S to specify additional storage devices and then select
Other. Insert the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR diskette into the floppy drive and continue the
installation (see the next section).
Upgrading an OS (Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000) that is Currently
Installed on a RAID Volume or Single Disk
Before you Begin:
Ensure that the OS is installed on an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR that is compatible with the
new OS and/or RAID Software Suite that you are about to install. If it is not compatible, then exit
this installation procedure.
Upgrading Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000:
1. Before beginning, back up any vital data.
2. If you are not installing a new adapter and you are only upgrading the OS and the RAID
software, go to step 9.
3. If you are installing a new Intel RAID Controller SRCMR, and transferring your OS to that
new adapter, go to step 4.
4. Power off your computer, disconnect all power cords, and remove the computer’s cover to
access the server board.
5. Disconnect the SCSI cable(s), if applicable.
6. Remove the currently installed Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and insert the new Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR into a zero channel RAID compatible PCI slot.
7. Connect the SCSI cable, if applicable, to the newly installed Intel RAID Controller SRCMR.
8. Replace the computer’s cover, reconnect all power cords, and reboot the computer.
9. Log into NT with administrative user rights.
Installing Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000 49
10. Insert the Windows 2000 CD-ROM. The Windows 2000 upgrade utility will auto-start. Click
Yes to start the upgrade.
11. When Welcome to the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard launches, select Upgrade to Windows 2000
and complete this portion of the upgrade. Windows should auto-reboot. If not, manually
reboot the computer.
12. Leave the Windows 2000 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and let the computer boot up. DO
NOT touch any key when prompted to boot from the CD-ROM. Let the computer boot to the
hard drive to continue the upgrade.
13. When the computer gets to the first blue setup screen, immediately press the F6 key to load the
RAID drivers for Windows 2000.
14. When prompted press S and insert the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Installation diskette and
continue the Windows 2000 upgrade.
15. Setup will complete the text-based portion of the installation and auto-reboot to continue the
GUI portion of the Windows 2000 Upgrade.
16. When the GUI portion of setup completes, the computer will auto-reboot. If it does not
auto-reboot, manually reboot the computer to continue the upgrade.
17. Go to the “Installation to an Existing OS” section to complete the upgrade.
Swapping Out / Replacing Compatible Intel RAID Controller SRCMR in Windows 2000:
While running Windows 2000, swapping or replacing a SCSI host adapter with another compatible
but different model SCSI host adapter is similar to the procedure for adding a host adapter. The
important distinction is that you add the new SCSI adapter into the system first, before removing
the old adapter.
NOTE
✏
If you do not install the new host adapter first, it may result in a Windows 2000 boot failure.
To swap compatible Intel RAID Controller SRCMR, follow these steps:
1. Power down your computer.
2. Insert the new (compatible) Intel RAID Controller SRCMR into an available PCI slot, leaving
the existing Intel RAID Controller SRCMR intact.
3. Power up your computer. Windows 2000 should load up as normal and detect the new Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR. Install the Windows 2000 driver if prompted to. If a driver install
Wizard starts, follow the driver installation procedures.
4. Reboot if prompted.
5. Once the new Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is functioning properly, power down your
computer.
6. Remove the old Intel RAID Controller SRCMR (leave the new Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
in the slot that it was initially installed in and detected by Windows 2000) and move all desired
devices to the new adapter.
7. All attached devices should be recognized upon reboot.
Note: For a list of compatible Intel RAID Controller SRCMR, see the Hardware Guide.
50 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Installation to an Existing OS
This section covers all installations of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR into computers with
existing (previously installed) operating systems.
Minimum Requirements:
• Fully functional OS already installed and running on the computer
• Administrative level privilege on the computer
• Hard Disk Space: 9 MB Minimum
• Installed Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
Once all these requirements are met and you are logged on to the computer, continue to the next
section.
Installing Drivers for your Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
Method 1:
1. Insert the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM in CD-ROM drive.
2. If the CD does not start automatically, then run the following file: \autorun.exe.
3. Click OS Diskette, then click on Windows. Select the appropriate Windows version.
4. A command prompt window appears requesting that you insert a formatted floppy diskette.
5. Insert the floppy in the floppy drive and press <Enter>. The command prompt window closes
automatically after the diskette has been written.
6. Open the Device Manager for your given OS and scan the PCI bus for new hardware.
7. Select the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR in the ‘hardware found’ list, and then click Next.
8. Select Search for a suitable driver for my device, and then click Next.
9. Select Floppy Drive.
10. Click on Next and follow the instructions up to and including system reboot.
Method 2:
1. Insert the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM in CD-ROM drive.
2. Run the following file: \windows\install\setup.exe.
3. InstallShield Wizard starts. Select Modify. Click on Next.
4. The Select Components window appears. Select Device Drivers.
5. Click on Next and follow the instructions up to and including system reboot.
Installing Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000 51
52 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
4 Installing Linux
This section discusses installation issues related to the Red Hat Linux operating systems. For a
successful installation, study the Linux system manuals thoroughly. The required Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR installation disks can be created from the RAID Software Suite system
CD-ROM. See Chapter 2 for instructions to create these disks.
Before you Begin
Available Drivers and Tools on the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
Software Suite CD-ROM
gdth.tgz Intel RAID Controller SRCMR driver sources
storcon-2.00.gz StorCon for i386 systems, version 2.00
srcd-1.09-redhat.tgz Remote RAID Configuration Service with start/stop script for Red Hat
Linux, version 1.09
Assumptions About Path Names
Since the user may have received StorCon on the CD-ROM or as a download from the web, and
because Linux administrators may mount volumes with a variety of names, certain assumptions
were made in this document.
Table 12. Linux Path Names
Path Names Note
/mnt/cdrom If the Linux driver and StorCon is not being installed from the CD-ROM, the
/mnt/cdrom part of the path may be changed to the proper directory.
$ Assumes this is your current directory level.
/dev/hda Path entries such as the example on the right are assumptions and may be
changed to match what the administrator has selected for the particular system.
53
General Installation Notes
Minimum Hardware Requirements
For detailed hardware requirements, specifications, and installation procedures, specific to your
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR, refer to Chapter 2.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
• Computer with CD-ROM drive (not attached to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR).
Computer must be on the supported hardware list (for example, Intel SCB2 server board).
• One available 64-bit, 66MHz, Zero channel RAID compatible PCI slot.
• PCI 2.2 compliant System BIOS.
• SCSI hard disk drive(s) (the minimum required to meet desired RAID level).
Minimum Software Requirements
• RAID Software Suite CD-ROM
• 10 MB of hard disk space
• RAID Driver Installation Diskette for Linux (see Section 2.1 for instructions to create this
diskette)
• Linux Red Hat 7.x Installation CD-ROMs
• Root access on the Linux server
54 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Installing Red Hat Linux 7.x on a RAID Volume
(Host Drive)
1. To install Red Hat Linux 7.x on to a host drive, first create the appropriate driver disk from the
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM. Follow the procedure below.
2. In the system BIOS, ensure that the machine is set to boot off of the CD-ROM drive.
3. Place the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and boot the machine.
4. Select the option to make diskettes.
5. Select Red Hat Linux and the appropriate driver for your system. When driver disk is created,
follow the procedure below to create a host drive to install to.
6. Ensure the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is installed in your machine and is connected to
drives on which you intend to create a host drive.
7. Boot your machine and when prompted press <Ctrl>+<g> to enter StorCon. Create a single
host drive from your selected disks.
8. For more information on creating host drives using the StorCon, see Chapter 7, Configure New
Host Drive.
9. Read the Red Hat documentation to understand the disk space/size requirements for the
Red Hat 7.x installation.
10. Ensure the system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and boot to the Red Hat 7.x
CD-ROM. At the boot prompt, type ‘linux dd’ and press <Enter> to continue.
11. Insert the floppy driver disk created in the previous procedure when prompted by the installer.
When the installation is complete, remove the floppy disk from the drive and reboot the system.
Installing Linux 55
Installing an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR onto an
Existing Linux Server
Installation of Driver Sources from the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR CD-ROM
The same procedure can be used for updating a currently installed Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
driver using the driver sources.
1. If you are installing the driver sources from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM, and
if the CD InstallShield has not started automatically, place the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and use the following procedure:
a. Mount the CD-ROM by typing the following command:
$ mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
b. Copy the driver sources to /usr/src/linux/drivers/scsi
c. Enter the following command:
$ cp /mnt/cdrom/linux/drivers/gdth.tgz /usr/src/linux/ drivers/scsi*
d. Unpack and unzip the tar file using the following command:
$ tar -zxvf /usr/src/linux/drivers/scsi/gdth.tgz
*Linux kernel versions are specific. For example, the directory /usr/src/linux-2.4.2 is specific to
Linux kernel version 2.4.2 found in Red Hat version 7.1. You should be aware of the specific path
for your distribution.
2. Compile a new kernel with module support and GDTH SCSI support enabled. This procedure
depends on the Linux distribution, make config, make dep, make clean may be necessary to
install the RAID volume. Refer to your specific Linux distribution documentation for help.
3. Compile the modules. This procedure depends on the Linux distribution. Refer to your
specific Linux distribution documentation for help.
4. Configure Lilo.conf to use the new module support. This procedure depends on the Linux
distribution. Refer to your specific Linux distribution documentation for help.
56 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
GDT Driver Parameters
Reservation of SCSI Devices
The reservation of SCSI devices becomes necessary if you want Direct Access Devices (for
example, hard disks, removable hard disks like IOMEGA or SyQuest, some MOs) to be directly
controlled by Linux and not the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR’s firmware (for example, they are
not configured as host drives).
Reservation of SCSI devices is also called raw-service. In this case the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR does not cache the data to/from the reserved SCSI device. This reservation is important
for removable hard disks. If they are controlled by the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and are a
host drive, a media change is very difficult.
Non Direct Access Devices like CD-ROMs, Streamers, DATs, etc. do NOT require a reservation.
CAUTION
The reservation of SCSI devices is only possible with not-initialized SCSI devices. (Use StorCon to
de-initialize an already initialized device).
From driver version 1.10 on you can add the parameters for the reservation with the LILO append
command:
Excerpt of /etc/lilo.conf:
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/sda2
label = Linux
append = “gdth=reserve_list:1,0,6,0”
# Linux bootable partition config ends
This gdth driver parameter reserves the SCSI device that is connected with Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR 1 (the second Intel RAID Controller SRCMR), SCSI Bus 0 (channel A), ID 6, LUN 0 for
Linux (raw service).
After each change in /etc/lilo.conf lilo must be loaded once.
Driver parameters may also be entered at the LILO boot prompt. (for example:
gdth=reserve_list:1,0,6,0).
Installing Linux 57
Further Driver Parameters
irq1,irq2, etc. Only for RAID EISA Controllers with disabled BIOS (irq1, irq2,
etc. correspond with the IRQs of the RAID controllers)
disable:Y deactivates the RAID driver
disable:N activates the RAID driver
reserve_mode:0 reserves no SCSI devices*
reserve_mode:1 reserves all not-initialized removable hard disk*
reserve_mode:2 reserves all not-initialized SCSI devices*
reserve_list:h,b,t,l,h,b,t,l,... reserves SCSI devices at the corresponding coordinates with
h=Hostadapter, b=SCSI Bus, t=Target ID, l=LUN
reverse_scan:Y reversed scanning order of the PCI controllers
reverse_scan:N Normal scanning order of PCI controllers according to the
system BIOS
max_ids:x x = number of target IDs per SCSI channel (accelerates the boot
process)
rescan:Y rescan all SCSI channels / Ids
rescan:N scan only those SCSI devices found during system power up*
* The driver parameters reserve_mode and rescan:N require Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs with
firmware version FW x.23.00 or higher.
The current default settings of the driver are:
• ‘gdth=disable:N,reserve_mode:1,reverse_scan:N,max_ids:127,rescan:N’.
• If gdth is loaded as a module, these parameters can also be added with a special syntax.
• IRQ parameters are entered as ‘IRQ=’ (for example, IRQ=10). Several parameters are not
separated with a comma (‘,’) but a space (‘ ‘). All ‘:’ are substituted with ‘=’, all ‘Y’ with ‘1’
and all ‘N’ with ‘0’.
• Default: ‘modprobe gdth disable=0 reserve_mode=1 reverse_scan=0 max_ids=127 rescan=0’.
58 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Installation of Intel RAID Controller SRCMR StorCon
Monitoring Utility
Installation of StorCon from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
CD-ROM
1. If you are installing the StorCon from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM, then
place the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and mount the
CD-ROM:
$ mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
2. Copy the StorCon utility archive to /usr/sbin:
$ cp /mnt/cdrom/linux/install/storcon-2.00.gz /usr/bin/storcon-2.00.gz
3. Unpack the archive file and rename:
$ gunzip -d /usr/sbin/storcon-2.00.gz
$ mv /usr/sbin/storcon-2.00 /usr/sbin/storcon
Using StorCon Monitoring Utility
To run the StorCon utility, type ‘storcon’ at any prompt. Select the interface (Linux if locally run,
TCP/IP sockets if remote).
While using StorCon from the Linux system console, the StorCon screen may be overwritten by
system/kernel log messages. To avoid this, execute the following command (entered at the prompt
from a console session):
dmesg -n 1
When finished using StorCon, the console log level can be set back to the default level using the
following command:
dmesg -n 7
This behavior is not observed if the StorCon utility is used from an X-windows terminal window.
Installing Linux 59
Remote Monitoring with the Intel SRCD Remote Access
Service
srcd is the remote access service for Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs. With srcd running, you can
manage disk arrays from a remote workstation using storage management software (for example,
StorCon) via TCP/IP.
Configure /etc/srcd.conf to send SNMP traps or execute an external program (for example, mail)
when a disk array controller event occurs. See comments in /etc/ srcd.conf for details.
SRCD Installation Instructions from the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR CD-ROM
1. Copy the srcd archive to /etc (may be srcd-1.09-suse.tgz or srcd-1.09 redhat.tgz)
$ cp /mnt/cdrom/linux/install\srcd-v.vv-xxxx.tgz /etc/srcd-v.vv-xxxx.tgz
2. Unpack srcd-v.vv-xxxx.tgz:
$ tar /etc/xvfz srcd-v.vv-xxxx.tgz
3. Run install.sh. It will interactively set up a start script and a file /etc/ srcd.conf:
$ ./install.s
4. Edit /etc/srcd.conf to send SNMP traps or execute an external program when controller events
occur.
5. If srcd is not running, start it by executing one of the following commands:
For RedHat-Linux:
$ /etc/rc.d/rc2.d/srcd start
60 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
5 Installing Novell Netware
This section discusses installation issues related to the Novell NetWare operating system and
covers version NetWare 5.1. For a successful installation, study the NetWare system manuals
thoroughly. The information provided in this section refers to the loading of the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR NetWare driver(s) only. The required Intel RAID Controller SRCMR disks can
be created from the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR system CD-ROM.
Pre-Installation Requirements Checklist
This section identifies the minimum hardware and software required to successfully install the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR and the accompanying RAID Software Suite.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
• Computer with CD-ROM drive (not attached to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR).
Computer must be on the supported hardware list (for example, Intel SCB2 server board).
• One available 64-bit, 66MHz, Zero channel RAID compatible PCI slot.
• PCI 2.2 compliant System BIOS.
• SCSI hard disk drive(s) (the minimum required to meet desired RAID level).
Minimum Software Requirements
• RAID Software Suite CD-ROM
• 20 MB of hard disk space
• RAID Driver Installation Diskette for NetWare (see Section 2.1 for instructions to create this
diskette)
• Novell NetWare 5.1 Software
61
New Installation of NetWare 5.1
The following procedures assume that your Intel RAID Controller SRCMR(s) is(are) already
installed in your system. If you plan to install the OS to a RAID volume, you must first configure
the RAID volume through the XROM version of Storage Console. At system boot time, press
<Ctrl>+<g> when prompted to invoke the XROM version of Storage Console.
NOTE
✏
Install all Novell patches and updates prior to installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR driver
and Storage Console. These updates can be found at:
http://www.novell.com
New Installation of NetWare 5.xx with the SRCRX.HAM Driver
1. Create a driver diskette from the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM. See Chapter 2 for details to
create this disk.
2. Start the OS installation from the NetWare bootable CD-ROM.
3. At the storage driver summary menu select modify drivers.
4. Insert the driver disk into drive A:
5. Press <Enter> on the storage driver list.
6. Press <Insert> in the storage controller driver menu.
7. Press <F3> and change the path to A:\DRIVERS\5XX then press <Enter>.
8. Select the SRCRX.HAM driver.
9. Complete the installation.
NOTE
✏
The above procedures install only the controller drivers. To install the Storage Console NLM,
follow the procedure under Add Intel RAID Controller(s), drivers, and/or Storage Console to and
existing NetWare installation and select Storage RAID Controller Tools Kit (STORCON.NLM)
option.
62 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Adding Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Controller(s),
Drivers, and/or Storage Console to an Existing NetWare
Installation
Install all Novell patches and updates prior to installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR driver
and Storage Console. These updates can be found at:
http://www.novell.com
1. Create a driver diskette from the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM. See Chapter 2 for details to
create this disk.
2. Power off the system and add the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR card(s).
3. Power on the system and boot to the OS.
4. Load NWCONFIG.NLM (For 5.x and above).
5. Insert the driver diskette into drive A.
6. Do one or both of the following to install your desired packages (you do not need to reinstall
the driver package if you initially installed the driver using one of the steps under New
Installation of NetWare 5.1).
Installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Driver Package
1. Select Product options, then Install a product not listed.
2. Change the path to A:\INSTALL and press <Enter> to continue.
3. Select Storage RAID Controller Driver (SRCRX.HAM) by setting the cursor on its menu item
and pressing the space bar (an X will appear in the item’s checkbox).
4. Press <F10> to accept the selected item.
5. After the file copy is complete, select Return to previous menu to get back to the
INSTALL/NWCONFIG main options.
6. Select Driver Options.
7. Select Configure disk and storage device drivers.
8. Select Discover and load additional drivers.
9. Press <Enter> to continue past any module load errors not related to the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR.
10. Press <F3> to continue past any non Intel RAID Controller SRCMR related hardware found by
NetWare for which a matching driver was not found.
11. NetWare will now load the SRCRX.HAM driver for each hardware instance you added in the
system and update the STARTUP.NCF file so the driver will load for each subsequent restart of
the server.
12. Select Return to previous menu twice to get back to the INSTALL/NWCONFIG main options.
Installing Novell Netware 63
Installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Tools Kit Package
NOTE
✏
STORCON.NLM will not find any controllers unless SRCRX.HAM is already loaded and running.
1. Select Product options, then Install a product not listed.
2. Change the path to A:\INSTALL and press <Enter> to continue.
3. Select Storage RAID Controller Tools Kit (STORCON.NLM) by setting the cursor on its menu
item and pressing the space bar (an X will appear in the item’s checkbox).
4. Press <F10> to accept the selected item.
5. NetWare will copy the necessary files, automatically load STORCON.NLM, and modify the
AUTOEXEC.NCF file to load STORCON.NLM for each subsequent restart of the server.
Configuring Tools for Remote Access
1. Create a group SRC_Operator in the NDS.
2. Add the Admin and all other users who will use this interface.
3. Load SRCIPX.NLM.
4. Start Storage Console (STORCON.exe) or Storage Console Plus (Storcon+.exe) from a
workstation using a user name of the group SRC_Operator and his/her NetWare password.
ASPI Support for NetWare 5.1
You will need to ensure that the file NWASPI.CDM is in the server’s search path. For
NetWare 5.1, copy NWASPI.CDM into the server’s startup directory from
C:\NWSERVER\DRIVERS.
NOTE
✏
Since the debut of Media Manager (MM.NLM) and the NetWare Peripheral Architecture
(NWPA.NLM), the need for ASPI in NetWare is rare. However, there may be a few applications
that require ASPI. Unless your application(s) require it, do not install ASPI.
This procedure describes how to manually install Novell’s ASPI manager module, but be aware
that you may need to follow specific instructions from your application vendor to correctly
configure ASPI.
1. With the server loaded and running, load NWCONFIG.NLM (NetWare 5.1).
2. Select NCF Files Option from the main menu.
3. Select Edit Startup.ncf.
4. Add the following line at the end of the .CDM section of STARTUP.NCF:
LOAD NWASPI.CDM
5. Reboot the server.
64 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Tips and Tricks
Optimize Data Throughput
High performance RAID controllers are designed for multi-I/O operations and are capable of
processing several I/Os simultaneously. Cache controllers with powerful on-board RISC CPUs can
handle many I/Os per second. NetWare offers the option of adjusting the number of write I/Os
which are loaded on the mass storage subsystem. To gain optimum performance and speed from
modern high performance disk controllers, the amount of the so-called maximum concurrent disk
cache writes has been increased with every further development of NetWare. Looking back to
NetWare 3.11, only 100 concurrent disk cache writes were possible. With NetWare 4.10, it can be
as much as 1000.
The number of concurrent disk cache writes delivering the best performance is highly dependent on
the performance of the installed disk controller, the amount of cache RAM on the controller and the
hard disks. The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR’s can easily cope with up to 500 simultaneous
requests. The following command line enables the adjustment of a new number under NetWare
(default value = 50):
set maximum concurrent disk cache writes = xxxx
Where xxxx represents the required number of concurrent disk cache writes.
Cache Memory Allocator Out of Available Memory’ in PCI-ISA
Systems
PCI systems which are not equipped with an EISA Bus behave in the same way as an ISA
mainboard with regard to the available RAM memory. NetWare therefore does not automatically
recognize the available memory above 16 MByte. The command register memory allows the
registration of memory above 16 MByte. Memory shortage can appear while loading several
applications simultaneously on the server, especially where large volumes are concerned. This is
because the register memory command is normally carried out in the autoexec.ncf file. This is
usually located in the SYS volume. An autoexec.ncf file placed in the DOS partition of the
NetWare Server helps to get around this problem. To carry out this process, the disk driver must be
removed from the startup.ncf and inserted into the autoexec.ncf in the DOS partition. After
completing this process, the disk driver must be loaded directly after the register memory command
as indicated in the following autoexec.ncf file example.
• Register memory 1000000 1000000
• LOAD C:SRCRP312
An additional start file can be loaded on the SYS volume for differentiation, for example, with the
name ‘autonet.ncf’.
Installing Novell Netware 65
NetWare-Server Not Stable When Under High Utilization
High server utilization combined with a large number of applications running on the server can lead
to an increase in the number of dirty cache buffers resulting in an unstable server. To avoid this
situation, modify the following parameters.
• Increase the number of concurrent disk cache writes for the disk subsystem. Set maximum
concurrent disk cache writes. This parameter can be increased up to 500 for high performance
controllers and fast hard disks.
• Decrease the delayed write standard parameter. Set dirty disk cache delay time. This
parameter sets the time where dirty buffers are written (flushed) from the cache of NetWare to
the hard disk. The minimum value is 0.8 seconds. Care should be taken not to go below
0.8 seconds because this value influences server performance substantially.
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and Non-ASPI Compatible
Controllers
If an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is operated under NetWare together with another
controller/host adapter which does not support the ASPI standard, SCSI raw devices cannot be
operated on both controllers (tapes, CD-ROMs).
In general, NetWare gives preference to controllers which support the ASPI Standard (for example,
†
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR, Adaptec
module) tapes and CD-ROMs on the ASPI non-compatible controller are no longer recognized. To
avoid this problem, the file aspitran.dsk can be deactivated via a modification.
). As soon as aspitran.dsk is loaded (auto-loading
To deactivate aspitran.dsk, find the string ‘ASPI_Entry’ by using a Disk-Monitor in aspitran.dsk
(please pay attention to upper case letters etc). Modify the string by replacing ‘A’ with an ‘X’ (for
example, ‘XSPI_Entry’). The modified aspitran.dsk enables the operation of raw devices on
non-ASPI-compatible controllers.
NOTE
✏
After this modification, no other raw devices (tapes, CD-ROMs) are recognized on the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR or Adaptec.
66 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Last Status Information
All Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Controllers temporarily store the status information from all
hard disks that are connected to that controller. This information can be useful when searching for
possible causes of disk failures or interferences. The last status information consists of a
hexadecimal, 8 digit number and can be displayed via the StorCon or saved in a SAVE
INFORMATION ASCII file. The information is temporarily available in the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR’s RAM. Therefore, it is important to check this information before switching off and
before carrying out a Reset if a disk failure has occurred or if interference was present. The last
status information is divided into controller-specific and SCSI-specific messages. A detailed
description can be found in the file laststat.pdf.
Adding Additional Capacity After an Online Capacity Expansion
The additional capacity resulting from an online capacity expansion of an existing array drive is
introduced to the system as a new host drive. To be able to make use of the new capacity without
having to down the server, type “scan for new devices” on the server console to recognize the new
capacity. Use Install to build new partitions and volumes.
Notes on ARCserve
Make sure that you always have the latest version of your ARCserve software.
The back-up program ARCserve can be used in connection with the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR. The communication between the tape device (for example, DAT, DLT) and the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR takes place through the ASPI interface. For this purpose, the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR ASPI Manager aspitran.dsk is needed. When loading the regular Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR NetWare driver (for example, srcrp311.dsk), the ASPI Manager is
automatically loaded, too. During the installation of ARCserve, choose Adaptec ASPI Manager as
the interface.
†
Installing Novell Netware 67
68 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
6 Installing UnixWare
This section discusses installation issues related to the UnixWare operating systems
(UnixWare 7.1.1). For a successful installation, study the SCO UNIX system manuals thoroughly.
The required Intel RAID Controller SRCMR disks can be created from the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR system CD-ROM.
General Installation Notes
This section identifies the minimum hardware and software required to successfully install the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR the accompanying RAID Software Suite.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
• Computer with CD-ROM drive (not attached to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR).
Computer must be on the supported hardware list (for example, Intel SCB2 server board).
• One available 64-bit, 66MHz, Zero channel RAID compatible PCI slot.
• PCI 2.2 compliant System BIOS.
• SCSI hard disk drive(s) (the minimum required to meet desired RAID level).
Minimum Software Requirements
• RAID Software Suite CD-ROM
• 20 MB of hard disk space
• RAID Driver Installation Diskette for UnixWare (see Section 2.1 for instructions to create this
diskette)
• SCO UnixWare 7.1 OS software
69
Installing the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR as an
Additional Controller
Two cases are discussed below.
No Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Has Yet Been Configured for
UnixWare
In this case, the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR driver must be installed from the UnixWare
BTLD-Disk by means of the UnixWare desktop and the options “System Setup”, “Application
Setup”. Alternatively, this procedure can be carried out from the UnixWare shell: “pkgadd -d /dev/
dsk/f0t” (Intel RAID Controller SRCMR driver disk in drive 0).
An Intel RAID Controller SRCMR Has Already Been Configured
for UnixWare
In this case, you only have to add an additional entry for the new Intel RAID Controller SRCMR.
This is carried out by the command.
/etc/scsi/pdiadd -d DRQ -v IRQ -m MEM srch
For DRQ use 0 (not necessary for PCI boards). For IRQ write the IRQ number that Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR uses. MEM corresponds to the DPMEM address of the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR (which is displayed in the BIOS message of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR after
power up). In both cases, you have to carry out a cold boot to use the new Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR under UnixWare.
Example: /etc/scsi/pdiadd -d 0 -v 12 -m c8000 srch.
Then reboot of the UnixWare system. No kernel link is required because the driver will be
dynamically loaded.
70 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Installing an Operating System onto a Host Drive or
Single Disk
NOTE
✏
When installing UnixWare, create only one RAID device (host drive) on which the operating system
is to be installed.
1. Create and configure one RAID device from the BIOS of Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
Storage Console (accessed by pressing <Ctrl>+<g>).
2. Insert UnixWare 7.1 installation diskette 1 of 2 which was included with your OS user’s
manual. Installation begins.
During the installation UnixWare prompts you to insert a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) diskette.
Insert the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR installation diskette. If you do not have the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR installation diskette for the operating system that you are installing,
then create it before continuing. See Chapter 2 for instructions to create this disk.
3. During the installation of UnixWare, you will be prompted to install the Network Information
Services (NIS) package. By default the installation will configure your system as an NIS client.
See your system administrator for configuration of the NIS services.
NOTE
✏
Installation of this service may take an extended periodof time.
If you do not plan on using the NIS or there is not an NIS server present on your network that you
are installing this system onto, defer installation of NIS at this time by pressing <F8> at the NIS
configuration screen.
4. After completing the OS installation, proceed to the next paragraph to complete the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR installation.
Installation of the RAID Software Suite for UnixWare
1. Ensure that the minimum configuration requirements have been met. See Section 6.1.1 and
Section 6.1.2.
2. Login into the UnixWare server with administrative (ROOT) rights.
3. Insert the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and mount the CD-ROM.
Create a directory to mount the file. For example, type “mkdir cdfiles” at the prompt.
Mount the CD-ROM to the folder by typing:
mount -F cdfs -r /dev/cdrom/cdrom1 /cdfiles
Installing UnixWare 71
Coordinates of SCSI Devices
Host Adapter Number (HA)
The host adapter number assigned to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR is derived from the PCI
slot number of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. Therefore, if there is only one Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR installed in the PCI bus computer system, the host adapter number is 0. If there
are two Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs installed, the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR with the
lower PCI Slot number is assigned host adapter number 0 and the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
with the higher PCI slot number is assigned host adapter 1.
NOTE
✏
After a cold boot, the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR BIOS displays a couple of messages, each
beginning with the controller’s PCI slot number, for example, “[PCI 0/3] 4 MB RAM detected”.
The number after the ‘/’ is the slot number of the controller. This will help determine the order of
the Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs and which host adapter number is assigned to them by
UnixWare.
72 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
UnixWare Bus Number, Target ID and LUN
Target IDs and LUNs for “Non-Direct Access Devices” (devices like streamers, tapes and
CD-ROMs and therefore not configurable via StorCon), are directly assigned to the SCSI ID and
the channel of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. Host drives are assigned in increasing order to
the free coordinates (bus number and target ID;LUN is always 0).
Configuration Example
In the PCI computer are two Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs (HA 0 = 1st Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR, HA 1 = 2nd Intel RAID Controller SRCMR), each with two SCSI channels.
1 Hard Disk as host drive no. 0 on HA0
1 Hard Disk as host drive no. 0 on HA1
1 Hard Disk as host drive no. 1 on HA1
1 Streamer SCSI ID 2, LUN 0 on SCSI channel A of HA0
1 CD-ROM SCSI ID 3, LUN 0 on SCSI channel B of HA0
1 DAT SCSI ID 2, LUN 0 on SCSI channel A of HA1
The resulting HA, Bus, Target ID and LUN are indicated in Table 13.
Table 13. UnixWare Bus Number, Target ID and LUN
HA Bus Target ID Lun Device
00001st hard disk, host drive no. 0 (boot drive)
0020Streamer
0130CD-ROM
1000Hard disk, host drive no. 0
1010Hard disk, host drive no. 1
1020DAT
1030Hard disk, host drive no. 2
Installing UnixWare 73
Additional Information
• During the installation of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR driver, additional tools are copied
into the /etc directory. Before you can use them you have to create a special device file named
/dev/ rsrch by means of “link”. This device file has to be placed on a device of an Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR host drive.
• With ‘RAIDSYNC’ from the /etc directory, you can determine the coordinates of an Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR host drive. Usually the first host drive has the coordinates c0b0t0d0.
• A special device file (character device) is /dev/rdsk/c0b0t0d0s0. In this case, /dev/rsrch can be
generated with: ln /dev/rdsk/c0b0t0d0s0 /dev/rsrch.
• (c0 = HA, b0 = Bus number, t0 = Target ID 0, d0 = LUN 0, s0 = UnixWare partition).
• All new SCSI devices are automatically recognized and a corresponding special-device-file is
generated.
• Host drives must be partitioned and a file system/file system(s) must be created. You can do
this with diskadd cCbBtTdD.
• When using Direct Access Devices with exchangeable media (for example, removable hard
disks) that are not reserved for the raw service, media has to be inserted either when the system
is booted, or with StorCon (mount/unmount). Otherwise the device will not be available under
UnixWare.
• The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR UnixWare driver supports Direct Access Devices (for
example, hard disks, removable harddisks) as SCSI-raw devices. This is especially important if
you use removable hard disks which you want to exchange with other controllers. How to
reserve a device for the SCSI-raw service is described in the file space.c on the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR BTLD disk (example and documentation).
• Multi-processor support: The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR device drivers for
UnixWare 7.1.1 support multi-processor systems.
74 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
7 Storage Console
Storage Console (StorCon) is a helpful and flexible setup and diagnosis tool for the configuration,
monitoring, maintenance and tuning of mass storage subsystems that are based on one or more Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR. Unlike Storage Console Plus (StorCon+), a GUI-style application for
Windows 9x/NT/2000, StorCon’s user interface is character-oriented and available for all operating
systems. Information on StorCon+ is found in Chapter 8, Storage Console Plus. StorCon is also
part of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR’s Flash-RAM and can be loaded at system boot level by
pressing <Ctrl>+<g>.
NOTE
✏
Some features are only available from the BIOS/Flash-RAM version of the StorCon to prevent users
from experiencing unrecoverable events.
StorCon Features
StorCon Features Include
• Diagnosis and configuration functions
• Online capacity expansion of disk arrays
• Host drives which can be setup and configured under normal operation
• Monitoring functions which indicate the performance of the various components, cache
statistics
• Enhanced repair functions for disk arrays with failed drives
StorCon Is
• Available as both an executable program under various operating systems, and a rom-resident
program loadable with <Ctrl>+<g> at system boot level (for example, without an operating
system)
• Available for NetWare 5.1, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Linux, and SCO UnixWare
• Loadable locally (on the server) or remotely from an authorized workstation (support of various
protocols)
75
Loading StorCon
The StorCon program is available for various operating systems (NetWare 5.1, Windows NT,
Windows 2000, Windows 95/98, Linux, and SCO UnixWare). It can be used either locally or
remotely. All Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs in a network can be monitored and serviced from
one or several workstation(s).
Loading the StorCon Program Under NetWare
The StorCon program for NetWare is part of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR System CD-ROM.
StorCon can be used under NetWare 5.1. There are two methods of loading StorCon.
• Loading StorCon on the fileserver
• Loading StorCon on an authorized workstation (remote)
Loading StorCon on a Fileserver
NOTE
✏
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR NetWare driver and the auto-loading module CTRLTRAN must
have been previously loaded on the fileserver. Use the following command to load StorCon:
LOAD StorCon
Loading StorCon on a Workstation
NOTE
✏
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR NetWare driver, the auto-loading module CTRLTRAN and
module CTRLIPX.NLM must have been previously loaded on the fileserver console. This module
searches for a file named CTRLIPX.CFG. This file must be located in the same directory as
CTRLIPX.NLM. Additionally, the system administrator must set up a user group named
IIR_OPERATOR. All users belonging to this group are given access (through StorCon) to the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR(s) in this specific fileserver (Access level 0).
Load the StorCon program from one (or more) workstation(s) using the following command:
StorCon
76 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Loading the StorCon Program Under Windows NT/2000
1. Ensure that Windows has been configured to meet all the requirements of the RAID Software
Suite setup.
2. If the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR has not been installed into the computer, then install it
before continuing. Consult Chapter 2 for details when installing the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR. After the controller has been installed, go to step 3.
3. Log into Windows using a user account with administrative rights.
4. Insert the RAID Software Suite CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. Select Install to install
StorCon.
5. License Agreement - Click Yes after reading to agree.
6. Information - Click Next when ready to continue.
7. Select Components - Select one of the following (Remote or Local administration):
Local Administration
Select components that you wish to install or select the default selections (Windows NT,
see Figure 10) (Windows 2000, see Figure 11). Click Next to continue the installation.
Remote Administration
Select Remote Storage Console under Management Tools branch (Windows NT, see Figure
10) (Windows 2000, see Figure 11). Click Next to continue the installation.
8. Choose the Destination Location - Use the default directory for installation, click Next.
9. Select the Program Folder - Use default Program Group, click Next.
10. After the file copy completes, restart the computer to complete the installation for NT. For
Windows 2000 where the OS is installed on a non-RAID device, continue with step 12.
11. Windows 2000 Only: Reboot the server and log into Windows. If your OS is not on a RAID
device, you will see a pop up message, Found New Hardware. The OS has detected the RAID
management driver.
12. Continue by clicking Next. The OS will attempt to locate the drivers for this device.
13. Do not let the OS locate the driver. When prompted, uncheck the boxes for Floppy and
CD-ROM. Place a check in the box to Specify Location.
14. Type the following location: c:\program files\raid software suite\drivers. Note: this is the
default installation location. If you have not chosen the default during installation, type in that
location. This is important to keep the Found New Hardware pop up from appearing each time
you log into Windows.
15. Finish the installation and reboot.
This completes the installation procedure for Windows.
Storage Console 77
Figure 10. Component Selection (Windows NT)
Figure 11. Component Selection (Windows 2000)
78 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Uninstalling the RAID Software Suite
WARNING
Uninstalling the RAID Software Suite from a computer that has the operating system installed on
a host drive or pass-through disk will result in the inability to reboot the operating system. This
could result in data loss.
To remove the RAID Software Suite from Windows 2000 follow the instructions below.
1. Ensure that you have closed all applications and are logged in with administrative rights.
2. Open Control Panel and launch the Add/Remove programs icon.
3. Select the RAID Software Suite and click Change/Remove for Windows 2000 or Add/ Remove
for Windows NT.
4. The InstallShield Wizard begins.
Figure 12. Add/Remove Programs (Windows 2000 Example)
Windows 2000:
a. Select the Remove option, click Next.
b. A progress window appears as files are removed. (Note: The RAID device driver will not
be removed. Only the RAID software components will be removed).
c. When finished, a window titled Maintenance Complete appears. Click Finish to complete
the removal of the RAID software components.
Windows NT 4.0:
a. Select the Modify option, click Next.
Storage Console 79
b. The Select Components screen will launch. Remove the check from the check box in front
of each component that you wish to remove. Do not remove the check from the check box
in front of the RAID Device Drivers component unless you intend to remove the device
drivers. Note: If you remove the device drivers and you are booting to a host drive,
you will be unable to reboot back into Windows. The operating system will be
inaccessible. Click Next.
c. A Question Box will appear if you have deselected the Storage Consoles. Click Yes to
continue the uninstall.
d. A window titled InstallShield Wizard Complete will appear. Click Finish to close the
window.
5. After file removal finishes, reboot the computer to complete the uninstall.
Loading the StorCon Program Under Windows 95/98
The StorCon program for Windows 95/98 is part of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR System
CD-ROM. To load the program under Windows 95/98, type the following command at the prompt:
StorCon <Enter>
NOTE
✏
To monitor the server(s) remotely using StorCon, load MON4SOCK.DLL in the same directory as
†
StorCon. It supports SPX
MON4NETB.DLL).
/IPX and TCP/IP network protocols (for NetBIOS you can load instead
Loading StorCon Under Linux
The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR System CD-ROM for Linux includes the archive:
• StorCon.tgz StorCon and object files (intel).
• This archive includes all object files to create StorCon, as well as an executable StorCon
compiled on a current Linux version.
Load StorCon by typing the following at the prompt:
StorCon <Enter>
NOTE
✏
To monitor the server(s) remotely using StorCon, load MON4SOCK.DLL in the same directory as
StorCon. This DLL supports SPX/IPX and TCP/IP network protocols (for NetBIOS you can load
instead MON4NETB.DLL).
80 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Loading StorCon Under SCO UnixWare
Load StorCon by typing the following at the prompt:
StorCon <Enter>
StorCon
NOTE
✏
To monitor the server(s) remotely using StorCon, load MON4SOCK.DLL in the same directory as
StorCon. This DLL supports SPX/IPX and TCP/IP network protocols (for NetBIOS you can load
instead MON4NETB.DLL).
The StorCon Program
The structure of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware has four different levels of hierarchy.
Level 1 where the Physical Devices are found, level 2 containing the logical drives (made up of
one or several physical drives), level 3, the array drives, and finally, level 4, the host drives. Only
host drives are known to the operating system. The drive of a given level of hierarchy is always set
up by using the drives of the next lower level as components.
The structure of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR firmware has four different levels of hierarchy.
Level 1 where the Physical Devices are found, level 2 containing the logical drives (made up of one
or several physical drives), level 3, the array drives, and finally, level 4, the host drives. Only host
drives are known to the operating system. The drive of a given level of hierarchy is always set up
by using the drives of the next lower level as components. Accordingly, StorCon has various menu
options, each referring to a level of hierarchy.
Host Drives Level 4
Arrays Drives Level 3
Logical Drives Level 2
Physical Devices Level 1
Intel RAID Controller SRCMR can simultaneously control most types of host drives. For
example, a given system’s drive C is a host drive (consisting of a single hard disk), drive D is a type
RAID 5 array drive, drive E is a Chain host drive, and drive F is a CD-ROM which communicates
with the OS through corelSCSI and the ASPI manager.
Storage Console 81
Table 14 lists the host drive types that can be created with the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
Firmware.
Table 14. Host Drive Types
Minimum
Number of
Type of Host
Drive Description of Host Drive
Disk 1:1 assignment: host drive to hard disk (sometimes also called JBOD) 1
Chain Concatenation of several hard disks 2
RAID 1 Mirroring 2
RAID 0 Data Striping 2
RAID 4 Data Striping with parity drive 3
RAID 5 Data Striping with striped parity 3
RAID 10 Combined RAID 0 and RAID 1 4
Hard Disks
Required
After loading StorCon, the screen in Figure 13 appears (press <F10> to toggle between a black and
white or color display).
82 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Figure 13. Select Interface
Select Interface
Interface represents the way in which StorCon connects with the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR.
In this example “WIN 9x/NT/2k” (see Figure 13) indicates that the StorCon is the Windows version
and is loaded on a Windows system. If you press <Enter>, StorCon scans the local system for Intel
RAID Controller SRCMRs.
Selecting “Sockets” allows for the remote connection of this workstation with servers using Intel
RAID Controller SRCMRs. Select TCP/IP or IPX/SPX network protocols. To access the servers
with Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs, the corresponding remote service must be loaded on the
server. Users must be assigned access rights (Name, password). See Figure 14. After selecting
“Sockets” and “TCP/IP” you may enter the IP address of the server (if you choose “SPX/IPX”
StorCon will scan the network for suitable servers which have SPX/IPX protocol). Enter user name
and password as appropriate.
Figure 14. Remote Machine
Select Controller
After the login procedure StorCon displays a list of Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs which are
installed in the server (in this example one SRCU32, see Figure 15). This list includes controller
name, the PCI Bus system (0=primary, 1=secondary, etc.) and the PCI slot number, the controller‘s
features (C=Chaining, 0=RAID 0, 1=RAID 1, 4=RAID 4, 5=RAID 5, 10=RAID 10) and the
firmware level. After selecting the controller by pressing <Enter>, all further changes to these
settings within StorCon refer to this Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and the connected devices.
Figure 15. Select Controller
Storage Console 83
Monitor and Express / Advanced Setup
StorCon offers two fundamentally different operating modes, Monitor with monitoring functions
and Express Setup/Advanced Setup with configuration functions.
Figure 16. Monitor and Express Setup / Advanced Setup Menu
Menu options can be selected either with the cursor up/down keys, or by pressing the highlighted
character. Press <F4> to switch between the Advanced Setup and Express Setup modes.
84 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Monitor Menu
The monitor menu has the following menu options. See Figure 16.
• Use View Statistics to supervise the performance of the different components of the RAID
subsystem.
• View Events is an enhanced event recorder for RAID and controller-specific events.
Use View Hard Disk Info to view detailed information on the connected devices (important are the
retries, reassigns, grown defects and last status information).
Use Save Information to create a complete protocol file of the current RAID subsystem including
all settings of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR and the drives. This file can be used for remote
diagnosis.
Express Setup / Advanced Setup Menus
Express Setup and Advanced Setup (Chapter 7) have the following menu options. See Figure 16.
Use Configure Host Drives to configure already existing host drives or create new ones. For
example, you can create a new host drive under normal operation without shutting down the
computer.
Use Repair Array Drives to repair array drives which have failed drives.
Use Configure Controller to setup the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. Here, you can change the
cache settings, termination, and memory test, etc.
Use Configure Physical Devices to initialize the devices at the physical level, for example, change
the SCSI protocol, transfer rates, etc.
Use Configure Logical Drive to configure or create logical drives.
Use Configure Array Drives to configure or create array drives.
Storage Console 85
Monitor Menu
View Statistics
The View Statistics menu (Figure 17) displays the performance of the drives and their
corresponding level of hierarchy. The throughput of the drives is displayed in KB/s (KiloBytes per
second) and IO’s (I/Os per second, number of IO’s on the controller). The performance figures
reflect the load on the controller and not necessarily the maximum performance the controller can
deliver.
Figure 17. View Statistics Menu
When selecting a drive’s statistics, StorCon displays a list of all drives for a particular RAID level
(for this example the physical drive for RAID level 1). In addition to the performance report on the
drives, the menu monitor displays the hard disk I/O channel, hard disk ID, hard disk name and hard
disk gross capacity (1MB = 1024KB). See Figure 18. The figures shown at TOTAL represent the
performance of the host drives as a whole. With the left arrow and right arrow keys you may
change the scale of the graphical KB/s indication. With the up arrow and down arrow keys you can
scroll the screen to see additional Drives (if available).
Use “Cache Statistics” to view the utilization of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR’s caches, (read
cache and write cache). This menu also displays the size of the cache in KB and the settings of
both caches (on, or off). The figures for “cache hits” show how often requests can be serviced out
of the cache, for example, without triggering an immediate disk IO.
86 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Figure 18. Physical Drive Statistics
Use “Sample Rate”, to choose the interval at which the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR delivers
new measurements. Depending on the operating system used, the sampling rate can be set to a
maximum of 60 seconds. The default setting is 1 second.
Use “Logging On/Off”, to create a log file which records all the statistical values over a longer
period. If you choose On, StorCon asks for the path/name of the log file. See Figure 19.
Figure 19. Logfile Name
View Events
Use “View Events” to display Intel RAID Controller SRCMR events. Events can also be recorded
and saved into a log file. This menu option gives the administrator the ability to analyze and
supervise array drives. See Figure 20.
Figure 20. Controller Events
Storage Console 87
View Hard Disk Info
View Hard Disk Info menu shows information for hard disk drives. The hard disk information
(shown in Figure 21) includes SCSI Channel, SCSI ID, Vendor, Product Type, Retries/Reassigns,
Grown Defects and Last Status.
Figure 21. Hard Disk Information
The Retries Counter
The Retries counter records the number of retries to a hard drive (the counter it is incremented by
one unit whenever the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR retries to access a hard disk. If the counter
continues to increase it is likely that the cable is not adequate for the selected data transfer rate
(cable is too long, of poor quality or connectors are of poor quality) or that the SCSI bus is not
properly terminated (too many terminators on the cable or a missing terminator). In very few cases
is the hard disk defective. The retries counter also increments when the SCSI parameters of a hard
disk are changed.
The Reassigns Counter
The Reassigns counter records the number of media defects which occur on a hard drive. Defective
blocks of a hard drive are assigned substitute blocks (spare blocks) that are either on the same track,
or on alternate ones if all spare blocks on the same track are already in use. The administration of
the reassignments is carried out by the hard drive through reassignment tables. If you observe that
the number of reassigns is constantly increasing, you may assume that something is wrong with the
drive.
If a hard disk works with alternate tracks, it is generally no longer suitable for applications with
high performance expectations. Whenever a defective block is being accessed, the read/write
actuator has to move to an alternate position and this requires extra time.
The Grown Defects Counter
The Grown Defects counter records the number of media defects that have occurred since the
device was first operated with an Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. A hard disk is in good condition
when it has 0 grown defects. Any value greater than 0 indicates a grown defect condition. For
more information on grown defects see Chapter 7, View Status/Defects.
88 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Last Status
Last Status information should always be 0x00000000. After a device failure or other significant
events, a different value may be displayed here. This value is volatile and is reset to 0x00000000
after each power up and/or reset. If you press <Enter> on a Drive, StorCon displays additional
information on the SCSI parameter settings.
Figure 22. Hard Disk Last Status
Save Information
Use the Save Information menu option to save the configuration information of the selected Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR and its devices in an ASCII-file. See Figure 23. Such system
information/ documentation would be helpful should you require support.
Figure 23. Save Information
At the end of this protocol is a chronological listing of boot messages and other events stored in the
Flash-RAM of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. If the buffer is full, the oldest events are
deleted first.
Storage Console 89
NOTE
✏
In the menu “Configure Controller” the logging buffer can be cleared with “Clear Log Buffer”.
The log is a good source of information for analyzing complex events and problems. See Figure 24.
Figure 24. Screen Service Messages and Async. Events
90 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Express Setup
Configure Host Drives
Express Setup Configure Host Drives allows for easy installation of new host drives.
NOTE
✏
Creation of a host drive as Single Disk, RAID0, RAID1 or RAID10 is non-destructive so that the
partition table of the new drive (which could have conceivably been used on another SCSI HBA)
could have valid data. To prevent this from occurring, run a surface check on each disk before
creating hosts.
NOTE
✏
Apart from minor differences, this menu option is identical to menu option Configure Host Drives
in Advanced Setup, Chapter 7. In Express Setup, the user may not select a stripe size (defaults to
128KB) or use the Split/Merge functions.
Host Drive States
After clicking on Configure Host Drives, StorCon displays a list of existing host drives. In a new
system this list shows no host drive entries. In the example in Figure 25one host drive is available,
and it is a RAID 5 array drive (with approximate 17GB capacity). The status is ready, meaning that
this host drive is fully available and redundant.
Storage Console 91
Figure 25. Select Host Drive
Some of the states listed below may have the addition of /patch (for example build/patch,
ready/patch). This indicates that the original array drive went through a significant procedure, for
example, the parity information was recalculated anew. Or, the array drive has been patched from
the error state into the fail state. This may become helpful in a situation where two logical drives of
an array drive fail at the same time, but only one of the two logical drives is really defective and the
other was blocked out since it was connected with the same I/O channel as the defective one. The
array drive’s state is error and normally all data would be lost. Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
includes some functions that allow the patch of this array drive from the error state into the fail sate.
Before the actual patch, the defective drive has to be physically removed from the array drive.
Such a patch procedure should only be used after a consultation with a trained support person (a
printout of the Save Information file, is extremely helpful).
Pressing <F4> delivers level-by-level detailed information on a host drive and its components.
This may assist in getting an overview of a specific host drive. After pressing <F5>, the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR switches the LEDs (if available) of the hard disks belonging to that host
drive on and off.
Idle State:
The idle state is characterized by the fact that the redundant information of the disk array has never
been entirely created. The disk array is in this state after its first configuration and until you quit
StorCon. Should an error occur while the array is in the build state, the array returns to idle. The
exception is that if during build mode the dedicated drive of RAID 4 fails, the mode changes to fail.
Build State:
After the disk array has been configured for the first time, it assumes the build state as soon as you
quit StorCon. While the array is in the build state, redundancy information is calculated and stored
to the hard disks of the array.
Ready State:
The disk array is fully operational when in the ready state. All redundant information is present, for
example, a hard disk can fail without impairing the functionality of the disk array. This is the
normal state of a disk array. The state ready/expand indicates that the RAID level and/or capacity
are currently migrated/expanded.
Fail State:
The disk array changes to the fail state whenever a logical drive fails. Redundancy information is
still present, thus allowing the remaining hard disks to continue working. This state should be
eliminated as soon as possible by replacing the defective hard disk. If a so-called hot fix (hot spare)
drive has previously been assigned to a disk array with StorCon, the controller will automatically
replace the defective drive and start the reconstruction of the data and the redundant information.
Therefore, under these circumstances the fail state is only temporary and will be eliminated by the
controller itself.
Rebuild State:
The disk array will assume the rebuild state after the automatic activation of a hot fix drive or after
a manual replacement carried out with StorCon. The data and the redundant information are
reconstructed and stored to the new drive.
92 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Expand State:
If the capacity or RAID level of an existing disk array is changed, the disk array changes its state
into expand. As soon as the expansion or migration is completed, the state changes back to ready.
Error State:
Should a second hard disk fail while the disk array is in the fail or rebuild state, it is not possible to
continue the working session without restrictions. The disk array is still available for I/Os, but data
loss and error messages on the host level are possible.
Configure New Host Drive
After selecting Configure New Host Drive, the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR scans all channels
for free hard disks (for example, hard disks which are not yet part of a host drive) and displays
these units in a list (see Figure 26Use the arrow up and down keys to move the selection bar from
one hard disk to another and the space bar to select/deselect hard disks. Marked hard disks show an
“*” in the first column.
In the Choose Type window in Figure 26 all host drive types are displayed (the possible types
depend on the number of selected hard disks and the firmware level of the Intel RAID Controller
SRCMR). Finish the selection by pressing <Enter>.
StorCon displays a security message pointing out that all existing data on the selected hard disks
will be destroyed. Confirm by pressing <Y> (Figure 27).
Storage Console 93
Figure 26. Choose Type
Figure 27. Create Host Drive Confirmation
After pressing <Y> the user may limit the capacity of each hard disk selected for the new host drive
(Figure 28). This can be helpful when procuring future spare hard drives. StorCon then creates and
configures the new host drive and adds it to the list. All SCSI parameters are adjusted to optimum
values.
Figure 28. Hard Disk Capacity
NOTE
✏
If the entire hard disk capacity is not used when configuring a RAID 1 host drive, you cannot use
the remaining capacity to expand the array drive in the future.
Figure 29. Drive Status
After leaving StorCon or after pressing <F10> (for refresh) the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR
begins the build process on the new host drive. In our example it calculates the parity information
and writes it to the hard disks. The status during this process is build. When the build is
successfully finished the status changes to ready.
94 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Host Drive Options
Select a host drive and press <Enter> to open the host drive options dialog (Figure 30).
Figure 30. Host Drive Options
Change Drive Name:
Use Change Drive Name to change the name of a host drive. The name serves to identify a host
drive with StorCon. For example, you could name the boot host drive “Boot” and the data host
drive “Data”.
Swap Host Drives:
When a PCI computer is switched on, the host drives are initialized in the order of the host drive
list, which means that the operating system is booted from the host drive with the lowest number.
For reasons of flexibility, a host drive’s position in the list can be changed. However, the position
of the host drive from which the operating system is booted and the position of the host drive from
which StorCon (disk version) was started (both can be the same), cannot be changed. If you wish
to change the position of these drives, you have to boot the operating system and StorCon from a
floppy disk or use StorCon from the Flash-RAM of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. To change
the position of a host drive in the host drive list, highlight the host drive and confirm with <Enter>.
Then, type in the new position and press <Enter>.
Remove Host Drives:
Removing a host drive results in the loss of all data. All data will be lost after removal. If you
remove a host drive belonging to an array drive for which several host drives exist (after capacity
expansion, or after splitting), all other host drives will also be removed.
Split Host Drive:
For some purposes you might need to split an existing host drive into two or several host drives, in
which case each host drive looks like a single hard disk to the operating system. Since the new host
drives have smaller capacities, StorCon has to write new header information on the host drives. All
data will be lost from the original host drive.
The Split Host Drive menu is only available if StorCon is loaded with <Ctrl>+<g> from the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR’s Flash-RAM.
Storage Console 95
Merge Host Drives:
This function reverses the Split Host Drive operation. Only host drives that belong to the same
array drive or logical drive can be merged. Since the new host drive has a larger capacity, StorCon
has to write new header information on the new host drive. All data from the original host drives
will be lost.
The Merge Host Drives menu is only available if StorCon is loaded with <Ctrl>+<g> from the Intel
RAID Controller SRCMR’s Flash-RAM.
Partition Host Drive:
This option is not available when loading StorCon from the Flash-RAM of the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR. Before you can partition a new host drive it may become necessary to first
reboot the system. The partitioning menu has similar functions as the MS-DOS
†
program FDISK.
You can create and delete a partition and also change the active partition. MS-DOS can only be
booted from an active partition. Just like FDISK, StorCon can handle primary partitions, extended
partitions, and logical drives within the extended partitions.
Add Hot Fix Drive:
Add Hot Fix Drive allows you to add a hot fix drive to an existing RAID 1, RAID 4, RAID 5, or
RAID 10 array drive. There are two different types of hot fix drives: Private and Pool hot fix
drives. A pool hot fix drive is a spare drive within the so-called hot fix pool. A drive in a hot fix
pool is available for several array drives as a hot fix drive. Thus, several array drives can share one
hot fix drive. Once this drive has been used by one of the array drives, it is no longer available to
the others. A private hot fix drive is dedicated to one RAID 1, RAID 4, RAID 5 or RAID 10 array
drive.
Remove Hot Fix Drive:
Remove Hot Fix Drive allows you to remove a previously assigned hot fix drive.
Overwrite Master Boot Code:
This option creates a valid and consistent master boot record on the selected host drive and should
be carried out on any new host drive on which Windows NT is installed. Never use this function
when the host drive contains valid data, as all data will be lost.
Drive Type (Cluster):
The option Drive Type (Cluster) is available only with Intel RAID Controllers which are equipped
with Cluster Firmware and allows you to assign one host drive to several Intel RAID Controller
SRCMRs (Type Cluster).
96 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Repair Array Drives
This function allows the online repair of array drives which show failed drives. After selecting this
menu option, StorCon displays a summary of all installed array drives and the number of array
drives which are in critical states (Figure 31). In the example in Figure 32 there is one array drive
in the Fail state. For example, the array drive is still operating but no longer redundant.
Figure 31. Array Drive Summary
After pressing any key, StorCon displays a list of array drives which are candidates for online
automatic repair.
NOTE
✏
Array drives that are in the Error state are very critical and have lost 2 or even more drives. These
array drives cannot not be repaired with the Repair Array Drives
data integrity can no longer be maintained.
function. In such critical cases
After selecting the array drive, StorCon displays the drive that failed. In the example in Figure 32 it
is the hard disk which forms logical drive 5.
Figure 32. Failed Hard Drive
After confirmation, the failed drive must be removed from the system and the new one configured
on the same ID and installed in the system. See Figure 33 and Figure 34.
Storage Console 97
Figure 33. Select Drive to Repair
Figure 34. Replace Hard Drive Prompt
StorCon detects the new drive and expects clearance to build this drive as a replacement into the
array drive. See Figure 35.
Figure 35. Add Disk to Array Confirmation
When clearance is given, the state of the array drive changes to Rebuild, for example, the missing
data is reconstructed out of the remaining data and redundancy information. See Figure 36.
The Error state of an array drive is critical. There are several procedures in the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR’s firmware to handle such cases and bring back the array drive into operation
without losing data. See Figure 37.
98 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
Figure 36. Array Drive Summary
Figure 37. Array Drive Error State Dialog
Advanced Setup
Configure Controller
Controller Settings
Use the Controller Settings dialog to change Intel RAID Controller SRCMR parameters and
settings. All information concerning physical, logical, array and host drives are stored twice
(primary and secondary configuration data) on each hard disk. For example, the Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR itself carries no configuration data of a specific disk array. For this reason the
migration of host drives between Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs is very easy and secure, even if
the SCSI IDs and channels are changed. Simply connect the hard disks to the new Intel RAID
Controller SRCMR, and the host drives will be automatically available. See Figure 38.
Table 15. Controller Settings
Parameter Alternatives Description
On Intel RAID Controller SRCMR cache (write and read cache) OnCache
Off Intel RAID Controller SRCMR cache (write and read cache) Off
On Write cache OnDelayed Write
Off Write cache Off
BIOS
Storage Console 99
Enabled BIOS enabled
Disabled BIOS disabled, but <Ctrl> + <g> allowed
Removed BIOS and <Ctrl> + <g> disabled
Figure 38. Controller Settings Dialog
continued
Table 15. Controller Settings (continued)
Parameter Alternatives Description
All Messages All Intel RAID Controller SRCMR BIOS warnings and errors are displayedBIOS Warning
Level
Flash-RAM
BIOS Drives
Memory Test
Chn. SCSI-A
Termination
SCSI ID 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Possible SCSI Ids for the channel
Fatal Errors Only fatal messages are displayed
Disabled <Ctrl> + <g> not possibleSETUP from
Enabled <Ctrl> + <g> allowed
Off <Ctrl> + <g> not displayed at system boot levelDisplay
On <Ctrl> + <g> displayed at system boot level
2 The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR BIOS supports 2 drives under MS-DOSSupported
7 The Intel RAID Controller SRCMR BIOS supports 7 drives under MS-DOS
Enabled Boot from CD-ROM enabledCD-ROM Boot
Disabled Boot from CD-ROM disabled
No test No test at all
Standard Standard test
Double scan Double scan test
Intensive Intensive test (takes longer)
Off SCSI termination of the channel Off
On SCSI termination of the channel On
Auto SCSI termination according to occupied connectors
Firmware Update
The firmware, BIOS and StorCon program of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR are stored in
Flash-RAM which is part of the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR hardware. In contrast to EPROMs,
Flash-RAMs can be reprogrammed many times without the complicated UV-light erasing
procedure. Firmware, BIOS and StorCon are part of the SRC_PFW file. The file has an extension
(for example, SRC_PFW.009) which indicates the version stepping.
NOTE
✏
This option is not available when StorCon is accessing Intel RAID Controller SRCMR remotely.
Intelligent Fault Bus
Intelligent Fault Bus is an older subsystem standard, which is no longer used in modern subsystems
or backplanes. Intel RAID Controller SRCMR’s Ultra/Wide Disk Array Controllers were the last
Intel RAID Controller SRCMRs supporting this standard, sometimes also called “DEC Fault Bus”.
Today’s modern subsystems are either using SAF-TE (SCSI Accessed Fault Tolerant Enclosures)
or SES (SCSI Enclosure Services) as communication links to the controller. These intelligent
subsystems are normally built on so-called backplanes, which host hard disks equipped with SCA
connectors (Single Connector Attachment). The backplane has dedicated electronics with
microprocessor and firmware which allows intelligent communication between the
subsystem/backplane and the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. Through this channel the subsystem
can report its temperature and the power supply status to the Intel RAID Controller SRCMR. The
major objective of SAF-TE or SES is auto hot plug. In contrast to hot plug, auto hot plug allows a
100 Intel RAID Controller SRCMR User’s Guide
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