Multitech MultiArrayIII MA3a User Manual

Server Farm
Model MA3a

User Guide

User Guide

88311200, Revision A

MultiArray

User Configurable Multiple-processor

III

(Model # MA3a)

Rack Mount Chassis

This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior expressed written permission from
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Copyright © 1998, by Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and
specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
Furthermore, Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from
time to time in the content hereof without obligation of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. to notify any person or
organization of such revisions or changes.

Record of Revisions
Revision Description

A Manual Released. All pages at revision A.
(12/7/98)

Patents

This Product is covered by one or more of the following U.S. Patent Numbers:

5.355.365; 5.355.653; 5.452.289; 5.453.986

. Other Patents Pending.

5.301.274; 5.309.562

Trademarks

Multi-Tech, MultiArray , and the Multi-Tech logo are trademarks of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

2205 Woodale Drive

Mounds View , Minnesota 55112

[phone] or [phone]

Fax [phone]

Tech Support [phone]

BBS [phone] or [phone]

Internet Address: http://www.multitech.com

Fax-Back [phone]

;

Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Description

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 6

Manual Organization .................................................................................................................................. 7

T echnical Specifications............................................................................................................................. 8

Dimensions .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Power Supply....................................................................................................................................... 8

Safety................................................................................................................................................... 8

Environmental...................................................................................................................................... 8

Chapter 2 - Installation Quick Start

Unpacking ................................................................................................................................................ 10

Safety Warnings....................................................................................................................................... 10

Pre-Installation Notes................................................................................................................................11

Configuration Considerations ....................................................................................................................11

9-Pin DSUB Openings ....................................................................................................................... 12

Backplane Board ............................................................................................................................... 13

Hardware Installation Procedure .............................................................................................................. 14

Installing PC Boards .......................................................................................................................... 14

Internal SBC Cabling ......................................................................................................................... 16

Disk Drive Installation ........................................................................................................................ 18

8-Bay Disk Drive Cabling................................................................................................................... 20

Installing a Disk Drive into Horizontal Chassis................................................................................... 22

Replacing Cover....................................................................................................................................... 25

Mounting Optional Rails (MARAIL) .......................................................................................................... 25

External Cabling ....................................................................................................................................... 26

SBC Board Cabling............................................................................................................................ 26

NIC Cabling ....................................................................................................................................... 26

ISI Board Cabling............................................................................................................................... 26

Powering Up............................................................................................................................................. 27

Chapter 3 - Software Loading

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 30

Configuring Multiple SBCs ....................................................................................................................... 30

Software Documentation .......................................................................................................................... 30

Chapter 4 - Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................................ 32

Diagnostic Tests ....................................................................................................................................... 33

Before Calling Technical Support ............................................................................................................. 33

iii

Chapter 5 - Warranty, Service and Technical Support

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 36

Limited Warranty ...................................................................................................................................... 36

On-line Warranty Registration............................................................................................................ 36

Tech Support ............................................................................................................................................ 37

Recording MultiArray Information ...................................................................................................... 37

Service ..................................................................................................................................................... 38

The Multi-Tech BBS ................................................................................................................................. 39

About CompuServe.................................................................................................................................. 40

About the Internet..................................................................................................................................... 40

About the Multi-Tech Fax-Back Service ................................................................................................... 40

iv

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Description

MultiArray User Guide

Introduction

The MultiArrayIII™ user-configurable multiple-processor server farm (model MA3a) is designed
to consolidate up to nine network servers into a single system that can be mounted in a standard
19-inch rack enclosure. The MA3a contains a user-configurable 20-slot segmented backplane
that sits on the floor of the chassis. On the upper left front of the chassis sits an 8-bay, 3½"
vertical disk drive chassis. A combination 3½" floppy disk drive and 5¼" CD-ROM (both included
in the basic chassis) resides on the upper-right front. Dual redundant hot-swappable power
supplies make up the bottom of the front side. The configurable backplane allows you to
customize for unique applications and third-party components by combining segments. For
example, combining the first two segments into a 6-slot arrangement allows for a 32-port
asynchronous data/fax communications server. The front of the MA3a is shown in Figure 1-1,
below.

A

115115

C

B

I

H

J

D

115115

E

G

F

F

J

Figure 1-1. MultiArrayIII

The vertical, 8-bay 3½" disk drive chassis (A) slides out for ease of installing and connecting
cables to the hard drives. Each subsegment has its own power switch (B) so that all the
components of a subsegment, including disk drives, can be independently powered on or off
(these features will be discussed in more detail later in this guide and in the MultiArray User
Guide). In addition, the muxing feature provides access to the CD-ROM and floppy drives via the
Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) display and muxing switch (C), allowing for smooth software
loading on all segments.

The horizontal drive chassis (D) contains a 3½" floppy disk drive and a 5¼" CD-ROM. In addition,
an open slot allows for the addition of an additional drive, i.e., a ninth hard drive or tape device.
The horizontal chassis also slides out for ease of drive installation and cable connections.
Individual segments access the CD-ROM and floppy drives via the muxing switch (C), which is
set to match the segment number for the appropriate SBC.

The power supply chassis located under the drive chassis contains two dual redundant hot­swappable power supplies (E). The power supply area is located in the lower portion of the
chassis and is accessible from the front of the chassis. Power to the power supplies is controlled
by two master power switches (F) which light to indicate power, and each power supply module is
controlled by individual power switches (G). Power to each module is indicated by an LED (H)
and voltage switches on the individual modules (I) allow for selection of 1 15V or 230V operation.
The alarm reset switch (J) allows the alarm to be reset in the event of a power supply failure.

6

Manual Organization

This manual tells you how to install your MultiArray hardware. For information on the Multi-Tech
or third party PentiumTM Based Single Board Computer (SBC), Network Interface Card (NIC),
Intelligent Serial Interface (ISI) Boards, etc., refer to the user documentation shipped with the
board. For information on running software on the MultiArray , refer to the applicable software
user documentation, shipped with your software package. The information contained in each
chapter is as follows:

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Description

Chapter 1 begins with an introduction to the MultiArray and continues with a description of its
hardware features. The chapter ends with a list of technical specifications.

Chapter 2 - Installation Quick Start

Chapter 2 provides the PC board and/or disk drive installation procedure, rack mounting

procedure, and cable connections for your MultiArray .

Chapter 3 - Software Loading

Chapter 3 discusses some software options available for the MultiArrayIII.

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Description

Chapter 4 - Troubleshooting

Chapter 4 covers possible steps to take in the event of a MultiArrayIII failure.

Chapter 5 - Warranty Service and Tech Support

Chapter 5 provides a description of the MultiArray’s two-year warranty, and offers instructions on

how to receive service for your MultiArray at the factory . In addition, this chapter provides
information about accessing our user bulletin board service (BBS) as well as receiving support
via our various Internet resources.

7

MultiArray User Guide

Technical Specifications

The MultiArray

III

conforms to the following specifications:

Dimensions

Height: 10.75" (27 cm)
Width: 19" (48 cm)
Depth: 25" (63.5 cm)
Weight: 100 lbs. (45.35 kg)

Power Supply

AC Input

Operating Range: 1 15-230 VAC

180-270 V AC switch (switch must change on all four power supplies)
Frequency: 47-63 Hz
Current: 6A @ 115V

3A @ 230 V
Fuse: 5A @ 115V, 60 Hz

2.5A @ 230V, 50 Hz

Efficiency: 80%

DC Output

Output: +5V @ 60A (70A peak)

+12V @ 28A

-5V @ 1A

-12V @ 1A

Load Regulation: ±5% (+5, +12)

±10% (-5, -12)
Line Regulation: ±1% (+5,+12) ±2% (-5,-12)
Transient T ime: 50ms max
Ripple: ±1% (p-p)
Hold Time: 16ms min
PG Delay: 100-500ms after 5V output

Safety

Over Voltage Protection: 120% (+5)
Over Current Protection: 130%

Environmental

Temperature: 0-40o C
Humidity: 10% - 90% RH
Fan Rating: 35cfm (thermostatically controlled) each fan
Noise: 30db (A) each fan

8

Chapter 2 - Installation Quick Start

MultiArray User Guide

Unpacking

Check the items on the MultiArray shipping list to ensure that you have received the correct
accessories. Your MultiArray should include:

• MA3a chassis (with included CD-ROM and floppy drives)

• Two AC power cords

• Accessory kit (with jumper cards and ribbon cables)

• Driver diskette

• This Quick Start Guide

• User Guide diskette

• Tucows® accessory CD
Unpack and inspect the MultiArray rack for visible shipping damage. If damage is observed, do

not power-on the rack; contact Multi-Tech's Tech Support for advice (refer to Chapter 5 for
information on service and support). If no damage is observed, place the rack on a flat, stable
surface to begin installation and configuration.

Save the packing material for possible future use (e.g., return or relocation).

Safety Warnings

1. Both power cords must be unplugged to remove all power from the chassis. Each

redundant power supply has it’s own power cord and supplies power to various
components in the chassis. Therefore, both power supplies must be powered on for the
system to operate properly .

2. The power supply cords are intended to serve as the disconnect device. The outlet

sockets must be installed near the equipment and be easily accessible.

3. To reduce the risk of shock, all openings should be covered during normal operation of

equipment.

4. If the battery fails on the SBC and it needs to be serviced, refer to your SBC manual for

shipping instructions.

5. All servicing to be done by qualified personnel only.

10

Pre-Installation Notes

Due to the high flexibility of the MultiArray, the options for configuration are many and varied. You
may be installing Multi-Tech components throughout, or combining components from other
vendors. For this reason this quick start guide, and these installation instructions, are written in
such a way as to be relevant to all possibilities. This means that when installing various
components such as PC boards and disk drives, you will be referenced to the user
documentation for that product, rather than given specific instruction for only one brand
component.

The installation process is provided in a sequential order (as listed below) and if you plan to
install components in a different order , take time to read through the manual first, so that
important notes and cautions will not be over looked. The installation process is as follows:

• Configuration Considerations

• Hardware Installation
Installing PC Boards

Installing SBC Boards
Installing NIC Boards
Installing ISI Boards
Internal SBC Cabling

Installing Disk Drives

Disk Drive Cabling

• Replacing Cover

• Mounting Rails (optional - for rack mounting)

• External Cabling

• Power Up

Chapter 2 - Installation Quick Start

Before you begin please read through the following important notes, and then proceed with the
procedures that follow.

Configuration Considerations

The MultiArray can be configured to meet your particular site requirements. The number and type
of PC boards and/or hard and floppy disk drives, CD-ROM, or tape drive installed in the
MultiArray rack varies depending on your site requirements.

Several configuration considerations should be resolved before the MultiArray is installed.

• Power requirements for each component should be added together to ensure that the power
supply rating is not exceeded.

• Disk drive, CD-ROM, and tape drive cables are long enough to reach their SBC.

• If additional RAM is added to a SBC, ensure that the power requirements are not exceeded.

• The SBC must have the HDD Block Mode function disabled in the BIOS for the CD-ROM

muxing to work properly . Refer to your SBC Owner’s Manual for instructions.

• If you are running Windows on a segment in the MA3a, the AUTORUN function for the CD­ROM must be disabled. If not disabled, the CD-ROM will be accessed every time the user
switches the CD-ROM from one segment to another.

• If a segment has accessed a particular CD or floppy disk and a new disk is now going to be
accessed, the ejection and insertion of the new CD or floppy must occur at the segment
which intends to access it. Otherwise, the SBC will think the last disk or CD accessed is still
there.

• If an MS9E is used with the MA3a, it is recommended that a 9-pin serial mouse be used
instead of a PS/2 mouse. The PS/2 mouse may exhibit lock-up problems where it needs to
be unplugged and plugged back in to work again.

• Do not attach ribbon cables to the Mux card if they will not be used.

11

MultiArray User Guide

9-Pin DSUB Openings

If the 9-pin DSUB openings will be used on the upper back panel of the MA3a chassis, the
coverplates need to be removed. Use a screwdriver (or similar tool) to punch the metal insert out
from the inside. The 9-pin connector can then be bolted to the chassis. Figure 2-1 shows the 9­pin openings on the back panel of the MA3a.

9-Pin DSUB

Openings

Figure 2-1. 9-Pin DSUB Openings

12