HP StorageWorks 4000 Compaq RAID Array 4000 Overview - Page 17

Compaq RAID Array 4000 Overview 17 Custom configuration paths allow the administrator to examine the details of both logical and physical views and make specific configuration changes if necessary. Graphical views of the array and the logical drives make it easy to visualize how the storage is configured. Capacity expansion is done at the array level, not at the logical drive level. In most cases, all disk drives attached to a controller should be grouped together into a single array. This provides the most efficient use of RAID redundancy. In designing the ACU for the RA4000, Compaq added some new features to assist administrators. For example, to help an administrator remember the physical location of the drive being configured, all three light-emitting diodes (LED) on the physical drive tray for that controller will flash. The new user interface in this ACU displays more information such as the ID assigned to each RA4000 on the FC-AL. The administrator can change these ID assignments in the Controller Settings window. The Compaq ACU originally was designed to configure a maximum of eight controllers. Currently, Windows NT supports a maximum of eight logical drives in an RA4000. In maximum configuration environments, the ACU may operate a bit slower than expected. The ACU displays an hourglass cursor to indicate that it is processing. Fibre Fault Isolation Utility Since the RA4000 is the first Compaq product to use a FC-AL topology and the loop includes many components, Compaq developed two new support tools found on the SmartStart and Software Support CD: • Fibre Channel Troubleshooting Guide • Fibre Fault Isolation Utility The troubleshooting guide describes components of the RA4000 and discusses the Fibre Fault Isolation Utility. The troubleshooting guide contains flowcharts and other information for troubleshooting. The Fibre Fault Isolation Utility verifies the installation and operation of a new or existing RA4000. When used with the troubleshooting flow charts, this utility provides fault detection and helps to isolate problems on the FC-AL. Before configuring the system, run the Fibre Fault Isolation Utility as soon as all hardware components of the RA4000 have been connected. This utility runs offline9 on the server. It shows each Fibre Channel Host Adapter and each RA4000 that is properly connected on the loop. If one of these components is not displayed on the screen, the StorageWorks Fibre Channel Troubleshooting Guide should be consulted to determine why. The Fibre Fault Isolation Utility displays all devices that are properly logged on to the FC-AL and tests for link errors within the loop. A link is that portion of the loop between the Fibre Channel Host Adapter and a storage hub or between a storage hub and the RA4000. 9 In this case, offline means equipment that is turned off, not operating, or is not physically connected to the system. ECG0205699A