Apple xserve raid or xserve raid sfp User Manual

							
 

© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
 

 
 
 
Service SourceXserve RAID
 
Xserve RAID and Xserve RAID (SFP) Updated: 25 May 2004 
						

							
 

© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
 

 
 
 
Service SourceBasics
 
                  Xserve RAID 
						

							
 

Xserve RAID Basics - 
 
1
 
 Overview
 
Overview
 
Xserve RAID is a storage system that provides high-performance, scalable data access 
and management. It was designed to work with Xserve but is also compatible with desktop 
computers back to the Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio), as long as the computer has system 
software OS X (version 10.2.3 or later). A host adapter card must be installed in these 
computers to allow connection to the Xserve RAID system.
Xserve RAID offers dual independent RAID controllers, up to 14 hot-pluggable hard 
drives, and two hot-pluggable power supplies. Also featured are several connection 
options, including dual 2-gigabit fibre channel HSSDC2 or SFP ports, dual Ethernet ports 
(for managing the system remotely), and dual uninterruptible power supply (UPS) ports. 
The system is 5.25 inches (3U) high and can be mounted in a rack with four mounting 
posts.
 
Important:
 
 Due to the weight of the unit, two people are necessary for unpacking, lifting, 
mounting, or replacing the Xserve RAID system in a rack. Do not attempt to lift or move 
the system without help from another person. 
						

							
 

2 - 
 
Xserve RAID Basics Features
 
Features
 
Key features of Xserve RAID include:
• 3U enclosure (5.25 inches high)
• rack optimized
• dual independent RAID controllers, each with a minimum of 128 megabytes \
(MB) of 
RAM cache
• up to 14 hot-swappable ATA-100 Apple Drive Modules, each with a minimum \
of 180  gigabyte (GB) capacity
• dual hot-swappable power supplies
• dual AC power connections
• dual hot-swappable cooling modules
• dual 2-gigabit (Gb) fibre channel HSSDC2 (original Xserve RAID) or SFP (Xserve  RAID (SFP)) ports, supporting point-to-point and fabric (switched) \
connections
• dual Ethernet ports for remote management of the system
• dual ports for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) management
• Mac OS X compatibility (version 10.2 or later)
• Apple Fibre Channel PCI card (sold separately) with dual fibre channel\
 connectors for  host system
• optional dual battery backup for controller cache
• optional service parts kit
• optional drive modules
 
Rack Mount
 
Xserve RAID is designed to be mounted in a rack; however, rack mounting is optional. 
Because of the weight of the system, lifting or transferring Xserve RAID from a rack 
requires two people.
For information on mounting Xserve RAID in a rack, see the
 
 Xserve RAID Setup Guide
 
. 
						

							
 

Xserve RAID Basics - 
 
3
 
 Features
 
Quick-Swap Modules
 
Several modules can be easily replaced in Xserve RAID without removing the system from 
its rack. Most of these modules are both redundant and hot-swappable. The following table 
is a quick reference to these modules:
 
Identifier Light/Button
 
The identi fier light on the Xserve RAID front panel turns on when internal sensors or a 
systems administrator detects a problem with the unit. The light can also be turned on by 
pressing the identi fier button. This indicator will help you locate which Xserve RAID in a 
rack needs servicing. 
 
Note:
 
 A duplicate identi fier light/button is on the unit’s back panel.
 
Hot-Pluggable ATA  Drives
 
Xserve includes fourteen hard drive bays at the front of the server, each of which supports 
a hot-pluggable ATA/100 drive module available only from Apple. You can replace or install 
hard drives while the server is running; you do not need to shut down or open the server 
first. A status light on the front of each drive indicates when it is safe to remove the drive 
without losing data. For more information, see “Hard Drive” in the Take Apart chapter.
 
RAID Controller Modules
 
Xserve RAID includes two controller modules, each with a minimum of 128 MB RAM. The 
top controller manages the seven drive modules on the system’s left side (viewed from the 
front of the system); the bottom controller manages the seven drive modules on the right. 
Each controller module consists of the controller card, processor, and memory. 
 
Table 1: Quick-Swap Modules
 
Module Hot-swappable? Redundant?
 
ATA Drives Yes Depends on RAID con fig
Power Supplies Yes Yes
Cooling modules Yes Yes
Battery Modules Yes Yes
Controller Modules No: System must be shut  down first No: Upper controller 
manages left seven drives; 
lower controller manages 
right seven drives 
						

							
 

4 - 
 
Xserve RAID Basics Features
 
Power Supplies
 
Xserve RAID includes two redundant power supplies, each with an AC power connection. 
When one power supply is not operational, the other provides power for the entire system. 
You can replace or install a power supply while the system is running. If one power supply 
is removed from the system, it must be reinstalled or replaced with a working one as soon 
as possible to prevent the drive modules from overheating.
 
Cooling modules
 
Xserve RAID includes two redundant cooling modules. If one cooling module is not 
operational, the other provides cooling for the entire system. You can replace or install a 
cooling module while the system is running. If one cooling module is removed from the 
system, it must be reinstalled or replaced with a working one as soon as possible to avoid 
an over-temperature condition, which causes the system to shut down.
 
Backup Batteries
 
Xserve RAID may include up to two optional, redundant backup batteries, which protect 
data in the controllers’ cache in the event of a power interruption. The Xserve RAID power 
supplies charge the battery modules when they are installed in the system. The batteries 
can be replaced or installed while the system is running. 
To check a battery’s charge when the module is out of the system, press the button on the 
underside of the module. All four green LEDs light when the battery module is fully 
charged. You can also use the monitoring or admin software to determine the battery’s 
charge. See “Remote Monitoring” in the Troubleshooting chapter.
For proper operation of the battery, check the status lights on the front of the module. See 
“Status Lights” in the Troubleshooting chapter.
 
Host Adapter  Card
 
The Apple Fibre Channel card is a 7-inch PCI card designed for use with Xserve RAID 
systems. The card is installed in a host system so that it can connect, using one\
 or two 
fibre channel cables, to the controller cards in Xserve RAID. The host card provides  fibre 
channel communication in both directions simultaneously at up to 2 gigabits per second 
(Gb/sec). If the card is used in an Xserve, it must be installed in the top PCI slot of the 
dual-slot riser card.
If host adapter cards are installed in each of two host systems, they can both connect to 
the same Xserve RAID: one host to the top controller card (for access to the left seven 
drives) and the other host to the bottom controller card (for access to the right seven 
drives). 
						

							
 

Xserve RAID Basics - 
 
5
 
 Features
 
Ports
 
The standard configuration of Xserve RAID includes the following ports on the back panel: 
two 2-gigabit  fibre channel ports (HSSDC2  in the original Xserve RAID and SFP in 
Xserve RAID (SFP)) , two gigabit Ethernet ports, and two ports for uninterruptible power 
supply (UPS) management.
System administrators or service providers can connect a laptop computer or terminal to 
the Ethernet ports and then use command-line tools to change settings on the server. 
 
Note:
 
 For a diagram of the ports location, see “Back Panel” in the View\
s chapter.
 
Diagnostics
 
Two types of diagnostics are available for Xserve RAID:
• status lights
• remote monitoring
For more information, see “Diagnostic Tools” in the Troubleshooting chapter. 
						

							
 

© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
  
 
 
Service Source
Take Apart
 
                  Xserve RAID 
						

							
 

Xserve RAID Take Apart - 
 
1
 
 General Information
 
General Information
 
Tools
 
No tools are required for removing or installing the following parts: hard drive, power 
supply, cooling module, controller module, and backup battery. Other parts require only a 
Phillips screwdriver. If the system is locked, you will also need the Allen wrench key that 
came with the system.
 
Before Opening Xserve RAID
 
Unlocking Xserve RAID
 
If the system is in the locked position (the yellow security LED on the front panel is on), 
use the Allen key that came with the system to unlock it.
 
Shutting Down
 
You must shut down the system before replacing or installing all parts except the hard 
drives, power supplies, cooling modules, and backup batteries. Before shutting down, be 
sure to alert users that the system will be unavailable for a period of time.
 
Warning:
 
 After shutting down the system, you must wait a few minutes before servicing it 
to allow internal components to cool.
 
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions
 
Follow these steps to avoid damage from ESD before working inside Xserve RAID. 
1. Shut down the system.
2. Unplug all external cables except the power cords.
3. Touch the Xserve RAID metal case to discharge static electricity.
4. Unplug the power cords.
5. With the help of another person, remove the system from the rack, and place it on a  flat surface, preferably covered by an ESD mat.
6. Put on an ESD wrist strap.
7. To avoid static electricity building back up in your body, do not walk around the room  until after you have  finished working and closed the system. 
						

							
 

2 - 
 
Xserve RAID Take Apart Hard Drive Module
 
Hard Drive Module
 
Xserve RAID includes fourteen hard drive bays at the front of the system. Drives come as 
modules attached to carriers; they are removed from or installed in the system as a unit.
 
Note:
 
 Blank drive carriers, which may fill some of the hard drive bays, follow the same 
take-apart procedure as hard drives. If you are replacing a blank carrier with a drive 
module, instruct the system’s administrator to keep the blank for possible future use. Blank 
carriers must be installed in all empty bays to maintain proper air flow through the system.
 
Tools
 
No tools are required for this procedure.
 
Preliminary Steps
 
Before you begin, make sure the drives are in the unlocked position. No other preliminary 
steps are required. You can replace or install hard drives while Xserve RAID is running; 
you do not need to shut down or open the unit  first.
 
Note:
 
 There are two LED indicators on the front of each drive. 
• The right LED shows drive status: a green light indicates the drive is g\
ood; a yellow or  red light indicates the drive should be replaced or removed and reinsert\
ed.
• The left LED shows drive activity: when the light is blinking, the syste\
m is reading from  or writing to the drive. To avoid losing data, never remove a drive when\
 the lower LED 
is blinking.
 
WARNING:
 
 Drives must be in the unlocked position before you attempt to remove a drive. 
If the drives are locked, pulling on the drive to remove it could damage the drive handle.
 
Part Location