ax4-5 series hardware and operationaloverview - dell emc · ax4-5 series hardware and operational...

AX4-5 SeriesHardware and Operational

OverviewJanuary 4, 2010

This overview describes the major hardware features of AX4-5 seriesstorage systems.

For greater clarity, the illustrations in this document show the storage-systemchassis independent of a cabinet or deskside mounting

Topics include

Storage-system components ........................................................... 2Disk and filler modules.................................................................. 5Storage processors (SPs)................................................................. 7Link control cards (LCCs) .............................................................. 8Power/cooling modules ................................................................ 9Standby power supplies (SPSs)....................................................... 10Powerup and powerdown sequence ............................................... 11Status lights and indicators ............................................................ 15

1

Storage-system components

The AX4-5 series storage system consists of rack-mountablestorage-system enclosures, 3.5 inches (2U) high, that contain 4 to 12serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) or serial attached SCSI(SAS) disk drives.

The AX4-5 and AX4-5SC storage systems use a Fibre Channel arbitratedloop (FC-AL) or Fibre Channel switch (FC-SW) as an interconnectinterface to host servers. The AX4-5i and AX4-5SCi storage systems usethe Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) protocol.

The AX4-5 and AX4-5SC are also called the AX4-5F and AX4-5FSC, respectively.Models with four Fibre Channel host ports per controller are called AX4–5F8or AX4–5FX, and AX4–5SCF4 or AX4–5FSCX. The AX4-5i and AX4-5SCi arealso called the AX4-5I and AX4-5ISC, respectively.

Navisphere® management software manages the storage systems fromany qualified workstation on a shared Ethernet LAN. SophisticatedRAID (redundant array of independent disk) technology and datacaching prevent data loss in case of component failure. Redundanthardware options provide levels of high availability usually restrictedto much larger (and more expensive) storage systems. Besideseconomical disks, the AX4-5 series storage systems include thefollowing major components:

A disk-processor enclosure (DPE-AX). A DPE-AX contains one(AX4-5SC or AX4-5SCi) or two (AX4-5 or AX4-5i) storage processors(SPs), each with:

One dual-inline memory module (DIMM)

One serial port (mini DB9 connector) for service

One 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN port (RJ45 connector) formanagement

For the AX4-5 or AX4-5i, one serial port for connection to astandby power supply (SPS)

One input/output (I/O) module per SP, each with:

− For the AX4-5 or AX4-5SC, two or four 4-Gbps Fibre Channelhost ports with small form factor pluggable (SFP) connectors

2 Hardware and Operational Overview

− For the AX4-5i or AX4-5SCi, two Gigabit Ethernet (GigE)ports

Two power supply/system cooling (power/cooling) modules

Figure 1 shows an AX4-5 DPE-AX, which has Fibre Channel I/Omodules.

FRU Label FRU Label

CL3914

Expansion DAESPS management

Power/cooling modulecooling fault LED

Power supplyfault LED

Power supply on

Fibre

SP service

SP management

SP fault LED

SP power LED

Figure 1 AX4-5 DPE-AX (rear view – two FC port version)

Figure 2 shows an AX4-5i DPE-AX, which has iSCSI instead of FibreChannel I/O modules.

FRU Label FRU Label

CL3771

iSCSI

Figure 2 AX4-5i DPE-AX (rear view)

Figure 3 shows an AX4-5SC DPE-AX with a single storage processor.

FRU Label FRU Label

CL3853

Figure 3 AX4-5SC DPE-AX (rear view — two FC port version)

Figure 4 shows an AX4-5SCi with a single storage processor.

Hardware and Operational Overview 3

FRU Label FRU Label

CL3854

Figure 4 AX4-5SCi DPE-AX (rear view)

AX4-5 and AX4-5i systems include a standby power supply (SPS); asecond SPS is optional. AX4-5 and AX4-5i systems support as many asfour optional disk array enclosures (DAE-AXs). Like the DPE-AX, eachDAE-AX includes two power/cooling modules and can contain a totalof twelve disk drives. Instead of SPs, a DAE-AX has two link controlcards (LCCs) that manage disks on a single redundant back-end bus.

You can install, upgrade, or replace all of the major storage-systemcomponents without professional assistance.


Disk and filler modules

Each DPE-AX includes at least four hard disk drives. The first fourdisks, marked 0-3, are system disks (sometimes called vault disks) andcontain vital software specific to the physical slot they occupy in thechassis. Do not move a system disk from its assigned slot to another slot.Remove a system disk only if you need to replace it because it failed.

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CL3880

Figure 5 DPE-AX system (vault) disks

If a drive fails, you can replace it with another while the storage systemcontinues running; software rebuilds the contents of the original diskonto its replacement.

DPE-AX and DAE-AX chassis have twelve slots for disk modules. Anyunoccupied disk module slot requires a filler module to maintain airflow.

Disk modules

Each disk module, shown in Figure 6, consists of one disk drive in acarrier. You can add or remove a disk module while the storage systemis powered up, but you should exercise special care when removingdrives while they are in use.


EMC2830

Figure 6 Disk module

Disk drives

The disk drives are standard 3.5-inch (8.75-cm) by 1.0-inch (2.54-cm)serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) or serial attachedSCSI (SAS) drives. AX4–5 systems also support 2.5–inch SAS drivesmounted in 3.5–inch drive carriers. For a detailed list of supporteddisk drives and the minimum revision of the FLARE® operatingenvironment (OE) that supports each disk, refer to the Disk and FLAREOE Matrix under “Technical description” on the Learn page on thestorage-system support website or contact your service provider.

Drive carrier

The disk drive carrier is a plastic assembly that provides smooth,reliable contact with the enclosure slot guides and system boardconnectors. It has a handle with a latch and spring clips. The latchholds the disk module in place to ensure proper connection with theconnectors.


Storage processors (SPs)

The storage processor (SP) is the storage system’s intelligent componentand acts as the input/output (front end) and data storage (back end)control center. Besides the processor board and memory DIMM, eachSP includes an I/O module that determines the connection protocolto host servers.

DPE-AX systems with two SPs support write caching for increasedperformance. The redundant storage processors also provide highavailability should one SP fail or lose power.


Link control cards (LCCs)

Optional disk array enclosures (DAE-AXs) do not include SPs, but uselink control cards (LCCs) to support additional disk capacity. The LCCsin each DAE-AX connect to expansion ports on SPs or other LCCs withserial-attached SCSI (SAS) expansion cables to create a redundantback-end bus that can support both SATA and SAS drives. Each LCCincludes a display indicating the enclosure address of the DAE-AX; theaddress is assigned automatically by the system. LCCs also include aservice port connector. An LCC receives input from the previous SPor LCC on the bus through a primary connector (marked by a circlesymbol) and can pass input to the next LCC on the bus through anexpansion connector (marked by a diamond symbol).

Figure 7 shows a DAE-AX with two LCCs below the power/coolingmodules.

CL3927

REV: AXX*AXX*

P/N: 118031924*118031924*

S/N: VVVYYWWRRRRR*VVVYYWWRRRRR*

REV: AXX*AXX*

P/N: 118031924*118031924*


046-003-042_A03

#

FRU Label REV: AXX*AXX*

P/N: 118031924*118031924*


046-003-042_A03

#


P/N: 118031924*118031924*


�� Expansion Primary

Figure 7 DAE-AX (rear view)


Power/cooling modules

Each power/cooling module integrates an independent power supplyand blowers into a single module. The power supply in each moduleis an auto-ranging, power-factor-corrected, multi-output, offlineconverter.

The power/cooling modules, A and B, are located above the SPsor LCCs. They share load currents and provide power and coolingfor an entire enclosure. An SP, LCC, or power/cooling module withpower-related faults does not adversely affect the operation of anyother component. If one power/cooling module fails, the othercompensates until the failed module is replaced. If the failed module isin a dual-SP DPE-AX, the system also disables write caching. Removinga power/cooling module from the enclosure causes a cooling fault thatwill shut down the enclosure within two minutes.


Standby power supplies (SPSs)

A 1U, 1000-watt SPS provides backup power for power supply A. Anoptional second SPS supports power supply B. During a power failure,the SPSs allow write caching to continue, which prevents data loss. Afaulted or not fully charged SPS disables the write cache. Each SPS rearpanel has one AC inlet power connector with power switch, AC outletsfor the DPE-AX SPs, and one connector for serial connection to an SP.Figure 8 shows the SPS connectors and status lights.

CL3881

AC powerconnector

Powerswitch

SPinterfaceDPE-AX

Active(green)

Replacebattery(amber)

On battery(amber)

Fault(amber)

Figure 8 1000–watt SPS connectors, power switch, and status lights

You can replace an SPS while the storage system is powered up.


Powerup and powerdown sequence

A DAE-AX does not have a power switch. It powers up immediately once itis connected to a live power source.

Powering up the storage system

1. Verify the following:

Master switch/circuit breakers for any cabinet/rack power stripare off.

The power cord for power/cooling module A in the DPE-AX(viewed from the rear, A is the right side of the enclosure) isplugged into the SPS, if present, and the power cord retentionbails are in place. In a storage system without an SPS, the powercord for power/cooling module A is plugged directly into apower source.

The power cord for power/cooling module B is plugged into thenearest power distribution unit on a different circuit feed thanthe SPS or module A. In systems with two SPSs, power/coolingmodule B is plugged into its corresponding SPS.

In a dual-SP system, the serial connection (sense cable) betweenSP A and SPS A is in place. If the system has two SPSs, the serialcable between SP B and SPS B is in place.

The power cords for the SPSs and any DAE-AXs are pluggedin; the power cords for the A and B sides do not share a powersource; and, the power cord retention bails are in place.

Any other devices in the cabinet are correctly installed andready for powerup.

Figure 9 shows a storage system with one SPS correctly cabled forhigh availability.


FRU Label FRU Label

REV: AXX*AXX*

P/N: 118031924*118031924*


REV: AXX*AXX*

P/N: 118031924*118031924*


046-003-042_A03

#


P/N: 118031924*118031924*


046-003-042_A03

#


P/N: 118031924*118031924*


CL3882

B A

Figure 9 Power cord and serial (sense) cable connections

2. Turn on the master switch/circuit breakers for each cabinet/rackpower strip.

The DAE-AXs power up immediately once they are connected to a livepower source.

3. If present, turn the SPS power switches to the on position (Figure10).

CL3781

Figure 10 SPS power switch (SPS A shown)

4. Press the power button on SP A (Figure 11).

SP B powers up automatically when SPA powers on.


FRU Label FRU Label

CL3766

Figure 11 SP power button

The storage system can take 5-6 minutes to complete its powerup.

If disk modules 0-3 shipped separately from your DPE-AX, the systemwrites vital information to those disks during the first powerup. Theprocess extends the first powerup by 25-30 minutes.

The system fault light on the front of the DPE-AX and the SPSrecharge lights on the rear of the SPS commonly stay on for severalminutes while the SPS fully charges.

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+ - CL3761

Figure 12 DPE-AX system fault light and SPS recharge light

If any amber lights not related to the SPS recharge remain on for morethan 8-10 minutes, make sure the storage system is correctly cabled.Most amber lights indicate problems you can solve later, once your


storage system management software is available to help youtroubleshoot the system.

If the power buttons do not remain solid/steady green, contactyour authorized service provider.

Powering down the storage system

! CAUTION

Never shut down a DPE-AX by disconnecting the AC power cords forits power/cooling modules. Bypassing the controlled powerdown inthat manner prevents the system from saving any write cache data tothe system drives, and may result in data loss.

1. Stop all I/O activity to the DPE-AX. If the server connected to theDPE-AX is running the AIX, HP-UX, Linux, or Solaris operatingsystem, back up critical data and then unmount the file systemson storage-system virtual disks.

Stopping I/O allows the SP to save any cache data to the system drives,and may take some time. The length of time depends on criteria such as thesize of the cache, the amount of data in the cache, the type of data in thecache, and the target location on the disks, but it is typically less than oneminute. We recommend that you wait five minutes before proceeding.

2. For a dual-SP system, after five minutes, use the power switch oneach SPS to turn off power to its corresponding SP.

SPs with power/cooling modules connected to an SPS power downwithin two minutes.

3. Push the power button on SPs that are not connected to an SPS:

SP B in a single-SPS system

SP A in a single-SP DPE-AX


Status lights and indicators

Status lights, made up of light emitting diodes (LEDs), indicate eachcomponent’s current status. This section describes status lights visibleon the DPE-AX, DAE-AX, and SPS.

DPE-AX lights and indicators

Figure 13 and Table 1 display the status lights visible from the front ofa DPE-AX:

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Disk driveactivity

Systemfault

Systempower

CL3917

Figure 13 Status lights visible from the front of a DPE-AX

Table 1 DPE-AX status lights visible from the front

LED Quantity State Meaning

Blue The drive is online (flickers with activity)

Alternatingblue/amber

Indicates drive is faulted

Disk drive activity 1 per disk drive

Solid amber Drive is faulted

System power 1 per DPE-AX Blue AC power, normal activity

System fault 1 per DPE-AX Amber Enclosure has a faulted component. Checkdisk and rear status lights; check softwareevent monitor

Figure 14 and Table 2 display the status lights visible from the rear ofa DPE-AX:


FRU Label FRU Label

CL3916

Power supplyfault Cooling fault

Power supply on/off

Fibre

SP management SP fault SP power

Figure 14 DPE-AX lights visible from the rear (2–port Fibre Channel I/O module shown )

Table 2 Meaning of the DPE-AX status lights visible from the rear


Solid green SP is running normally

Blinking green Operating system is booting

SP power 1 per SP

Off No power or shutting down

Solid amber SP has encountered a problemSP fault 1 per SP

Off SP is operating normally or is shut down

Solid green On the left, this indicates an established linkSP management 2

Blinking green On the right, this indicates normal activity

Solid green Indicates a 1–2 Gb link

Solid blue Indicates a 4 Gb link

Fibre Channel 2 per SP

Off No link has been established

Solid green Indicates a 1–2 Gb link

Solid blue Indicates a 4 Gb link

iSCSI 2 per SP

Off No link has been established

Solid amber Power supply is faulted

Blinking amber Power supply is not seated

Power supply fault 1 per power supply

Off Indicates normal activity



Solid green Indicates ac power and normal acitvityPower supply on/off 1 per power supply

Off No ac power

Solid amber Indicates a cooling faultCooling fault 1 per powersupply/system coolingmodule

Off Indicates blower is operating normally

DAE-AX status lights and indicators

Figure 15 and Table 3 display the meaning of the status lights on thefront of a DAE-AX:

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Disk driveactivity

Systemfault

Systempower

CL3917

Figure 15 Status lights visible from the front of a DAE-AX

Table 3 DAE-AX status lights visible from the front


Blue The drive is online with Flare(flickers with activity)

Alternating blue/amber Indicates drive is faulted

Disk drive activity 1 per disk drive

Solid amber Drive is faulted

System fault 1 per DAE-AX Amber Enclosure has a faultedcomponent. Check disk andrear status lights; check softwareevent monitor

System power 1 per DAE-AX Blue AC power, normal activity

Figure 16 and Table 4 display the status lights visible from the rear ofa DAE-AX:


REV: AXX*AXX*

P/N: 118031924*118031924*


REV: AXX*AXX*

P/N: 118031924*118031924*


046-003-042_A03

#


P/N: 118031924*118031924*


046-003-042_A03

#


P/N: 118031924*118031924*


CL3915

Power supplyon/off

LCCconnectivity

LCC connection fault LCC fault

LCC powerCooling fault

Power supply fault

Enclosure number

Figure 16 Status lights visible from the rear of a DAE-AX

Table 4 DAE-AX status lights visible from the rear


Solid green LCC is receiving ac powerLCC power 1 per LCC

Off No power

LCC fault 1 per LCC Solid amber LCC has encountered a problem

Solid green Indicates normal connectionLCC connectivity 2 per LCC

Blinking green Connection is expected, but is notdetected

Solid amber Indicates a connection problem.LCC connection fault 2 per LCC

Blinking amber Indicates a problem with the connection.

Solid amber Power supply is faulted

Blinking amber Power supply is not seated

Power supply fault 1 per power supply

Off Indicates normal activity

Solid green Indicates ac power and normal acitvityPower supply on/off 1 per power supply

Off No ac power

Solid amber Indicates a cooling faultCooling fault 1 per powersupply/systemcooling module

Off Indicates blower is operating normally


Flashing dashes Not accessible or initializing at thebeginning of powerup

Number displayed (solid) Online to Flare

Enclosure number 1 per LCC

Number displayed (blinking) Flare has lost connection with enclosure

Standby power supply LEDs

Figure 17 and Table 5 display the meaning of the SPS status lights:

CL3918

On battery(amber)

Active(green)

Replacebattery(amber)

Fault(amber)

Figure 17 SPS status lights and indicators

Table 5 Standby power supply (SPS) status lights and indicators


Solid green SPS is operating normallySPS active 1 per SPS

Blinking green SPS is charging

SPS fault 1 per SPS Solid amber The SPS has encountered an internal problem

On battery 1 per SPS Solid amber The storage system is either testing the SPS batteryor is running on battery due to lack of ac power tothe SPS

Replace battery 1 per SPS Solid amber The battery is not working properly


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