topic Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue... in MSA Storage

RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:49:16 GMT

Have a RA4100 with only 1 Array Controller connected to a server working fine. Wanted to add redundancy so we purchased a second Array Controller.

Turned array off, put in 2nd controller turned array on and the disks would not initialize, green lights flickered on drives for second and but never come online.

But the controller at the back had lights and matched the orginal array controller lights.

Pulled the new controller out and rebooted the array, the drives come online with the normal drive lights.

Wondering if there is any additional configuration?

We just want this for redundancy so the active/passive mode is fine.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Astro2 — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:18:17 GMT

Hi
Maybe a firmware problem ?
I think that both the controllers must have the same firmware version.

For this configuration you need a multi path software too (Secure Path ?).

Armando

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:23:48 GMT

Firmware? Ok I will look into this.

But I will need multipath software?

Even though it's from the RA4100 to the 1 server but with 2 HBA's?

Could I go around this by using a fibre switch?

So server has 2 HBA's goes into fibre switch then to the 2 Array Controllers on the 4100...

Thanks again for the help.

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

tharrold — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:02:33 GMT

Depending on how your O/S handles multiple paths, you may not need any multi-path SW.

How do you configure the array? At system boot time with a smartstart CD-ROM?

May want to start there...

-tjh

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

James Muell — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:29:36 GMT

What Operating system?

You won't gain anything if your not using multipathing. Without multipath software like Secure Path there is nothing to mediate the active path. With SecPath the best you will get is an active passive configuration. This is the only way your controller redundancy will pay off.

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:35:27 GMT

OS is Windows 2003 ( i know not supported),

The Array was pre-configured from a Compaq ML350 on 2000 and I simply moved the HBA to a Dell 2850.

The array was found with no issues in the new server/OS. Now we want redundancy.

I added the 2nd Array controller and the drives do not come online (or I am impatient).

Would flashing the Array controllers cause any data loss on the volume?

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

James Muell — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:40:57 GMT

If no IO is running on the array you should not lose any data during the firmware update. You need to backup the data anyway for Your protection. One other possible problem is the firmware on the drives themselves may need updating, but noification of this is usually a message during the servers boot process.

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:46:17 GMT

Unfortunately the following link to download RA4100 software is not working...

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=254612&prodNameId=257843&swEnvOID=181&swLang=13&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=co-42628-1

Wondering if anyone has a link for the update?

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

James Muell — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:02:47 GMT

Check Smartstart disks for firmware upgrades. These are downloadable also. I know there is a SMST 7.6 disk for firmware upgrades that do the MSA and disks. It may also have the last released fw for the RA4100. If not look for an older SMST update disk. gl jim

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Astro2 — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:12:33 GMT

Hi
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp16001-16500/sp16370.exe
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp16001-16500/sp16370.txt
RA4100 firmware 2.60 (4th floppy)

I don't know if there's a newer version.

In attach compatibility RA4100 / Win 2003 (for cluster, not standalone, but...)

Armando

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 12:05:30 GMT

Thanks for the help!

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:32:46 GMT

Astro2,

How did you know where to get the firmware from?

I was able to flash one controller to 2.6 but the other controller is at 1.22, the disk's will not let me flash from 1.22 to 2.6.

Do i have to go back to an earlier f/w?

Or could I have a bad controller?

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Astro2 — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:54:33 GMT

Hi
I found the firmware in a CD of a old project. I think that it's necessary to update to a newer version before (I don't know which version).

Try this:
- ftp ftp.compaq.com (old compaq ftp site)
- in /pub/softpaq there's a file allfiles.txt
Try searching for firmware RA4100 or RA4000.
Then download the softpaq from the same ftp site.

Hope this help
Armando

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:55:38 GMT

Got it!

Thanks again!

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Astro2 — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 07:38:02 GMT

Hi
If you resolve your problem, could you assign some points ?

Thanks
Armando

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:07:06 GMT

Ok have both Array controllers at 2.60 for the Firmware.

Now stupid question but how can I download the secure path software? Is it a purchase?

I was looking for v3.1c specifically.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

James Muell — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:56:44 GMT

Marshall, Secure Path is a purchase. There are upgrade bits on the Hp web site but I don't think you can do a fresh install without buying the sftwr.

Re: RA4100 Array Controller issue...

Marshall doss — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:02:08 GMT

Thanks!