Smart Array 5300 on Alpha DS15

[Antonio_137]

I have a customer with a SA5300 installed on a DS15 and when accessing the configuration utility and trying to change and save the boot controller,I get this error:

+--------------BIOS Interface Error----------------+
| A BIOS interface failure has occurred. |
| Press to return to the main menu. |
+--------------------------------------------------+

I have changed the SA5300 an it´s cache module,but the error persists.

Thanks for any help.

[Khairy]

hi antonio,

before that, can i know what is the srm version for DS15. Minimum requirement for alphaserver to use this card is 6.3.

I'm sure you did this but to double confirm. Enable/set heap setting and initialize server.
P00>>> set heap_expand 2mb
P00>>> init

post the following output.
P00>>> show bios

I'm sure you execute the following command to enter to array utility
P00>> run bios pyXx

Can we know what type of storage is currently connected to the smart array? Make sure its not connected to internal 2-hotswap disk backplane. Currently, this setup is not supported.

[Antonio_137]

Hello Khairy,
Here is the info you asked for:

"before that, can i know what is the srm version for DS15. Minimum requirement for alphaserver to use this card is 6.3."

AXP50 >>>
AXP50 >>>show config
hp AlphaServer DS15

Firmware
SRM Console: V7.3-2
PALcode: OpenVMS PALcode V1.98-7, Tru64 UNIX PALcode V1.92-7
SROM Extended: V1.0-1
SROM Fail Safe: V1.0-0
RMC Runtime: V1.2-0
RMC Booter: V1.1-0

Processors
CPU 0 Alpha EV68CB pass 4.0 1000 MHz 2MB Bcache

Core Logic
Cchip Rev 18
Dchip Rev 17
PPchip 0 Rev 17
TIG Rev 1.11
Acer Chip Revision A1-E

Memory
Array Size Base Address Intlv Mode
--------- ---------- ---------------- ----------
0 1024Mb 0000000000000000 2-Way
2 1024Mb 0000000040000000 2-Way

2048 MB of System Memory

Slot Option Hose 0, Bus 0, PCI - 33 MHz
7 Acer Labs M1543C Bridge to Bus 1, ISA
8/0 Adaptec AIC-7899 pka0.7.0.8.0 SCSI Bus ID 7
mka0.0.0.8.0 HP C5683A
8/1 Adaptec AIC-7899 pkb0.7.0.108.0 SCSI Bus ID 7
9 Intel 82559ER Ethern eia0.0.0.9.0 00-14-38-EB-99-2B
10 Intel 82559ER Ethern eib0.0.0.10.0 00-14-38-EB-99-2A
13 Acer Labs M1543C IDE dqa.0.0.13.0
dqb.0.1.13.0
dqa0.0.0.13.0 DW-224E- B

Option Hose 0, Bus 1, ISA
Floppy dva0.0.0.1000.0

Slot Option Hose 2, Bus 0, PCI - 66 MHz
7 HP Smart Array 5300A pya0.0.0.7.2
dya0.0.0.7.2 CPQCISS
dya1.0.0.7.2 CPQCISS
dya2.0.0.7.2 CPQCISS


SROM loads from Flash
Console loads from SRM
Flash updates are Enabled for RMC
Flash updates are Enabled for SRM
Flash updates are Enabled for FailSafe
Flash updates are Disabled for RMC Booter
Halt/Reset is set to HALT
AXP50 >>>

"I'm sure you did this but to double confirm. Enable/set heap setting and initialize server.

heap_expand 2MB
P00>>> set heap_expand 2mb
P00>>> init"

It has been done.

"post the following output.
P00>>> show bios"

AXP50 >>>
AXP50 >>>show bios
resetting all I/O buses

Running the graphics console emulation on a serial port.

Press to hold this screen (until you press another key).

The key is used to emulate the functionality of the key.
For example, to deliver the key combination,
press the key and then the key.

The key is also used to ensure the delivery of ,, keys
in case the VT keyboard function keys are programmed.
For example, to deliver the key,
press the key and then the <3> key.

To deliver the key itself,
press the key and then the key.

Press and to quit the graphics console emulation and exit,
Press any other key to continue.
...............................................waiting for pya0.0.0.7.2 to start...
.................................

waiting HP Smart Array 5302-128 Controller (v3.56) 3 Logical Drives
Slot 7
Press to run the Option ROM Configuration for Arrays Utility
Press to skip configuration and continue

waiting for pya0.0.0.7.2 to start...

pka0.7.0.8.0 - Adaptec AIC-7899
pkb0.7.0.108.0 - Adaptec AIC-7899
pya0.0.0.7.2 - HP Smart Array 5300A
AXP50 >>>

"I'm sure you execute the following command to enter to array utility
P00>> run bios pyXx"

To enter to array utility we use F8 when the system is asking for it (you can see it in the output above)

"Can we know what type of storage is currently connected to the smart array? Make sure its not connected to internal 2-hotswap disk backplane. Currently, this setup is not supported"

There is only an external disk array connected to the SA5300,no internal disks connected.

[John Welsh_2]

Great.
Exactly what I was looking for.
I can now check the status of
the configured volumes.
Thanks Duncan.