rack storage /12

[Ben_32]

Several harddisks somtimes are offline suddenly in my HP Rack Storage /12. I have made them be online, the problem is solved. Has my RS/12 or RAID card problem ? Where can I download the diagnostic tools to check them?
Thank you!

[Marco Hogeveen · Accepted solution]

Ben,

What RAID controller are you using?
If you have a Netraid 4M be sure to upgrade to release 4 of firmware and drivers. See http://h20004.www2.hp.com/keeper_rnotes/bsdmatrix/matrix51934.html.
Any other Netraid controller will use Netraid Assistant, download it from: http://h20004.www2.hp.com/keeper_rnotes/bsdmatrix/matrix51930.html.
You might also want tu run the HDD Doctor and check the firmware of your harddrives.
Download it from: http://h20004.www2.hp.com/keeper_rnotes/bsdmatrix/matrix65146.html

Marco

[Ben_32]

Does HP offer a diagnostic tool for HP NetServer Rack Storage /12? (Not the NetServer Diagnostic tool)

[Greg Carlson]

Ben,

The RS/12 is a relatively simple storage unit so the best way to TS it is to make sure that it is up to date on fw. Check your external cable and the connections for bent pins or damage to the cable. Check the version of the SCSI Nova card(s) and see if it ends in A,B,C... Also if you are losing hdds frequently is it the same ID's that are failing? There are two backplanes (one for each side), one or two NOVA cards and one midplane and one mgmnt card along with the internal SCSI cable and thats it --except for the power supply. Also you need to check hdd fw as this is HIGH amongst the causes of failed hdds in RS/12 units.

You can grab the fw for the hdds at the same link Marco shows for the hdd doctor.. There have been a lot of hdd fw upgrades and having old fw can cause communication issues. Download the catalog file along with the Hdd Utility 4.Q.11 ** Extract the hdd utility First and then unzip the catalog onto the same diskette the hdd utility is on and boot to that diskette to check hdd fw upgrades.. If any fw upgrades are available you will see red flashing MMM's on the grid with the ID's.. it will tell you the file needed to flash that hdd. It won't let you flash the wrong fw to the wrong hdd. ** If a NetRaid 4M is involved you have to disable the background consistency check BEFORE running the hdd fw tool. **

Ciao,
Greg