Accusys ExaSAN A12S2-PS User manual

ExaSAN A12S2-PS
User Guide
Support Host Bus Adapter:
PCIe 2.0: Z1M-G2
Support Host Convertor:
Thunderbolt2.0 to PCIe2.0: C1M-G2
Support Switch System:
PCIe 2.0: SW08-Q4, SW16, SWF16
Accusys Storage Ltd.,
Version: V1.8

Revision Sheet
User Guide Page i
Revision Sheet
Release
No.
Date
Revision Description
V1.0
07/30/2011
Initial release on CD.
V1.1
08/13/2012
Modify some wording and contents
V1.2
09/13/2012
Add a half-high bracket picture in the packing list and
modify the wording on the section 1.3.2
V1.3
12/19/2012
Modify page1-14, item 6 PCIe port expansion.
Modify page 4-3(erase clear log explanation and add
DAS and SAN log file path)
V1.4
02/04/2013
Modify page1-8, add the power convertor to the
packing list and accessory list
Modify page1-12, the LED status of HDD tray when the
HDD is expanded or migrated into an existed array.
Modify page 3-3, the figure for installing HBA onto a
PCIe x 16 slot.
V1.5
02/26/2013
Delete page 1-4, 1-7 5m copper cable
V1.6
01/03/2014
Add safety caution section on last page of the User
Guide
V1.7
09/22/2014
Modify item 3.3.4.2 Installing RAIDGuardX Installationdriver
on Linux and
V1.8
14/10/2014
Add C1M-G2,
Add chapter plan you SAN
Replace ACS-62300 by Z1M-G2

User Guide Page ii
PREFACE
Notice
The product features and specifications described in this guide are subject to change
without notice.
The manufacturer shall not be liable for any damage, or the loss of information resulting
from the performance or use of the information contained herein.
About This Guide
Congratulations on your purchase of the ExaSAN (pronounced X-sa-SAN) A12S2-PS, a
revolutionary high bandwidth streaming rack mounted storage system, specifically
designed for all high-end post production storage. It delivers stability, exceptional
performance, and scalable capacity at a very affordable ownership cost and requires
only a low maintenance budget.
This guide contains instructions for installing and using the ExaSAN A12S2-PS system and
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technologies and RAIDGuard X
(ExaSAN’s RAID management software).
If you are new to RAID and RAIDGuard X, this guide will help you become familiar with
these technologies, and assist you in setting up and using RAID on the A12S2-PS. If you
are already familiar with these technologies, use this guide as a reference for
implementing your ExaSAN A12S2-PS RAID solution to achieve maximum performance
and reliability.
For details of hardware installation, setup, configuration and considerations, see
Chapter 1, “Introducing ExaSAN PCIe2.0 Storage System”
Chapter 2, “Preparing to Install ExaSAN A12S2-PS”
Chapter 3, “Installing ExaSAN A12S2-PS”
Chapter 4, “Using RAIDGuard X”
Chapter 5, RAID Overview
Guide to Conventions
Important information that users should be aware of is indicated with the following icons:
Caution
This icon indicates the existence of a potential hazard that could
result in personal injury, damage to your equipment or loss of
data if the safety instruction is not observed.

User Guide Page iii
Note
This icon indicates useful tips on getting the most from your
Accusys RAID system.
Trademarks
Accusys and the names of Accusys products and logos referenced herein are
trademarks and/or service marks or registered trademarks and/or service marks of
Accusys, Inc.
Xsan, Mac, Mac OS, and Macintosh are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Apple. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks
and/or service marks of their respective owners.
All contents of this manual are copyrighted by Accusys, Inc.
The information contained herein is the exclusive property of Accusys, Inc. and shall not
be copied, transferred, photocopied, translated on paper, film, electronic media, or
computer-readable form, or otherwise reproduced in any way, without the express
written permission of Accusys Inc.
Document version 1.0
Date Published: November, 2011
© Copyright 2011 Accusys, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.

User Guide Page iv
ExaSAN A12S2-PS User Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page #
Notice ............................................................................................................................................................ii
About This Guide ........................................................................................................................................ii
Guide to Conventions ...............................................................................................................................ii
Trademarks .................................................................................................................................................iii
1. Introducing ExaSAN PCIe 2.0 Storage System .....................................................................1-1
1.1 System Overview.................................................................................................................1-1
1.1.1 What is the ExaSAN Solution .......................................................................................................1-1
1.1.2 What is the ExaSAN A12S2-PS Solution .....................................................................................1-2
1.1.3 ExaSAN A12S2-PS Components and Accessories.................................................................1-3
1.1.3.1 ExaSAN PCIe RAID Disk System.........................................................................................1-3
1.1.3.2 Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for the RAID System ...................................................................1-3
1.1.3.3 ExaSAN QSFP Host Bus Adapter (Z1M-G2).....................................................................1-3
1.1.3.4 QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) PCIe Copper or Optical Cables .....1-4
1.1.3.5 Power Cord & Power convertors .....................................................................................1-5
1.1.3.6 Rail and Rail Extender .........................................................................................................1-5
1.1.4 Key Features....................................................................................................................................1-5
1.2 Unpacking the System.......................................................................................................1-7
1.2.1 What Is In Your Order ....................................................................................................................1-7
1.2.2 Checking the Equipment You’ll Need.....................................................................................1-7
1.2.3 Unpacking .......................................................................................................................................1-7
1.3 What’s in the Box .................................................................................................................1-8
1.3.1 The ExaSAN RAID ...........................................................................................................................1-8
1.3.2 ExaSAN Accessories ......................................................................................................................1-9
1.3.3 Disk Tray package .........................................................................................................................1-9
1.4 SAS JBOD Expansion...........................................................................................................1-9
1.5 Your A12S2-PS at a Glance ..............................................................................................1-9
1.5.1 ExaSAN A12S2-PS ...........................................................................................................................1-9
1.5.1.1 A12S2-PS Front Panel ...........................................................................................................1-9
1.5.1.2 Beeper Codes .....................................................................................................................1-11
1.5.1.3 Disk Mapping.......................................................................................................................1-12
1.5.1.4 Disk Tray.................................................................................................................................1-12
1.5.1.5 A12S2-PS Rear Panel..........................................................................................................1-13
1.5.1.6 A12S2-PS SAS JBOD Rear Panel ......................................................................................1-15
1.5.1.7 How to Connect Multiple JBOD .....................................................................................1-17
1.5.2 ExaSAN QSFP Host Bus Adapter (HBA)...................................................................................1-18
2. Preparing to Install ExaSAN A12S2-PS ....................................................................................2-1
2.1 Precaution for Handling the System...............................................................................2-1
2.2 Choosing the Location for the System...........................................................................2-1
2.3 Electrical Power ...................................................................................................................2-1

User Guide Page v
2.4 Operating Environment......................................................................................................2-2
2.5 Security...................................................................................................................................2-2
3. Installing the ExaSAN A12S2-PS................................................................................................3-1
3.1 Installing the System ...........................................................................................................3-1
3.1.1 Installing Disk Drives .......................................................................................................................3-1
3.1.2 Installing the HBA Card ................................................................................................................3-2
3.1.3 Connecting the HBA to the A12S2-PS System........................................................................3-4
3.1.4 Installing the rail on A12S2-PS System .......................................................................................3-5
3.2 Powering the System On and Off....................................................................................3-7
3.2.1 Powering On ...................................................................................................................................3-7
3.2.2 Powering Off ...................................................................................................................................3-7
3.3 Install driver and GUI............................................................................................................3-8
3.3.1 Installing ExaSAN driver and GUI RAIDGuardX .............................................................................3-8
3.3.1.1 Installing driver and GUI on MAC and Windows ....................................................................3-8
3.3.1.2 Installing driver and GUI on Linux...........................................................................................3-9
3.3.2 Confirm the ExaSAN RAID system driver on OS............................................................................3-13
3.3.2.1 Confirming the ExaSAN RAID system driver on Mac...........................................................3-13
3.3.2.2 Confirming the ExaSAN RAID system driver in Windows....................................................3-14
3.3.3 Confirm LEDs on HBA....................................................................................................................3-14
3.4 Create Array.........................................................................................................................3-15
3.4.1 Check on new Volume in Disk Utility of MacOS ............................................................................3-15
3.4.2 Check on new volume in Disk Management of Windows................................................................3-15
3.4.3 Check on new volume by fdisk command on Linux.........................................................................3-15
4. Using RAIDGuardX GUI ...............................................................................................................4-1
4.1 RAIDGuardX Overview ......................................................................................................4-1
4.1.1 RAIDGuardX at a Glance ...........................................................................................................4-2
4.1.1.1 Menu Bar ................................................................................................................................4-2
4.1.1.2 RAIDGuard X main console ..............................................................................................4-3
4.1.2 Adding Controller ..........................................................................................................................4-4
(1) DAS –add controller locally...........................................................................................................4-4
(2) SAN –add controller remotely ......................................................................................................4-5
4.1.3 Planning your RAID........................................................................................................................4-5
4.1.4 Creating an Array..........................................................................................................................4-7
4.1.5 Email Notification.........................................................................................................................4-11
4.1.6 Preference.....................................................................................................................................4-12
4.1.6.1 Disk Lag Proof Mode .........................................................................................................4-12
4.1.6.2 NCQ .......................................................................................................................................4-13
4.1.6.3 SMART Mode .......................................................................................................................4-13
4.1.6.4 Beeper...................................................................................................................................4-14
4.1.6.5 Equalization Mode.............................................................................................................4-14
4.1.6.6 Cache ...................................................................................................................................4-15
4.1.6.7 MISC.......................................................................................................................................4-16
4.1.7 Option.............................................................................................................................................4-17
4.1.7.1 Slicing.....................................................................................................................................4-17
4.1.7.2 LUN Map ...............................................................................................................................4-20
4.1.7.3 Expansion .............................................................................................................................4-21
4.1.7.4 Migrations.............................................................................................................................4-23
4.1.7.5 Snapshot...............................................................................................................................4-25

User Guide Page vi
4.1.7.6 Health Center......................................................................................................................4-28
4.1.7.7 Unlock Drives .......................................................................................................................4-29
4.1.8 Updating the ExaSAN RAID system Firmware ......................................................................4-31
4.1.8.1 Preparing the Firmware Update Files............................................................................4-31
4.1.8.2 Installing the Firmware Update Files..............................................................................4-31
5. RAID Overview ..............................................................................................................................5-1
5.1 How RAID Works...................................................................................................................5-1
5.2 Data Storage Methods .......................................................................................................5-1
5.2.1 Data Striping ...................................................................................................................................5-1
5.2.2 Data Mirroring.................................................................................................................................5-1
5.2.3 Data Parity.......................................................................................................................................5-2
5.3 RAID Levels............................................................................................................................5-2
5.3.1 RAID 0: Striping................................................................................................................................5-2
5.3.2 RAID 1: Mirroring .............................................................................................................................5-2
5.3.3 RAID 5: Independent data disks with distributed parity......................................................5-2
5.3.4 RAID 6: Independent data disks with two Independent parity schemes ......................5-2
5.3.5 RAID 0+1: Striped set with Mirroring ..........................................................................................5-3

1. Introduction
User Guide
1. Introducing ExaSAN PCIe 2.0 Storage System

1. Introduction
User Guide Page 1-1
1. Introducing ExaSAN PCIe 2.0 Storage System
1.1 System Overview
Your new ExaSAN (pronounced “X-sa-SAN”) PCIe 2.0 Storage System is a rack mounted
storage that can be used as a DAS (Direct-Attached Storage) or SAN (Storage Area
Network) for the post production and broadcasting industries that require high
bandwidth. Furthermore, the A12S2-PS supports the latest PCIe 2.0 standard providing a
20Gb bandwidth.
1.1.1 What is the ExaSAN Solution
Developed by Accusys, Inc., a worldwide leader in RAID (Redundant Array of
Independent Disks) storage systems, ExaSAN is a system solution built for simple, cost-
effective deployment and storage management. Employing PCIe (PCI Express)
technology, the PCIe 2.0 Storage System uses QSFP cabling technology to natively
transmit at low latency PCI Express Gen 2 protocol. Each channel under PCIe 2.0 can
transmit at 500MB/s, giving PCIe 2.0 x4 storage systems a 20Gb bandwidth and PCIe
2.0x8 a 40 Gb bandwidth. The ExaSAN total solution, including its complete line up of
rack mount system, tower systems, PCIe switch systems and accessories, puts the
benefits of shared, scalable, and high-performance storage within easy reach of
organizations with limited IT resources and budgets.
Post production work such as non-linear editing (NLE) requires especially high
bandwidth storage to support the volume of data being processed, and ExaSAN
storage solution is designed to meet such demands. The high bandwidth enabled by
ExaSAN technology allows the client to achieve the maximum efficiency with minimum
cost, while its enhanced functionality provides continuous and smooth data transfer to
prevent frame drop or lagging of projected content. ExaSAN is a complete solution that
includes the PCIe RAID system, cable and HBA card.
Figure 1 below depicts the ExaSAN A12S2-PS system solution architecture. Note that it
can be expanded from one RAID system to three systems (daisy-chaining from 1x RAID
controller).

1. Introduction
User Guide Page 1-2
Figure 1
Whether it’s collaborative video editing in a post-production workgroup, or a shared
research project in a university, the ExaSAN solution offers a range of performance
levels and storage capacities that scale to meet the needs of small-to-medium-sized
organizations. Equally important is its integrated design, centralized administration and
monitoring, and a suite of built-in management tools; which eliminate the need for a
staff of experts to install and maintain a SAN for the workgroups.
Figure 2 below depicts a standard ExaSAN system solution architecture.
Figure 2
1.1.2 What is the ExaSAN A12S2-PS Solution
The ExaSAN A12S2-PS is a 2U12Bay disk array system designed for all high-end post
production storage usage, with the latest interface technology PCIe 2.0 and innovative
green design, supports RAID level 0, 1, 5, 6, 0+1, high speed 6Gb SAS drives, and high
capacity SATA II drives. The Single port RAID controller of A12S2-PS combined with 12
drives can provide 20Gb bandwidth with its unique Performance Optimization feature.
Your ExaSAN A12S2-PS system consists of the standard components listed below in this
section. Note that items 1 through 5 are Accusys-supplied equipment as part of the