Accusys ExaSAN SWF16 V2 User manual

ExaSAN SWF16 V2
User Guide
Support Host Bus Adapter:
PCIe 2.0: Z1M-G2
PCIe 3.0: Z2M-G3
Support Host Convertor:
Thunderbolt2.0 to PCIe2.0: C1M-G2
Support RAID system:
PCIe 2.0: A12S2-PS
PCIe 3.0: B08S3-PS, A08S3-PS, A16S3-PS
Accusys Storage Ltd.
2014
Version: V1.3

Revision Sheet
User Guide
Page i
Revision Sheet
Release
No.
Date
Revision Description
V1.0
12/08/2014
Initial release
V1.2
02/09/2014
Update
V1.3
14/10/2014
Add C1M-G2,
Add chapter plan you SAN
Add appendixB RAIDGuard X introduction
Correct contents

PREFACE
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) switch “SWF16 V2”,
a revolutionary high bandwidth PCIexpress based SAN switch, specifically developed for post
production environments. It delivers stability, exceptional performance, and scalable capacity at
a very affordable cost.
This guide also contains instructions for installing and using the ExaSAN PCIe switch, RAID
(Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technologies, SANit V2 (SAN management software)
and RAIDGuard X (ExaSAN’s RAID management software).
If you are new to ExaSAN switch, RAID, SANit V2 and RAIDGuard X, this guide will help you
become familiar with these technologies, and assist you in setting up and using ExaSAN
storage with the SWF16 V2. If you are already familiar with these technologies, use this guide
as a reference for implementing your ExaSAN SAN solution to achieve maximum performance
and reliability.
For details of hardware installation, setup, configuration and considerations, see
Chapter 1, “Introducing ExaSAN PCIe2.0 Switch”
Chapter 2, “Preparing to setup ExaSAN SWF16 V2”
Chapter 3, “Installing ExaSAN SWF16 V2”
Chapter 4, “Using Switch WebGUI”
Chapter 5, “RAID Overview”
Chapter 6, “Appendix”
Guide to Conventions
Inside the double boxes is the important information that users should be aware of:
Caution
This 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.
Note
This indicates useful tips on getting the most from your Accusys
ExaSAN RAID system.

PREFACE
User Guide Page iii
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 Storage Ltd.
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 Storage Ltd. 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 2.0
Date Published: October, 2014
© Copyright 2014 Accusys Storage Ltd.
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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
User Guide Page iv
ExaSAN SWF16 V2 User Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page #
Notice.............................................................................................................................................................ii
About This Guide........................................................................................................................................ii
Guide to Conventions ...............................................................................................................................ii
Trademarks.................................................................................................................................................iii
1. Introducing ExaSAN PCIe2.0 switch..............................................................................................1-1
1.1 Overview..................................................................................................................................1-1
1.1.1 What is the ExaSAN Solution.............................................................................................................1-1
1.1.2 ExaSAN Switch SWF16 V2 Features.................................................................................................1-2
1.2 What’s in the Box ...................................................................................................................1-3
1.3 Your SWF16 V2 at a Glance .................................................................................................1-4
1.3.1 ExaSAN SWF16 V2...........................................................................................................................1-4
1.3.1.1 SWF16 V2 Front Panel .............................................................................................................1-4
1.3.1.2 Beeper Codes ............................................................................................................................1-4
1.3.1.3 Mirror device Indicators............................................................................................................1-5
1.3.1.4 SWF16 V2 Rear Panel ..............................................................................................................1-5
1.4 Plan a SAN..............................................................................................................................1-7
1.5 What Else You Need...............................................................................................................1-8
2. Preparing to Install ExaSAN SWF16 V2........................................................................................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
2.4 Operating Environment.........................................................................................................2-2
2.5 Security....................................................................................................................................2-2
3. Installing the ExaSAN SWF16 V2..................................................................................................3-1
3.1 Hardware installation.............................................................................................................3-1
3.1.1 Installing ExaSAN RAID system to storage port ...............................................................................3-1
3.1.2 Installing Host to Client port...............................................................................................................3-2
3.1.3 Connecting to LAN port and power cord............................................................................................3-3
3.2 Powering the System On and Off..........................................................................................3-4
3.2.1 Powering On.......................................................................................................................................3-4
3.2.2 Powering Off ......................................................................................................................................3-5
3.3 Installing Driver and RAIDGuard X....................................................................................3-6
3.3.1 Installing on MAC and Windows .......................................................................................................3-6
3.3.2 Installing on Linux..............................................................................................................................3-7
3.3.2.1 Driver Installation .....................................................................................................................3-7
3.3.2.2 RAIDGuardX Installation .........................................................................................................3-8
3.3.3 Confirming ExaSAN driver on OS...................................................................................................3-10
3.3.3.1 Confirming on MacOS............................................................................................................3-10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
User Guide Page v
3.3.3.2 Confirming on Windows.........................................................................................................3-11
3.3.4 Confirming LED of HBA .................................................................................................................3-11
4. Using Switch Web GUI....................................................................................................................4-1
4.1 ExaSAN ...................................................................................................................................4-2
4.1.1 User name and Password....................................................................................................................4-2
4.1.2 Configuration menu - Overview.........................................................................................................4-2
4.1.2.1 Quick Setup...............................................................................................................................4-3
4.1.2.2 Event Management....................................................................................................................4-4
4.1.2.3 System Management .................................................................................................................4-5
4.1.2.3.1 Configuring the network –“Network” .................................................................................4-5
4.1.2.3.2 eth0 –SAN management port (RJ45)...................................................................................4-5
4.1.2.3.3 eth1 –SAN private port (RJ45)............................................................................................4-5
4.1.2.3.4 Changing SWF16 V2 time –“Time”....................................................................................4-6
4.1.2.3.5 Change Password –“Security Control”................................................................................4-7
4.1.2.3.6 Firmware Update..................................................................................................................4-7
4.1.2.3.7 Restart / Shutdown ...............................................................................................................4-9
4.1.2.4 Environment status monitoring .................................................................................................4-9
4.2 SANit V2................................................................................................................................4-12
4.2.1 Import License ..................................................................................................................................4-13
4.2.1.1 Apply and Import License.......................................................................................................4-13
4.2.2 SAN Volume Creation (Quick Wizard) .............................................................................................4-15
4.2.3 Add Client IP ....................................................................................................................................4-17
4.2.4 Install SANit V2 Client software......................................................................................................4-18
4.2.4.1 Windows Clients .....................................................................................................................4-19
4.2.4.1.1 Install SANit V2 Client on Windows Platform ..................................................................4-19
4.2.4.1.2 Configure SANit V2 Client on Windows Platform............................................................4-20
4.2.4.2 MAC Client.............................................................................................................................4-22
4.2.4.2.1 Install SANit V2 Client on Mac Platform ..........................................................................4-22
4.2.4.2.2 Configure SANit V2 Client on a MAC Platform ...............................................................4-23
4.2.4.3 Linux Client ............................................................................................................................4-25
4.2.4.3.1 Install and Configure SANit V2 Linux Client Software.....................................................4-25
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..........................................................................................................................................5-1
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................................................................................................5-2
6. Appendices........................................................................................................................................6-1
Appendix A: FAQs ..............................................................................................................................6-2
Appendix B: RAIDGuard X Introduction ........................................................................................6-4
RAIDGuard X Menu Bar..................................................................................................................................6-4
RAIDGuard X main console.............................................................................................................................6-5
Manual Add Controller .....................................................................................................................................6-6
Creating an Array..............................................................................................................................................6-7

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User Guide Page vi
Email Notification...........................................................................................................................................6-11
Preference .......................................................................................................................................................6-12
Disk Lag Proof Mode.................................................................................................................................6-12
NCQ ...........................................................................................................................................................6-13
SMART Mode............................................................................................................................................6-13
Beeper ........................................................................................................................................................6-14
Equalization Mode .....................................................................................................................................6-14
Cache..........................................................................................................................................................6-15
MISC..........................................................................................................................................................6-16
Option .............................................................................................................................................................6-17
Slicing ........................................................................................................................................................6-17
LUN Map ...................................................................................................................................................6-19
Expansion...................................................................................................................................................6-20
Migrations ..................................................................................................................................................6-22
Snapshot.....................................................................................................................................................6-24
Health Center..............................................................................................................................................6-27
Unlock Drives ............................................................................................................................................6-28
Appendix C: Customer Service and Support..................................................................................6-30

1. Introduction
User Guide
1. Introducing ExaSAN PCIe2.0 switch

1. Introduction
User Guide Page 1-1
1. Introducing ExaSAN PCIe2.0 switch
1.1 Overview
1.1.1 What is the ExaSAN Solution
Developed by Accusys Storage Ltd., a worldwide leader in RAID (Redundant Array of
Independent Disks) storage systems, ExaSAN (pronounced “X-sa-SAN”) is a family of storage
and switch products that take advantage of well known PCIe (PCI Express) technology speeds,
standards, and roadmap.
The current ExaSAN products employ PCIe2.0 protocol that provides 5 Gb/s per lane transfers.
With 4 lane QSFP (Quad SFP) connector and cable, ExaSAN can transfer up to 20 Gb/s by
using single connection. With a dual port QSFP HBA, data transfers up to 40 Gb/s.
Post production work including non-linear editing (NLE) requires high bandwidth storage to
quickly move the volume of data being processed and ExaSAN storage solution meets those
demands. The high bandwidth provided by ExaSAN technology allows the client to complete
editing tasks in a much shorter time to save time and money.
ExaSAN solution, including its complete line of rack mount RAID systems, tower RAID systems,
PCIe switch systems and accessories, support to build DAS (directly attached storage) and
SAN (storage attached network) environments. Figures below depict the ExaSAN A16S3-PS
system solution architecture in DAS and SAN environment.
A08S3-PS DAS environment
SAN environment with SWF16 V2

1. Introduction
User Guide Page 1-2
1.1.2 ExaSAN Switch SWF16 V2 Features
The ExaSAN SWF16 V2 is PCIe 2.0 SAN switch in a 1U rackmount enclosure employing the
latest PCIe2.0 technology with support for 12 PCIe clients and 4 PCIe RAID storages. The total
bandwidth of SWF16 V2 is up to 80 Gb/s.
Embedded SANit V2 SAN software and equipped a mirror drives for metadata location, support
multiple access into shared storage under Mac, Windows and Linux platform.
SWF16 V2 Front view
1. Host Interface
QSFP PCIe2.0 x4 lanes. 12 ports
Support host with Z1M-G2 (PCIe2.0), Z2M-G3(PCIe3.0)
Support convertor C1M-G2 (Thunderbolt2.0 to PCIe)
2. Storage Interface
QSFP PCIe2.0 x4 lanes. 4 ports
Support ExaSAN A12S2, B08S3, A08S3, A16S3
3. Embedded SANit V2 SAN management software
Equipped a mirror drives in 2.5”for metadata location.
Client support cross-platform on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Client license qty support up to 12.
4. Management
Web-based GUI, cross-platform executable
Monitor and control via Web GUI of enclosure components
LED indicators for enclosure status
Event log download from Web GUI
Supports both in-band and out-band management
Supports RAID management by EFI and BIOS
Supports firmware upgrade via GUI
Supports SNMP
Supports remote management
5. Enclosure
FAN, Power, Temperature status LED indication in the front faceplate.
Dimensions: 43.8mm(H) x 447mm(W) x 410mm(L)
Weight : 6.9 Kg(15.21 lb)
6. Supported OS
Windows 7, 8, 2008 and 2012 (32/64bit)