Asus DS300i User manual

ASUS Storage
DS300f, DS300i
Quick Start Guide
Version 1.0
© 2011 ASUSTek COMPUTER INC.(Taiwan) All Rights Reserved.

2
ASUS Storage Task List
•Task 1: Unpacking tthe ASUS Storage (page 2)
•Task 2: Installing the LCD Panel (Optional) (page 5)
•Task 3: Mounting ASUS Storage in a Rack (page 7)
•Task 4: Installing Disk Drives (page 10)
•Task 5: Making Data and Management Connections (page 13)
•Task 6: Setting Up Serial Cable Connections (page 27)
•Task 7: Connecting the Power (page 28)
•Task 8: Installing Smart NAS Console (page 32)
•Task 9: Setting the IP Address (page 33)
•Task 10: Creating Logical Drives with ASUS Storage Management (page 39)
•Contacting Technical Support (page 46)
Task 1: Unpacking tthe ASUS S
torage
The ASUS Storage product box contains the following items:
•ASUS Storage DS300f or
DS300i subsystem
•Quick Start Guide printed
•RJ11-to-DB9 serial data cable
•Screws for disk drives
(70 pieces)
•1.5m (4.9 ft) Power cords (2)
•CD with SNMP files, User Manual,
and Quick Start Guide in PDF
format
A Battery Backup Unit (BBU) is optional on the ASUS Storage subsystem. In the
event of a power failure, the BBU powers the controller cache to preserve any
data it contains.
Warning
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product
may cause radio interference in which case the user may be
required to take adequate measures.
Warning
The electronic components within the ASUS Storage enclosure
are sensitive to damage from Electro-Static Discharge (ESD).
Observe appropriate precautions at all times when handling the
ASUS Storage or its subassemblies.

3
Task 1: Unpacking tthe ASUS Storage
Caution
•There is a risk of explosion if the battery is replaced by the
incorrect type.
•Dispose of used batteries according to the instructions that
accompany the battery.
Figure 1. ASUS Storage front view
A defective drive may be replaced without interruption of data availability to the
host computer. If so configured, a hot spare drive will automatically replace a
failed drive, securing the fault-tolerant integrity of the logical drive. The self-
contained hardware-based RAID logical drive provides maximum performance in
a compact external enclosure.
Figure 2. ASUS Storage DS300f rear view
Dual Power Supplies
SAS RAID Controller

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Figure 3. ASUS Storage DS300i rear view
Dual Power Supplies SAS RAID Controller
For a description of the LEDs, see pages 28 and 30.

5
Task 2: Installing the LCD Panel (Optional)
Task 2: Installing the LCD Panel (Optional)
Cautions
•The LCD panel is NOT a hot-swap device. Be sure the ASUS
Storage is powered down before you connect or disconnect
the LCD panel.
•You must install the LCD panel before you mount the ASUS
Storage subsystem in a rack.
The LCD panel mounts to the left ear of the ASUS Storage enclosure.
1. Align the connector on the left bracket of the ASUS Storage enclosure to the
connector on the back of the LCD panel, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Align the connectors on the enclosure and the LCD panel
Connector on
the enclosure Connector on the LCD panel
2. Insert the two screws that you removed in step 1 through the holes in the left
bracket and into the threaded holes in the LCD panel, as shown in page 6,
Figure 5.
Tighten the screws to secure the LCD panel to the bracket.

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Figure 5. Attach the LCD panel to the ASUS Storage enclosure
The LCD screen activates when the ASUS Storage boots. See “Task 7:
Connecting the Power” on page 28.
Go to “Task 3: Mounting ASUS Storage in a Rack” on page 7.

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Task 3: Mounting ASUS Storage in a Rack
Task 3: Mounting ASUS Storage in a Rack
Cautions
•At least two persons are required to safely lift, place, and
attach the ASUS Storage unit into a rack system.
• Do not lift or move the ASUS Storage unit by the handles,
power supplies or the controller units. Hold the subsystem
itself.
•Do not install the ASUS Storage unit into a rack without rails
to support the subsystem.
•Only a qualified technician who is familiar with the installation
procedure should mount and install the ASUS Storage unit.
•Be sure all switches are OFF before installing the ASUS
Storage unit or exchanging components.
•Mount the rails to the rack using the appropriate screws and
flange nuts, fully tightened, at each end of the rail.
•Do not load the rails unless they are installed with screws as
instructed.
•The rails that ship with the ASUS Storage unit are designed to
safely support that ASUS Storage unit when properly
installed. Additional loading on the rails is at the customer’s
risk.
•ASUSTek COMPUTER INC. (Taiwan) cannot guarantee that
the mounting rails will support your ASUS Storage unit unless
you install them as instructed.
Note
To lighten the ASUS Storage enclosure, remove the power
supplies. Replace the power supplies after the ASUS Storage unit
is mounted in your rack.

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Figure 6. Subsystem mounted in a rack with the available rails
Vertical Rack Post ASUS Storage subsystem
Handles mount
outside the rack post Mounting rails mount
outside the rack post
To install the ASUS Storage subsystem into a rack with the supplied mounting
rails:
1. Check the fit of the mounting rails in your rack system.
See page 9, Figure 7.
2. Adjust the length of the mounting rails as needed.
The rear rail slides inside the front rail. The rail halves are riveted together
and use no adjustment screws.
3. Attach the mounting rail assemblies to the outside of the rack posts, using
the attaching screws and flange nuts from your rack system.
Be sure the front rail support is on the bottom facing inward.
The alignment pins fit into the rack holes above and below the attaching
screws.
Use the attaching screws and flange nuts from your rack system. Tighten the
screws and flange nuts according to your rack system instructions.
4. Place the ASUS Storage subsystem onto the rails.
5. Secure the ASUS Storage subsystem to the rack.
One screw each side, in the upper hole only. Use the attaching screws and
flange nuts from your rack system. Tighten the screws and flange nuts
according to your rack system instructions.

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Task 3: Mounting ASUS Storage in a Rack
Figure 7. Rack mount assembly diagram
Rack front post Alignment pins
two on each flange
Rack rear post
Front rail Rear rail
Support for
subsystem
Inside of post Rail attaching screws
(not included) Inside of post
Note that only the front rail has a support for the subsystem.
This completes rack mounting. Go to “Task 4: Installing Disk Drives” on page 10.

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Task 4: Installing Disk Drives
The ASUS Storage DS300f and DS300i subsystems and DS300j expansion
units support:
• SAS and SATA hard disk drives
• 3.5-inch hard disk drives
For a list of supported physical drives, download the latest compatibility list from
the ASUS support web site http://support.asus.com/.
Number of Drives Required
The table below shows the number of drives required for each RAID level
Level
Number of Drives
Level
Number of Drives
RAID 0
1 or more
RAID 6
4 to 32*
RAID 1
2 only
RAID 10
4 or more**
RAID 1E
2 or more
RAID 30
6 or more
RAID 3
3 to 32*
RAID 50
6 or more
RAID 5
3 to 32*
RAID 60
8 or more
* A JBOD expansion unit may be required.
** Must be an even number of drives.
Drive Slot Numbering
You can install any suitable disk drive into any slot in the enclosure. The diagram
below shows how ASUS Storage’s drive slots are numbered. Whether you have
the original or plus carriers, the slots are numbered the same.
Slot numbering is reflected in the ASUS Storage Management and CLU user
interfaces. See page 11, Figure 8.

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Task 4: Installing Disk Drives
Figure 8. ASUS Storage drive slot numbering
Install all of the drive carriers o the ASUS Storage enclosure to ensure proper
airflow, even if you do not populate all the carriers with disk drives.
Installing Your Disk Drives
To install your disk drives:
1. Remove a disk drive carrier.
2. Carefully lay the disk drive into the drive carrier at the front, so that the screw
holes on the sides line up.
See page 12, Figure 9.
3. Insert the screws through the holes in the drive carrier and into the sides of
the disk drive.
•Install only the counter-sink screws supplied with the ASUS Storage.
•Install four screws per drive.
•Snug each screw. Be careful not to over-tighten.
4. Reinstall the drive carrier into the ASUS Storage enclosure.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 until all of your disk drives are installed.

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Figure 9. Disk drive mounted in a drive carrier
Disk drive
mounting screw
mounting screw
This completes disk drive installation. Go to “Task 5: Making Data and
Management Connections” on page 13.
Caution
ASUS Storage supports disk drive hot-swapping. To avoid hand
contact with an electrical hazard, do not remove more than one
drive carrier a time.

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Task 5: Making Data and Management Connections
Task 5: Making Data and Management Connections
You can configure your ASUS Storage for:
•Fibre Channel Direct Attached Storage (DAS), see below
•Fibre Channel Storage Area Network (SAN) (page 16)
•iSCSI Direct Attached Storage (DAS) (page 19)
•iSCSI Storage Area Network (SAN) (page 22)
•SAS JBOD Expansion (page 25)
•SAS JBOD Expansion (page 25)
Important
For a list of supported FC HBAs, Switches and SFPs, download
the latest compatibility list from the ASUS support web site
http://support.asus.com/.
ASUS Storage does not support cascading of multiple RAID
subsystems. Cascading is planned for a future release.
Fibre Channel Direct Attached Storage (DAS)
This arrangement requires:
•A Fibre Channel (FC) interface card in the Host PC
•At least one FC transceiver for each ASUS Storage subsystem
•A network interface card (NIC) in the Host PC
•A standard network switch
Note
ASUS Storage Fibre Channel subsystems also have two (2)
Ethernet RJ45 iSCSI Port connectors. See “iSCSI Direct Attached
Storage (DAS)” on page 19 for connection instructions.
Data Path
The ASUS Storage DS300f controller has two (2) FC Port connectors and one
(1) SFF-8088 SAS Expansion Port connector. See page 14, Figure 10.
To establish the data path:
1. Install an FC transceiver into the FC data port on the ASUS Storage
controller.
See page 15, Figure 11.

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
2. Connect the FC transceiver on the ASUS Storage DS300f controller to the
Host PC or Server.
See also “SAS JBOD Expansion” on page 25.
Management Path
The ASUS Storage DS300f controller has one (1) Ethernet RJ-45 Management
Port connector. See page 14, Figure 10.
To establish the management path:
1. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to the network connector or standard
NIC in the Host PC.
Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to one of the ports on the standard
network switch.
See page 15, Figure 11.
2. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to one of the ports on the standard
network switch.
Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Management Port on the
ASUS Storage DS300f subsystem.
If you have multiple DS300f subsystems, Host PCs or Servers, repeat steps
1 and 2 as required.
Figure 10.ASUS Storage D300f data and management ports
iSCSI data port 2
iSCSI data port 1
Management port
FC data port 1
FC data port 2
SAS Expansion
port (to DS300j)

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Task 5: Making Data and Management Connections
Figure 11.FC DAS data and management connections
Host PC or Server Network Switch
Management
Cables
ASUS Storage DS300f
NIC
FC card
Data Cable Management Port FC Data Ports (2)

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Fibre Channel Storage Area Network (SAN)
This arrangement requires:
•A Fibre Channel (FC) interface card in each Host PC
•At least one FC transceiver for each ASUS Storage subsystem
•A network interface card (NIC) in each Host PC
•A standard network switch
Note
ASUS Storage DS300f subsystems also have two (2) Ethernet
RJ45 iSCSI Port connectors. See “iSCSI Storage Area Network
(SAN)” on page 22 for connection instructions.
Data Path
The ASUS Storage DS300f controller has two (2) FC Port connectors and two
(2) Ethernet RJ45 iSCSI Port connectors. See page 14, Figure 10.
To establish the data path:
1. Install an FC transceiver into the FC data port on the ASUS Storage
controller.
See page 18, Figure 12.
2. Connect the FC transceiver on the ASUS Storage subsystem to the FC
switch.
3. Connect the FC switch to the FC HBA card in the Host PC or Server.
If you have multiple ASUS Storage subsystems, Host PCs or Servers, repeat
steps 1 and 2 as required.
See also “SAS JBOD Expansion” on page 25.
Management Path
The ASUS Storage DS300f controller has one (1) Ethernet RJ-45 Management
Port connector. See page 14, Figure 10.
To establish the management path:
1. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to the network connector or standard
NIC in the Host PC.
Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to one of the ports on the standard
network switch.
See page 18, Figure 12.
2. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to one of the ports on the standard
network switch.

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Task 5: Making Data and Management Connections
Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Management Port on the
ASUS Storage DS300f subsystem.
If you have multiple ASUS Storage subsystems, Host PCs or Servers, repeat
steps 1 and 2 as required.

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Figure 12.FC SAN data and management connections
NIC
FC card
Management Cables
Data Cables
Host PCs or
Servers
NIC
FC card
Network
Switch
FC Switch
ASUS Storage DS300f
ASUS Storage DS300f
Management Port FC Data Ports (2)

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Task 5: Making Data and Management Connections
iSCSI Direct Attached Storage (DAS)
This arrangement requires:
•A Gigabit Ethernet network interface card (GbE NIC) in the Host PC or
Server with iSCSI support in hardware or in software
•A standard network switch
•A network interface connector on the motherboard or network interface card
(NIC) in the Host PC
Note
These instructions also apply to the iSCSI Ports on ASUS Storage
Fibre Channel subsystems.
Configuring a Data Path
The ASUS Storage DS300i controller has four (4) Ethernet RJ45 iSCSI Port
connectors. See page 20, Figure 13.
To establish the data path:
1. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to the GbE (iSCSI) NIC in the Host PC.
See page 21, Figure 14.
2. Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to one of the four iSCSI ports on
the ASUS Storage DS300i controller.
If you have multiple ASUS Storage DS300i subsystems, Host PCs or
Servers, repeat steps 1 and 2 as required.
See also “SAS JBOD Expansion” on page 25.
Configuring a Management Path
The ASUS Storage DS300i controller has one (1) Ethernet RJ-45 Management
Port connector. See page 20, Figure 13.
To establish the management path:
1. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to the network connector or standard
NIC in the Host PC.
Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to one of the ports on the standard
network switch. See page 21, Figure 14.
2. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to one of the ports on the standard
network switch.
Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Management Port on the
ASUS Storage DS300i subsystem.
If you have multiple ASUS Storage subsystems, Host PCs or Servers, repeat
steps 1 and 2 as required.

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ASUS Storage DS300f, DS300i Quick Start Guide
Figure 13.ASUS Storage D300i data and management ports
Management Port
iSCSI Data Port 3
iSCSI Data Port 2
iSCSI Data Port 1
iSCSI Data Port 4
SAS Expansion
Port (to DS300j)