Condre HDD RAID User manual

For Europe
This drive is in conformity with the EMC directive.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Those limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
 Reorient or relocate the receiving antennas.
 Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circlet different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
Warning:
A shielded-type power cord is required in order to meet FCC emission limits and also to
prevent interference to the nearby radio and television reception. It is essential that only the
supplied power cord be used.
Use only shielded cables to connect I/O devices to this equipment.
You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate the equipment.
1

TABLEOFCONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................4
1.1 KEY FEATURES .............................................................................................4
2. PRODUCT OVERVIEW ..............................................................5
2.1 MODE OPERATION.........................................................................................5
2.1.1 Self-Diagnostic Mode .............................................................................5
2.1.2 2.1.2 Configuration Mode .......................................................................6
2.1.3 Operation Mode......................................................................................7
2.2 Condre A/V RAID FEATURES....................................................................10
2.2.1 Array Management ...............................................................................10
2.2.2 RAID Levels..........................................................................................10
2.2.3 Hot Swap Disk Cartridges ....................................................................15
2.2.4 Automatic Global Hot Spare.................................................................15
2.2.5 Automatic Drive Rebuild .......................................................................16
2.2.6 PAGE and FAX Notification ..................................................................16
3HARDWARE INSTALLATION...................................................17
3.1 BEFORE STARTING.......................................................................................17
3.2 THE CONTROLLER BOX ...............................................................................17
3.3 THE CONTROL PANEL ..................................................................................18
3.3.1 Control Panel Key Definitions...............................................................18
3.4 MEMORY MODULE.......................................................................................19
3.4.1 Installing a SO DIMM Module...............................................................20
4CONFIGURING Condre A/V RAID...........................................21
4.1 INITIAL RAID CONFIGURATION .....................................................................21
4.1.1 Quick Setup ..........................................................................................21
4.1.2 Single Host Configuration.....................................................................21
4.1.3 Single Host Configuration for Logical Units..........................................23
4.1.4 EXAMPLE for Logical units of Single Host Configuration ....................25
4.1.5 Dual Host Configuration .......................................................................27
4.1.6 EXAMPLE for Dual Host Configuration ................................................30
4.1.7 Dual Host Configuration for Redundant Server & HA software .........31
4.1.8 Example for Redundant Server and HA software Configuration:.........32
4.2 EXPAND THE RAID CAPACITY.......................................................................33
4.3 THE Condre A/V RAID CONFIGURATION MENU...........................................34
4.3.1 Quick Setup menu ................................................................................34
4.3.2 RAID Params menu..............................................................................35
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4.3.3 SCSI Params menu..............................................................................37

4.3.4 RS232 Params menu ...........................................................................40
4.3.5 System Params menu ..........................................................................41
4.3.6 NVRAM menu.......................................................................................43
4.3.7 RAID Funcs menu ................................................................................44
5PAGE AND FAX NOTIFICATION..............................................47
5.1 MODEM PORT SETTINGS .............................................................................47
5.1.1 Modem Access .....................................................................................47
5.2 CONFIGURING PAGE AND FAX NOTIFICATION ..............................................47
5.2.1 Paging Notification................................................................................48
4.3.1 FAX Notification ....................................................................................49
6MONITOR UTILITY ...................................................................50
6.1 KEY DEFINITIONS UNDER ANSI TERMINAL....................................................50
6.2 CONNECTING TERMINALS ............................................................................50
6.2.1 Communication Ports Settings .............................................................51
6.2.2 Terminal Access ...................................................................................51
6.2.3 Using a PC for Terminal Emulation ......................................................51
6.3 USING THE MONITOR UTILITY.......................................................................52
6.3.1 Running Configuration Mode................................................................53
6.3.2 Updating the Firmware .........................................................................53
7TROUBLESHOOTING ..............................................................54
APPENDIX A - ERROR MESSAGES ..............................................57
APPENDIX B : TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .............................60
APPENDIX C : SCSI CABLE SPECIFICATIONS............................61
APPENDIX E : GLOSSARY.............................................................62
APPENDIX F : RECORD THECondre A/V RAID SETTING..........64
3

1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the
Condre A/V RAID--a cost effective, high performance RAID solution.
The Condre A/V RAID is designed to meet today demand of higher storage solutions for the
emerging needs of databases, e-mail, web servers and imaging systems providing,
maximum data protection and exceptional performance in a storage controller. Target
usage ranges from small business to departmental and corporate server needs. The
Condre A/V RAID is designed for easy integration, smooth data expansion and server
migration.
1.1 Key Features
The Condre A/V RAID supports the following features:
• Support for RAID Levels 0, 1, 0+1, 3and 5
• Host System independent
• Operating System independent
• Intel i80303 64-bit RISC High performance processor
• Support Dual Ultra160 SCSI channel
• Support 12 ~ 16 ATA-100/133 IDE channel
• Superior Accusys Array Management Firmware
• Flexible cache size of up to 512MB
• Support up to 16 logical units
• Support on-line capacity expansion.
• Automatic Hot Swap, Hot Spare and Drive Rebuild Support
• Disk fail LED Indication
• Bad Sector reassignment
• Programmable Page and FAX event notification
• Remote monitoring through terminal
• UPS support through a standard UPS interface
4

2. Product Overview
The Condre RAID is a full feature RAID designed to provide the utmost in fault
tolerance, redundancy, reliability and performance. The following sections describe the
features in the Condre RAID.
2.1 Mode Operation
The Condre RAID operates in three modes: Self-Diagnostic Mode, Configuration Mode and
Operation Mode.
2.1.1 Self-Diagnostic Mode
To ensure flawless operation, Condre RAID has a built-in self-diagnostic utility.
Self-diagnostic Mode occurs automatically upon power up, or after the Condre RAID has
been reset. During this mode, all components are tested, and any potential problems
are reported.
The Self-Diagnostic Mode runs three major diagnostic tests. The first diagnostic
includes testing the CPU and supporting core logic chips, the internal bus, memory,
SCSI controller, enhanced IDE controllers, and RS-232 controllers. The second
diagnostic tests for the presence of disks on each individual disk channel. It also checks
the functionality of the disk found. The final diagnostic tests the RAID functionality.
5

2.1.2 2.1.2 Configuration Mode
Configuration Mode may be selected whenever the Enter button is pressed during
Operation Mode or when the Monitor Utility is invoked from the remote terminal. In
Configuration Mode the user is able to modify the settings of the Condre RAID and perform
different functions to the controller. It is important to note when running Configuration
Mode the Condre RAID should be off-line and not accessed by any application.
2.1.2.1 Entering a Password
If the password-checking feature is enabled, you will be prompted to enter your password
and will not be allowed to proceed until the password is entered correctly. The default
password is “00000000”. Refer to section 4.3.5 System Parma Menu for instructions
on changing the default password.
6
You may use the front panel buttons to enter the password. Use the “↑” and “↓” arrow
keys to scroll through the available characters, then use the ”Enter” button to select the
character and move to the next position. Once all the characters have been entered
press the ”Enter” button to access the Configuration Mode.

2.1.3 Operation Mode
The front panel LCD continuously displays the current status of the Condre RAID. A typical
display looks like the following:
Condre RAID
OOOOOOOOOOOS 
Press [ ▼ ]
Installed Memory
MB 
Press [ ▼ ]
RAID Capacity
GBytes 
Press [ ▼ ]
RAID Capacity
GBytes 
Press [ ▼ ]
Firmware Version

Press [ ▼ ]
Serial Number

Press [ ▼ ]
CPU Type
I960 
7
Press [ ▼ ]

RAID Member

Press [ ▼ ]
Disk 1

Press [ ▼ ]
Disk 16

Press [ ▼ ]
RAID Level
R5 
Press [ ▼ ]
SCSI ID

Press [ ▼ ]
SCSI LUN

8

Field Description
Condre A/V RAID The Condre RAID model number.
OOOOOOOOOOOS The 12 ~ 16 disks channel status. The first
left O is channel 1. You can press [▼]
button to view the next page.
Other symbols are:
Symbol Description
x Disk is not installed
A Disk is being Added
O Disk is On-line
S Disk is a Spare disk
R Disk is Removed
I Disk is been checking
R5 The RAID level (0, 1,0+1,3, 5) configuration.
ID:0 The SCSI ID (0 - 15) configuration.
Alternating cursor indicating operational
status.
When the Enter button is pressed in operation mode, the Condre RAID will enter to
Configuration Mode.
Note: During Configuration Mode if no button is pressed for 3 minutes (180 seconds),
the Condre RAID will automatically switch back to Operation Mode.
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2.2 Condre RAID Features
The Condre RAID supports RAID Levels 0, 1, (0+1), (3) and 5, automatic failed-drive
detection, transparent drive rebuilds, bad sector re-mapping, automatic hot spare and
on-line hot swap.
2.2.1 Array Management
The unique Condre RAID array management firmware utilizes multitasking real-time kernel
technology to manage the controller. Additional features are real-time I/O load analysis,
on-line diagnostics, event logging and broadcasting, and device inventory management.
These features can be accessed locally or via modem to allow centralized monitoring
and control of the Condre RAID.
2.2.2 RAID Levels
What are RAID levels?
RAID
Level
Description Minimum
Drives
Data
Availability
Performance
Sequential
Performance
Random
None RAID Non-RAID 1 Drive Drive
RAID 0 Disk Striping N = NRAID R: Highest
W: Highest
R: High
W: Highest
RAID 1
(0+1)
Mirroring Plus
Striping
(if N>1)
N+1 >NRAID
= RAID 5
R: High
W: Medium
R: Medium
W: Low
RAID 3 Striping with
Parity on
dedicated disk
N+1 >NARID
= RAID 5
R: High
W: Medium
R: Medium
W: Low
RAID 5 Striping with
Interspersed
parity
N+1 >NRAID
= RAID 5
R: High
W: Medium
R: High
W: Low
10
The Condre RAID supports RAID Levels 0, 1, (0+1), (3) and 5. Depending on the
application that will be used each RAID level offers a difference in performance,
functionality and fault tolerance. The following is a brief explanation of each RAID level.
Before configuring the Condre RAID be sure to know what RAID level is best suited for
your application.

2.2.2.1 Disk Spanning (None RAID)
NoneRAID
Minimum Disks required 1
Capacity N
Redundancy No
None RAID stands for Non-RAID. The capacity of all the drives is combined to become
one logical drive (no block striping). In other words, the capacity of the logical drive is
the total capacity of the physical drives. NRAID does not provide data redundancy.
2.2.2.2 Disk Striping (RAID 0 )
RAID 0
Minimum Disks required 2
Capacity N
Redundancy No
Striping refers to the storing of data across multiple drives in a drive group. If there are
three drives in a drive group then the subsequent data will be stored across all three
drives. This creates a very high performance virtual disk with the capacity equal to the
combined capacity of the installed disks.
RAID Level 0 provides high data reliability and availability and very high performances
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for both read and write operations. No redundant parity is generated for protection
against disk failure.
2.2.2.3 Mirroring ( RAID 1 )
RAID 1
Disks required 2
Capacity N/2
Redundancy Yes
RAID 1 mirrors the data stored in one hard drive to another. RAID 1 can only be
performed with two hard drives. If there are more than two hard drives, RAID (0+1) will
be performed automatically.
Mirroring refers to the replication of data on two or more drives. Each drive contains a
mirror image of the data on the other drive. Virtual disk space equals to half of the
combined capacity of the installed disks although mirroring causes operational
overhead resulting in lower performance for write operations it does provide the highest
data reliability among RAID Level 0 to 5 with very high performance for read intensive
operations.
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2.2.2.4 Striping with Mirroring (RAID 0+1)
RAID (0+1)
Minimum Disks required 4
Capacity N/2
Redundancy Yes
RAID (0+1) combines RAID 0 and RAID 1-Mirroring and Striping. RAID (0+1) allows
multiple drive failure because of the full redundancy of the hard drives. If there are more
than two hard drives assigned to perform RAID 1, RAID (0+1) will be performed
automatically.
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2.2.2.5 Striping with Dedicated Parity Disk (RAID 3)
RAID 3
Minimum Disks required 3
Capacity N-1
Redundancy Yes
RAID 3 performs Block Striping with Dedicated Parity. One drive member is dedicated
to storing the parity data. When a drive member fails, the controller can
recover/regenerates the lost data of failed drive from the dedicated parity drive.
2.2.2.6 Striping with non-Dedicated Parity (RAID 5)
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RAID 5
Minimum Disks required 3
Capacity N-1
Redundancy Yes
Striping with Parity is a method of storing data striped across multiple drives like RAID 0
but with parity (redundant data calculated by XOR logic used to reproduce data that is
lost) also striped across the drives. RAID Level 5 offers very high data redundancy,
availability and performance.
2.2.3 Hot Swap Disk Cartridges
Hot Swapping allows for the removal and installation of disk drives without interruption of
data access while the Condre RAID system is in use. Automatic Hot Spare allows the
removal and replacement of a faulty drive without power down the system. This is usually
performed when there is no Hot Spare drive configured. There is no need to power down
the system.
2.2.4 Automatic Global Hot Spare
Hot Spare allows for the automatic replacement of a failed drive without requiring
intervention. When a disk fails the Condre RAID will automatically replace the faulty drive
with the configured hot spare disk, thus allowing removal and replacement of a faulty
drive without having to power down the system.
Global Spare Drive
Global Spare Drive does not only serve one specified logical drive. When a member
drive from any of the logical drive fails, the Global Spare Drive will join that logical drive
and automatically starts to rebuild.
15

2.2.5 Automatic Drive Rebuild
Automatic Rebuild
Yes
No
When a member drive in the logical drive failed, the controller will first check whether
there is a Local Spare Drive assigned to this logical drive. If yes, it will automatically
start to rebuild.
If there is no Local Spare Drive available, the controller will search for a Global Spare
Drive. If there is a Global Spare Drive, it will automatically rebuild the logical drive.
If neither Local Spare Drive nor Global Spare Drive is available, the controller will not
try to rebuild unless the user applies a forced-manual rebuild.
2.2.6 PAGE and FAX Notification
The Condre RAID does not require additional software for system monitoring and analysis.
The Condre RAID array management firmware continuously monitors the system activity
and immediately launches the Page and FAX event notification feature if any failure
occurs. Up to two pagers and two fax-stations can be notified instantaneously and
repeatedly for extra insurance.
16
Wait for new drive t
o
automatic rebuild
Automatic
Rebuild using
the Global
Spare Drive
One member drive
fails in logical drive
Any Global
Spare Drive
assigned to
this lo
g
ical

3 Hardware installation
3.1 Before starting
The ProRAID functions as a normal SCSI disk drive to your system. Please ensure your
computer system has embedded SCSI support or a SCSI host adapter is already
installed. A device driver for supporting the embedded SCSI or SCSI adapter must be
properly loaded and configured. Please follow your system or SCSI host adapter
manual for the preparation.
If you are an advanced user or are familiar with the installation requirements for a RAID
subsystem you may skip ahead to section 4. Configuring Condre RAID
3.2 The Controller Box
The controller box includes RAID controller board, Control panel interface, box cover, holes for
mounting screws and rear connector board. Please see the below pictures.




Front/Interface
Cover
Holes for Mounting Screws
Rear/Connectors
17

3.3 The Control Panel
The Condre RAID Control Panel consists of a two line by the 16 character LCD display,4
push button switches and 6 LEDs. It provides a way to configure and monitor the
operation of the Condre RAID.
Condre RAID Control Panel





Activity LED, indicates data is being accessed
Scroll Up button
Scroll Down button
Select button (ENT), to choose or exercise an option
Escape button (ESC), to return to the previous menu
or cancel a selection
Power LED,
LCD, displays messages for configuration
3.3.1 Control Panel Key Definitions
A menu of configuration options will appear on the display. By using the Up Arrow,
Down Arrow, ESC, and Enter buttons, you can traverse the various menu levels and
configure the desired parameters. These buttons perform the following functions:
18

(▲) Up Arrow : use to scroll upward through the menu items
(▼) Down Arrow : use to scroll downward through the menu items
ENT: use to select a menu item, open a sub-menu, and also use to select a value.
ESC: use to exit a sub-menu and return to the previous menu
3.4 Memory Module
The Condre RAID controller requires a minimum of 32 MB DRAM SO DIMM (Small Outline, Dual
Inline Memory Modules) installed in the socket on the controller board in order to operate. The
controller box is normally delivered without any DRAM installed.
SO-DIMM Specification
Minimum Recommended
144-pin SDRAM SO DIMM
modules (PC-100, 60~80 ns).
SDRAM
SO DIMM module, with or
without parity.
With parity, for security
Minimum of one SO DIMM
with 32 MB. The memory card
socket can support 32, 64,
128, 256 or 512 MB of
memory.
Minimum of 32 MB, more
memory (Up to 512MB)
equals better
performance.
The size of the memory
module defines the cache
writing space available to
the Condre RAID.
NOTE: The Condre RAID controller can only accept certain types of SO DIMM memory modules.
Check the table below to find supported modules.
19
SDRAM Architecture
512 MB 16 (32M x 8)
256 MB 16 (16M x 8), 8 (32M x 8)
or 8 (16M x 16)
128 MB 16 (8M x 8), 8 (16M x8), 8
(8M x16) or
4 (16M x 16)
64 MB 8 (8M x 8), 8 (4M x 16) or
4 (8M x 16)
32 MB 4 (4M x 16)

3.4.1 Installing a SO DIMM Module
Please follow the below procedures to install SO-DIMM module.



1. Power off the system and disconnect the power connector.
2. Locate the SO DIMM socket on the controller board.
3. To install a memory card, hold the memory card with the edge connector side
towards the slot. The edge connector is divided into two unequal lengths. With the
controller box facing you, the shortest edge is closest to the front of the box, the
longest end is nearest the back.
4. Hold the card at a shallow angle (about 25 degrees) and insert the edge connector
into the connector slot. The “gold teeth” of the edge connector should no longer be
visible when the card is fully inserted.
5. Press the module downwards so that it is flat inside the compartment. You can hear
an audible click as the latches of the connector lock the card in place.
20
To remove a module that is already in place, unhook the latches on either side of the
module. Put the card in vertical position., and lift it out of the socket.