Nexsan Unity 6900 User manual

This document provides installation steps for racking the Nexsan Unity 6900 Storage System, and cabling
all Nexsan storage components for power and data/host connectivity. This document also provides steps to
discover and set up the Unity 6900.
1
Firmware Version 2.0
Quick Start Guide
NEXSAN Unity 6900 Storage System
Taking delivery
Your Unity shipment includes the Unity 6900, and
one or more Unity Storage Expansions, depending
on your configuration. Check to ensure no damage
has been sustained to the packaging in transit. If
anything appears to be damaged, you should file a
damage claim with your reseller.
Hardware overview
The main components of the Unity 6900 are shown
in these diagrams.
Front view (bezel removed)
Rear view
Item Name Description
1Power supply unit 1200W Redundant Power Supplies with PMBus
2Fan assembly 4x 80mm and 4x 40mm PWM cooling fans
Redundant cooling
3On-board 10GbE LAN ports (2 per node) Right port: Primary data network interface (nx0 -
optional)
Left port: Management Interface (nx99) and IPMI
interface
4KVM connections USB, VGA, and Serial connections for remote
console access to the Unity 2200
5Storage connectivity Quad-port SAS PCIe to HD Mini-SAS (Serial
Attached SCSI) HBA (host bus adapter)
6Optional host connectivity (up to two): Dual-
port 8Gb Fibre Channel to Express HBA
You can use these slots for additional network cards,
which can be any of these supported NICs:
10GbE dual-port HBA with RJ-45 interfaces
10GbE dual-port HBA with SFP+ optical
interfaces
8Gb FC dual-port HBA
16Gb FC dual-port HBA
1GbE quad-port HBA with RJ-45 interfaces
1GbE dual-port HBA with RJ-45 interfaces

2 — Unity 6900 Quick Start Guide
Prepare for installation
ACarefully read safety notices on page 8.
BEnsure ahead of time that you have a suitable
rack; see Rack and enclosure specifications on
page 8.
CEnsure that you have a Phillips screwdriver.
DHave someone assist you during installation.
Unpack the Unity 6900
ARemove all the components from packaging.
Position hands under the chassis to pull it free
from the foam insert.
Do NOT lift out the Unity 6900 chassis from its
packaging using the controller handles or
attached rails.
BPlace the components on an anti-static surface
until you are ready to use them.
Unity 6900 package contents
One Unity Storage System (with front bezel)
2 outer-rack rail assemblies (inner-chassis rails
are already installed)
4 mounting screws with 4 washers to attach
outer-rack rails to the rack (1 on the front and 1
on the back for both the left and right rail
assemblies)
2 long screws to secure the chassis to the rack
from the front (attached to the chassis)
FASTier, SSD, and HDD drives. Check that the
components included in your shipment
correspond to your packing slip.
Four SAS cables (HD Mini SAS to HD Mini SAS)
Two power cords
Two KVM leads
1 electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap
CD containing the Discovery Wizard.
Rack the Unity 6900
Example rack positions for components:
Unity 6900 on top, Unity Storage Expansion
below
Example of Unity 6900 with US 316
Step 1: Install the outer-rack rails on the
rack
AAttach the RIGHT and LEFT outer-rack rails to
the rack by inserting the hooks included on the
rails into the holes provided on the rack.
The hooks should be located in the BOTTOM
holes of the rack units selected.
BExtend rail assemblies to fit the depth of the rack.
Pull on the rear of the assembly until the hooks
reach the back of the rack.
CScrew the rails to the rack using the mounting
screws provided.
The screws should be secured in the BOTTOM
hole of each of the rails.
Step 2: Install the inner rails on the chassis
(if necessary)
AExtend the inner rail toward the front of the rail
assembly as far as possible, then depress the
locking tab to pull it completely out.
BPlace the inner rail on the side of the chassis
aligning the hooks of the chassis with the rail
extension holes.
CSlide the extension toward the front of the
chassis.
DIf desired, secure the chassis with screws.
CAUTION: Acclimate new disk drives to
room temperature for two hours before you
install them.
CAUTION: Physical installation requires
two people.
3U
2U

3 — Unity 6900 Quick Start Guide
ERepeat for the other inner rail.
Step 3: Install the Unity 6900 on the rack
ALift the Unity 6900 chassis from each side—not
from the front and back.
BLine up the inner-chassis rails with the front of the
outer-rack rails.
CSlide the inner-chassis rails into the outer-rack
rails, keeping the pressure even on both sides;
you have to depress the locking tabs when
inserting.
DPush the Unity 6900 completely into the rack; you
should hear the locking tabs click into position.
ETighten the thumbscrews that hold the front of the
Unity 6900 to the rack.
Step 4: Install the disk drives and FASTier
read cache SSDs
Installation order:
1Install the FASTier Read Cache SSDs from the
LEFT, starting with the FIRST slot.
2Install the disk drives in any order in the remaining
slots.
To install the drives:
ASlide the release
button on the front of
the drive carrier and
open the handle.
BInsert the hard-drive
carrier into the drive
bay until the carrier
contacts the
backplane.
CClose the hard-drive
carrier handle to lock
the drive in place.
DRepeat these steps for each drive.
CAUTION: Put on the ESD wrist strap
before starting:
ASlip the wrist loop over your hand (left or
right), then tighten the loop against your
wrist.
BAttach the clip end of the anti-static wrist
strap to a properly grounded metal
surface.

4 — Unity 6900 Quick Start Guide
Install the Unity Storage
Expansion
Unpack and install any Unity Storage Expansion
included in your Unity shipment.
For detailed instructions, refer to the appropriate
Nexsan Unity Storage System Quick Start Guide
included in the Unity packaging.
Connect the Unity 6900
This section describes the steps for connecting the
network, power, and KVM cables, and for connecting
a Unity Storage Expansion(s) to the Unity 6900.
Step 1: Connect the network cables
AFor management access on the nx99 interface as
well as the IPMI interface, plug an Ethernet cable
into the on-board LEFT port. For data access on
nx0, plug the appropriate cables into the network
interface cards.
BRepeat these steps on the second controller.
For controller connectivity with the Unity Storage
System, see Step 5: Connect to Unity Storage
Expansion.
Step 2: Connect the network cables
AFor management access on the nx99 interface as
well as the IPMI interface, plug an Ethernet cable
into the on-board LEFT port on controller 1, as
shown.
BFor data access on nx0, plug an Ethernet cable
into the RIGHT Ethernet port (or the port of your
choice).
Ethernet connections
Step 3: Connect your power supply
Each Unity 6900 PSU must be connected to your
storage rack’s source of power, for continuous power
and controller connectivity.
Using the two supplied power cords, connect
each PSU to main-power, making sure to fold
down the power cord retaining clip over each one.
Step 4: Connect the KVM dongles
Plug in the included KVM cable into the KVM port
to the back of each controller box.
Step 5: Connect to Unity Storage
Expansion
The Unity 6900 can connect to one direct Unity
Storage Expansion, or with multiple expansions
connected to each directly attached Unity Storage
Expansion.
If you are adding multiple Unity Storage Expansions,
power them on from last to first.
Connect from the Add-on SAS OUT ports on each
storage system controller to the SAS IN ports on
the expansion controllers, as shown, as shown in
Unity 6900 connected to US316s on page 5.
NOTE: The Unity Storage System is hot pluggable: Once in service, powering down is not normally
required to add a Unity Storage Expansion.
CAUTION: Do not connect to the Unity Storage Expansion from the on-board SAS ports on the
Unity 6900.

5 — Unity 6900 Quick Start Guide
Unity 6900 connected to US316s
Step 6: (Optional) Connect to a Fibre
Channel host
Under the required LUN mask configuration, when
connecting the Unity 6900 to a Fibre Channel switch,
each host has at least one connection to each
controller using a port.
One port on each controller is the optimized path for
data connectivity and the other is the non-optimized
path. For a given LUN, all the paths on the
owning controller are optimized and all the
paths on the other controller are non-
optimized.
AConnect a Fibre Channel cable from that same
host to one of the Fibre Channel HBA ports on the
back of the second Unity 6900 controller.
.
Power on Unity components
Power on the Unity components in this sequence:
Power on your Unity Storage Expansion.
Power on the Unity 6900.
IMPORTANT: If a drive carrier activity LED does not
light up, check to make sure the corresponding
drive is properly seated in the chassis.
Step 1: Power on your Unity Storage
Expansion
APress and hold the power button located on
the right front panel of the chassis until the
power led lights up.

6 — Unity 6900 Quick Start Guide
Step 2: Power on the Unity 6900
APress and hold the power button located on
the right front panel of the chassis until the
power led lights up.
BVerify that the power LEDs on the left and
right front control panels are illuminated to ensure
that the controller nodes are receiving power and
the power modules are functioning properly.
CVerify that the heartbeat is blinking yellow in
2-3 second intervals.
DVerify that the drive carriers LEDs are illuminated
in green.
EIf all LEDs indicate normal operation status,
reattach the front bezel to the Unity 6900 main
unit:
aRemove the bezel from its packaging.
bHook the left end of the bezel onto the chassis.
cFit the free end of the bezel onto the chassis.
dTurn the key lock at the right end of the bezel
to
the lock position to secure the bezel to the
chassis.
Monitor the Unity Storage
System
This section describes the front panel LEDs that help
you monitor the Nexsan Unity Storage System.
Control panel LEDs
The two control panels located on the front left and
right sides of the Unity system have several LEDs.
These LEDs provide you with critical information
related to the corresponding node.
If the Fan fail LED or Power fail LED illuminates,
replace the component as described in the Nexsan
Unity Storage Expansion Reference Guide.
Drive carrier LEDs
Each drive carrier has two LEDs. If a drive fails,
replace the drive as described in the Nexsan Unity
Storage Expansion Reference Guide at
www.nexsan.com/ (see Support > Unity >
Documents & Downloads).
Configure the Management
Interface (nx99)
Configure network settings for the management
interface (nx99):
using the nxadmin CLI, or
using the Discovery Wizard (optional).
NOTE: It is strongly recommended to configure the
management interface (nx99) on a different subnet
from the primary data network interface (nx0).
In a flat network environment, it is acceptable to
configure both interfaces on the same subnet.
LED Indication
Power
Indicates power is being supplied to
the system’s power supply units. This
LED is illuminated when the system is
operating.
Heartbeat
This is a server board heartbeat LED
and indicates that power is being
supplied to the server board.
NIC1
Indicates network activity on the LAN1
port when flashing.
NIC2
Indicates network activity on the LAN2
port when flashing.
Power fail
Indicates a power supply module has
failed. The second power supply
module takes the load and keeps the
system running, but the failed module
should be replaced as soon as
possible.
This LED should be off when the
system is operating normally.
Fan fail
When flashing, this LED indicates a
fan failure.
When illuminated continuously, this
LED indicates an overheat condition,
which may be caused by cables
obstructing the airflow in the system or
the ambient room temperature being
too high.
Check the routing of the cables and
make sure all fans are connected and
operating normally. You should also
check to make sure that the chassis
covers are installed.
This LED remains flashing or
illuminated as long as the error
condition exists.
LED Indication
Green A steady green LED indicates the
drive is powered on.
If this LED is not lit, the drive is not
getting power.
If this LED is flashing, the drive is
being accessed (read or write).
Red A steady red LED indicates a drive
failure.
LED Indication

7 — Unity 6900 Quick Start Guide
Configure the Management Interface
(nx99) using the Discovery Wizard
AInsert the Discovery Wizard DVD in the drive of a
system that resides on the same VLAN or
broadcast network as the Unity 6900.
BClick Run SystemDiscoveryUI.exe to launch the
Discovery Wizard.
If the AutoPlay feature fails to start:
aOpen the Discovery folder on the CD/DVD.
bDouble-click SystemDiscoveryUI.exe.
CConfirm the installation of a driver for the wizard.
DSelect the Discovery tab.
ESelect the Unity 6900 system.
FClick the Configure Network button.
GEnter your user name and password, and click
OK.
HType the appropriate network settings for the
management interface (nx99).
IClick OK.
Configure the management interface
(nx99) using the nxadmin CLI (optional)
AConnect to the Unity 6900 via KVM (console).
BWhen connected, type nxadmin to log on.
CType the default nxadmin password: PASSWORD
(all upper-case).
DType setip.
EType IP addresses for the management interface;
use the Tab key to navigate between fields.
NOTE: Do not set the network settings for the
primary data network interface (nx0); you
configure this interface in the Site Setup Wizard.
FTab to the <Validate> option and press Enter.
GOnce validation completes, tab to the <OK>
option and press Enter.
Set up the Unity 6900
Start the initial setup
AOpen a web browser.
BType the Unity 6900’s Management Virtual IP
address and press Enter.
CClick I accept the terms of the license agreement
and click Next.
Step 1: Set the password for the
Unity Administrator
Step 2: Configure site information
Enter the following site information, as shown.
AEnter a site name.
BOptionally, select a time zone.
COptionally, select CallHome settings.
DClick the forward arrow to continue.
Step 3: Configure network settings
(primary data network interface (nx0)
NOTE: Once you click Apply, a message displays
stating that the settings are being applied to the
system; this process can take a minute or more to
complete.
Click the forward arrow to continue.
Step 4: Configure IPMI settings
This step prompts you to configure the Intelligent
Platform Management Interface (IPMI) settings.

Copyright © 2010-2017 Nexsan Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Nexsan®, Unity™, Unity 2200™, Unity 4400™, Unity 6900™, US 224™, Unity 2200X™,
US 316™, US 424™, US 460, ™FASTier™, and the Nexsan logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nexsan Corporation. All other trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Nexsan 900 E Hamilton Ave, Suite 230, Campbell, CA 95008 | p. 1.866.463.9726 | www.nexsan.com
Part number: P0450175 Rev: B Release Date: June 2017
Related Documentation: Nexsan Unity Hardware Maintenance Guide,
Nexsan Unity Software User Guide, Nexsan Unity nxadmin CLI Reference
Guide
Technical Support
By Phone:
U.S. & Canada: [phone]
Global: U.S. Toll [phone]
By Email: [email protected]
By Web: http://helper.nexsansupport.com/unt_support.html
Step 5: Allocate storage
Default, RAID levels and RAID sets are configured.
You can accept these default settings, or change
them according to your specific needs.
Step 6: Verifying configuration settings
To finalize the site setup, click Start.
Step 7: Viewing configuration results
The Site Setup Wizard applies the configuration
settings to the Unity 6900, and prompts you to create
a storage pool.
For steps to create a storage pool, see the Nexsan
Unity Setup Guide included or the Nexsan Unity
Software User Guide at www.nexsan.com/ (see
Support > Unity > Documents & Downloads).
What’s next
To configure the User Authentication mode
AOpen the site’s properties panel in Unity.
BSelect the User Authentication tab.
CSelect the desired mode of authentication and
click Apply.
The following modes for authentication are available:
Join a Microsoft Active Directory Domain
Connect to an LDAP Directory Service
Use Unity authentication (default)
To set site Administrators
AOpen the site’s properties panel in Unity.
BSelect the Administrators tab.
CClick Add Administrators.
Follow the popup window instructions, then click
Apply.lare
Safety notices
This equipment must be installed and operated in
compliance with local laws and regulations.
Ensure that the ambient temperature at the
installation is between 5°C (41°F) and 30°C
(86°F). If the temperature at the site is not actively
regulated, ensure that daily and seasonal
temperature changes will not result in the ambient
temperature going outside these limits.
Always fully stabilize racks with wall anchors or
stabilizing legs, or both, before mounting the
Nexsan storage unit or any other components on
the rack.
Situate the rack so that full air flow at both the
front and the rear of the Nexsan storage unit is
possible.
Ensure that the floor beneath the mounting rack
has enough load-bearing capacity to support the
rack and all mounted components.
Always fully secure all rack-mounting hardware
when installing the Nexsan storage unit in a rack.
Insufficient rack-mount support may allow the unit
to fall onto other rack-mounted hardware or onto
the floor, potentially damaging equipment or
causing injury to nearby personnel.
Rack and enclosure specifications
Rail kit mounting
2U enclosure height
The rack must have square holes
Maximum distances: 30" (800 mm)
Enclosure dimensions
Height: 3.5’’ 88 mm
Width: 17.2’’ 437 mm
Depth: 25.25’’ 641 mm
Weight: 67 lbs 30.4 kg (no drives installed)
114 lbs 51.7 kg (all drives installed)
Power requirements
Power supply:
AC Input:
1000W Output @ 100-127V, 12-15A, 50-60Hz
1200W Output @ 200-240V, 7-8.5A, 50-60Hz
DC Output:
1000W: +12V/83A; +5Vsb/4A
1200W: +12V/100A, +5Vsb/4A
Power consumption: varies depending on the
number and size of drives, running fans, and room
temperature+