Sun StorageTek 6540 Array Release Notes

This document contains important release information about the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array or information that was unavailable at the time the product documentation was published. Read this document so that you are aware of issues or requirements that can affect the installation and operation of the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array.

The release notes consist of the following sections:

• What’s In This Firmware Release
• Sun StorageTek 6540 Array Features
• Best Practices for Adding Expansion Modules
• System Requirements
• Upgrading Firmware
• Known Issues
• Release Documentation
• Service Contact Information
• Third-Party Web Sites

For Information About CAM

See the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager software product page at:

http://www.sun.com/storage/management_software/resource_management/cam/index.xml

For information about the management software for the 6540 array, see the CAM documentation at:

http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/prod/stortek.6540rohs~cam6.5?l=en#hic

For Related Patch Information

Look for the latest patches pertaining to your environment at:

http://sunsolve.sun.com/show.do?target=patchpage

1. In the Search box in the masthead, enter 6540.

2. Filter Results By: Downloads > Patches.

A listing of available patches related to the array is listed.

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What’s In This Firmware Release

Array controller firmware version 07.60.xx.xx includes bug fixes and data host support for SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 platforms.

The firmware is provided with Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager (CAM)
v. 6.5.0 or available for download at:

http://www.sun.com/storage/management_software/resource_management/cam

Click the “Get It” tab to download the latest CAM software.

For more inforamtion about bug fixes, see the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager Release Notes, 6.5.0. See Upgrading Firmware for details about upgrade paths.

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Sun StorageTek 6540 Array Features

The Sun StorageTek 6540 Array is a 4-Gb/2-Gb/1-Gb Fibre Channel (FC) array that offers both direct attached and storage attached network (SAN) access. The Sun StorageTek 6540 Array includes the following features:

• Eight FC host interfaces (four per controller)
• 4-Gbits/sec, 2-Gbits/sec, and 1-Gbit/sec host interface speed
• Dual redundant controllers
• FC and Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)-2 disk drive support
• Support for up to 14 expansion trays with one controller tray
• Switched drive tray (contains an FC switch)
• A maximum of 224 drives (14 trays with up to 16 drives each)
• Fault management support

The Sun StorageTek 6540 Array is available in a 4-Gbyte-cache, an 8-Gbyte-cache, and a 16-Gbyte-cache configuration, compared in TABLE 1.

• Auto Service Request

Auto Service Request (ASR) is a feature of the array management software that monitors the array system health and performance and automatically notifies the Sun Technical Support Center when critical events occur. Critical alarms generate an automatic Service Request case. The notifications enable Sun Service to respond faster and more accurately to critical on-site issues.

The Auto Service Request capability in Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager software allows you to register devices to participate in the ASR service. Refer to the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager Release Notes, Release 6.4.1 or higher, for more information.

• Array Expansion Module Support

Controller firmware 06.19.25.10 (or higher) allows tray mixing of 6540, 6140 and 6130 array controllers modules and the Sun StorageTek CSM100, CSM200, FLA200, FLC200, and FLA300 Expansion Modules.

Refer to “Upgrading Firmware for Adding Expansion Trays” in the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager Release Notes, v.5.1.3 or higher, for more information on the procedure to upgrade trays without data. Also refer to Best Practices for Adding Expansion Modules

TABLE 2 lists the supported expansion modules.

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Best Practices for Adding Expansion Modules

Only Sun Service should install expansion modules with data. Refer to the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager Release Notes for more information about supported expansion modules by array.

When you add a new CSM200 expansion module to an existing array in a production or active environment, it is best practice to cable and add the trays while the RAID controller module is powered on, in order to avoid a variety of issues including those listed below.

Before connecting any replacement drive or additional expansion module to an existing functioning array, it is best practice to contact Sun Microsystems Support Services. One reason for this is to avoid issues related to DACstore, the configuration and status database maintained by the array firmware, that stores its information on each of the disk drives.

Contact Sun Microsystems Support Services promptly upon experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• loss of management or data access
• inability to apply feature licenses
• inability to upgrade array firmware
• incorrect component details in the management tool
• host operating system reports the wrong product identifier
• array registration or discovery fails to complete
• persistent or unrecoverable multipathing failover

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System Requirements

The software and hardware products that have been tested and qualified to work with the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array are described in the following sections:

• Disk Drives and Tray Capacity
• Data Host Requirements

You must have Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager, v5.00 or later software. Current CAM Release 6.5.0 is recommended.

Disk Drives and Tray Capacity

TABLE 3 lists the size, speed, and tray capacity for the supported FC and SATA disk drives in the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array.

Data Host Requirements

This section describes supported data host software, HBAs, and switches.

• Multipathing Software
• Supported Host Bus Adaptors (HBAs)
• Supported Enterprise Software
• Supported FC and Multilayer Switches

Multipathing Software

You must install multipathing software on each data host that communicates with the Sun Storage 6540 Array.

For Solaris Operating System (OS) 9 data hosts, the multipathing software is part of the Sun StorageTek SAN Foundation Software (SFS). Solaris OS 10 includes the multipathing software. For data hosts running the Solaris OS, follow the instructions in the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array Hardware Installation Guide to download and install the software from the Sun Download Center.

TABLE 4 lists supported multipathing software by operating system.

Supported Host Bus Adaptors (HBAs)

TABLE 5, TABLE 6, and TABLE 7 lists supported HBAs and other data host platform elements by operating system.

HBAs must be ordered separately from Sun or its respective manufacturers. Sun HBAs can be ordered from:

http://www.sun.com/storagetek/storage_networking/hba/

You can download HBA drivers and other host software from the Sun Download Center at:

http://www.sun.com/software/download/

Download operating system updates from the web site of the operating system company.

You must install the multipathing software before you install any OS patches.

Supported Enterprise Software

The enterprise software applications listed in TABLE 9 are compatible with the Solaris OS on the data host.

Supported FC and Multilayer Switches

The following FC fabric and multilayer switches are compatible for connecting data hosts and Sun StorageTek 6540 Array:

• Sun StorEdge Network 2 Gb FC Switch - 8, 16, and 64
• Brocade SilkWorm 200E/300/4100/4900/5000/5100/5300/7500/48000/DCX
• Cisco 9124/9134/9216/9216i/9222i/9506/9509/9513
• McDATA 6140/i10K/QPM 4 Gb blade for 6140
• QLogic SANBox 5602/9000

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Upgrading Firmware

Host management software upgrades are described in the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager Release Notes. This section describes release-specific steps for firmware and driver upgrades that you must perform:

• Upgrading Array Firmware
• Updating the SSD Driver for the Solaris OS

Upgrading Array Firmware

New firmware files are included in each release of the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager software, currently Release 6.5.0. When you install new management software from DVD or web download and perform the Upgrade Firmware function, the software will detect older firmware versions and prompt you to upgrade to the new firmware versions required for this release. It is not necessary to uninstall the existing firmware.

If the software detects that there is no earlier version installed, it will perform a complete new installation. The software is available on the Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager CD, or in the package you obtain from:

http://www.sun.com/storagetek/management_software/resource_management/cam/get_it.html.

TABLE 10 lists the available fimrware upgrade paths.

Troubleshooting Upgrade Failures

If you receive a failure message from the Upgrade Utility going from 7.15.11.17 to 7.60 or going from 7.50.08.10 to any higher firmware revision using CAM or SANtricity, follow these steps:

1. Review the event log for true errors.

2. Save the event log.

3. You might need to clear the event log to move forward.

Contact your technical support representative if you need assistance in the reviewing the event log.

Caution - If your array is at firmware version 07.xx, you cannot downgrade to 6.xx. If you must downgrade to 6.xx, contact Sun support.

To Upgrade the Firmware on the Array

Using CAM, this procedure downloads the firmware binary on the management host to the array and upgrades the firmware running in the array.

1. Log in to the management host.

2. On the Java Web Console page, click Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager.

3. Go to the Storage System Summary page and select the arrays to be upgraded.

4. Click the Upgrade Firmware button.

5. Follow the prompts.

Updating the SSD Driver for the Solaris OS

After installing software for the data hosts, go to SunSolve (http://www.sun.com/sunsolve) and download the SSD driver for data hosts running the Solaris 8 or 9 OS.

To Update the SSD Driver for the Solaris 8 OS

1. Download the 108974-49 or higher patch from SunSolve.

2. Unpack the patch:

unzip 108974-49.zip

3. Read the README file:

108974-49/README.108974-49

4. Apply the patch with the patchadd command:

patchadd 108974-49

5. Reboot your system.

reboot -- -r

1. Download the 113277-44 or higher patch from SunSolve.

2. Unpack the patch:

unzip 113277-44.zip

3. Read the README file:

113277-44/README.113277-44

4. Apply the patch with the patchadd command.

patchadd 113277-44

5. Reboot your system.

reboot -- -r

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Known Issues

The following sections provide information about known issues and bugs filed against this product release:

• Installation and Initial Configuration Issues
• Hardware and Firmware Issues
• Documentation Issues
• Operational Information

If a recommended workaround is available for a bug, it follows the bug description.

Installation and Initial Configuration Issues

This section describes known issues and bugs related to installing and initially configuring the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array.

2 and 4 Gbps Drive Trays Cannot Be Mixed on the Same Tray Group

CSM200 expansion trays can hold either 2 or 4 Gbps drives, but not within the same tray. Mixing 2 and 4 Gbps drive trays in the same tray group (drive channel) will run all drives at the lower speed.

Trays Groups that must run at the same drive speed:

• Trays Groups 00 and 20 (tray IDs begin with 0x or 2x)
• Trays Groups 10 and 30 (tray IDs begin with 1x or 3x)

Figure 2-4 from the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array Hardware Installation Guide shows 4 tray groups. If you have 2 Gbps drive trays to mix with 4 Gbps drive trays, you could add all the 2Gbps drives to trays with IDs of X0 and X2. The 4 Gbps drive trays could go in trays with IDs of X1 and X3.

This does not apply to new trays consisting of all 4 Gbps drives.

Auto-Negotiation of Ethernet Switches Must be Set to On

The Ethernet ports of the array auto-negotiate for standard 10 and 100 Mbits/second full duplex connectivity. The ethernet switch that the array’s management path connects with must have auto-negotiation turned on. If it is not set, the array will eventually lose visibility from the management host.

Hardware and Firmware Issues

This section describes general issues related to the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array hardware and firmware.

System Cabinet Doors Must Be Closed

Caution - The front and back doors of the system cabinet must be closed for compliance to domestic and international EMI regulations as well as proper equipment cooling.

Do not block or cover the openings of the system cabinet.

Cabinet airflow is from front to back. Allow at least 30 inches (76.2 cm) in front of the cabinet, and at least 24 (60.96 cm) inches behind the cabinet, for service clearance, proper ventilation, and heat dissipation.

CSM200 Requirements

When you add a new CSM200 expansion tray to an existing array in a production or active environment, you must cable and add the trays while the RAID controller module is powered on.

Unit Identified As IOM Is Labeled ESM

Bug 6438824 - There is a module on the array, physically labeled ESM, that is identified by Sun StorageTek Common Array Manager software as an input/output module (IOM).

Replacing Failed Disk Drives From Another Array Can Cause Volume Problems

If a volume failure on a Sun StorageTek 6540 Array results from failed disk drives and you introduce replacement drives that were part of a volume in use by another Sun StorageTek 6540 Array, the array might incorrectly initiate a volume migration process with the replacement drives.

Workaround - Perform one of the following tasks:

• Verify that the volume on the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array with the failed disk drives has not been deleted. You should leave the volume in a Failed state and not delete the volume.
• Verify that the disk drives being taken from the inactive Sun StorageTek 6540 Array are not part of an active virtual disk. If the disk drives are part of an active virtual disk, delete all volumes residing on that virtual disk before removing the disk drives.

Power Up the System Before Connecting the Modem Power Cord

The patch panel modem power cord is not connected to the cabinet power strip from the factory. To use the modem, power up the system before connecting the modem power cord to the cabinet power strip.

Status Codes

The following is a list of the meanings of the status and diagnostic codes that may display on the numerical LEDs on the controller and expansion modules.

Documentation Issues

The Sun StorageTek 6540 Array Site Preparation Guide (819-6524-nn) incorrectly cites the following information in Chapter 2 under cabinet Power Requirements:

This should state the following:

All components in the cabinet should operate on only two of the 20A circuits (16A loaded each), but in this case no AC redundancy would be in place (power only A0/A1 or B0/B1).

With all four 20A circuits powered (A0, A1, B0, B1), the cabinet will draw a maximum total of 32A from the four circuits. If the system were to draw more than that 32A, then full AC redundancy cannot be present.

The Sun Rack 1000-38 cabinet power distribution systems work at 180-264VAC only. Internal components will never be operated below 180V (200V nominal) when in this cabinet.

Operational Information

This section provides useful operational information not documented elsewhere.

Batteries Alert: Transitioning to an Unknown State

If you power off, remove, or experience a failure of either of the power cooling units, the system generates battery alerts for both batteries as “transitioning to an unknown state.”

Even though the batteries are listed as being in an unknown state, they are still providing protection in the event of a cache failure. No workaround is required.

Removal of Power Fan Unit Causes Batteries to Switch to Unknown State

If you power off, remove, or experience a failure of either of the power cooling units (which also house the controller’s battery packs), the system generates battery alerts for both batteries as “transitioning to an unknown state.”

Workaround - You should not lose data unless the batteries fail, or unless you do not have adequate charges remaining in the batteries for cached data to finish being written to disk.

Controller Tray ID Numbering Is Unrestricted

Controller tray IDs can be set to any number between 0 and 99. Expansion trays use the values 0 to 79. Controller trays should use the values 80 to 99 (except 85) to avoid duplicate tray IDs.

If tray IDs are duplicated, the array will not be able to detect the drives on one of the two trays that have the same ID (which one is arbitrary). Do not use ID 85 for the controller tray, as this number is the default setting that indicates everything is operating as expected.

When Performing an Array Import, Do Not Modify Management Objects

If you create management objects while an “import array” job is running, it might interfere with the import. Be sure that everyone who uses the destination array does not modify or create any objects (including volumes, initiators, mappings, and so on) while the import is in progress.

Using a Volume Before It Is Fully Initialized

When you create a volume and label it, you can start using the volume before it is fully initialized.

Controller Tray Battery Information

During bootup, the battery light might flash for an extended period. The battery charger performs a series of battery qualification tests before starting a battery charge cycle. This series of tests occurs at subsystem power-up. The tests are automatically reinitialized by a timer approximately every 25 hours.

Each controller tray contains a hot-pluggable lithium ion battery pack for cache backup in case of power loss. The on-board battery is capable of holding a 2-Gbyte cache for up to three days (72 hours). The service life of the battery pack is three years, at the end of which the battery pack must be replaced (it is field-replaceable).

Erroneous Data Host Format Command Output

The Solaris data host format command might render one or more of the following listings:

STK-FLEXLINE380-0616 and STK-UniversalXport-0616

These are not data volumes and should be ignored.

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Release Documentation

The following is a list of documents related to the Sun StorageTek 6540 Array.

Documentation for this product is available online at http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/prod/stortek.6540rohs#hic

You can also search for additional documentation at http://www.sun.com/documentation

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Service Contact Information

If you need help installing or using this product, go to:

http://www.sun.com/service/contacting

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Third-Party Web Sites

Sun is not responsible for the availability of third-party web sites mentioned in this document. Sun does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, or other materials that are available on or through such sites or resources. Sun will not be responsible or liable for any actual or alleged damage or loss caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any such content, goods, or services that are available on or through such sites or resources.

^{1 (TableFootnote) Limited function version of the firmware for initial step in the controller firmware upgrade process}

Sun StorageTek 6540 Array Release Notes

821-0742-10

Copyright © 2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.