C H A P T E R  3

Powering On and Setting the Link Rate

This chapter describes initial module power-on procedures. It contains the following sections:


Before Powering On

You can set up a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server to issue the IP address to each controller. If a DHCP server is not available, the controller module defaults to internal static IP addresses. (See Configuring the IP Address of the Array for details.)

For instructions on how to set up the DHCP server, see Configuring a DHCP Server.


Powering On Array Modules

Use this procedure to turn power on for all modules installed in the cabinet.

1. Turn off both power switches on each module that you want to connect to the cabinet's main power (FIGURE 3-1).


FIGURE 3-1 Array Module Power Connectors and Switches

Figure showing the power switches at the back of the controller module.


2. Connect the power cable for each module power supply to a separate power source in the cabinet.

3. Make sure the cabinet circuit breakers are turned off.

4. Connect the primary power cables from the cabinet to the external power source.

5. Turn on the cabinet circuit breakers.

6. Press the power switches at the back of each expansion module to the On position.

7. Press each power switch at the back of the controller module to the On position.

While the module powers up, the green and amber LEDs on the front and back of the module turn on and off intermittently. Depending on your configuration, it can take several minutes for the module to power up.

8. Check the status of each module.


Checking the Link Rate LED

The link rate switch allows you to set the data transfer rate. The default setting is 2 gigabits (Gbits) per second.

1. Locate the link rate switch at the back of the array, between the two power supplies (FIGURE 3-2).


FIGURE 3-2 2 Gb Link Rate LED

Figure showing the link rate switch cover at the back of the controller module.


2. Remove the screw and the switch cover.


FIGURE 3-3 Accessing the Link Rate Switch

Figure showing removal of the switch cover to access the link rate switch.


3. Set the link rate to 2 Gb.

4. Replace the switch cover and tighten the screw to secure it.


Powering Off the Array

The array rarely needs to be powered off. You remove power only when you plan to physically move the array to another location.

To power off the array, do the following:

1. Stop all I/O from the hosts to the storage system.

2. Wait approximately 2 minutes until all disk drive LEDs have stopped flashing.

After the 2-minute period, data residing in cache is written to disk and the battery mechanisms are disengaged.



Note - If Media Scan is enabled (the default), the disk drive LEDs will continue to flash after the 2-minute period has elapsed. By waiting the 2-minute period, you ensure that the data residing in cache has been written to disk. The LED flash rate during a media scan is different than the flash rate of I/O.



3. Press each power switch at the back of the controller module to the Off position.

4. Press the power switches at the back of each expansion module to the Off position.


Next Steps

Now you are ready to connect the management host and data hosts, as described in Chapter 4.