SCSI-2 Interface

The IO4 contains two 16-bit SCSI-2 device controllers. Each controller can operate with a bandwidth of up to 20 MB per second and can be configured for either single-ended or differential operation.

To accommodate extra SCSI channels, optional SCSI mezzanine cards contain three 16-bit SCSI-2 controllers. Two of the controllers are differential only; the third is configurable as single-ended or differential. These controllers are identical to those used on the main IO4 board.

SCSI mezzanine cards can be plugged into either or both of the mezzanine card slots on an IO4 board, allowing up to eight SCSI-2 controllers per IO4 board. With the optional visualization console the GCAM covers one of the available mezzanine connectors on the standard I04. This leaves room for a maximum of one optional SCSI mezzanine board on the first I04 (three extra SCSI connectors).

 Caution: Improper SCSI implementation will cause degraded system performance, a system crash, and/or possible damage to the hardware.

·         If you plug a single-ended drive into a bus configured for differential operation, nothing on the bus will work.

·         If you plug a differential drive into a bus configured as single-ended, the differential drive will not work. Single-ended drives on the bus may continue to work.

·         Configuration jumpers at the IO4, drive rack backplane, and the sled board must all be set for the same mode or the bus will not work.

·         Front-loading SCSI devices, both half-height and full-height, that are installed in front-loading bays do not require terminators. Any terminators mounted on a drive should be pulled out before installing a device in a Challenge system.

Caution: Never use a single-ended SCSI terminator on a differential channel. Connecting a single-ended terminator to a differential channel will short +5 V directly to ground, resulting in blown fuses and possible equipment damage.

·         Using a differential terminator on a single-ended bus will cause SCSI bus malfunction.

 The service person must follow the guidelines in Table 4-1 to make a SCSI drive work in a deskside system.

Installing and Configuring Additional FLDs

The Challenge deskside chassis uses both half-height and full-height front-loading devices. The power must be off to install or remove storage devices.  FLDs are easily removed and replaced, allowing flexible and secure data management.

Note: Be careful not to push the drive ID selector when moving the sled release lever to the right. An incorrect SCSI device ID may cause SCSI bus failure. FLDs can be installed and removed with the front door closed and only the drive door open.

Caution: Use proper handling and storage procedures to minimize the loss of data and equipment. In particular, do not remove disk drives while they are operating. Always power off the system before removing an FLD. Be sure to use standard electrostatic discharge prevention precautions when removing, storing, transporting, or replacing an FLD.

Table 4-1 Overview of Drive Installation Guidelines

Installing and Configuring Additional FLDs

The Challenge deskside chassis uses both half-height and full-height front-loading devices. The power must be off to install or remove storage devices.

FLDs are easily removed and replaced, allowing flexible and secure data management.

Note: Be careful not to push the drive ID selector when moving the sled release lever to the right. An incorrect SCSI device ID may cause SCSI bus failure. FLDs can be installed and removed with the front door closed and only the drive door open.

Caution: Use proper handling and storage procedures to minimize the loss of data and equipment. In particular, do not remove disk drives while they are operating. Always power off the system before removing an FLD. Be sure to use standard electrostatic discharge prevention precautions when removing, storing, transporting, or replacing an FLD.

Each internally installed FLD must mount on a sled that uses a SCSI channel adapter board. To determine the sled board settings, do the following:

·         Be sure the sled-to-drive connector cable is plugged into the correct SCSI channel: single-ended(A) or differential (B).

·         Set both jumper blocks H1 and H2 on the sled board to reflect the SCSI channel operation, regardless of which channel is plugged into the drive (see Figure 4-1).

·         If the SCSI backplane bus is only single-ended or only differential, set all the jumpers in H1 and H2 for that mode of operation (see Figure 4-1).

Note: Incorrect jumpering on an unused jumper block can cause unwanted noise on the bus.

The factory shipped your Challenge deskside server with Channel A configured as single-ended and B as differential. If the system has been modified, or if you are uncertain as to the configuration of SCSI Channels A and B, you will have to remove an existing drive. Pull the locking lever on the drive sled to the left and pull the drive and sled assembly gently out of the rack. Compare the settings on the adapter board to those in Figure 1 or Figure 2. Match the configuration of the new device’s adapter board with the intended mode of operation (single-ended or differential).

Note: Your system disk should always be set to SCSI ID 1. Be sure each SCSI device on a bus has a unique SCSI address (ID). The SCSI bus cannot function properly if more than one device has the same SCSI ID.

Installing a Half-Height FLD

The drive must be properly mounted on a drive sled and configured for a channel and operating protocol (single-ended or differential). See the following figure.

Follow these instructions to install a half-height front-loading device:

1. If your drive did not come already mounted on a sled, place it on top, as shown in the above figure. Be sure the EMI shield is affixed to the bottom of the drive and is aligned as shown in the drawing.

Note: If your drive did not come with an EMI shield, installation of the part is not necessary.

2. Secure the drive to the bottom of the sled with the four screws provided.

3. Plug the drive-to-adapter cable into the proper channel connector.

4. Orient the FLD and sled assembly so that the connectors on the back are on the bottom half of the drive and face away from you.

5. Carefully insert the device into the drive bay until it seats firmly into the lever catch and the locking lever has moved all the way to the right.

Follow these instructions to remove a front loading device:

1. Power off the system.

2. Open the drive door.

3. Slide the locking lever on the drive sled all the way to the left and gently pull the drive and sled assembly out.

 Installing a Full-Height FLD

Each drive must be properly mounted on a drive sled and configured for a particular channel and SCSI transmission protocol (single-ended or differential).

Follow these instructions to install a full-height front loading device:

1. Carefully remove the plastic side panel by first grasping the bottom edge of the panel.

2. Pull the panel away from the chassis until the ball and socket fasteners release.

3. Carefully set the panel aside.

4. Identify the retaining screw that holds the drive shelf directly above the chosen drive bay, then remove it with a Phillips screwdriver.

5. Pull the drive shelf straight out of the chassis.

Note: The design of the deskside drive housing precludes placing an optional DLT drive on the third drive shelf down from the top, or the bottom drive shelf.

After removing the drive shelf, the plastic side panel can be replaced by aligning the ball connectors with the sockets in the chassis and reversing steps 1 and 2.

6. Orient the FLD and sled assembly so that the connectors on the back are on the bottom half of the drive and face away from you.

7. Carefully insert the device into the drive bay until it seats firmly into the lever catch and the lever will not move any farther to the right.

Pulling Off the Side Panel and Removing the Retaining Screw

 Note: Retain the drive shelf if there is a possibility that you will need to install half-height drives at a later date.

Installing a Full-Height Front Loading Device
 

Deskside Installation Positions for Optional DLT Drives

Installing and Using an Optional CD-ROM

Follow these instructions to prepare the CD-ROM for use:

1. Install the CD-ROM drive into a half-height slot on the Challenge deskside chassis. Follow the instructions in the previous section to install the FLD.

2. Find the disc that contains the operating system.

3. Open the CD-ROM caddy by squeezing the tabs on its sides.

4. Tilt the CD-ROM into the caddy. The CD-ROM fits under the groove at the end of the caddy.

5. Close the caddy.

6. Hold the caddy by its tabs and orient it.

7. Slide the caddy into the CD-ROM drive.

8. See the IRIX Admin: Software Installation and Licensing manual for complete instructions on loading software.

9. Load IRIX 5.3 or later; 6.0 or later for POWER Challenge; or IRIX 6.2 or later for the Challenge 10000 or POWER Challenge 10000, from the initial prompt. Select 2, as shown in the following example menu, to load the operating system from a CD-ROM FLD.:

System Maintenance Menu:

1) Start System

2) Install System Software

3) Run Diagnostics

4) Recover System

5) Enter Command Monitor

Option? 2 <Enter>

Installing System Software...

Press <Esc> to return to the menu.

1) Remote Tape 2) Remote Directory X) Local CD-ROM X)

Local Tape

Enter 1-4 to select source type, <Esc> to quit,

or <Enter> to start: :

If a CD-ROM or Local Tape is attached, a number will be listed next to them instead of an ’X’.

10. A series of dots appears as the operating system loads.

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Last modified:  Thursday, October 18, 2007