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NEC Express 5800 Series User Manual
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NEC Express 5800 Series User Manual

NEC Express 5800 Series User Manual

Smart storage administrator
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Smart Storage Administrator

User Guide

NEC Express Server
Express 5800 Series
10.201.01-048.04
Feb 2018 4th Edition
Copyright© NEC Corporation 2018

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  • Page 1: User Guide

    Smart Storage Administrator User Guide NEC Express Server Express 5800 Series 10.201.01-048.04 Feb 2018 4th Edition Copyright© NEC Corporation 2018...
  • Page 2 (TM), (R) mark is not specified in this text. Notes No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of NEC Corporation. The contents of this manual may be revised without prior notice.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Overview ..............................5 Array and controller configuration ......................... 5 Smart Storage Administrator ..........................5 Accessing SSA ..............................7 Array configuration guidelines ..........................9 SSA graphical user interface ......................10 Using the SSA GUI ............................10 Icon and key stroke legend ..........................10 Navigating the GUI.............................
  • Page 4 Advanced scripting scenarios ........................... 85 XML support............................... 88 SSA scripting warning messages ........................91 SSA scripting error messages ........................... 91 Failure Notification ..........................97 RAID Report Service ............................. 97 About the service ............................... 97 Installing the service ............................97 Using the service ............................... 99 RAID Report Service notice message ......................

  • Page 5: Overview

    Overview Array and controller configuration You can configure arrays and controllers during the initial provisioning of the server or compute module and at any time after the initial configuration. Configuration tasks can be initiated using Smart Storage Administrator (accessible through EXPRESSBUILDER) or the System Utility. During the initial provisioning of the server or compute module, an array is required to be configured before the operating system can be installed.
  • Page 6  Applications can be executed using the following tools: All server platform host operating systems supported with server(For a list of supported operating systems, see a product page of server in the NEC Corporate Website (http://www.nec.com/)) EXPRESSBUILDER  All formats can run in both online and offline environments.

  • Page 7: Accessing Ssa

     Microsoft Internet Explorer 9.0 or later  Google Chrome For a list of supported controllers, see a product page of server in the NEC Corporate Website (http://www.nec.com/). Accessing SSA Accessing SSA in the offline environment To access and launch the SSA GUI in an offline environment, use one of the following methods: ...
  • Page 8 Linux 7.1 and later does not load sg driver automatically. You should load the driver and type 'modprobe sg' before running SSA or SSA-CLI. To use SSA in the online environment, obtain the executable files from NEC Corporate Website (http://www.nec.com/) or Starter Pack.

  • Page 9: Array Configuration Guidelines

    (Optional) To make newly created logical drives available for data storage, use the operating system disk management tools to create partitions and format the drives. Linux OS From any command prompt, enter one of the following: ssa –local SSA launches in a browser window. For a list of options, enter the following: ssa –h Array configuration guidelines...

  • Page 10: Ssa Graphical User Interface

    SSA graphical user interface Using the SSA GUI Access SSA with one of the many methods available:  Accessing SSA in the offline environment  Accessing SSA in the online environment When you launch the SSA GUI, the application opens and SSA scans the system and detects controllers. This process can last up to 2 minutes.

  • Page 11: Navigating The Gui

    Image Description Locked License Manager/Encryption Manager Cache Manager Array Diagnostic Smart SSD Wear Gauge Report None Keyboard functions and shortcuts can be used for navigating or performing actions in the GUI. Description Cycle through selectable items on a page Cycle backwards through selectable items on a page Shift + Tab Rescan system (equivalent to clicking the Rescan System button)
  • Page 12  The Smart Storage Administrator quick navigation menu is in the top, left-hand corner of the screen. Clicking the down arrow displays the available devices, and clicking one of the available devices displays additional information and options for the device. You can also return to a server Home screen, or you can choose Configuration or Diagnostics for a device listed.
  • Page 13 When a controller is selected, the following elements appear:  Controller Devices and Tools—This panel, at left, displays systems, controllers, arrays, physical devices, unassigned drives, cache managers, and license managers. The panel also displays encryption managers.  Actions—This panel, in the middle, provides the following information and functionality: Tasks that are available for the selected device based on its current status and configuration SSA graphical user interface 13...
  • Page 14 Options and information pertinent to the task, after a task is selected  Status Messages—This panel provides the following information and functionality: Status icons (critical, warning, and informational) with the number of individual alerts for each category A view all status messages link that displays device-specific alerts in a pop-up window ...
  • Page 15 For a list of possible tasks that are available on the Diagnostics screen, see "Diagnostic tasks." SmartSSD Wear Gauge Report The SmartSSD Wear Gauge Summary provides a brief overview of the following:  Total Solid State Drives with Wearout Status ...

  • Page 16: Configuration Tasks

    Configuration tasks From the Configure screen, you can perform tasks related to controllers, arrays, physical drives, and logical drives. When a controller or device is selected, the tasks that appear are a subset of the total number of possible tasks for the selected item. SSA lists or omits tasks based on the controller model and configuration. For example, if the selected controller has no unassigned physical drives, Create Array is not an available task.

  • Page 17: Performing A Configuration Task

    Item Tasks Erase Drive* Physical drive View Status Alerts Unassigned drives Create Array Erase Drive* More Information *This task is not supported. Performing a Configuration task Procedure Open SSA. For more information, see "Using the SSA GUI." Open the Configure panel by doing one of the following: Choose a device and click Configure in the quick navigation menu.

  • Page 18: Creating An Array

    Creating an array Procedure Open SSA. For more information, see "Using the SSA GUI." Open the Configure panel by doing one of the following: Choose a device and click Configure in the quick navigation menu. Select an available device from the Home screen, and then click Configure under the available options.

  • Page 19: Enabling Or Disabling Ssd Smart Path

    Configure the controller. See "Performing a Configuration task." When prompted, save the configuration. Do one of the following: Configure an additional controller. Repeat steps 3 through 5. Click Exit SSA. Enabling or disabling SSD Smart Path This Task is not supported. Rapid Parity Initialization Initializing rapid parity Procedure...

  • Page 20: Changing The Spare Activation Mode

    Select Parity Initialization Method to Rapid and make selections for RAID Level, Number of Parity Groups, Strip Size/Full Strip Size, Sectors/Track, Size, and Caching. Depending on the controller used and drives selected, your options may appear different from the image below. Click Create Logical Drive to continue.

  • Page 21: Changing The Spare Management Mode

    options. Select a controller from the Devices menu. The Actions panel appears. In the Actions panel, click Modify Spare Activation Mode. From the menu, select one of the following modes: Failure Spare Activation Predictive Spare Activation Click OK. Changing the Spare Management mode The Spare Management feature provides multiple methods for handling spare behavior.
  • Page 22 From the menu, select one of the following spare drive types: Dedicated Spare Drives Auto-Replace Drives Select which drives will operate as spare drives in the array. Click Save. SSA graphical user interface 22...

  • Page 23: Disabling Over Provisioning Optimization

    A confirmation screen appears. Click Manage Spare Drives to make additional selections, or click Finish. Disabling Over Provisioning Optimization Solid state devices can be optimized by deallocating all used blocks before any data is written to the drive. The optimization process is performed when the first logical drive in an array is created and when a physical drive is used to replace a failed drive.
  • Page 24 The Create Logical Drive window appears. Under the option SSD Over Provisioning Optimization, select Do not perform SSD Over Provisioning Optimization on the Array. Click Create Logical Drive. SSA graphical user interface 24...

  • Page 25: Setting Auto Raid 0

    Setting Auto RAID 0 CAUTION: If you select this option for any logical drives, you will experience data loss for that logical drive if one physical drive fails. Assign RAID 0 to drives that require large capacity and high speed, but pose no data safety risk. Auto Array RAID 0 creates a single RAID 0 volume on each physical drive specified, enabling the user to select multiple drives and configure as RAID 0 simultaneously.
  • Page 26 A new window appears, confirming RAID 0 configuration. Click Finish to complete. SSA graphical user interface 26...

  • Page 27: Modifying Parallel Surface Scan

    Modifying Parallel Surface Scan Procedure Open SSA. For more information, see "Using the SSA GUI." Select a controller. Click Modify Controller Settings. SSA graphical user interface 27...
  • Page 28 Under Current Parallel Surface Scan Count, use the slider to select the parallel surface scan count. SSA graphical user interface 28...

  • Page 29: Configuring Controller Cache

    Click Save Settings. A summary page appears. Click Finish to exit. Configuring controller cache Caching increases database performance by writing data to the cache memory, instead of directly to the logical drives. Caching can be disabled to reserve the cache module for other logical drives on the array. Procedure Open SSA.

  • Page 30: Smartcache

    Click Modify Caching Settings. Select one or more logical drives to be cached. Verify caching settings. Click OK. SmartCache This task is not supported. SSA graphical user interface 30...

  • Page 31: Working With Mirrored Arrays

    Caching write policies This task is not supported. Working with mirrored arrays Among the advanced tasks possible with the SSA GUI, you can split a mirrored array and then recombine it. This process entails splitting a RAID 1 or RAID 1+0 mirror into two identical new arrays consisting of RAID 0 logical drives.
  • Page 32 Recombining a split mirrored array Procedure Run the SSA GUI in offline mode. See "Accessing SSA in the offline environment." Open the Configure panel by doing one of the following: Choose a device and click Configure in the quick navigation menu. Select an available device from the Home screen, and then click Configure under the available options.

  • Page 33: Heal Array

    Re-mirror the array and roll back to the contents of the backup array. Discard existing data. This option re-creates the mirrored array but restores its original contents, which are in the backup array. NEC recommends that you do not perform this option under the following circumstances: In an online environment...

  • Page 34: Encryption Manager

    If a reboot is required to change settings, SSA generates a warning. Minimum power When settings are selected without regard to system performance, maximum power savings is achieved. NEC recommends this setting for very specific applications, but it is not appropriate for the majority of customers.

  • Page 35: Viewing Controller Status

    Modifying power modes Procedure Open SSA. For more information, see "Using the SSA GUI." Select the controller. Click on Configure. Click Modify Power Mode. Select a power mode: Min Power Balanced Max Performance Click OK. A summary page appears. Click Finish to exit. Viewing controller status Use the SSA GUI to view the controller status, including the status of the cache and an attached battery or capacitor.

  • Page 36: Options For Erasing Drives

    Options for erasing drives This task is not supported. Erasing a drive This task is not supported. Managing FLS This task is not supported. Diagnostic tasks SSA generates the following reports and logs:  Array diagnostic report This report contains information about all devices, such as array controllers, storage enclosures, drive cages, as well as logical, physical, and tape drives.

  • Page 37: Performing A Diagnostics Task

     Partition types, sizes, or layout  Software RAID information  Operating system device names or mount points Performing a Diagnostics task Procedure Open SSA. For more information, see "Using the SSA GUI." Open the Diagnostics panel by doing one of the following: Select a device and click Diagnose in the quick navigation menu.
  • Page 38  "Identifying and viewing diagnostic report files"  "Identifying and viewing SmartSSD Wear Gauge report files" SSA graphical user interface 38...

  • Page 39: Ssa Cli

    SSA CLI Using the SSA CLI Access SSA with one of the many methods available:  Accessing SSA in the offline environment  Accessing SSA in the online environment Some SSA CLI features are only available in the offline environment, such as setting the boot controller and boot volume.

  • Page 40: Opening The Cli In Command Mode

    The remaining examples in the SSA CLI section of this guide are described as if entered in Console mode. Opening the CLI in Command mode To use Command mode, identify the appropriate SSA CLI command ("The <command> variable"). Then, add the command to the end of the text line that is used for opening the CLI in Console mode.
  • Page 41 help rescan shorthand show version A command often requires a parameter, and some parameters require a value, but the specific parameters and values that are valid for a given command depend on the target to which you apply the command. To determine the valid parameters and values for a particular combination of target and command variables, you can query the device.
  • Page 42 Keyword Keyword Abbreviation in Abbreviation in SSA CLI SSA CLI rebuildpriority configurationmode serialnumber connectionname ctrl spareactivationmode controller ssdoverprovisioningoptimizati ssdopo ctrlpath ssdpd ssdphysicaldrive degradedperformancemode stripesize drivetype surfaceanalysiseventnotify saen drivewritecache surfacescandelay elevatorsort surfacescanmode enclosure sufacescanpriority exitonerror tapedrive expandpriority waitforcacheroom wfcr inconsistencyrepairpolicy — —...
  • Page 43 Queue Depth: Automatic Monitor and Performance Delay: 60 min Elevator Sort: Enabled Degraded Performance Optimization: Disabled Inconsistency Repair Policy: Disabled Write Cache Bypass Threshold Size: 1040 KiB Wait for Cache Room: Disabled Surface Analysis Inconsistency Notification: Disabled Post Prompt Timeout: 15 secs Cache Board Present: True Cache Status: OK Cache Ratio: 10% Read / 90% Write...
  • Page 44 => ctrl all show Because this target consists of several devices, the output will be brief. A typical output would be: HPE Smart Array P408i-a SR Gen10 in Slot 0 (Embedded) (sn: PEYHC0XRH570YT) HPE Smart Array P408e-p SR Gen10 in Slot 1 (sn: HSJ08SW3JCUSXZ) Example 3: =>...

  • Page 45: Typical Procedures

    The boot controller is the first controller that the system examines (after power up) to find a bootable logical drive or volume. The controller boots from the first logical drive by default. NEC recommends leaving the default setting in place. This will prevent an error when booting after replacing the boot volume or controller.
  • Page 46 Setting the target If you must perform several operations on a given target device, you can simplify the required commands by setting the device as the default <target> for the CLI operations. After you have set the target, any command that you enter in the CLI without a specified <target> is automatically applied to the set target.

  • Page 47: Generating A Diagnostic Report

    devices. After an hour, the LEDs stop flashing. You can also stop LED flashing by entering the off command. Syntax: <target> modify led=on|off Example commands: => ctrl slot=0 modify led=on => ctrl slot=0 array A modify led=off Deleting target devices Syntax: <target>...
  • Page 48 Rescanning the system A rescan detects devices that have been added to the system since the previous rescan or since the SSA CLI was started, whichever is more recent. Syntax: Use the word rescan directly at the SSA CLI prompt, without any target device or parameters. Example command: =>...
  • Page 49 however, it is often easier to specify every drive in the array than to parse out the array ID. When you use the drives parameter you can list each drive individually, you can specify a drive range, or you can specify both a range and some individual drives. A drive range can span ports, boxes, and bays. If you specify individual drives, they do not have to form a continuous sequence.
  • Page 50 => ctrl slot=0 create type=ld drives=1I:1:2,1I:1:3 size=300 raid=? The response in this case is: Available options are: 1 (default value) Now, create the new array: => ctrl slot=0 create type=ld drives=1:13,1:14 size=300 raid=1 It is not strictly necessary to specify the RAID level in this example because it is the highest possible level for this scenario and will be used by default.
  • Page 51 Syntax: <target> modify [newarray=] Command examples: ctrl slot=1 ld 3 modify newarray=C ctrl slot=1 ld 3 modify newarray=? // shows the available arrays To move a logical drive and create a new array, use the following information. Syntax: <target> modify [drives=[#: ]#:#,[#: ]#:#,[#: ]#:#–[#: ]#:#,...] Command examples: ctrl slot=1 ld 3 modify drives=2e:1:1-2e:1:4 ctrl slot=1 ld 3 modify drives=? // shows the available drives...

  • Page 52: Managing Spare Drives

    controller slot=1 show ssdinfo controller all show ssdinfo controller all show ssdinfo detail controller all show ssdinfo summary SmartCache in SSACLI This command is not supported. SSD Smart Path This command is not supported. Rapid Parity Initialization methods RAID levels that use parity (RAID 5, RAID 6 (ADG), RAID 50, and RAID 60) require that the parity blocks be initialized to valid values.
  • Page 53 Syntax: <target> add spares=[#:]#:#,[#:]#:#,[#:]#:#–[#:]#:#,...|allunassigned [forced] <target> remove spares=[#:]#:#,[#:]#:#,[#:]#:#–[#:]#:#,...|all where <target> is an array (or logical drive, if the array contains only one logical drive). The forced parameter represses any warning message prompts. If you specify a drive range, any drives in the range that do not meet the previous criteria are not used.
  • Page 54 Syntax: <target> add drives=[#:]#:#,[#:]#:#,[#:]#:#–[#:]#:#,...|allunassigned [forced] where <target> is an array (or a logical drive, if the array contains only one logical drive). The forced parameter represses any warning message prompts. If you specify a drive range, any drives in the range that do not meet the previous criteria are not used.
  • Page 55 <target> modify drives=[#:]#:#-[#:]#:# where <target> is an array, and the specified physical drives are the new destination for the array. For example, in an existing array, three 72-GB SAS drives (1e:1:4-1e:1:6) are the source. Another drive of the same size is the spare (1e:1:9). With all criteria met, you can move the array to three different 72-GB SAS drives by specifying the new destination drives in the command (1e:1:12-1e:1:14).
  • Page 56 Syntax: <target> modify size=#|max|? [forced] where <target> is a logical drive. If the operating system does not support logical drive extension, carrying out this command makes data on the logical drive unavailable. Therefore, the CLI displays a warning prompt as a safeguard in case you are using such an operating system.
  • Page 57 failure occurs. If the array does not have an online spare, rebuilding begins when the failed physical drive is replaced. Syntax: <target> modify rp=high|mediumhigh|medium|low|? where <target> is a controller. Example command => ctrl slot=3 modify rp=high Changing the Expand Priority setting The Expand Priority setting determines the urgency with which the controller treats an internal command to expand an array.
  • Page 58 Target: The target can be any valid controller. Example commands: controller slot=1 modify surfacescanmode=idle surfacescandelay=3 parallelsurfacescancount=16 controller slot=1 modify parallelsurfacescancount=16 ctrl slot=3 modify pssc=16 Re-enabling a failed logical drive If a logical drive has failed and the data on it is invalid or non-recoverable, you can re-enable the logical drive so that it can be reused.
  • Page 59 where <target> is a logical drive. Example command: => ctrl slot=3 ld 1 modify aa=enable Enabling a script to exit on error When a script encounters an error during execution, the exitonerror keyword enables the script to decide whether to continue or to exit the application and return an exit code. When exitonerror is enabled, the last command line entry will cause the application to exit.

  • Page 60: Encryption Commands

    Managing FLS This command is not supported. Managing modes This command is not supported. Power mode IMPORTANT: A reboot may be required after switching power modes in order to optimize savings and performance. IMPORTANT: When the power mode is set to Balanced, future controller configuration changes may require a reboot for optimal performance.

  • Page 61: Ssa Scripting

    SSA Scripting Using SSA scripting The SSA Scripting application has two scripting modes:  Capture mode for capturing a configuration SSA inspects the configuration of all internal and external array controllers connected to the server and then writes a script file describing this configuration. ...
  • Page 62 options in the file as necessary for the target system. This method is useful for applying a standard configuration to several servers that have similar storage resources.  Write an original script. Each line of text in an SSA script file is in the format option=value and can be written in uppercase or lowercase letters.
  • Page 63 ; Caching Array Options ; There can be only one Caching Array specification in the file CachingArray = A|B|C|D|E|F|…Z|AA|AB|AC… Drive = Port:ID,... | Box:Bay,... | Port:Box:Bay,... ; Logical Drive Options ; There can be multiple logical drive specifications in the file ;...

  • Page 64: Script File Options

    WriteCacheBypassThreshold= 1040 RebuildPriority= Low ExpandPriority= Medium ParallelSurfaceScanCount= 1 SurfaceScanMode= Idle SurfaceScanDelay= 3 Latency= Disable DriveWriteCache= Disabled NoBatteryWriteCache= Disabled MNPDelay= 60 IRPEnable= Disabled DPOEnable= Disabled ElevatorSortEnable= Enabled QueueDepth= Automatic PredictiveSpareActivation= Disable ; Unassigned Drives ; 1I:1:2 (SATA HDD, 6000.0 GB), 1I:1:3 (SATA HDD, 6000.0 GB), 1I:1:4 (SATA HDD, 6000.0 GB) ;...

  • Page 65: Control Category

    The options for each category are listed in the following table and described in more detail in the remainder of this section. Category Options Description Action These options define the overall behavior of SSA when it Control Method processes scripts and creates configurations. Control options can occur only once in a script file and must be listed first.

  • Page 66: Controller Category

     Action mode  Method mode Action mode You must specify an Action mode:  In Configure mode, you can create new arrays, but you cannot modify existing arrays. The controller must be connected to unassigned physical drives for this mode to be available. ...
  • Page 67  SurfaceScanDelayExtended  Video performance options Controller You must enter a value for this option because it identifies the controller that you want to configure:  All—Configure all detected internal and external controllers in the system.  Slot N[:N]—Configure the internal controller in slot number N. External controllers can be identified by appending the Port Number.
  • Page 68 IRPEnable This option is not supported. LicenseKey, DeleteLicenseKey These options are not supported. MNPDelay This option is not supported. NoBatteryWriteCache With this option, the controller can enable write cache when no battery is present or when the battery fails. Values are Enable or Disable. The default is Disable. Some controllers do not support this option.
  • Page 69 The allowable cache ratios depend on the controller model and whether it has battery-backed write cache. RebuildPriority, ExpandPriority These options establish the priority for rebuild and expand functions. Rebuild has four possible values: Low, Medium, MediumHigh, and High. MediumHigh is only available when Rapid Parity Initialization is enabled. Expand has only three possible values: Low, Medium, and High.
  • Page 70  In Configure mode, SSA creates a new array. The value that you specify for the array option must be the next available letter or pair of letters in the sequence, according to the number of existing arrays on the controller.
  • Page 71 DriveType This option specifies the interface type for drives that SSA Scripting must use to build the array. Choose one of the valid drive types: [SCSI | SAS | SATA | SATASSD | SASSSD] The value is often used with the wildcard (*) or number argument for Drive. OnlineSpareMode The value for this option specifies the behavior of the spare drives when they are activated.
  • Page 72 SplitMirror uses the following commands:  SplitWithBackup: The mirrored array is split into two new arrays and the newly created array is hidden from the OS.  Rollback: The two arrays are recombined using the backup array as source data. Any changes made to the online array are lost.
  • Page 73  In Configure mode, SSA accepts only the ID number of the next possible logical drive.  In Reconfigure mode, SSA also accepts the ID number of any existing logical drive. Caching logical drives and cached data drives must be on the same Array Controller. CachedLogicalDrive The value that you enter for this option specifies the data logical drive ID number to associate with the Caching logical drive.
  • Page 74 Do not mix Renumber and Join operations in the same script, because SSA Scripting does not update its internal state after a renumber. If other commands are mixed with Renumber, commands targeting specific volumes might target the incorrect volume. Repeat The value you enter for this option specifies the number of times that SSA is to repeat this logical drive configuration.
  • Page 75 without rounding. When SSA Scripting captures a configuration, it reports volume sizes rounded down to the nearest MB. When the capture is played back, the size is reduced to fit within the already rounded MB size. This option prevents the loss of volume size over successive generations of captures. However, if the size does not fit the geometry of the array, caused by different disks or RAID levels, the size will be rounded down to fit the geometry.
  • Page 76 Split/Join scripting The SPLITMIRROR command enables you to split or join arrays and their associated drives. It is possible to execute the command only after starting the script with the -offline command in the CLI. The target volumes for the join operation cannot be in use by the operating system. Initial configuration example In this example, two arrays are each set up with a logical drive, and three physical drives (PDrives) between them.
  • Page 77  Recreates the original array  Retains data from Logical Drive 1  Removes Logical Drive 3, along with all data To keep the modifications made to Logical Drive 1 after the SPLITMIRROR: Action= Reconfigure Method= Custom Controller= SLOT 6 Array= A SplitMirror= Remirror After the command executes, Array C is removed and physical drive 2 (PDrive2) is now a mirror of PDrive1,...

  • Page 78: Basic Scripting Scenarios

    Basic scripting scenarios Configure a two-disk array Task Create a simple two-disk array with a 100 GB RAID 1 logical volume. Hardware configuration  Storage system  An unconfigured RAID Controller in slot 1 If the controller contains an existing configuration, the script fails unless you add the -reset parameter to the command line to clear the existing configuration.
  • Page 79 Summary The script modifies the size of the logical drive only, because multiple transformations of a logical drive cannot be performed at the same time. For example, SSA Scripting must complete the size expansion before beginning another transformation, such as a RAID level change. To modify existing arrays and volumes, the SSA GUI may be a more intuitive tool for some users.
  • Page 80 Controller=Slot1 Array=A Drive=2 DriveType=SAS Logic alDrive=1 RAID=0 Summary This script does not specify a size, but uses the MAX default value to consume the fully available capacity of the physical drives. SSA Scripting does not support arrays with mixed drive types. An array must comprise drives of the same type, for example all SAS or all SATA drives.

  • Page 81: Advanced Commands

    not have the required number of disks connected. Advanced commands Controller=ALL You can use Controller=All instead of the Slot=N command. Advantages  You do not need to determine where controllers are installed.  You can target all controllers at once. Examples Change read cache to 100% on all controllers (only configured controllers, those with volumes, accept this command):...
  • Page 82 Controller=First Array=A Drive=1E:1:1, 1E:1:2 LogicalDrive=1 RAID=1 Array=Next You can use Array=Next instead of the Array=A command. Advantage You do not need to know how many arrays exist. The scripting software selects the next valid array identifier. Example Add one array to the configuration, regardless of how many arrays already exist: Controller=Slot1 Array=Next Drive=1E:1:1, 1E:1:2...
  • Page 83 Drive=N You can use Drive=N instead of specifying the actual paths (Drive=1E:1:1, 1E:1:2). Advantage You can specify the number of drives needed for the configuration, and the scripting software selects the first available drives based on increasing path. This command is most useful when all drives in the configuration are the same size.
  • Page 84 OnlineSpare=* You can use OnlineSpare=* instead of specifying the actual paths (OnlineSpare=1E:1:1, 1E:1:2). Advantage You can use all available, unassigned drives as spares for the configuration without knowing the number of drives available or their actual paths. Observe the following guidelines: ...

  • Page 85: Advanced Scripting Scenarios

    Example Create an array with a max sized bootable volume from a 3 TB disk at 1I:1:1: Controller= Slot 1 Array= Next Drive= 1I:1:1 LogicalDrive=Next RAID= 0 Size= MAXMBR SizeBlocks=N You can use this option to capture the exact number of 512-byte blocks in a volume, and then to recreate the exact size when playing back a capture.
  • Page 86 Add a simple volume on systems with mixed controller and physical disk configurations Task Add a simple, one-disk RAID 0 volume on each system, using one script. However, do not add a new volume to systems booting from an external controller. Hardware configuration The administrator has 500 systems, some with embedded controllers, some with controllers in expansion slots, and some booting from an external controller.
  • Page 87 Create the maximum size bootable volume Task When more than 2TiB of disk space is available, use all possible physical disks to create an array, create the maximum sized boot volume, and then consume the remaining space in another volume. Hardware configuration The administrator has an unconfigured system with a controller.

  • Page 88: Xml Support

    Summary To create a logical drive that uses the exact same configuration of another logical drive, use the SizeBlocks parameter to specify the size, thus avoiding the rounding that can occur with the Size parameter. XML support SSA scripting supports an XML file format for input and output. XML output To create an XML output document, use an XML suffix with the output file name: C:\ssascripting -c out.xml...
  • Page 89 <Sectors>32</Sectors> <StripeSize>256</StripeSize> <Caching>Enabled</Caching> <VolumeUniqueID>600508B1001CD47034E0898B726239A7</VolumeUniqueID> </LogicalDrive> </Array> <Array ID="B"> <DriveType>SATA</DriveType> <FreeSpaceKB>0</FreeSpaceKB> <!-- 1I:1:2 (SATA HDD, 6000.0 GB) --> <Drive>1I:1:2</Drive> <OnlineSpare>No</OnlineSpare> <LogicalDrive ID="2"> <Raid>0</Raid> <Size>5722013</Size> <!--SizeBlocks= 11718684464 --> <Sectors>32</Sectors> <StripeSize>256</StripeSize> <Caching>Enabled</Caching> <VolumeUniqueID>600508B1001CFD8A058129B9AB43121A</VolumeUniqueID> </LogicalDrive> </Array> <!-- PORT Specifications --> <Port ID="1I"> <!-- PortMode>Mixed</PortMode --> </Port>...
  • Page 90 Standard format XML format </Config.document> XML input file DTD The following DTD outlines the parameters for an SSA scripting XML input file. <!DOCTYPE Config.document [ <!ELEMENT Config.document ( Action, Method, Controller+ ) > <!ELEMENT Action ( Configure | Reconfigure ) > <!ELEMENT Method ( Auto | Custom ) >...

  • Page 91: Ssa Scripting Warning Messages

    SSA scripting warning messages Warning Warning message Comment or clarification code License key is already installed The input file specified a license key. However, a 4000 license key is already installed on the controller. Clear configuration command failed - The -reset option was used on a controller that 4001 configuration is already cleared does not have a configuration.
  • Page 92 Error code Error message Comment or clarification Input mode only. Invalid Rebuild Priority The specified rebuild priority is not supported. 2823 Invalid Expand Priority The specified expand priority is not supported. This 2824 error also occurs if the controller does not allow expansion, and therefore does not support expand priority.
  • Page 93 Error code Error message Comment or clarification has no free space. Invalid RAID The specified RAID level is invalid or is not possible 2842 with the current physical disk and array configuration. Invalid Size The specified size is invalid or is not possible with 2843 the current configuration.
  • Page 94 Error code Error message Comment or clarification Invalid Option The value of the option supplied to this parameter is 3000 invalid. Invalid Command The command is invalid. 3001 Command Failed The controller returned an error for a command. 3002 SSA is unable to delete the license key. License Key Delete Failed 3003 Invalid Sector Size...
  • Page 95 Error code Error message Comment or clarification Invalid Drive Cache setting. Valid options are — 3028 ENABLE and DISABLE. Invalid or out of order Command Verify the ordering of the commands in the input 3029 configuration file. Expecting a valid array in Reconfigure mode Invalid or missing Array for Reconfigure 3030 Invalid or missing Filename for Firmware...
  • Page 96 Error code Error message Comment or clarification command when encryption was disabled. Login required for this Encryption command A login is required before the encryption command 3060 can be attempted. Plaintext volumes are not allowed The option to create future plaintext volumes was 3061 not selected when initially configuring the encryption configuration.

  • Page 97: Failure Notification

    RAID Report Service notifies OS log (Windows: Event Log, Linux: syslog) of the event which occurred to RAID Controllers and attached devices in Windows and Linux. This utility alerts influential events to NEC ESMPRO Manager by event monitoring system of NEC ESMPRO ServerAgentService. Install RAID Report Service, NEC ESMPRO ServerAgentService and set SNMP Service to send traps, then NEC ESMPRO ServerAgentService automatically alerts events of RAID system reported by RAID Report Service.
  • Page 98 # ./setup.sh --install By default, installed in following directory. /opt/nec/raidsrv Installing the Starter Pack Get Starter Pack from Option or NEC Corporate Website (http://www.nec.com/). Procedure Microsoft OS Sign-in to the Windows with Administrators privilege. Put on the Starter Pack in media drive.

  • Page 99: Using The Service

    # unzip ./EXPRESSBUILDER8_*.zip Add execute permission to raidsrvSetup.sh and run. # chmod 755 ./raidsrvSetup.sh # ./raidsrvSetup.sh By default, installed in following directory. /opt/nec/raidsrv Uninstalling the service Procedure Microsoft OS Sign-in to the Windows with Administrators privilege. Uninstall with [Programs and Features] of Control Panel.

  • Page 100: Raid Report Service Notice Message

    RAID Report Service notice message priority, facility kind priority facility service warning daemon raidsrv warning daemon raidsrv error Event List Additional information is before and behind each event message. Example: [%1 %2] Physical Device is Failed. %3 %1: RAID Contoroller and PCI slot %2: Location of Physical Devices or Logical Drive ID %3: Additional information according to the occurrence event Event ID...
  • Page 101 Python Software Foundation License Python2.7 The 3-Clause BSD License jsonpatch jsonpointer decorator cereal Linux The 3-Clause BSD License cereal Failure Notification 101...

  • Page 102: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Diagnostic report About the function Diagnostic report collects all possible information about storage devices in the system, detects all problems, and provides a detailed configuration report in .zip format. The utility generates two types of reports:  Array diagnostic report This report contains information about all devices, such as array controllers, storage enclosures, drive cages, as well as logical, physical, and tape drives.
  • Page 103 remaining for SSD attached to the system. For discovered SSDs, the report summary page provides the following calculated totals:  Total Solid State Drives with Wearout Status  Total RAID Controller Solid State Drives  Total Non RAID Controller Solid State Drives ...

  • Page 104: Diagnostic Report Procedures

    Diagnostic report procedures Viewing the diagnostic report Procedure Browse to the .zip file you created using the SSA. Open the HTML file to view the report. Identifying and viewing diagnostic report files The diagnostic report output archive contains the following files: ...

  • Page 105: Diagnosing Array Problems

    Array controllers produce diagnostic error messages (POST messages) at reboot. Many POST messages suggest corrective actions.  Smart Storage Administrator This utility uses it through EXPRESSBUILDER. Also you can get it from Starter Pack or NEC Corporate Website (http://www.nec.com/). For more information about SSA, see "About SSA".

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