Apple NMB-003 manual RAID Overview, Setting Up the Xserve RAID System

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C H A P T E R

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RAID Overview

Xserve RAID provides a powerful, versatile, and cost-effective answer to the growing storage requirements of graphics and video production companies, email and web services, educational ﬁle sharing, and other businesses.

You can conﬁgure the Xserve RAID system in a variety of ways, using up to 14 drives in two groups of 7 drives. Each group has a separate RAID controller. The Xserve RAID hardware can support RAID levels 0, 1, 0+1, 3, or 5, and you can use the RAID software in Mac OS X to create the hybrid levels 10, 30, or 50. See “About RAID Storage” on page 58 for descriptions of RAID levels and storage methods.

Setting Up the Xserve RAID System

This manual includes an explanation of the RAID technology and instructions for conﬁguring your Xserve RAID system. The setup procedure involves these steps:

minstalling the hardware and setting up network and host connections

mdetermining the RAID levels, the number of RAID sets, and the conﬁgurations for your storage needs

minstalling or rearranging Apple Drive Modules in the Xserve RAID system for the conﬁguration you’ve selected, if necessary

mconﬁguring RAID sets using the RAID Admin software supplied with the system (and possibly also using Disk Utility in Mac OS X to augment sets)

mformatting the Xserve RAID sets with a ﬁle system on the host system using Disk Utility

Installing Xserve RAID Hardware and Software

Follow the instructions in Chapter 3, “Mounting Xserve RAID in a Rack,” on page 23 and Chapter 4, “Connecting Xserve RAID to a Host System and a Network,” on page 37 for hardware installation and connections. These include

minstalling the system in a rack or cabinet

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Contents User’s Guide Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved Apple Computer, IncContents Connecting Xserve RAID to a Host System and a Network Installing the SystemUsing the Xserve RAID System Installing or Replacing ComponentsConnecting a 14-Drive System to a Host Computer or Switch Installing Xserve RAID Hardware and SoftwareData Storage Methods RAID OverviewAppendix B Safety, Maintenance, and Ergonomics Glossary Appendix a SpecificationsAbout This Guide Page Introducing Xserve RAID Unpacking the System Introducing Xserve RAID Your System at a Glance-Front Panel Indicates temperature status green is OK, red is failure RAID Your System at a Glance-Back PanelRedundant, hot-swappable cooling module cools the system Your System at a Glance-Mounting Hardware Use this bar to fasten extenders C and D for a deep rack Page Guidelines for Installation Preparing to Install Xserve RAID in a RackPrecautions for Handling the System Use your leg muscles to liftChoosing the System’s Location in the Rack Lift with a smooth motion don’t jerk the load up or downRack Stability Electrical PowerSecurity Operating EnvironmentMounting Xserve RAID in a Rack Getting Ready to Install the System Determine the Position for the System in the Rack Installing the System Prepare the System for InstallationFollow the instructions in Unpacking the System on Assemble the Brackets and Extenders Two mounting screws for attaching the system to the rackTighten the screws and then remove the template Repeat this procedure for the second bracket and extender Six short screws for assembling two brackets and extenders Secure each bolt with a washer Adjust the mounting Mounting Xserve RAID in a Rack Mount the System in the Rack Secure the System in the Rack or Cabinet Moving the Xserve RAID System System and a Network Installing the Host Bus Adapter Card in the Host System Connecting Xserve RAID to a Host System or SwitchAbout Fibre Channel Connections and Cables Connecting the System to Xserve or a Power Mac G4 Connecting Xserve RAID to a Switch or Hub Removing Cables From the Xserve RAID and Host Systems Connecting to a Network Connecting Power to the System Connecting an Uninterruptible Power Supply Plug one of the system’s power cords into the UPSFollow these steps to connect a UPS unit to the system Starting Up the System Using the Xserve RAID SystemTurning Off the System Using Status Lights and Other IndicatorsLight manually check If the System Has a Problem Installing or Replacing an Apple Drive Module Follow these steps to install or replace a drive moduleAbout Replacing Components Security lock Follow these steps to replace a power supply Replacing a Power SupplyReplacing a Cooling Module Installing or Replacing Components Replacing a RAID Controller Module Installing or Replacing a Battery Module Obtaining Additional Replacement Components Installing the system in a rack or cabinet Setting Up the Xserve RAID SystemInstalling Xserve RAID Hardware and Software RAID OverviewAbout RAID Storage Connecting to an Ethernet networkScalability for expansion of storage How RAID WorksData Storage Methods RAID Levels RAID 0+1 requires a minimum of four drivesRAID 3 requires a minimum of three drives RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drivesHardware and Software RAID What’s Next? Planning RAID Storage For the Xserve RAID System Tools for Configuring the Xserve RAID SystemRAID Controllers and Drive Modules Drive modules Controllers Xserve RAID Schemes RAID RAID 0+1System With Four Drive Modules RAID 1 Schemes RAID 3 or RAID 0+1 and RAID 10 Schemes System With Seven Drive Modules RAIDDisk Mirror Mirror Mirror Hot spare RAID 3 or 5 Hot spare RAID 3 or Disk System With 14 Drive Modules RAID 0+1 Disk Hot spare RAID 1 and RAID 3 or Disk Mirrors RAID1 Hot spare RAID RAID 30 and 50 Schemes Storage Capacities for Xserve RAID Schemes Xserve RAID Hardware Connections Connecting a 14-Drive System to a Host Computer or Switch Connecting a Four-Drive System to a Host Computer or SwitchCommon RAID Terms GlossaryPage RAID Controller Specifications Fibre Channel PCI Card SpecificationsSpeciﬁcations Dimensions and Operating Environment Apple Drive Module SpecificationsEthernet Specifications UPS Interface SpecificationsPin D connector Power Supply Specifications Cooling Module SpecificationsBattery Module Optional Information Important Safety Information Safety, Maintenance, and ErgonomicsPower Supply Cleaning Your EquipmentHandling Your System Safety, Maintenance, and Ergonomics Page Complies with European Directive 89/336/EEC