Chapter 8: Troubleshooting

Connection Problems

When you install your Promise product following the instructions in the Quick Start Guide and User Manual, you should have little trouble getting your equipment to work the first time. But connection problems can arise that are not the User's or Installer's fault. Every conceivable problem cannot be covered in the documentation but some guidelines could be helpful.

Connection problems cause a majority of failures in almost any electrical system. While the installation of the cables and components was correct, they don't function properly, or at all, because:

A connector is dirty or corroded

A connector is loose or damaged

A cable looks OK outside but has an open circuit inside

The wrong cable was used

VTraks ship with a full set of new cables and terminators, as required for each specific model. Be sure to use these components because: 1.) They are the proper ones for your RAID subsystem, 2.) They are in brand-new condition, and 3.) You paid for them with the purchase of your VTrak.

SCSI Connections

VTrak 15110 uses a network connection to pass command and management information. Data is transmitted via the SCSI bus.

SCSI connections are both physical (outside) and electrical (inside). You can see a physical connection, you can clean it or try a different cable on it. Electrical connections are made by firmware and software, such as when you set the SCSI IDs or addresses. SCSI chains are completely intolerant of ID conflicts. If you have a conflict, the devices on your SCSI chain will not work correctly until it is resolved. Check your VTrak Quick Start Guide (printed) or VTrak User Manual (on the software CD) plus the Console LUN Settings, Target ID Settings, Statistics and SCSI Information topics.

The VTrak RAID subsystem is sensitive to the presence of other devices on the SCSI chain. Do not connect other devices to the SCSI chain with a VTrak, except

for an other VTrak.

Serial Connections

VTrak uses a serial connection for a command line utility (CLU). Normally, users prefer WebPAM because of its graphic user interface. But the CLU can do the same jobs. And it will work when your network connection is down.

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Promise Technology 15110 user manual Connection Problems, Scsi Connections, Serial Connections