Promise Technology M300i, M500i, M500f, M300p, M500p, M300f ISCSI Connections, Serial Connections

Chapter 8: Troubleshooting

SCSI “Out” connectors

This means you can, for example, connect your Host PC to one of the VTrak’s SCSI “In” ports without the need of an external SCSI terminator. You can also connect both SCSI connectors in a “daisy-chain” with other VTraks.

Be sure to enable termination on the last VTrak in the chain. Promise recommends that you attach the SCSI cable to the “In” connector and set the internal termination to “On” or “Automatic”.

Or you can attach the SCSI cable to the “Out” connector and install a physical terminator (not supplied) onto the “In” connector.

iSCSI Connections

A recent variation of the SCSI interface is Internet SCSI (iSCSI), which converts SCSI commands to TCP/IP commands for communication over a network. VTrak uses two Gigabit Ethernet network connections to move data under the iSCSI protocol. The iSCSI ports will accept IP address assignments from a DHCP server. Also, you can use WebPAM PRO for the initial setup.

Serial Connections

VTrak uses a serial connection for the command line interface (CLI) and the command line utility (CLU). After you set the IP address, you can access the CLI and CLU through a network connection, also. Normally, users prefer WebPAM PROe because of its graphic user interface. But the CLI and CLU can do the same jobs. And they will work when your network connection is down.

For VTrak, you must use the CLI or CLU to set the Management Port IP address in order for WebPAM PROe to connect with it. See “VTrak Setup with CLI or CLU” on page 29. This issue is discussed further under Network Connections (below). See the “Set Up Serial Cable Connections” on page 25 for more information on making the connection.

The CLI and CLU control and manage but they do not move data. They communicates through a null-modem cable, supplied with the VTrak. A straight- through serial cable will not work for this purpose. You may choose not use the CLI or CLU often and want to disconnect and store the cable. Consider leaving it connected, to be sure it will be there when you need it.

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