AX100-Series

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Revision A01

June 9, 2004

This document explains how to restore an SPs boot image. Read it when an SP does not start properly and its fault light blinks four times a second. The cause may be that the SPs boot image has been damaged and is unusable. Topics in this document include

Definitions ............................................................................................. 2 Restoring an SP Boot Image................................................................ 3 Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP......................................... 11

CAUTION Do not attempt the restoration procedure without the assistance of your authorized service provider.

Definitions

Definitions
Boot partition A reserved space on one disk, mirrored on another disk, that holds the SPs operating system. Each SP loads its operating system from one of its boot partitions when powered up or reset. Image repository A reserved space that holds images you can use to restore an SPs boot image. Primary boot disk The smaller numbered disk in the mirrored boot pair for an SP. For SP A, it is disk 0; for SP B, disk 1. SP boot light The amber status lamp visible from the back of an SP. The speed at which it blinks indicates the SP startup operation, as follows:

Every 4 seconds - The SP is running powerup diagnostics. Every second - The SP is running software diagnostics. Four times a second - The SP is starting up (booting). Off - The SP is running normally.

Secondary boot disk The greater numbered disk in the mirrored pair for an SP. For SP A, it is disk 2; for SP B, disk 3. Utility partition A reserved space on the first four drives of a storage system that holds software to perform recovery. Locations of Boot and Utility Partitions and Image Repository
Disks 0 SP A primary boot partition SP B primary utility partition Image Repository 1 SP B primary boot partition SP A primary utility partition Image Repository 2 SP A secondary boot partition SP B Secondary Utility Partition Image Repository 3 SP A secondary boot partition SP A secondary utility partition

What Next?

Continue to the next section for information on restoring a boot image.

Definitions

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

This section describes recovering the SP boot image for a storage processor in an AX100 storage system. Follow this procedure if an SP hangs during startup and cannot boot. An SP indicates that it is trying to boot by flashing the amber light on its back panel four times a second. If it cannot boot, it continues flashing the light four times each second. Normally, you can recover an SPs boot image using the steps in this section. But if no valid SP boot image exists on your storage system, you will need to use FTP to load one. If you must use FTP, a step in this section will direct you to the pertinent section.

Connecting the Cables

1. Connect the RJ45-DB9 adapter cable and a DB9-DB9 cables together. These were supplied with your storage system. 2. Connect the joined cables between the server or laptops COM 1 or COM 2 port (the port you chose for Hyperterm above) and the serial port of the SP that will not boot. Figure 1 shows a cable connection between a COM port and SP A.
UPS
+-

Serial
00

LAN

COM 1 or COM 2

EMC2939

Figure 1

Connecting a Server/Laptop COM Port to an SP Serial Port

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Starting a Hyperterm Session

A Hyperterm session lets you communicate with a device connected over a COM port, such as an SP. 1. To start a Hyperterm session, follow this path: Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > Hyperterminal 2. When the software asks for a name, create a meaningful name; for example, AX100; then click OK. The software displays a Connect to screen. 3. In the Connect using box, select COM1 or COM2 from the pull-down list. The software displays a settings screen. 4. Select the following settings: Bits per second: 9600 Data bits: 8 Parity: None Stop bits: 1 Flow Control: None 5. Click OK. The Hyperterm session is now running, as you can see from the timer displayed at the lower left of the screen. You will use this session to communicate with the SP.

Recovery Procedure
1. Reset the problem SP. The easiest way to do this is to unplug and then plug in the line cord to the SPs power supply. See Figure 2. Be prepared to watch for the alphabetic power-up test display in the Hyperterm window.

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Retention Bail

EMC2801

Figure 2

Removal of SP Power Cord from Power Supply

The SP will begin its boot sequence and run diagnostic tests. Look for an alphabetical sequence to begin. 2. When the alphabetical test starts, press the Esc key as shown next.

Press the Esc key here.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

The screen displays the following message: Contact your Service Representative... 3. Type DB_key (case sensitive) and press Enter to display the Diagnostic Menu.

4. Select DDBS Service Sub-Menu to display the DDBS Service Sub-Menu.

AX100 HyperTerminal

5. On the DDBS Service Sub-Menu, select the Utility Partition Boot option. This tells the SP to boot from its Utility Partition.

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

The SP boots from its utility partition and displays lots of status messages and eventually a status summary as follows. This normally takes 2-4 minutes and might take longer. Be patient.

6. Press Enter to continue to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main Menu.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

7.

Select Install Images from the menu. The software displays a Select Images to Install screen.

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

8. Select the recovery image to install. The correct filename has the form FLARExxx.mif. If there is no filename with the form FLARExxx.mif, then no recovery image exists. You must obtain one from an outside site. You cannot continue with this procedure. Do not type anything now, but skip to the section Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP on page 11. After you have specified an image, the software displays the Confirm Image Installation screen. 9. Enter y if the image selection is correct. The software displays the Select Storage Processors to Install screen. 10. Select the SP you want to recover. Choose This SP since this is the SP you physically connected via the serial cable. For example, if you are restoring the image to SP B, select SP B only. Do not try to restore images to both SPs in one procedure. After you have selected an SP, the software copies the image to the boot drives of that SP. It displays a screen similar to the following that shows the percentage copied. The copy may take up to 5 minutes. Be patient.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

11. Verify that the operation completed successfully. You will see the word Success as shown above. 12. Press Enter to continue. The software displays the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main Menu. 13. Select the Reset Storage Processor option from the Utility Toolkit Menu. The SP boots using the image you selected. It boots three times, and each boot may take up to 3 minutes. Be patient. After the SP reboots, the amber LED on the SP back panel should be off. You can now manage the SP using Navisphere. 14. Disconnect the cables from the SP and the server/laptop and store them in a safe place. 15. Close your Hyperterm session. You have restored an SP boot image. Congratulations.

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Restoring an SP Boot Image

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

This section explains how to load and use an SP boot recovery image using FTP (Internet File Transfer Protocol). Use this procedure with a single SP system if there is no usable recovery image in the storage system. The software is displaying the Select Images to Install screen (without a file of the form FLARExxx.mif) as shown next.

1. Obtain a recovery file, or information on how to access a recovery file, from your authorized service provider. The recovery filename has the form FLARExxxx.mif. 2. On the Select Images to Install screen, press the Enter key without specifying a number. The software displays the Confirm Image Installation screen. 3. Enter n.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

The software displays the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Screen Main Menu.

4. Select Enable LAN Service Port. The software displays the Enable LAN Service Port screen and prompts for network information. 5. As prompted, enter the IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway of the SP you connected to the serial port. The software confirms the settings you entered and asks for confirmation. The entire screen, with the information you entered, appears similar to the following.

6. If the settings are correct, enter y.

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

7. Enter y to continue. 8. Open a browser or an FTP client software package. Use the form ftp://ip-address, where ip-address is the SPs IP address; for example, ftp://10.14.17.120. When the software makes the connection, a log-in window appears.

9. At the login prompt, enter the username clariion (if not already present) and the password clariion! 10. Use your browser to select the recovery file obtained from your service provider, and drag and drop it into the FTP window, as shown in the following two screens.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

11. Return to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit window, which is still open, and select Install Images. 12. Select the image you just copied using FTP. 13. Confirm your selection. 14. Select the SP you want to recover. Choose This SP since this is the SP you physically connected via the serial cable. For example, if you are restoring the image to SP B, select SP B only. Do not try to restore images to both SPs in one procedure.

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

After you select an SP, the software copies the image to the boot drives of that SP. It displays a screen similar to the following that shows the percentage copied. The copy may take up to 5 minutes. Be patient.

15. Verify that the operation completed successfully. You will see the word Success as shown on the screen above. 16. Press Enter to continue. This returns display to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main Menu. 17. Now you can install the SP image in the system repository. This will let you restore the image without using FTP in the unlikely event the SP image becomes unusable again. To install the SP image in the repository: a. Select Image Repository Sub-Menu. b. Select the option Copy files from RAM disk to Image Repository. c. Select the file you just copied using FTP. d. Press Enter to continue. The software copies the image into the repository.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

e. Enter 1 to return to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main Menu. 18. Select the Reset Storage Processor option from the Utility Toolkit Main Menu. The SP boots using the image you selected. It boots three times, and each boot may take up to 3 minutes. Be patient. After the SP reboots, the amber LED on the SP back panel should be off. You can manage the SP using Navisphere. 19. Disconnect the cables from the SP and the server/laptop and store them in a safe place. 20. Close your Hyperterm session. You have restored an SP boot image. Congratulations.

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Trademark Information
EMC2, EMC, CLARiiON, and Navisphere are registered trademarks and Access Logix, SnapView and MirrorView are trademarks of EMC Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP