HSZ80 Array Controller Software


		Updated: 28 January 1999

Software Product Description Home

HSZ80 Array Controller Software

SPD 70.48.01

Description

HSZ80 Solutions Software provides Array Controller Software (ACS) for products that utilize Compaq's HSZ80 Array Controller. These products include the RAID Array 8000 and the ESA 12000 storage subsystems.

Platform O.S. Versions

   DIGITAL UNIX 4.0D and 4.0E
   OpenVMS Alpha 7.1 and 7.2
   IBM AIX 4.2 and 4.3

HSZ80 Array Controller Software is designed to be common across multiple operating system platforms. However, there may be operational differences between platforms, and there may also be features that are not supported on every platform. Platform dependencies, feature restrictions and requirements for host software and hardware are shown in the individual host platform kit, HSZ80 Solution Software Kit. These kits must be purchased separately, one per operating system.

Controller Software for HSZ80

Description of ACS V8.3

The HSZ80 Array Controller Software (ACS) is the software component of the HSZ80 array controller. The HSZ80 array controller is an intelligent mass storage controller that interfaces between host computer systems using an Ultra Wide Differential SCSI bus and attached mass storage devices, using an Ultra Wide Single Ended SCSI bus. ACS executes in the HSZ80 array controller; it processes I/O requests from hosts, performing the device-level operations required to satisfy the requests.

ACS Software Functions

ACS software includes the following capabilities:

Support for up to 72 devices
Dual Redundant Controller Operation
Testing and diagnosis of the HSZ80 array controller
Host interconnect and protocol services
SCSI device control
Controller Failover Support
ACS subsystem management services
Local program support
Mirrored Write Back Cache support
Read Ahead Cache support
Disk Mirroring capability (RAID 1)
Disk Striping capability (RAID 0, 0+1)
RAID capability (RAID 3/5)
Disk Partitioning capability

The following sections describe these capabilities:

Support for up to 72 Devices

HSZ80 controllers using ACS V8.3 provide support for up to 72 devices.

Dual Redundant Controller Operation

HSZ80 controllers using ACS can operate as a redundant pair of controllers when configured identically and running identical software versions, including patches, and connected in the same backplane. ACS provides facilities to detect controller failure and perform automatic controller failover.

Testing and Diagnosis of the HSZ80 Array Controller

ACS software internal diagnostics execute automatically whenever controller power is turned on, whenever the array controller is reset and periodically during use.

LED's on the controller's front bezel provide diagnostic information upon controller failure.

A local serial connection asynchronous I/O port is provided for configuration and diagnosis.

Host Interconnect and Protocol Services

The HSZ80 array controller attaches to up to 4 host computer systems, with 2 adapters each, using a Ultra wide differential SCSI bus (UWD). Up to fifteen SCSI target addresses can be set for either a single or a dual-redundant controller configuration. This allows support for up to 128 SCSI logical units (LUNs). One of the LUNS is required for an optional Graphical User Interface (GUI) usage provided by the SWCC software. Specific operating systems may limit the actual number of LUNS that can be used.

SCSI Device Control

ACS converts host I/O requests into device-specific SCSI commands. ACS software supports concurrent commands and data transfers on multiple SCSI device buses for supported disks.

ACS device control functions include the following:

Error Detection and Recovery

ACS recovers from device errors, including bad block replacement for supported disk drives, that do not perform this function for themselves.

For errors on the Ultra SCSI host interface, HSZ80 array controller hardware and ACS cooperate to provide the following:

Automatic retransmission of data, if errors are detected in the orig inal transmission
Automatic detection of internal data path errors
Automatic failover of attached devices between HSZ80 controllers operating as dual redundant controllers

Device Integrity Testing

ACS executes Device Integrity Test programs upon system manager command. These tests perform the following functions:

Verify correct operation of individual disk devices and units
Place the HSZ80 array controller under load to verify correct sub system operation

Error Logging

ACS uses SCSI protocol messages to report faulty or failing devices and controller faults to all connected hosts that have error logging enabled.

Save Configuration on Disk

ACS can save device configuration information, HSZ80 controller configuration information and controller software patches on to a disk. The stored information can be restored for use by a HSZ80 replacement controller. This functionality is used for HSZ80-to-HSZ80 controller replacements in non-redundant configurations and certain Array Controller product upgrades. For additional information refer to the HSZ80 Array Controller Configuration and Reference Guide, 388222-001.

Transparent Controller Failover

The ACS supports the connection of two Ultra Wide SCSI Buses to a dualredundant HSZ80 controller pair. This configuration provides active ports on two separate buses. The use of transparent controller failover is independent of the host operating system.

Asynchronous Disk Swap

ACS supports asynchronous disk swaps. This is defined as disk removal and insertion without regard to a quiescent device bus. Disks can be removed or inserted at any time with some restrictions. Restrictions are noted in the user documentation.

ACS Subsystem Management Services

ACS software provides the following subsystem management services:

Alteration of Subsystem Parameters

ACS includes a Command Language Interpreter (CLI) that allows a system manager to display and manipulate controller parameters and device configuration information as required.

The CLI utility provides type ahead, recall and editing features. Any of the last four commands entered may be recalled and edited.

Environmental Monitor Unit (EMU)

ACS monitors data on the state of the HSZ80 controller and subsystem. This data can be reported via CLI and is reported in Environmental Monitor Unit (EMU) LEDs and in some cases activate an audible alarm.

Local Program Support

ACS software supports the following local utilities and commands:

CLONE utility for obtaining snapshot copies of data in concert with Disk Mirroring software. The CLONE Utility cannot be used with par titioned units.
Code Load/Code Patch (CLCP) for controller software changes
CONFIG for automatically adding new devices to the configuration
DILX disk inline exerciser
FMU for displaying controller last failure and memory system fail ure information as well as control of spontaneous event logging and last failure logging displays.
VTDPY presents a user display of current controller state and per formance data for attached disk drive devices.
ACS Dynamic Status Display

The ACS VTDPY utility allows a system manager to view the HSZ80-based subsystem's state dynamically.

Terminal port connections are supported at 9600 and 19200bps.

HSUTIL

The HSUTIL utility provides two functions: device format and device code load. Device format enables the system manager to perform a basic format operation on a single or multiple disk device(s). Device code load provides the functionality to download device firmware onto supported drives via the controller.

Mirrored Write-Back Cache Capability

The battery backed write-back cache capability provides the following functions:

Stores data to be written temporarily in the controller's write back cache and if the mirrored option is set, the write-back data is mirrored in the redundant controller cache for fault tolerance. The controller then informs the host that the write request is com plete. This allows the host to continue working without waiting for data to be written to disk media.
Writes the data stored in cache to the disk media based on a least recently-used cache flushing policy or when a device has been in active for a defined period of time.
Consolidates contiguously located data blocks from multiple host write requests into a single device request to reduce average la tency.
On recovery from a single cache failure or power outage, the con troller detects that unwritten data still exists in cache and writes it to disk media before enabling normal controller operations.

Read Ahead Cache Capability

If sequential read requests are received from the host, Read Ahead Cache allows the controller to anticipate subsequent read requests and prefetch the next data blocks. This provides read performance optimization.

Disk Mirroring Capability (RAID 1)

The disk mirroring capability provides the following functions:

Real-time maintenance of up to six identical copies of data on mir rorsets of separate disks attached to a single HS array controller.
Protects data against disk failure by replicating all data on each member of the mirrorset. Disk mirroring offers extremely high data reliability.
Captures a designated spare (if one exists) in the event of a mir rorset member disk failure and copies the data of the failed mem ber disk onto it.
The ability to increase or decrease the number of members in a mir rorset as requirements change.
Flexible policy options for determining both how read requests are satisfied and the speed of copying when a new member is being added.
ACS disk mirroring can utilize the UNMIRROR command to change de vices back to single-disk units.

Disk Striping (RAID 0, 0+1)

ACS treats sets of disk drives or mirrorsets as stripesets (2 to 24 members) for improved I/O performance through load distribution. A stripeset appears to the operating system as a single virtual disk drive.

Striping of mirrorsets, for high-performance access to large amounts of highly available data.

RAID Capability (RAID3/5)

The RAID capability provides the following functions:

Manages up to 20 sets of between 3 and 14 disks as RAIDsets (lim ited by controller configuration restrictions). A RAIDset is viewed by the host as a single virtual disk. RAIDsets can tolerate the fail ure of a single member disk without loss of ability to deliver data to hosts.
Dynamically adjusts between RAID Level 3 and RAID Level 5 like data protection algorithms depending on instantaneous workload.
Maintains consistency of data and parity across all member disks in a RAIDset. This includes recovery from media errors.
Detects failure of a single RAIDset member disk and invokes data regeneration algorithms to provide continued data availability to hosts.
Captures a designated spare (if one exists) in the event of a mem ber disk failure and reconstructs the data and parity of the failed member disk onto it.

For information regarding default chunksize, refer to the HSZ80 Array Controller Configuration and CLI Reference Guide, 388222-001.

Disk Partitioning

ACS allows partitioning of disk drives or storage sets for improved device management. A partition appears to the operating system as a single virtual disk. Up to 8 partitions may be created per storage set or disk drive. There may be host operating system limitation on the size of storage sets. See specific operating system documentation for information on any limitations.

ACS HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

ACS requires an HSZ80 Array Controller on which to execute. The HSZ80 array controller includes six Ultra SCSI wide differential ports. Up to 72 devices can be supported. The specific devices supported are listed in the disk and tape tables below.

Configuration Restrictions

The following configuration restrictions apply:

HSZ80 controllers require a minimum ACS revision level of V8.3.
Two controllers in the same controller backplane must be config ured as a dual-redundant configuration.
A maximum of 72 devices may be configured on an HSZ80 with and ex pansion cabinet.
In dual redundant pairs the ACS must be at identical revision lev els (including patch revisions).
A maximum of 12 wide devices may be attached to a single SCSI de vice bus. A maximum of 72 devices may be configured on an HSZ80 when used in a RAID Array 8000 or ESA 12000 configuration.
There are a maximum of 128 assignable LUNs (127 when using SWCC). An operating system may impose further restrictions.
There are a maximum of 15 host visible target IDs with 32 LUNs per target ID.

ACS Host Node Software and Hardware Required

A valid operating system configuration with a supported Wide SCSI interface, as referenced in the following section, is required to operate an HSZ80 controller with ACS.

DIGITAL UNIX Hardware, Software, and platform specific information:

___________________________________________________________________

Table_1:_DIGITAL_UNIX______________________________________________

                            Adapter
              O.S.          Descrip-
Adapter_______Versions______tion__________RA8000/ESA12000_Kit______

400577-       4.0D and      (KZPBA-       400569-001
001           4.0E          CB) PCI
                            bus to
                            Ultra
                            Wide Dif-
                            ferential
____________________________SCSI___________________________________

DIGITAL OpenVMS Hardware, Software, and platform specific information:

___________________________________________________________________

Table_2:_DIGITAL_OpenVMS_Alpha_____________________________________

                            Adapter
              O.S.          Descrip-
Adapter_______Versions______tion__________RA8000/ESA12000_Kit______

400577-       7.1 and       (KZPBA-       400571-001
001           7.2           CB) PCI
                            bus to
                            Ultra
                            Wide Dif-
                            ferential
                            SCSI for
                            DIGI-
                            TAL Al-
                            phaServer
____________________________systems________________________________

IBM AIX Hardware, Software, and platform specific information:

___________________________________________________________________

Table_3:_IBM_AIX___________________________________________________

                            Adapter
              O.S.          Descrip-
Adapter_______Versions______tion__________RA8000/ESA12000_Kit______

FC2412        V4.2 and      Micro         400573-001
              4.3           Channel
                            to Fast
                            Wide Dif-
                            ferential
                            SCSI
FC6207        V4.2 and      PCI Bus       400573-001
              4.3           to Ul-
                            traSCSI
                            wide Dif-
                            ferential
____________________________SCSI___________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Table_4:_Supported_Ultra_SCSI_Wide_Disks___________________________

Part                       Capacity
Number_______Device________GB__________Microcode[1]H/W_Rev[2]______

380691-      DS-RZ1CF-     4.3         N1H1        A01
B21          VW

380595-      DS-RZ1DF-     9.1         N1H1        A01
B21          VW                        /0372

___________________________________________________________________

[1]Minimum Microcode Version
[2]Minimum Hardware Revision Level
___________________________________________________________________

Part                       Capacity
Number_______Device________GB__________Microcode[1]H/W_Rev[2]______

380588-      DS-RZ1DD-     9.1         0306        A01
B21[3]       VW

380694-      DS-RZ1EF-     18          N1H1        A01
B21          VW                        /0372

380589-      DS-RZ1ED-     18          0306        A01
B21[3]       VW
___________________________________________________________________

[1]Minimum Microcode Version
[2]Minimum Hardware Revision Level
[3]These devices use the "unsupported device" path in HSUTIL for
   formatting and code load. Compaq Customer Service assistance may
   be required to determine drive parameters required to complete
   these operations.
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Table_5:_Supported_Legacy_Ultra_SCSI_Wide_and_SCSI_Wide_Disks______

                Capacity
Device__________GB____________Microcode[1]H/W_Rev[2]_______________

RZ28-VW         2.1           435E        B01

RZ28D-VW        2.1           0008        A01

SWXD3-WF        2.1           0008        A01

RZ28L-VW        2.1           LYJ0        A01

RZ28M-VW        2.1           466         A01

DS-RZ28M-VZ     2.1           1003        A01

SWXD3-WH        2.1           466         A01

___________________________________________________________________

[1]Minimum Microcode Version
[2]Minimum Hardware Revision Level

Table_5_(Cont.):_Supported_Legacy_Ultra_SCSI_Wide_and_SCSI_Wide____

_________________Disks_____________________________________________

                Capacity
Device__________GB____________Microcode[1]H/W_Rev[2]_______________

DS-RZ1BB-VW     2.1           LYJ0        A01
                              /0656

DS-RZ1CB-VW     4.3           LYJ0        A01
                              /0656

DS-RZ1CD-VW     4.3           0306        A01

DS-RZ1DB-VW     9.1           LYJ0        A01
                              /0307
___________________________________________________________________

[1]Minimum Microcode Version
[2]Minimum Hardware Revision Level
___________________________________________________________________

Devices qualified for Compaq support are identified in the Disk Table. Compaq will not assure correct operation of any unqualified device nor assure that such devices when used will not have impact on other supported devices, on the operation of the controller, or on the operation of the system configuration.

ORDERING INFORMATION

HSZ80 Array Controller Software kit is available for the HZG80 Controller when utilized in a Ultra Wide SCSI configuration. The kit provide the software media containing ACS V8.3.

A separate kit is required for each HSZ80 Array Controller. A co-requisite software kit is an operating system platform kit, HSZ80 Solution Software kit, containing SWCC, and the appropriate installation scripts and drivers for each operating system. One kit is required per operating system supported.

___________________________________________________________________

Table_6:_HSZ80_Array_Controller_Software_kit_part_number___________

Part          Product
Number________Identifier____Description____________________________

400566-001    QB-678AA-     HSZ80 Array Controller Software Media,
______________SA____________and_License_package____________________

___________________________________________________________________

Table_7:_HSZ80_Solution_Software_platform_kit_part_numbers_________

Part          Product
Number________Identifier____Description____________________________

400569-001    QB-65PAB-     HSZ80 Solution Software for DIGITAL
              SA            UNIX, Media, and License package

400571-001    QB-65PAC-     HSZ80 Solution Software for OpenVMS,
              SA            Media, and License package

400573-001    QB-65PAK-     HSZ80 Solution Software for IBM AIX,
______________SA____________Media,_and_License_package_____________

SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES

A variety of service options are available from Compaq. For more information, contact your local Compaq office.

Software service for HSZ80 Solution Software is covered under the terms and conditions of the Integrated Hardware and Software Customer Service contracts.

Multivendor Customer Services for the HSZ80 controller and HSZ80 Solutions Software are covered under the terms and conditions of the following:

Hardware Customer Service contract
Software Customer Service contract
Media Distribution Service (MDS) contract

Year 2000 Ready

This product is Year 2000 Ready.

Year 2000 Ready is defined: "Year 2000 Ready" products are defined by Compaq as products capable of accurately processing, providing, and /or receiving date data from, into and between the twentieth and the twenty-first centuries, and the years 1999 and 2000, including leap year calculations, when used in accordance with the associated Compaq product documentation and provided that all hardware, firmware and software used in combination with such Compaq products properly exchange accurate date data with the Compaq products.

For additional information visit Compaq's DIGITAL Products Year 2000 Ready web site located at http://ww1.digital.com/year2000/warranty.asp.

To ensure that this product is Year 2000 Ready, the following tests were successfully completed:

Does the Array Controller accept a date from controllers console
Can the Array Controller accept dates beyond December 31, 1999
Can the Array Controller roll the date over from December 31,1999 to January 1, 2000 on the internal clock
Can the Array Controller print dates beyond December 31, 1999
Can the Array Controller compute leap years beyond 1996 (February 29, 2000)

The Array Controllers interoperates properly with other hardware and software due to the software design feature that requires the time on the HSZ and HSG-series controllers be manually set after initialization.

SOFTWARE WARRANTY

HSZ80 Array Controller Software is provided with 90 day Telephone Support and 90 days conformance to SPD.

[R] Compaq and the Compaq logo Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

[TM] AlphaServers, DIGITAL UNIX, HSZ, and StorageWorks are trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation.

[R] UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Ltd.

[R] IBM and AIX are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc.

All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

AE-RFNYB-TE

Legal