Adding SCSI Host Adapter (X6541A) into a Blade 100/150

Adding SCSI Host Adapter (X6541A) into a Blade 100/150

by Jeff Hunter, Sr. Database Administrator

Overview

A Sun Blade 100/150 can accept the following PCI SCSI host adapters:

Option #	Top Level Part #	Manufacturing Part #	Description	Substitute Part #
X1032A	595-4258	501-5656	Single-Ended Ultra/Wide SCSI/FastEthernet (SunSwift PCI)	501-2741
X2222A	595-5624	501-5727	Dual Ultra-2 SCSI/Dual FastEthernet PCI Adapter	n/a
X5010A	595-5377	375-0097	Single-Channel Single-Ended Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI)	n/a
X6540A	595-4399	375-0005	Dual Single-Ended Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI)	n/a
X6541A	595-4414	375-0006	Dual Differential Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI)	n/a

In this article I will be documenting the steps for installing and configuring a Dual Differential Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI) host adapter (X6541A) in a Sun Blade 150 running Solaris 8.

The above host adapters are designed to be installed in SPARC systems running at least Solaris 2.5.1 Hardware:4/97 operating system.

The host adapters support up to 15 targets on each SCSI bus.

Installing the Dual Differential Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI)

The following section documents the steps necessary to install a Dual Differential Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI) (X6541A) in a Sun Blade 150.

Check OS version

Check the file /etc/release to ensure you are running Solaris 2.5.1 or higher.

# cat /etc/release            Solaris 8 2/02 s28s_u7wos_08a SPARC Copyright 2002 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.              Assembled 18 December 2001

Exit the OS and power down the system

Use either the shutdown command (if this is a server with active users that should be warned) or init 0 (if this is a stand along server). When at the ok prompt power down the system.

Unpack host adapter

The following items should be included with your host adapter package:

PCI UltraSCSI host adapter

2 meter UltraSCSI-compliant cable

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) kit

Open the computer

Attach the wrist strap

Attach the wrist strap between your wrist and a metal part of the system chassis.

Disconnect power cord from computer

Remove the filler panel for the desired slot

In most cases this will be just one screw to remove in order to remove the filler panel for the desired PCI slot.

Make sure that the switches and jumpers are correctly set.

For the single-ended host adapter, confirm the following settings:

Make sure that all elements of switches U1 and U2 are off.

Make sure that jumper TP9 is open.

For the differential host adapter, confirm the following settings:

Make sure that all jumpers (TP1, TP2, TP3, TP5, TP6) are open.

Install the host adapter

Install the host adapter into the PCI slot in your system. Ensure to secure the card in with the screw used in the removed filler panel. Using excessive force can bend or damage the pins.

Close up system

Close up the system and remove the anti-static wrist strap.

Reconnect power cable

Connect the SCSI cables

Connect the SCSI cable to your newly installed SCSI host adapter and then to the SCSI peripheral(s).

Power on peripherals / system

Power on your peripherals and then your system.

NOTE: If your system starts to reboot, interrupt the reboot process by pressing the Stop and A keys together. If this is not possible, allow the system to complete the boot process and then bring the system to the ok prompt by using init 0.

Make sure the host adapter is recognized by the system

Use the probe-scsi-all command to display the SCSI devices connected to your system. For example:

ok probe-scsi-all /pci@1f,2000/scsi@2 Target 8 Unit 0 Disk SEAGATE ST34371W SUN4.2G8254 /pci@1f,2000/scsi@2,1 Target 1 Unit 0 Disk SEAGATE ST34371W SUN4.2G8254

In the example, the first SCSI port (scsi@2) has one disk drive connected (target 8). The second SCSI port (scsi@2,1) also has one disk drive connected (target 1).

Reboot your system (using the -r option)

ok boot -r

Test the installation with SunVTS

You can use the SunVTS diagnostic program exercise your system to verify the functionality, reliability, and configuration of the new host adapter card. It is recommended to run the SunVTS program before attempting to utilize the new host adapter for any applications.

The SunVTS program needs to be run as the root userid.

# su

Bring up the SunVTS program (GUI Window):

# /opt/SUNWvts/bin/sunvts

Select a disk drive (any disk) that is attached to the host adapter card you just installed.

Start the test by hitting the "Start" button.

Verify that no errors have occurred by checking the SunVTS status window.

If no problems occur, stop SunVTS by hitting the "Stop" button and exit from the SunVTS application.

Your host adapter card is ready to run applications!