External RDX docking stations and removable disk drives
Find information about external USB docking stations and their supported disk drives.
Description
The external RDX docking station (FC EUA4) consists of a docking station, which holds a removable disk drive. The external RDX docking station is available as an external device. The disk drive is a backup and restore device that can be used as an alternative to tape drives. The removable disk drive is not a replacement for regular disk drives and cannot be used as part of a disk array. Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the front and rear views of the external USB docking station.
- D
- Write-protect switch
- E
- Power cable
- F
- USB cable
Feature codes and part numbers
The external USB docking stations use an external USB cable to connect to an external USB port. These docking stations include a USB cable, an external power supply, and a power cord. Table 1 provides the part numbers. Table 2 provides the part numbers of the supported disk drives.
FRU part number | Description |
---|---|
01GY550 or 01GY551 | External RDX USB 3.0 Dock (FC EUA4) |
01GY552 or 01GY553 | External power supply with power cord and universal plugs for all supported geographies (FC EUA4) |
05H5081 or 05H5080 | External USB 3.0 cable (2.7 meters (8 ft 10 in)) |
39M5516 | Power cord (1 meter (3.28 ft)) that connects the power supply to the rack power distribution unit |
Feature code | Part number | Description |
---|---|---|
1107 | 46C5379 | 500 GB Removable disk drive (FC EUA4) |
EU01 | 46C2335 | 1 TB Removable disk drive (FC EUA4) |
EU2T | 46C2975 | 2 TB Removable disk drive (FC EUA4) |
Purchasing extra removable disk drives
For best results, use only the removable disk drives that are listed in Table 2.
The removable disk drives are a supply item that can be ordered as a feature code. To order in the United States and Canada, call 1-888-IBM-MEDIA. To order drives in other locations, contact your local provider of IBM® storage products or see the IBM data storage website.
IBM service representatives will not be dispatched to service or replace the removable disk drives.
Storing removable disk drives
Store removable disk drives in their protective containers, on a flat surface with the top side up. The storage area must be clean and dry, must have normal room temperature, and must be away from any magnetic fields. For best storage life, use the removable disk drives every six months.
Supported USB adapters and cables
The external docking station can be connected to the external, integrated USB ports on POWER9™ processor-based systems or can be connected to the USB ports on the PCIe2 LP 4-Port USB 3.0 adapter (FC EC45) or PCIe2 4-Port USB 3.0 adapter (FC EC46). For more information on these adapters and search on your feature code (FC). The FC in this file is a link to more information. See PCIe adapter information by feature code
Specifications
- Interface
- USB 3.0
- Mksysb
- Yes
- Bootable
- Yes
- Environmental
-
Table 3. Operating conditions USB Removable Disk Drive Operating conditions Non-operating conditions Temperature 5°C - 55°C –40°C - 65°C Relative humidity 8% - 90% non-condensing 5% - 95% non-condensing Maximum wet bulb temperature 29.4°C non-condensing 40°C non-condensing Maximum temperature gradient 20°C per hour 20°C per hour Altitude –300 meters (–984.25 ft) to 3048 m (10,000 ft) –300 meters (–984.25 ft) to 12,192 m (40,000 ft)
Using the external RDX removable disk drive for backup and restore
The external RDX removable disk drive is a back up and restore device that can be used as an alternative to tape drives. The removable disk drive is not a replacement for regular disk drives and cannot be used as part of a disk array.
Using the disk drive with the AIX operating system
The AIX® operating system names the drives as drive usbmsx, for example, usbms1, and usbms2. The AIX operating system can also use the device as a raw device, for example, rusbms1 and rusbms2.
The AIX operating system uses the removable disk drive differently depending on the program that is being used. The AIX command mksysb, builds a list of files to backup, creates a universal disk format (UDF) file system, and puts a boot image and the root volume group on the removable disk drive. When the mksysb process is complete, the removable disk drive can be used to boot the system. If you mount the removable disk drive, you can display and copy files to and from the UDF file system on the removable disk drive.
The AIX commands, tar, backup, restore, dd, and cpio can write to the removable disk drive as a raw device or non-raw device. You might get improved performance by using the device as a raw device.
See the AIX documentation for additional information.
Using the disk drive with the IBM i operating system
The IBM i operating system configures the drive as a removable media drive with a name in the format RMSxx, for example, RMS01.
The drive and cartridge are used with optical commands and utilities (for example, WRKOPTVOL and INZOPT), and reports media in the Optical File System (QOPT).
See the IBM i operating system documentation for information about using the IBM i commands: copy and backup.
Using the disk drive with the Linux operating system
The Linux® operating system configures the drive as a disk drive with a name in the format sdx, for example, sda, sdb, and sdc.
See the Linux documentation for information about using the Linux commands: copy and backup.
Setting the write-protect switch
The removable disk drives have a red, write-protect tab that is located on the rear of the disk drive. To write-protect a drive, slide the write-protect tab toward the lock symbol. To disengage write protection, slide the tab to the unlock symbol.
Using the emergency eject function
- Unplug the power cable from the device.
- Insert a large straightened paper clip (or similar object) into the emergency eject hole.Attention: Do not insert the object in the hole at an angle. Keep the object straight and apply some force to eject the drive.
- When the drive has been ejected by the docking station, grasp the exposed sides of the drive and pull the drive straight out.
- Reconnect the power cable for the docking station.
- Restart your system to reset the docking station.
Status lights
Find information about the power indicator and drive indicator status lights on the external USB removable disk drive.
Power indicator
The eject button is illuminated by a power indicator light. The following table describes the operation of the power indicator.
Indicator status | Meaning | Description |
---|---|---|
Off | No power |
|
Steady green | Ready |
|
Flashing green | Ejecting | Cartridge is ejecting. |
Flashing amber | Fault | Docking station has detected a fault condition with the docking station. |
External RDX removable disk drive indicator
The disk drive has an indicator light that displays the status of the drive. The following table describes the operation of the drive indicator.
Indicator status | Meaning | Description |
---|---|---|
Off | Not ready | Drive is not inserted correctly or the docking station has no power supply. |
Steady green | Ready | Drive is ready. |
Flashing green | Activity | Drive is reading, writing, or seeking. |
Flashing amber | Fault | Docking station has detected a fault condition with the cartridge. |