Troubleshooting ServeRAID controller issues

Resolving The Problem

Note: ServeRAID controllers in cluster or fault-tolerant environments require additional troubleshooting techniques which are detailed in the User's Reference (SRAID.PDF) contained in the BOOKS directory of the ServeRAID Support CD.

If you need definitions:

• drive state descriptions
• write-cache mode for logical drives
• ServeRAID controller feature overview table
  

1. To begin troubleshooting, check the following top issues. If your issue is listed, select the link, otherwise proceed to step 2.
   
   

   	Bad Stripe table entries
   	DDD - Recovery from a single disk drive failure
   	DDD - Recovery from multiple disk drive failures
   	Drive(s) not responding or found in new location bootup error
   	Erratic system performance, DDD, lost configuration, or errors
   	Force flashing firmware causes configuration problems
   	Logical drive migration (changing RAID level, or adding drives)
   	Operating system crashes after hot-swap HDD replacement
   	POST error 1801 when multiple RAID adapters installed
   	Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) alert on HDD
   	Startup error messages
   	ServeRAID-7t SATA controller overview
   	ServeRAID and SCSI controller sales and marketing

   
   
   
2. Ensure you are using the latest ServeRAID software code.
   
   
   • Ensure the ServeRAID subsystem is operating with matching software versions, as mismatched ServeRAID software can result in system problems.
   • There are minimum ServeRAID BIOS and firmware requirments in order to use the IBM hard disk drive upgrade program. See the README file.
     
     
3. Check for any known RETAIN tips for your controller
   
   
4. Capture the ServeRAID logs to send to the Support Center if you need further assistance. Flashing the ServeRAID controller will erase the ServeRAID logs, so make sure to obtain these before flashing the adapter.
   
   

   How to Capture the ServeRAID configuration and event logs

   
   
5. Ensure that all hard disks are replaced according to IBM procedures and guidelines, see "Removing ServeRAID hot-swap hard disk drives improperly may cause damage"
   
   
6. If these steps have not solved your problem:
   Refer to your system's Hardware Maintenance Manual, or refer to "Need more help?"
   
   

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