Product Documentation
Abstract
Title: IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter Can Improve Connectivity and System Reliability Overview: The IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter uses industry-standard Serial Storage Architecture (SSA) for IBM PC Server Clustering Solutions.
Content
Title:
IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter Can Improve Connectivity and System Reliability
Overview:
The IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter uses industry-standard Serial Storage Architecture (SSA) for IBM PC Server Clustering Solutions to protect your mission-critical business applications.
In addition to the basic functions of SSA, a pair of SSA RAID Cluster Adapters provides data protection and host failover when used with Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition which includes Microsoft Cluster Server Software.
The SSA RAID Cluster Adapter enables two-way connection of SSA disk storage between a pair of IBM PC servers. When used with Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition, both servers are operable. If one of the servers fails, the remaining server takes on the applications of the other to ensure continued availability.
With RAID 1 data protection, you can mirror whole systems, PC servers, and disk storage, up to a distance of 2.4 km apart using the fiber extender, with SSA high performance.
Intended Customers:
Customers looking for storage expansion for IBM PC Server Clustering Solutions or a new storage investment decision for new PC Servers
Key Prerequisites:
o IBM PC Server 325, PC Server 330, or PC Server 704
o Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition for host failover support
At A Glance:
The IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter provides:
o SSA Host Cluster Adapter support
o Failover support with Windows NT 4.0 and the Microsoft Cluster Server
o RAID 1 data protection
o Simple, compact SSA connectivity
o Extensible up to 2.4 km
US Planned Availability Date: December 19, 1997
Product Number:
US, AP, LA, CAN, EMEA
| Description | Part Number |
| SSA RAID Cluster Adapter Option Kit | 96H9835 |
Note: Part numbers ending in "xxx" refers to country specific designation. For specific ordering information in Europe/Middle East/Africa concerning the country designation please see the Europe/Middle East/Africa Announcement Letter ZG96-0121.
Description:
Two PC Server systems connected to SSA disk drives with a pair of IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter provide RAID protection for your data with robust host failover when used with Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition and the Microsoft Cluster Server.
SSA is ideally suited to multi-host failover designs due to the unique characteristics of the serial link architecture. The full duplex design tolerates single link breakage in any loop which complements the philosophy of the failover principle.
Two IBM PC Server systems support up to three adapters pairs.
SSA Advantages:
The Serial Storage Architecture defines a high performance serial link for the attachment of input/output devices such as hard disk drives, host adapter cards and array controllers.
The SSA loop significantly improves connectivity and system reliability due to the design simplicity of the standard SSA cables used between hosts and storage enclosures.
The unique autoconfiguration capability of SSA provides dynamic reconfiguring when disk drives are removed or added to loops. This function will reroute data if a loop is broken and new disks will be ignored by the host until added by the resource configurator. The full duplex operation of SSA means that each cable supports data transfers in both directions simultaneously.
The IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter is supported by the IBM 7133 SSA Disk Subsystem available as either deskside or rack mounted models and SSA Fibre-Optic Extenders which can operate over distances of up to 2.4 km. Also supported is the 5 disk IBM SSA Entry Storage Subsystem (3527) deskside enclosure.
RAID Protection:
The SSA System allows 22 arrays of RAID 1 mirrored disks. The adapter pair can support hot spares that may be used by any array defined within the pair. RAID 1 was chosen because it provides the highest I/O performance and protection.
Furthermore, running the RAID function in the adapter hardware frees up host CPU cycles which maximizes application performance.
Advanced Technical Features:
o Availability
- Paired host adapter configuration
- No single point of path on dual host systems
- 22 RAID 1 arrays maximum
- Global hot spares per adapter pair
o Reliability
- 4 Byte CRC check on all SSA links
- Point to Point connection
- Data scrubbing available on arrays
- Power on self tests
- Link error recovery functions
- Redundant power/cooling with 7133
o Management
- Native and DOS configurator
- Topology views for fast error diagnosis
- Full RAS support package
- Host error logging of all errors
o Compatibility
- Supports 2.2, 4.5, and 9.1GB SSA disks
- Supports 7133 and 3527 SSA Disk enclosures
- Supports Fibre-Optic Extender on 7133
- Supported on IBM PC325, PC330, and PC704 Servers
- Coexists with other SSA RAID adapters
o Other Functions
- Private disk capability for each host
- IPL form SSA private disks (or SCSI)
Publications:
The following publications will be available December 1997 for the IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter:
| Publication Description | Order Number | Part Number | Distribution Location |
| *Installation and User's Guide | S96H-9839 | 02L7634 | Mechanicsburg |
| *Maintenance Guide | S96H-9840 | 02L7635 | Mechanicsburg |
| **Technical Reference | SA33-3275 | Mechanicsburg |
* Publications shipped with the product
** Publication ordered separately - not shipped with the product
To order in the U.S., call the IBM Software Publications Hotline at 800-879-2755.
Technical Information:
Specified Operating Environment:
Physical Specifications:
Approximate height: 127 mm (5.0 in)
Approximate width: 21.59 mm (.85 in)
Approximate depth: 340.74 mm (13.415 in)
Approximate weight: not applicable
Conforms to PCI 2.0 Specification for Long Card
Operating Environment:
Ambient Temperature: 10 to 40 degrees C (50 to 104 degrees F)
Relative humidity: 8% to 80% non-condensing
Agency Approvals:
| USA Japan Europe |
FCC Class A VCCI-1 CISPR 22 Class A CE MARK A |
Hardware Requirements:
The IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter is supported on the following IBM PC Servers:
| System Name | Machine Type | Model |
| PC Server 325 | 8639 | RS0, ES0 |
| PC Server 330 | 8640 | EM2, ES0, ES2, ESS |
| PC Server 704 | 8650 | 5M0 |
Software Requirements:
A separate device driver is provided for Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition.
o Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition
http://www.pcco.ibm.com/files.html/
New releases of operating systems device drivers will be available on the PC Company Bulletin Board at URL:
http://www.pcco.ibm.com/files.html/
New releases of operating system device drivers will be available on the PC Company Home Page at URL:
http://www.pcco.ibm.com/files.html/
Compatibility:
The following adapters are compatible with IBM SSA RAID Adapter for PC Servers:
| Supplier | Description | Bus |
| 3 COM | Fast Etherlink | PCI |
| IBM | 10/100 Adapter | PCI |
| IBM | Auto Lanstreamer | PCI |
| Madge | Smart 16/4 PCI Ring | PCI |
| IBM | ServeRAID | PCI |
| Adaptec | F/W SCSI 2940W | PCI |
| Diamond Stealth | Video Card 64 VRAM | PCI |
Limitations:
Each PC Server can support up to three IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapters. For failover support PC servers must be configured in pairs, each with an adapter connected to the SSA disk drives.
The maximum number of logical groups that can be connected to the Windows NT 4.0 Server, Enterprise Edition when using the Microsoft Cluster Server software is 24. In practice, this limits the number of RAID 1 arrays to 22, or 200.2GB with 9.1GB SSA disk drives.
IPL from SSA disk is supported; IPL from RAID 1 arrays is not.
Planning Information:
Cable Orders Required: Yes
Approximate Installation Time: At least 30 minutes
Two cables are required to form an SSA loop. Only one cable is required to add an additional subsystem to existing loop. Order the cables from the following list:
| Cable Description | Cable Part Number |
| Cable, SSA external pair, 1.0-Meter | 59H7220 |
| Cable, SSA external pair, 2.5-Meter | 59H7221 |
| Cable, SSA external pair, 5.0-Meter | 59H7222 |
| Cable, SSA external pair, 10.0-Meter | 59H7223 |
| Cable, SSA external pair, 25.0-Meter | 59H7224 |
Note: Cables are packaged two per box.
Installability:
Installation time for the IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter is approximately one hour.
Packaging:
| Product | Shipment Group Description | Number of Boxes |
| SSA RAID Cluster Adapter for IBM PC Servers | Option Kit 96H9835 | 1 |
Security, Auditability, and Control:
This product uses the security and auditability features of host hardware, software, and application software.
The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communications facilities.
Marketing and Technical Support:
Marketing and technical information will be provided to IBM Business Partner - Personal Computer Resellers by the IBM Support Center at 800-IBM-PROD from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Available for Ordering:
December 19, 1997
Document Location
Worldwide
Was this topic helpful?
Document Information
Modified date:
24 January 2019
UID
ibm1DDSE-44APHD