Chapter 8: Troubleshooting
239
Connection Problems
When you install your Promise product following the instructions in the
Quick
Start Guide
and
User Manual
, you should have little trouble getting your
equipment to work the first time. But connection problems can arise that are not
the User's or Installer's fault. Every conceivable problem cannot be covered in
the documentation but some guidelines could be helpful.
Connection problems cause a majority of failures in almost any electrical system.
While the installation of the cables and components was correct, they don't
function properly, or at all, because:
•
A connector is dirty or corroded
•
A connector is loose or damaged
•
A cable looks OK outside but has an open circuit inside
•
The wrong cable was used
VTraks ship with a full set of new cables and terminators, as required for each
specific model. Be sure to use these components because: 1.) They are the
proper ones for your RAID subsystem, 2.) They are in brand-new condition, and
3.) You paid for them with the purchase of your VTrak.
SCSI Connections
VTrak 15110 uses a network connection to pass command and management
information. Data is transmitted via the SCSI bus.
SCSI connections are both physical (outside) and electrical (inside). You can see
a physical connection, you can clean it or try a different cable on it. Electrical
connections are made by firmware and software, such as when you set the SCSI
IDs or addresses. SCSI chains are completely intolerant of ID conflicts. If you
have a conflict, the devices on your SCSI chain will not work correctly until it is
resolved. Check your VTrak Quick Start Guide (printed) or VTrak User Manual
(on the software CD) plus the Console LUN Settings, Target ID Settings,
Statistics and SCSI Information topics.
The VTrak RAID subsystem is sensitive to the presence of other devices on the
SCSI chain. Do not connect other devices to the SCSI chain with a VTrak, except
for an other VTrak.
Serial Connections
VTrak uses a serial connection for a command line utility (CLU). Normally, users
prefer WebPAM because of its graphic user interface. But the CLU can do the
same jobs. And it will work when your network connection is down.
