Preparing an ESLL or ESLS storage enclosure to install a disk drive or solid-state drive

To prepare an ESLL or ESLS storage enclosure to install a disk drive or solid-state drive (SSD), complete the steps in this procedure.

About this task

Note: When drive slots are available in a server and enclosure, fill the slot positions in the server first. However, you can choose a different disk drive or solid-state drive placement that depends on your data protection strategy.

Procedure

  1. Review the SSD configuration rules if you are installing SSDs:

    Solid-state drives (SSDs), also known as flash drives, follow similar rules as regular hard disk drives (HDDs). For example, SSDs physically resemble, install in the same manner, and in most of the same slots as HDDs. However, some restrictions and configuration rules are specific to the SSD.

    Restriction: If you are using the IBM® i operating system, solid-state drives must be part of a RAID array or system mirroring in the system or logical partition that is controlled by IBM i.
    Solid-state drive rules for the ESLS storage enclosure.
    Note: The ESLL storage enclosure does not support SSDs.
    Table 1. Solid-state drive rules for the ESLS storage enclosure
    Storage enclosure Mixing rules
    ESLS storage enclosure (IBM EXP24SX SAS Storage Enclosure)
    • A maximum of 24 drives are supported in this enclosure.
    • The EXP24SX can be configured as one set of 24 bays (mode 1), two sets of 12 bays (mode 2), or four sets of 6 bays (mode 4).
    • The EXP24SX serial-attached SCSI (SAS) ports are attached to SAS controllers, which can be a SAS Peripheral Component Interconnect, PCI Express Gen3 (PCIe3) adapter or a pair of adapters.
    • The EXP24S can also be attached to a pair of internal SAS controllers (FC EJ1D, EJ1M, EJ1G) in a system with an external SAS port.
    • The mixing of the SSDs and HDDs is as follows:
      • SSDs and HDDs cannot be mixed when configured in mode 1.
      • SSDs and HDDs can be mixed when configured in mode 2: one disk partition can be SSDs and the other disk partition can be HDDs, but you cannot mix within a disk partition.
      • SSDs and HDDs can be mixed when configured in mode 4. Each disk partition can be either SSDs or HDDs, but cannot mix within a disk partition.
  2. Ensure that the software that is required to support the feature is installed on your system. For more information about software prerequisites, see the IBM Prerequisite website. If the required firmware, software, or fix packs are not installed on your system, go to the Fix Central website to download and install them before you continue.
  3. Review the drive location and service indicator locations. The disk drive and SSD slots are located in the front of the enclosure.
    Figure 1 shows the front of the ESLL storage enclosure, Figure 2 shows the front of the ESLS storage enclosure, Figure 3 shows the rear view of the storage enclosures, and Figure 4 shows the locations of the service indicators for the enclosures.
    Figure 1. Front view of the ESLL storage enclosure that shows the drive locations
    Front view of the ESLL storage enclosure that shows the drive locations
    Figure 2. Front view of the ESLS storage enclosure that shows the drive locations
    Front view of the ESLL storage enclosure that shows the drive locations
    Figure 3. Rear view of the storage enclosures
    Rear view of the storage enclosures
    Figure 4. Front view of the storage enclosure that shows the service indicators
    Front view of the storage enclosure that shows the service indicators
  4. Choose from the following options:
    • If your system has the system power turned off, continue with step 5.
    • If the system power is turned on and if the AIX® operating system controls the slot, continue with step 7.
    • If the system power is turned on and if the IBM i operating system controls the slot, continue with step 9.
    • If the system power is turned on and if the Linux® operating system controls the slot, continue with step 11.
  5. To prepare the enclosure to install a drive when the system is powered off, complete the following steps:
    1. Identify the part and the system that you are working on. For instructions, see Identifying a part.
      Use the blue identify LED on the enclosure to locate the system. Ensure that the serial number of the system matches the serial number to be serviced.
    2. Record the position (an available empty slot) where the new disk drive or solid-state drive must be installed. For example, the next available drive slot might be P1-D3 or P2-D3.
    3. Stop the system. For instructions, see Stopping a system.
    4. Open the rack door at the rear of the system.
    5. Remove the power cables from the enclosure that contains the slot that you want to service:
      1. Remove the power-cable retention brackets.
      2. Label and remove the power cables from the power supplies of the disk drive enclosure.
      Note: The enclosure might be equipped with redundant power supplies. Before you continue with this procedure, disconnect all power cords that are connected to your enclosure.
  6. Continue with step 12.
  7. To use the AIX operating system diagnostic command to identify an available slot, complete the following steps.
    1. Log in as root user.
    2. Type diag at the command line and then press Enter.
    3. On the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display, press Enter to continue.
    4. On the Function Selection display, select Task Selection > RAID Array Manager > IBM SAS Disk Array Manager > Diagnostics and Recovery Options > SCSI and SCSI RAID Hot Plug Manager.
    5. Select Attach a Device to a SCSI Hot Swap Enclosure Device.
      A list of empty slots in the SCSI hot swap enclosure device is shown.
    6. Record the position (an available empty slot) where the new disk drive or solid-state drive must be installed. For example, the next available drive slot might be P1-D3 or P2-D3.
    7. Scroll down to the slot number and press Enter.
  8. Continue with step 12.
  9. To use the IBM i operating system to identify an available slot, complete the following steps:
    1. Record the physical location where the new disk drive or solid-state drive can be installed.
      • The physical location has the following form: U78D3.001.AAAXXXX-P2-D3 where U78D3.001 is the system identifier, AAAXXXX is the sequence number, and P2-D3 is the drive slot location. Find the physical location U78D3.001.AAAXXXX information from the control panel display on the system.
      • If you cannot find the location information from the control panel, find the label that is located on the front of the system or enclosure. The system identifier is listed after FC and the sequence number is the last 7 digits after SN or SEQ.
        Figure 5. Example of a system or enclosure label
        Example of a system or enclosure label
        Use Table 2 to find the system machine type and model that corresponds to the system identifier.
        Table 2. System identifier for POWER9™ systems and enclosures
        System identifier System
        U78D3.001 5105-22E, 9008-22L, 9009-22A, 9009-22G, 9223-22H, or 9223-22S
        U78D2.001 9009-41A, 9009-41G, 9009-42A, 9009-42G, 9223-42H, or 9223-42S
        U78D4.001 9040-MR9
        U5887.001 5887 disk drive enclosure
        UESLL.001 ESLL storage enclosure
        UESLS.001 ESLS storage enclosure

        In the example, U5887.001.AAAXXXX-D1-D24, you would install a drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure with type 5887, model 001, sequence number AAAXXXX, and drive position D1–D24.

    2. To prepare the slot to install a drive by using the IBM i Hardware Service Manager, complete the following steps:
      1. Sign on to service level authority.
      2. Type strsst in the command line of the IBM i session and then press Enter.
      3. Type your service tools user ID and service tools password in the Start Service Tools Sign On display, and then press Enter.

        The service tools password is case-sensitive.

      4. Select Start a service tool > Hardware service manager > Device Concurrent Maintenance.
      5. In the Specify either physical location field, type the physical location that you previously recorded in this procedure.
      6. Select 2 (Install device) for the Action to be completed.
      7. Set the time delay in minutes. For example, for five minutes enter: 05.
        Important: Do not press Enter until you are ready to install the drive.
  10. Continue with step 12.
  11. To prepare the system to install a drive by using the Linux operating system, complete the following steps:
    1. Log in as root user.
    2. Type iprconfig on the command line of the Linux session, and then press Enter.
      The IBM Power RAID Configuration Utility display is shown.
    3. Select Work with disk unit recovery > Concurrent add device.

      Type t if you want to toggle through different location code representations.

    4. Type 1 next to the location into which you want to install the disk drive or solid-state drive and press Enter.
      The Verify Device Concurrent Add display is shown and the service indicator flashes for the selected slot.
      Important: Do not press Enter until you are ready to install the drive.
  12. Find the package that contains the new drive.
    Attention: Drives are fragile. Handle with care.
  13. Attach the electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap.
    The ESD wrist strap must be connected to an unpainted metal surface until the service procedure is completed, and if applicable, until the service access cover is replaced.
    Attention:
    • Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap to the front ESD jack, to the rear ESD jack, or to an unpainted metal surface of your hardware to prevent the electrostatic discharge from damaging your hardware.
    • When you use an ESD wrist strap, follow all electrical safety procedures. An ESD wrist strap is used for static control. It does not increase or decrease your risk of receiving electric shock when using or working on electrical equipment.
    • If you do not have an ESD wrist strap, just prior to removing the product from ESD packaging and installing or replacing hardware, touch an unpainted metal surface of the system for a minimum of 5 seconds. If at any point in this service process you move away from the system, it is important to again discharge yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface for at least 5 seconds before you continue with the service process.
  14. Remove the drive from the static-protective package and place it on an ESD mat.