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Saving data and initializing the disk unit in IBM i

Use this procedure to save data and initialize disk units in IBM® i.

To complete this procedure, you might need the latest set of Save System (SAVSYS) or SAVSTG tapes that were made before the problem occurred. You will need three blank tapes.

  1. Are you exchanging a disk unit because a disk unit failure caused system operations to stop completely?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: You may be able to use the Remove Units from Configuration function of DST. This function allows you to move all data from the disk unit you want to exchange to the other disk units in the same auxiliary storage pool (ASP). Go to step 20.
  2. Perform an initial program load (IPL) to dedicated service tools (DST) (see Performing an IPL to dedicated service tools). Does the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display appear?
    • Yes: Go to step 5.
    • No: Continue with the next step.
  3. Did any messages regarding missing disk units appear?
    • Yes: Ignore the messages and go to step 5.
    • No: Continue with the next step.
  4. Repeat step 2. Does the same SRC occur again?
    • Yes: The customer data is not recoverable. Go to step 7.
    • No: Use the new system reference code (SRC) to correct the problem. This ends the procedure.
  5. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, perform the following to save the customer data from the failing disk unit:
    1. Select Work with disk units > Work with disk unit recovery > Save disk unit data.
    2. On the Select Disk Unit Data to Save display, select the disk unit from which you want to save the data. Record the ASP of the disk unit that you are saving.
      Note: If the disk unit is missing, you cannot save the customer data to tape at this time. Go to step 7.
    3. Install a tape in the tape unit. The Specify Volume Identifier prompt appears.
    4. Enter the volume identifier for the tape. Write down the tape volume identifier for use later in this procedure. The Select Tape Unit prompt appears.
    5. Select the tape unit that you loaded with a tape. The Function Status display shows the percent of disk data saved.
      Note: If the tape volume identifier that you entered does not match the tape volume identifier on the tape you loaded, the Device Intervention Required prompt appears. The message Wrong volume loaded appears at the bottom of the display. Select the Format option and press Enter to continue the save operation.
    6. If the tape is full, the Device Intervention display appears. The message Load next volumeappears at the bottom of the display. Insert the next tape into the tape unit and select the option to retry, and then press Enter to continue the save operation.
    7. Continue saving the disk unit data until the status of the save operation is complete.
      Note: Customer data is not recoverable if one of the following occurs:
      • The copy operation does not complete.
      • A large number of unreadable pages must be copied from the disk unit.
  6. Does the display show that the status of the save operation is complete?
    • No: Continue with the next step.
    • Yes: Go to step 8.
  7. Have you already exchanged the storage IOA?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: Perform the following:
      1. Power off the system.
      2. Exchange the storage IOA (see Part locations and location codes). If you do not know the part number, see System parts.
      3. Perform an IPL to dedicated service tools (DST) (see Performing an IPL to dedicated service tools).
      4. Choose from the following:
        • If the same SRC occurs, go to step 8.
        • If a different SRC occurs, use it to correct the problem.
        • If no SRC occurs, the problem has been resolved. This ends the procedure.
  8. Power off the system and exchange the failing disk unit.
    1. Power off the system and remove the power cords

      Power off the system and remove the power cords:

      1. Before continuing ensure the device is not being used by the customer.
      2. If possible, shut down any running applications and the operating system before powering off the system.
      3. After the system is powered off, remove all power cords from all of the processor enclosures, starting with the primary processor enclosure (topmost) and then each secondary enclosure, working from top to bottom.
       
    2. Access the unit.

      1. Open the front rack door.
      2. Loosen the thumbscrew (A) on the right side of the cover.
      3. Slide the cover to the right and remove it from the system unit slot (B).
      Remove front cover.
    3. Remove the disk drive.
      1. Unlock the disk drive handle by squeezing it and pulling it out toward you as shown.
      2. Support the bottom of the disk drive as you slide it out of the system or expansion unit. Do not hold the disk drive by the handle.

        The concurrent maintenance light for the slot turns off when you remove the disk drive.

    4. Install the bezel on the new disk drive.

      1. Find the package that contains the new disk drive.
        Attention: Disk drives are fragile. Handle with care.
      2. Remove the disk drive from its static protective package.
      3. Unlock the handle of the replacement disk drive by squeezing and pulling it out toward you. If the handle is not all the way out, the disk drive will not slide into the system.
      4. Attach the disk drive bezel (A) to the replacement disk drive as shown.
      5. Press in and then tighten the thumbscrew B to secure the bezel to the disk drive.
    5. Install the disk drive.

      1. Support the bottom of the disk drive as you align it with the guide rails in the system unit. Do not hold the disk drive by the handle.
      2. Slide the disk drive into the system until it stops.
      3. Push the disk drive handle in until it locks.
        Note: When you install a disk drive, ensure that the drive is fully seated and all the way into the system.
    6. Install the power cords.

      If you removed the power cords, reinstall the power cords for all of the processor enclosures.

      Install the cords in the following order:

      1. Secondary 2
      2. Secondary 3
      3. Primary
      4. Secondary 1
  9. Did you just exchange disk unit 1 in the system unit?
    • Yes: Go to step 11.
    • No: Format and initialize the new disk unit by performing the following:
      1. Perform an IPL to DST (see Performing an IPL to dedicated service tools). You may ignore any messages regarding missing disk units.
      2. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, select Work with disk units > Work with disk unit recovery > Disk unit problem recovery procedures > Initialize and format disk unit.
      3. Select the disk unit you want to initialize and format.
      4. Press F10, on the confirmation display. The system formats and initializes the new disk unit. The display shows when the status is complete (this may take 30 minutes or longer).
  10. Is most of the customer data recoverable (see step 5)?
    • No: Go to step 18.
    • Yes: Restore the customer data from the tape to the new disk unit by performing the following:
      1. Return to the Work With Disk Unit Recovery display and select Restore disk unit data.
      2. Enter the tape volume identifier. This is the volume identifier that you entered during the save procedure.
      3. Install into the tape unit the first tape to which the data was saved.
      4. On the Select Tape Unit display, select the tape unit from which you want data restored.
      5. On the Restore Disk Unit Data display, select the disk unit on which you want to restore the data.
      6. Press F10 to confirm the restore. The Function Status display shows the percentage of customer data restored. The system will IPL to the Use dedicated service tools (DST) display when the restore has completed.
        Note: Any damaged objects that were restored must be loaded again by the customer. Refer the customer to Backup and Recovery, SC41-5304.
      7. This ends the procedure.
  11. Is the customer data recoverable (see step 5)?
    • No: Go to step 14.
    • Yes: Perform an IPL from removable media and select the option to install Licensed Internal Code and restore disk unit data.See Managing the Hardware Management Console.
  12. Did you get a Disk Configuration Error Report with the warning Unit has incorrect logical partition configuration?
    • No: Continue with the next step.
    • Yes: You have logical partitions that need to be recovered before you can continue with this disk unit recovery procedure. Perform the following:
      1. Select the Use dedicated service tools (DST) option from the IPL or Install the System display.
      2. Enter the password 22222222. If this password is not valid, ask the customer for the correct password.
      3. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, select Work with system partitions > Recover configuration data > Recover primary partition configuration data.
      4. Review the information on the Select Disk Unit for Configuration Data Recovery display. Select the disk unit with the most recent date and the correct system serial number, and then press Enter. The system automatically copies the configuration data to the primary partition's load source, and performs an IPL.
  13. Restore the customer data from the tape to the new disk unit by performing the following:
    1. Select Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) from the IPL or Install the System display.
    2. Enter the password 22222222. If this password is not valid, ask the customer for the correct password.
    3. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, select Work with disk units > Work with disk unit recovery > Restore disk unit data.
    4. Enter the tape volume identifier. This is the volume identifier that you entered during the save procedure.
    5. Install the first tape to which the data was saved in the tape unit.
    6. On the Select Tape Unit display, select the tape unit from which you want the data restored.
    7. On the Restore Disk Unit Data display, select the disk unit on which you want to restore the data.
    8. Press F10 to confirm the restore. The Function Status display shows the percentage of customer data restored.
      Note: When the load-source disk is restored, the system automatically performs an IPL to the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display. This occurs after the restore operation completes.
    9. When all customer data from the tape to the disk restores successfully, the display shows that the status of the restore operation as complete. Press Enter to complete the restore operation.
    10. Power off the system.
      Note: Any damaged objects that were restored must be loaded again by the customer. Refer the customer to Backup and Recovery, SC41-5304.
    11. The system is ready for the next IPL. This ends the procedure.
  14. Perform an IPL from removable media and select the option to install Licensed Internal Code and recover configuration. See Managing the Hardware Management Console.
  15. Did you get a Disk Configuration Error Report with the warning Unit has incorrect logical partition configuration?
    • No: Continue with the next step.
    • Yes: You have logical partitions that need to be recovered before you can continue with this disk unit recovery procedure. Perform the following:
      1. Select the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) option from the IPL or Install the System display.
      2. Enter the password 22222222. If this password is not valid, ask the customer for the correct password.
      3. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, select Work with system partitions > Recover configuration data > Recover primary partition configuration data.
      4. Review the information on the Select Disk Unit for Configuration Data Recovery display. Select the disk unit with the most recent date and the correct system serial number, and then press Enter. The system will automatically copy the configuration data to the primary partition's load source, and then perform an IPL.
  16. The system ASP will be cleared because customer data was not recoverable. Recover the configuration to disk unit 1 in the system unit by performing the following:
    1. Enter Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) from the IPL or Install the System display.
    2. Enter the password 22222222. If this password is not valid, ask the customer for the correct password.
    3. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, select Work with disk units > Work with disk unit recovery.
    4. Select Recover configuration on the Work with Disk Unit Recovery display. This option assembles the system configuration information on disk unit 1 in the system unit. Continue with the next step.
      Note: A warning message will state that recovering the configuration destroys all system data.
  17. Did a message appear stating that your request to recover the configuration was not successful?
    • Yes: You are working on a system with only one disk unit, and the recover configuration function cannot be performed with only one disk unit. Go to step 18.
    • No: Go to step 19.
  18. Because the disk data was not recoverable, clear the auxiliary storage pool (ASP) to which the disk unit is assigned by performing the following:
    1. Return to the Work with Disk Units display. Select Work with disk configuration > Work with ASP configuration > Delete ASP data.
    2. Enter the Delete option for the ASP that you recorded in step 5, and confirm the deletion.
    3. Return to the Work with Disk Units display, and select Work with disk unit recovery > Replace configured unit.
    4. On the Select Configured Unit to Replace display, select the configured disk unit to exchange.
    5. On the Select Replacement Unit display, select the new disk unit.
    6. Press Enter to confirm the replace operation (this operation takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete). This ends the procedure. The auxiliary storage pool to which the disk unit is assigned was erased. The customer must restore the data to the auxiliary storage pool. Refer the customer to Backup and Recovery, SC41-5304.
  19. The ASP to which the failing disk unit was assigned was erased. The customer should perform one of the following:
    • If the disk unit you exchanged is in ASP 1, refer the customer to Backup and Recovery, SC41-5304, to restore the operating system and all customer data. This ends the procedure.
    • If the disk unit is in a user ASP (ASP 2 through ASP 16), data in the ASP is lost. See Backup and Recovery, SC41-5304. This ends the procedure.
  20. The remaining steps of this procedure require a dedicated system. Have the customer do a normal power-off procedure of the system.
  21. Perform an IPL to DST (see Performing an IPL to dedicated service tools). Is the IPL or Install the System display shown, or is DST available?
    • No: Go to step 2.
    • Yes: Select Use dedicated service tools (DST) on the display or use a function key. Have the customer enter the password to get to the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display. Continue with the next step.
  22. Perform the following:
    1. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, select Work with disk units > Work with disk configuration > Display disk configuration > Display disk configuration status.
    2. Record the ASP, unit, serial number, type, and resource name of the disk unit.
    3. On the Display Disk Configuration Status display, ensure the following:
      • The disk unit is not the load-source disk unit (disk unit 1).
      • No disk units are missing from the configuration (indicated by an asterisk (*) next to the unit number).
      • The status field of the disk unit to be removed shows Configured.

      Are all of the above conditions true?

      • Yes: Continue with the next step.
      • No: You cannot use the Remove Units from Configuration function. Go to step 2.
  23. Return to the Display Disk Configuration display and select Display disk configuration capacity. Does the % Used field for the disk unit to be removed show an asterisk (*)?
    • No: Continue with the next step.
    • Yes: You cannot use the Remove Units from Configuration function. Go to step 2.
  24. Return to the Work with Disk Units display and perform the following:
    1. Select Work with disk unit recovery > Disk unit problem recovery procedures > Analyze disk unit surface.
    2. Select the disk unit to analyze.
    3. Press F10 to analyze the disk unit surface.
    4. Wait until the Analyze function is complete. This will take several minutes.

    Are there any pages with errors?

    • No: Continue with the next step.
    • Yes: You cannot use the Remove Units from Configuration function. Go to step 2.
  25. Return to the Work with Disk Units display and perform the following:
    1. Select Work with disk configuration > Work with ASP configuration > Remove units from configuration.
    2. Select the disk unit to be removed. If the disk unit does not display, go to step 2.
    3. If the Confirm Continuation display appears, press Enter to continue. Wait for the next display.
    4. If there is enough storage in the ASP, the Confirm Remove Disk Units display appears. If there is not enough storage, an error message display appears. Does any error message display appear?
      • No: Continue with the next step.
      • Yes: Go to step 2.
  26. Press Enter to verify the Remove Disk Units function. The Remove Disk Units function takes several minutes. When it is complete, a message will appear stating whether it was successful. Was the Remove Disk Units function successful?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: Go to step 2.
  27. On the Work with ASP Configuration display, select Display disk configuration capacity. Press F11 twice to display nonconfigured units. Is the unit you removed shown as a nonconfigured unit?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: Go to step 2.
  28. You can exchange the disk unit at a later time because the disk unit is removed from the configuration Do you want to exchange the disk unit now?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: This ends the procedure.
  29. Power off the system and exchange the failing disk unit.
    1. Power off the system and remove the power cords.

      Power off the system and remove the power cords:

      1. Before continuing ensure the device is not being used by the customer.
      2. If possible, shut down any running applications and the operating system before powering off the system.
      3. After the system is powered off, remove all power cords from all of the processor enclosures, starting with the primary processor enclosure (topmost) and then each secondary enclosure, working from top to bottom.
       
    2. Access the unit:
      1. Open the front rack door.
      2. Loosen the thumbscrew (A) on the right side of the cover.
      3. Slide the cover to the right and remove it from the system unit slot (B).
    3. Remove the disk drive:
      1. Unlock the disk drive handle by squeezing it and pulling it out toward you as shown.
      2. Support the bottom of the disk drive as you slide it out of the system or expansion unit. Do not hold the disk drive by the handle.

        The concurrent maintenance light for the slot turns off when you remove the disk drive.

    4. Install the bezel on the new disk drive:
      1. Find the package that contains the new disk drive.
        Attention: Disk drives are fragile. Handle with care.
      2. Remove the disk drive from its static protective package.
      3. Unlock the handle of the replacement disk drive by squeezing and pulling it out toward you. If the handle is not all the way out, the disk drive will not slide into the system.
      4. Attach the disk drive bezel (A) to the replacement disk drive as shown.
      5. Press in and then tighten the thumbscrew B to secure the bezel to the disk drive.
    5. Install the disk drive:
      1. Support the bottom of the disk drive as you align it with the guide rails in the system unit. Do not hold the disk drive by the handle.
      2. Slide the disk drive into the system until it stops.
      3. Push the disk drive handle in until it locks.
        Important: When you install a disk drive, ensure that the drive is fully seated and all the way into the system.
    6. Install the power cords:

      If you removed the power cords, reinstall the power cords for all of the processor enclosures.

      Install the cords in the following order:

      1. Secondary 2
      2. Secondary 3
      3. Primary
      4. Secondary 1
  30. Format and initialize the new disk unit by doing the following:
    1. Perform an IPL to DST (see Performing an IPL to dedicated service tools).
    2. From the Use Dedicated Service Tools (DST) display, select Work with disk units > Work with disk unit recovery > Disk unit problem recovery procedures > Initialize and format disk unit.
    3. Select the disk unit you want to initialize and format.
    4. Press F10 on the confirmation display. The system initializes and formats the new disk unit. The display shows when the status is complete (this may take 30 minutes or longer).
  31. Use the ASP, unit, serial number, type, and resource name information that you recorded in step 22 to perform the following steps:
    1. Return to the Work with Disk Units display and select Work with disk configuration > Work with ASP configuration > Add units to ASPs.
    2. Specify the ASP from which the disk units were removed.
    3. Select the unit to add to the ASP.
    4. When the Confirm Add Units display appears, press Enter to continue. Wait for the next display. The Add Disk Units function takes several minutes. When it is complete, a message appears stating whether it was successful.

  32. Was the Add Disk Units function successful?
    • No: Continue with the next step.
    • Yes: On the Work with ASP Configuration display, select Display disk configuration capacity. The unit you that added should be shown in the correct ASP. This ends the procedure.
  33. Do you have more field replaceable units (FRUs) to exchange?
    • Yes: Go to step 29.
    • No: Ask your next level of support for assistance. This ends the procedure.

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Last updated: Mon, April 25, 2011