IBM ServeRAID-7k (71P8642) battery usage awareness - IBM xSeries 236, 346

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H173742

Symptom

IBM recommends that users who have the IBM ServeRAID-7k Controller, Option 71P8642, with the ServeRAID-7k Controller - Cache Battery for 7k, Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) 90P5245 or RoHS 39R8804, installed and operating for the duration of 18-24 months of continual usage on xSeries 236 or xSeries 346, replace the backup cache battery soon.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• xSeries 236, Type 8841, any model
• xSeries 346, Type 1880, any model

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM Options:

• ServeRAID-7k Controller - Cache Battery for 7k, FRU 90P5245
• ServeRAID-7k Controller, Option 71P8642

This tip is not software specific.

The system has the symptom described above.

Workaround

The IBM ServeRAID 7k battery is a consumable.

Users can purchase the IBM ServeRAID 7k battery, FRU 90P5245 or RoHS FRU 39R8804, by calling 1-800-765-5944 or by ordering from the following URL:

http://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/content/home/store_IBMPublicUSA/en_US/parts/parts_main.html

Additional information

Once the battery has reached its 18th month cycle of usage, it has been determined that the battery may no longer maintain the expected charge capacity. In addition, the IBM ServeRAID 7k controller does not have the capability of providing real time statistical data from the battery that is viewable in the ServeRAID 7k support log files. Our current IBM ServeRAID products, such as the ServeRAID 8x-10x series controllers, do have this real time battery data capability. As a result, IBM is recommending that all users replace the battery every 18-24 months, or remove it to run in Write-Through mode. This avoids potential problems and ensures that data is maintained in the event of a power outage.