AX100-Series

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Revision A01

June 9, 2004

This document explains how to restore an SPs boot image.

Read it when an SP does not start properly and its fault light blinks four
times a second. The cause may be that the SPs boot image has been
damaged and is unusable. Topics in this document include

Definitions ............................................................................................. 2
Restoring an SP Boot Image................................................................ 3
Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP......................................... 11

CAUTION
Do not attempt the restoration procedure without the assistance of
your authorized service provider.

Definitions

Definitions
Boot partition A reserved space on one disk, mirrored on another
disk, that holds the SPs operating system. Each SP loads its operating
system from one of its boot partitions when powered up or reset.
Image repository A reserved space that holds images you can use
to restore an SPs boot image.
Primary boot disk The smaller numbered disk in the mirrored
boot pair for an SP. For SP A, it is disk 0; for SP B, disk 1.
SP boot light The amber status lamp visible from the back of an
SP. The speed at which it blinks indicates the SP startup operation, as
follows:

Every 4 seconds - The SP is running powerup diagnostics.

Every second - The SP is running software diagnostics.
Four times a second - The SP is starting up (booting).
Off - The SP is running normally.

Secondary boot disk The greater numbered disk in the mirrored

pair for an SP. For SP A, it is disk 2; for SP B, disk 3.
Utility partition A reserved space on the first four drives of a
storage system that holds software to perform recovery.
Locations of Boot and Utility Partitions and Image Repository
Disks
0

What Next?

Definitions

SP A primary
boot partition

SP B primary boot
partition

SP A secondary
boot partition

SP A secondary boot
partition

SP B primary utility
partition

SP A primary
utility partition

SP B Secondary
Utility Partition

SP A secondary
utility partition

Image Repository

Image Repository

Image Repository

Continue to the next section for information on restoring a boot

image.

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

This section describes recovering the SP boot image for a storage
processor in an AX100 storage system.
Follow this procedure if an SP hangs during startup and cannot boot.
An SP indicates that it is trying to boot by flashing the amber light on
its back panel four times a second. If it cannot boot, it continues
flashing the light four times each second.
Normally, you can recover an SPs boot image using the steps in this
section. But if no valid SP boot image exists on your storage system,
you will need to use FTP to load one. If you must use FTP, a step in
this section will direct you to the pertinent section.

Connecting the Cables

1. Connect the RJ45-DB9 adapter cable and a DB9-DB9 cables
together. These were supplied with your storage system.
2. Connect the joined cables between the server or laptops COM 1
or COM 2 port (the port you chose for Hyperterm above) and the
serial port of the SP that will not boot.
Figure 1 shows a cable connection between a COM port and SP A.
UPS
+-

Serial

LAN

00

COM 1 or COM 2

EMC2939

Figure 1

Connecting a Server/Laptop COM Port to an SP Serial Port

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Starting a Hyperterm Session

A Hyperterm session lets you communicate with a device
connected over a COM port, such as an SP.
1. To start a Hyperterm session, follow this path:
Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications >
Hyperterminal
2. When the software asks for a name, create a meaningful name; for
example, AX100; then click OK.
The software displays a Connect to screen.
3.

In the Connect using box, select COM1 or COM2 from the

pull-down list.
The software displays a settings screen.

4. Select the following settings:

Bits per second: 9600
Data bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop bits: 1
Flow Control: None
5. Click OK.
The Hyperterm session is now running, as you can see from the
timer displayed at the lower left of the screen. You will use this
session to communicate with the SP.

Recovery Procedure
1. Reset the problem SP. The easiest way to do this is to unplug and
then plug in the line cord to the SPs power supply. See Figure 2.
Be prepared to watch for the alphabetic power-up test display in
the Hyperterm window.

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Retention
Bail

EMC2801

Figure 2

Removal of SP Power Cord from Power Supply

The SP will begin its boot sequence and run diagnostic tests. Look
for an alphabetical sequence to begin.
2. When the alphabetical test starts, press the Esc key as shown next.

Press the Esc key here.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

The screen displays the following message:

Contact your Service Representative...
3. Type DB_key (case sensitive) and press Enter to display the
Diagnostic Menu.

4. Select DDBS Service Sub-Menu to display the DDBS Service

Sub-Menu.
AX100 HyperTerminal

5. On the DDBS Service Sub-Menu, select the Utility Partition

Boot option.
This tells the SP to boot from its Utility Partition.

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

The SP boots from its utility partition and displays lots of status
messages and eventually a status summary as follows. This
normally takes 2-4 minutes and might take longer. Be patient.

6. Press Enter to continue to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main

Menu.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

7.

Select Install Images from the menu.

The software displays a Select Images to Install screen.

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

8. Select the recovery image to install. The correct filename has the
form FLARExxx.mif.
If there is no filename with the form FLARExxx.mif, then no
recovery image exists. You must obtain one from an outside site.
You cannot continue with this procedure. Do not type anything
now, but skip to the section Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP
on page 11.
After you have specified an image, the software displays the
Confirm Image Installation screen.
9. Enter y if the image selection is correct.
The software displays the Select Storage Processors to Install
screen.
10. Select the SP you want to recover. Choose This SP since this is the
SP you physically connected via the serial cable.
For example, if you are restoring the image to SP B, select SP B
only. Do not try to restore images to both SPs in one procedure.
After you have selected an SP, the software copies the image to
the boot drives of that SP. It displays a screen similar to the
following that shows the percentage copied. The copy may take
up to 5 minutes. Be patient.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

Restoring an SP Boot Image

11. Verify that the operation completed successfully. You will see the
word Success as shown above.
12. Press Enter to continue.
The software displays the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main
Menu.
13. Select the Reset Storage Processor option from the Utility Toolkit
Menu.
The SP boots using the image you selected. It boots three times,
and each boot may take up to 3 minutes. Be patient.
After the SP reboots, the amber LED on the SP back panel should
be off. You can now manage the SP using Navisphere.
14. Disconnect the cables from the SP and the server/laptop and
store them in a safe place.
15. Close your Hyperterm session.
You have restored an SP boot image. Congratulations.

10

Restoring an SP Boot Image

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

This section explains how to load and use an SP boot recovery image
using FTP (Internet File Transfer Protocol).
Use this procedure with a single SP system if there is no usable
recovery image in the storage system.
The software is displaying the Select Images to Install screen
(without a file of the form FLARExxx.mif) as shown next.

1. Obtain a recovery file, or information on how to access a recovery

file, from your authorized service provider. The recovery
filename has the form FLARExxxx.mif.
2. On the Select Images to Install screen, press the Enter key
without specifying a number.
The software displays the Confirm Image Installation screen.
3. Enter n.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

11

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

The software displays the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Screen

Main Menu.

4. Select Enable LAN Service Port.

The software displays the Enable LAN Service Port screen and
prompts for network information.
5. As prompted, enter the IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default
Gateway of the SP you connected to the serial port.
The software confirms the settings you entered and asks for
confirmation. The entire screen, with the information you
entered, appears similar to the following.

6. If the settings are correct, enter y.

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

7. Enter y to continue.
8. Open a browser or an FTP client software package. Use the form
ftp://ip-address, where ip-address is the SPs IP address; for
example, ftp://10.14.17.120.
When the software makes the connection, a log-in window
appears.

9. At the login prompt, enter the username clariion (if not already
present) and the password clariion!
10. Use your browser to select the recovery file obtained from your
service provider, and drag and drop it into the FTP window, as
shown in the following two screens.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

13

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

11. Return to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit window, which is still

open, and select Install Images.
12. Select the image you just copied using FTP.
13. Confirm your selection.
14. Select the SP you want to recover. Choose This SP since this is the
SP you physically connected via the serial cable.
For example, if you are restoring the image to SP B, select SP B
only. Do not try to restore images to both SPs in one procedure.

14

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

After you select an SP, the software copies the image to the boot
drives of that SP. It displays a screen similar to the following that
shows the percentage copied. The copy may take up to 5 minutes.
Be patient.

15. Verify that the operation completed successfully. You will see the
word Success as shown on the screen above.
16. Press Enter to continue.
This returns display to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main
Menu.
17. Now you can install the SP image in the system repository. This
will let you restore the image without using FTP in the unlikely
event the SP image becomes unusable again. To install the SP
image in the repository:
a. Select Image Repository Sub-Menu.
b. Select the option Copy files from RAM disk to Image
Repository.
c. Select the file you just copied using FTP.
d. Press Enter to continue.
The software copies the image into the repository.

AX100-Series Restoring an SP Boot Image

15

Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP

e. Enter 1 to return to the CLARiiON Utility Toolkit Main

Menu.
18. Select the Reset Storage Processor option from the Utility Toolkit
Main Menu.
The SP boots using the image you selected. It boots three times,
and each boot may take up to 3 minutes. Be patient.
After the SP reboots, the amber LED on the SP back panel should
be off. You can manage the SP using Navisphere.
19. Disconnect the cables from the SP and the server/laptop and
store them in a safe place.
20. Close your Hyperterm session.
You have restored an SP boot image. Congratulations.

Copyright 2004 EMC Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

EMC believes the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication date. The information is subject to
change without notice.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS." EMC CORPORATION MAKES NO
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS
PUBLICATION, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Use, copying, and distribution of any EMC software described in this publication requires an applicable software
license.

Trademark Information
EMC2, EMC, CLARiiON, and Navisphere are registered trademarks and Access Logix, SnapView and MirrorView are trademarks of EMC Corporation.
All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

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Recovering an SP Boot Image Using FTP