PwrDwnDmx800_sym001

Routinely powering down a Symmetrix DMX800 System

Overview
A Symmetrix DMX800 system is designed to stay powered up for almost all situations. Unless
there is an emergency situation, initially call the EMC Service Support Center for assistance
before powering down the Symmetrix system.

Done

CAUTION
The Symmetrix DMX800 series system contains no user-serviceable parts. Therefore,
the system bay and storage bays should not be opened for any reason by untrained
personnel. If the Symmetrix system needs repair, only qualified personnel familiar with
safety procedures for electrical equipment and the Symmetrix system should access
components inside the unit.
This procedure is based on content from the following EMC manuals:
Symmetrix DMX800 Product Guide
These documents can be obtained from the EMC Powerlink website at:
http://Powerlink.EMC.com

If you must, perform the following steps to power down the Symmetrix DMX800 system.
1.

Stop all host processing

Stop all host application processes that are accessing the Symmetrix DMX system.
The green Disk Active LEDs (see Figure 1) on all disk modules flash on and off during write
operations, and remain constantly on when all writes are completed.

Figure 1, Disk active DAE LEDs

Note: All pending write operations should complete within five minutes. If a device fails to
complete its write operations within this time period, it could indicate a problem with that
device. Call the EMC Service Support Center for assistance, if necessary.

PwrDwnDmx800_sym001

2.

Locate and Press the power switches

Locate and press the power distribution unit (PDU) main circuit breakers on each side of the
cabinet, rear, (see Figure 2) to the OFF (down). When the system detects the loss of AC power,
the SPS modules power on automatically and keep the system running for 90 seconds, during
which time the system destages write operations in an orderly manner.

Figure 2 Circuit Breakers on Cabinet rear

Note: After 90 seconds on standby storage supply (SPS) backup power, the system shuts
down. The maximum allowable number of write pendings is determined by the number of
Disk array enclosures (DAEs) in the system and the number of drives per DAE. This limit
ensures that all write pendings will be destaged within 90 seconds.

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PwrDwnDmx800_sym001