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AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1292A 2-14-96
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Manhattan SMP, Netware 3.12, and Seagate ST15230N Disk Drives
PROBLEM
When configuring the DAC960 with a Seagate ST15230N disk drive in a
Manhattan SMP system, the following error message is displayed:
"Divide by zero error"
CAUSE
Older firmware and software were used with the disk array subsystem and
Seagate disk drive. The firmware version in the disk array controller was
1.24 and the BIOS in the disk array controller was 1.05. The firmware
version in the Seagate disk drive was 0088.
SOLUTION
Use updated BIOS, firmware, and software with the disk array subsystem and
Seagate disk drives.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
To resolve the problem outlined in this Technical Bulletin, AST obtained the
most current firmware components for each hardware product involved in the
disk array subsystem at the time this bulletin was written. Then the updated
firmware components were installed and tested to verify the problem was
resolved. For reference purposes, the following list identifies the firmware
components that AST used for testing:
The firmware on the Seagate ST15230N disk drive was version 498.
The BIOS for the DAC960 was updated to version 1.19 and the firmware was
updated to version 2.14. The updated firmware and BIOS does not support
drive sizing. This means the same manufacturer and model number of a disk
drive must be used when performing a hot-replacement. Also, the same
manufacturer and model number must be used when configuring a hot-
standby or the native size of the hot-standby disk drive must be larger than
the native size of all of the other disk drives that are installed in the disk
array subsystem.
The DAC960 software drivers for Netware 3.12 was updated to:
Filename: Size: Date: Version: Description
dac960.dsk 13376 2/9/95 3.07 DAC960 driver for Netware 3.1X
aspidac3.dsk 4591 2/9/95 3.02 DAC960 ASPI driver for
Netware 3.1X
dacadm.nlm 148461 5/5/95 3/05 DAC960 administration utility
for Netware 3.1X
dacmon.nlm 65521 5/5/95 3.07 DAC960 monitoring utility for
Netware 3.1X
The updated software for the disk array subsystem is available on AST's BBS
or CompuServe, or AST's web site.
The procedures discussed in this Technical Bulletin require a diskette from
AST's BBS. The file that contains the diskette is called "SMP_N312.EXE" and
is located AST's BBS (817) 230-6850. AST's BBS supports modem speeds
up to 28.8k bps. The above file will also be posted on:
CompuServe
Go ASTSUPPORT
AST Worldwide Web Site
http://www.ast.com
For AST's world wide BBS numbers, see Technical Bulletin # 1500
(1500TB.TXT) on AST's BBS and other On-Line! forums.
PART I: DAC960 UPDATE PROCEDURE
PREREQUISITES
1. The updated firmware (2.14) and BIOS (1.19) that will be installed in the
DAC960 controller is incompatible with the older firmware (1.24) and BIOS
(1.05). This means the stripe size that is used to create the RAID disk
drives are incompatible and all data will be destroyed when the RAID drives
are recreated. Because of the incompatibility, it is mandatory for all of the
data to be backed up before performing the update procedure. The data will be
restored after the operating system has been reinstalled.
2. Due to the comprehensive nature of the DAC960 subsystem, AST
recommends the System Administrator receive proper training prior to
configuring this subsystem. This Technical Bulletin assumes the System
Administrator has already received training from AST and is familiar with the
DAC subsystem.
CAUTION
Use an ESD ground strap when handling hard drives or circuit boards.
PART I: INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPGRADING THE DAC960 BIOS AND
FIRMWARE
WARNING: The updated firmware download utility MUST be run from a
floppy disk drive.
1. A diskette is required for this procedure. To obtain the diskette,
download the file "SMP_N312.EXE". Enter the command "SMP_N312.EXE"
to decompress and explode the file. Enter the command "README" and
follow the instructions to create the diskette. The DOS command "sys"
will need to be used to make the diskette bootable after it is created.
Use DOS 5.0 or higher when using the "sys" command.
2. The firmware needs to be upgraded first. To upgrade the firmware, boot
from the floppy diskette and enter the command "NEWFIRM"
NOTE:
The DAC960 may report the following error status during this process:
"ERROR STATUS FROM DAC = 104H"
This error message is actually a warning message and should be ignored.
After receiving the message, press any key to continue.
Answer "Y" to the Download Verification Prompt.
The system will need to be rebooted after the firmware has been updated.
When prompted, press the key on the front of the computer to
continue with the procedure.
NOTE
The DAC960 will report errors after the computer is reset. Again, these error
messages are actually informational messages and should be ignored. Press
any key to continue with this procedure.
3. The BIOS needs to be upgraded next. After the computer has rebooted to
the floppy diskette, upgrade the BIOS by entering the command
"NEWBIOS".
The system will need to be rebooted after the BIOS update process is
complete. When prompted, press any key to reboot the computer system.
4. The system drive(s) needs to be created and configured after the BIOS
update is complete. To configure a system drive, enter the command
"DAC960CF".
When the utility prompts you to press "S" to save the default configuration,
press and then after the configuration is saved, reboot the system again.
After the computer has rebooted, enter the command "DAC960CF" to
continue creating the system drive.
Because each customers configuration is different, this Technical Bulletin is
not able to document exactly how the system drive(s) should be configured.
The configuration menu is very intuitive and following the prompts will
enable each customer to set up their configuration without problems. As a
basic guideline, the following list consists of the steps that need to be
followed in order to set up a system drive properly.
1. Low level format the SCSI disk drive.
2. Define the pack.
3. Define the system drive and select the desired RAID level.
4. Initialize the system drive.
5. Save configuration and exit.
6. Install the operating system.
PART II: INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SEAGATE ST15230N
The firmware for the Seagate ST15230N needs to be at revision level 498 or
higher. Contact AST Technical Support at (800) 727-1278 to exchange the
disk drive if it is below revision level 498.
It is also possible for qualified personnel to upgrade the firmware on the
Seagate ST15230N in the field. Follow the steps detailed in Technical
Bulletin #1161, except choose "Seagate ST15230N," where the Technical
Bulletin says "Quantum 1080S." This should update the Seagate firmware to
revision 498.
PART III: INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING NETWARE 3.12
NOTE
Part II must be completed before continuing with Part III.
The procedure for installing Netware 3.12 has not changed but the files have
been updated. The files that are required to install DOS are located in the
subdirectory called "DOS". In order to install NetWare 3.12 from a
CD-ROM, the CD-ROM must be made accessible through DOS.
An example CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file is included in the
"DOS" subdirectory to assist with configuring the CD-ROM under DOS.
The files that are required to install Netware 3.12 are located in the
subdirectory called "n312". For reference, an example CONFIG.SYS and
AUTOEXEC.BAT is also provided in the subdirectory to assist with
installing Netware with the CD-ROM. To install Netware, follow the
procedure that is documented in the DAC960 documentation that was
originally provided with the DAC960 product.
CONCLUSION
This concludes the steps that are required to upgrade to the most recent
firmware, BIOS and software drivers. Contact AST Technical Support if
additional information is required.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED
AST PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION
All models Manhattan SMP Computer system
501133-002 Five channel EISA SCSI Disk Array Controller
520082-002 Five Channel EISA SCSI Disk Array Controller
221134-001 FRU Five Channel EISA SCSI Disk Array Controller