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December 2003

Configuring Array-Management Software


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I used an Adaptec SCSI Card 29160LP to attach Promise Technology's UltraTrak RM4000 RAID controller and a Windows Server 2003 server. I installed the Web-based Promise Array Management (WebPAM) software so that I could monitor the array from a serial or SCSI connection. I should be able to use a Web browser to log on to WebPAM and connect to the array configuration, but I can't do so. Do you know what's wrong?

Start by determining the BIOS level on the RM4000: Press the SEL key on the RM4000's front display, then select the View Status option. Press the SEL key again, then use the arrow keys to highlight the View Controller Info option. Press SEL once more and scroll down to view the firmware revision. Make sure that the revision is 1.1.0.17 or later. If your RM4000 is using an earlier firmware release, go to http://www.promise.com/support/download/download2_eng.asp?productId=95&category=All&os=0 to download the most recent firmware for your array, then follow the manufacturer's instructions to upgrade your firmware to that version.

After you confirm that the RM4000's firmware is version 1.1.0.17 or later, turn off your Windows 2003 server, press the RM4000's SEL key, and select the Configuration option. You'll be prompted to enter a password; the default password is 0000. Use the arrow keys to scroll to the Configure SCSI option, then use the arrow keys to scroll to the SCSI Base Mgt option. (Using SCSI lets you monitor more than one array per server; aside from that, I haven't been able to get WebPAM to work over a serial connection.) Highlight that option, then press the SEL key to change the status to Enabled. Press the Exit key on the RM4000's front display, then press the SEL key to save your changes. The array will then reboot. You've now configured the RM4000 so that you can manage it over the SCSI controller.

Uninstall the WebPAM software, reboot the array, and delete the target directory that you used during your original WebPAM installation. To reinstall WebPAM, launch WebPAMB12.exe and accept the license agreement. Click Next, and (for the purposes of this overview) leave both the Internal SSL and External SSL security options disabled. The installation procedure then prompts you to select the WebPAM components that you want to install. The CIMOM Agent is the component that interacts with the RM4000; you must install this component on the machine that's connected to the RM4000 (i.e., your Windows 2003 server). The Utility Server works in conjunction with the CIMOM Agent; you can install the Utility Server on any PC or server that can connect over the network to the server that runs the CIMOM Agent. Again, for the purposes of this overview, I suggest that you install both components on your Windows 2003 server.

Next, the installation process will prompt you to select a management port. Select SCSI. Enter the email server name or IP address and email sender address (e.g., RM4000@mydomain.com) that WebPAM will use to notify you if it detects an error on the RM4000. Next, choose the default directory in which you want to install WebPAM. The installation process will provide a summary list of installation options. If you agree to all the options, click Install. After the software finishes installing, the process will prompt you to complete the registration information for your array. This step is optional but recommended.

Next, unzip the raidconsoleinf.zip file, which is included with the WebPAM software. Place the extracted files in an easily accessible location, then reboot the server and log back on to it. The server will detect the new hardware. Search for a new driver in the directory to which you extracted the contents of raidconsoleinf.zip. The server will identify the Promise RAID Console driver. Install this driver (you don't need to reboot). You can now log on to and configure WebPAM. To do so, open your Web browser and navigate to port 8080 of the IP address or the name of the server on which you installed WebPAM (e.g., http://myserver:8080/promise). The default user is Administrator, and the default password is password. To connect to the RM4000, click the Administrator tool and select Host Management. Click Add Host and enter the IP address or the name of the server to which you've attached the RM4000. After a brief pause, the RM4000 will appear in WebPAM's device list.

End of Article



Reader Comments
I just want to say, "Great job" on the December 2003 issue. I read the issue cover to cover and never regretted reading a single article. You successfully covered what I see as the most important and pressing concerns today: failover, patch management, scripting, and security, and you offered excellent migration information and product evaluations. I started to chastise you for allowing the lengthy reply in Ask Dr. Bob: "Configuring Array-
Management Software" (http://www
.winnetmag.com, InstantDoc ID 40606) regarding configuring Promise Technology's Promise Array Management (WebPAM) software but quickly realized that Bob Chronister's answer covers many important basic strategies for resolving RAID problems: update the BIOS, update the firmware, and perform the proverbial uninstall-reinstall. This kind of issue really shows Return on Investment (ROI) in subscription costs and offers excellent reading and resources. Again, great job!

John Collins January 12, 2004


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