Cannot see new array in PS Group Manager

Question

Sorry guys, I'm somewhat new to storage management. I've been working within existing arrays built by the last person who was here. Now that he's gone, I've been tasked with adding two more arrays/members to our existing EqualLogics. Problem is, that I see the 2 members in Group Manager, but not the 2 new ones. We have a datacenter managed by 3rd party and they say they've cabled everything in. Both are said to be cross connected via serial connection to one of our servers and the other to an existing array. Now physically I don't know how everything is connected. I just console into Group Manager. I don't see the new members there. I tried to login from one of the connected servers using Putty and Serial Connection. I've even used Baud ratings suggested online. But I can't connect to anything. Sorry if this sounds very basic - but what am I missing? How do I see these devices to even configure NICs and RAID?

Thanks for any help guys

Origin3k · Accepted Answer

Hmm. ... what exactly do you mean with 'array is connected to the active controller'? Can your datacenter guys make a photo from the back of the EQL? Seeing both CMs with the cables and the LEDS may help. When putty.exe close the window immediately than there is most likly nothing on the other end but when it stays open this is normaly a good sign. Press 'enter' or ctrl+c. If you see garbage or nothing  the connection parameters doesn match. Again its 9600/8/1/n. Note: When ever you restart a EQL the active CM moves which makes it hard when only having one working serial cable.   What you also can try is to power off the unit. Verify that your connecting to the right CM and power it on again. You wil see output from a booting CM. Not using a black font on a black background in putty also makes life easier ;) Regards, Joerg

Origin3k · Answer

The reason why i dont like the Discovering tool is that is also finds already existing arrays and you have to be very caefully. Most likly youre connected to the standby controller which doest respond on the serial port. So change to the other CM. 9600,8,1,N are the right settings.

IIRC also the serial cables from dell power connect switches working well, but using the cables which comes with the EQLs would be the easiest way.

Regards,

Joerg

Origin3k · Answer

Only 'pre-' or full configured arrays are visible as members in the Group Manager. To 'pre-' configure an array you have use the EQL Discovery Tool or a serial connection with 9600/8/1/n. Putty or telnet would be the right tool for that job.  I always use a serial and putty because so iam 101% sure to work with the right array. You have to be sure that you hook up the serial to the active CM and not to the standby. Check the green activ light on the controllers. A unconfigurated array would ask you what to do. Otherwise type 'setup' to restart the wizzard.The eth0 device needs to be connected to a switch because otherwise the device cant come up and the wizzward will be stopped at this point. If your array is under active maintenance you should call dell support to give you can link to the documentation ;) Regards, Joerg

desiphool · Answer

Thanks Joerg andDELL-Donald Wi - So I myself cannot physically connect to the array. Its currently connected via Serial Connection (not sure what kind of cable) to one of our servers on a remote datacenter. Then I remote into that server and tried to Putty into this serial connection. I used Baud Rate 19200 and 9600 and tried on COM1and COM2 connections. Nothing connected. It just hangs there for a few minutes. As for using the Remote Wizard, when I did that, it detected an array and said it would have to reset it. It seemed to find the current array and I didn't want to mess with resetting anything existing.

I think connecting through the serial connection may be the best and easiest. But just can't make the connection. Am I doing something wrong in my COM settings? When I look into Device manager of this server, there are jut 2 COM ports.

Origin3k · Answer

Ah... thx for that info. Was that true for all EQLs from the begining or just for recent models? So most likly he have the wrong cable. Regards, Joerg

desiphool · Answer

Thanks guys - but I still can't see it using COM1 or COM2 - not sure which is passive. I'm trying to validate what kind of cable was used. Also, we have a second new array which is cabled to the existing array via serial connection. How would I console from that? I have access to the Group Manager for the existing array but if a new one gets plugged into that on a serial port, how do I access that? Again, sorry for my inexperience. Just put in a spot suddenly. Thanks

Origin3k · Answer

Every EQL comes with 2 serial cables... just use one of them.

You dont use the serial cable to connect two EQL together! Hook up the serial to one of your favorite windows boxed and open a putty session by choosing com1 and if this one is not working try com2, com3 and so on. Press enter in to the black windows a and wait a second.

I have to use a usb<->rs232 adapter on my dell laptop because there is no physical RS232 anymore. Most of the time its com3 or com4 in my case :)

Regards,

Joerg

desiphool · Answer

Thank you Joerg and Dell Donald - you guys have been a tremendous help. I am verifying without datacenter about connections and cables. I will post once I get a resolution. Again, I've learned a lot in the past 24 hours from you guys.

desiphool · Answer

Sorry to keep bugging you guys. So I had our datacenter verify that the array is connected to the active controller and they're using the same cable they've used in the past when we connected our existing arrays. On the server that its physically connected to, I can see only COM1 and COM2 in Device Manager. I putty in to both but just hangs and eventually closes connection. I can see the two serial ports in the registry. No failures or issues detected in Device Manager. Does the physical server need rebooting to detect a device attached to its serial port? Other than that, I just don't know what else to do without physically being able to connect to the array

desiphool · Answer

Joerg - YOU ARE A GENIOUS - Ok, both of you and Donald are. So yeah, when Putty opened the session, I hit Enter and BAM - got my login and I'm IN!! Unbelievable. Thanks so much guys

Origin3k · Answer

\o/ drop a note when needed more help to add the unit to your existing Group. If you like we can try a teamviewer session and i can guide you if needed. Regards, Joerg

EqualLogic

Cannot see new array in PS Group Manager

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