IBM SSA RAID CLUSTER ADAPTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Subject: IBM SSA RAID CLUSTER ADAPTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE
New Netfinity server RETAIN Tip: 

    Altered copy                         Original record number:    H057844
    Record number:       H167333
    Device:              D/T8680
    Model:               M
    Hit count:           UHC00009
    Success count:       USC0000
    Publication code:    PC50
    Tip key:
    Date created:        O99/08/18
    Date last altered:   A99/09/28
    Owning B.U.:         USA


Abstract: IBM SSA RAID CLUSTER ADAPTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE

SYMPTOM:

When using the IBM SSA Raid Cluster adapter in an MSCS environment with code levels prior to 1.08 (driver) and 0700 (firmware), the following problems may be experienced depending on the combination of SSA driver levels and firmware levels.

•  MSCS failover does not function properly.
•  NT stop screens.
•  Unexpected array remirror, resulting in temporary inaccessibility of disk resources.
•  Other unpredictable misbehavior.

PROBLEM ISOLATION AIDS:

•  The system is any of the following IBM servers:

          a Netfinity 7000-M10 server, Type 8680, any Model.
          a Netfinity 7000 server, Type 8651, any Model.
          a Netfinity 5500-M20 server, Type 8662, any Model.
          a Netfinity 5500-M10 server, Type 8661, any Model.
          a Netfinity 5500 server, Type 8660, any Model.
          a Netfinity 5000 server, Type 8659, any Model.
          a PC Server 704, Type 8650, any Model.
          a PC Server 330, Type 8640, any Model.
          a PC Server 325, Type 8639, any Model.
   

•  The system is any of the following OEM servers:

          a Compaq ProLiant 1500 server, any Model.
          a Compaq ProLiant 2500 server, any Model.
          a Compaq ProLiant 5000 server, any Model.
          a Compaq ProLiant 6000 server, any Model.
          a HP NetServer LH Pro server, any .Model
          a HP NetServer LX Pro or LXr Pro server, any Model.
   

•  The system is configured with any number of Processors.
•  The system is configured with the following option:

          IBM SSA Raid Cluster Adapter, Option P/N 96H9835
          FRU P/N 02L7644, Feature Code 4012.
   

•  The system is configured with Windows NT 4.0, with Enterprise Edition, with Service Pack 3 or later.
•  The Device Driver for IBM SSA Raid Cluster Adapter is any version prior to 1.08.
•  The Firmware for IBM SSA Raid Cluster Adapter is any version prior to 0700.

  NOTE: When operating in non-clustered (one-way) environment, operation is unaffected.

FIX:

Upgrade to Windows NT 4.0 (Enterprise Edition), Service Pack 4 (or later), SSA driver version 1.08 (or later) and firmware version 0700 (or later).

Please ensure that the NT Service ISSACLUS is installed.

Note: "issaclus.exe" is provided in the NT Device Driver package and instructions for it's installation are given in the file ..\driver\readme.txt.

Files can be downloaded from the following URL:

http://www.hursley.ibm.com/ssa/pcserver/pc_download.html

DETAILS:

The experienced behavior is caused by problems with certain levels of SSA device drivers, adapter firmware and NT Service Packs in an MSCS (dual way) environment only with IBM SSA Cluster Adapter.
Other IBM SSA adapters are not affected.
This problem has been fixed with the latest versions of driver and firmware.

An additional NT service ISSACLUS is required to provide failover functionality for the IBM SSA RAID Cluster Adapter only.
This service comes with the 1.08 driver package.

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