Readme template updated 10 March 2004 File name: IPSSHELL-README.TXT **************************************************************** | | | IPSSHELL Ver 1.0 | | | | (C) Copyright International Business Machines Corporation | | 2005. All rights reserved. | | | | US Government Users Restricted Rights -- Use, duplication | | or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with | | IBM Corp. | | | | Note: Before using this information and the product it | | supports, read the general information under "NOTICES AND | | TRADEMARKS" in this document. | | | | Updated 08 June 2005 | **************************************************************** Contents 1.0 About this README file 2.0 Change history 3.0 Installation and setup instructions 3.1 Download 3.2 Creating bootable media from download 3.2.1 Bootable CDROM (ISO) 3.2.2 Bootable Floppy (EXE) 4.0 Configuration information 5.0 Starting IPSSHELL 6.0 Using IPSSHELL 6.1 Creating a RAID array 6.2 Updating the current configuration 6.3 Deleting a configuration on the controller 6.4 Saving a configuration choice to a file 6.5 Viewing controller status 6.6 Viewing the current array configuration 6.7 Help 6.8 Hidden keys 7.0 IPSSHELL and AutoRun 7.1 Setup 7.2 Using AutoRun 7.2.1 1stBoot file 7.2.2 Preventing 1stBoot from being deleted 8.0 CDROM limitations 9.0 Web sites and phone support 9.1 Web sites 9.2 Software service and support 9.3 Hardware service and support 10.0 Notices and trademarks 11.0 Disclaimer ********************************************************************** * Attention * * --------- * * THIS APPLICATION IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR * * IBM IntelliStation 6217 and the ServeRAID 6i+ RAID CONTROLLER. * * * ********************************************************************** 1.0 About this README file This README file describes the download and creation of the media necessary to run IPSSHELL, the configuration requirements for IPSSHELL, and the use of IPSSHELL. Information on the IPSSHELL AutoRun feature and CDROM limitations are also included. 2.0 Change history Version 1.0 Initial Release 3.0 Installation and setup instructions 3.1 Download Download the *.EXE file to create a Bootable Floppy or the *.ISO file to create a Bootable CDROM. There are functional limitations relating to ReadOnly CDROM's. Please see the section on CDROM Limitations elsewhere in this document. 3.2 Creating bootable media from download 3.2.1 Bootable CDROM (ISO) After downloading the CDROM ISO image, use any suitable CDROM burning application to create the CDROM. 3.2.2 Bootable Floppy (EXE) The Floppy Disk image is self-extracting. Simply run the download file and follow the instructions. 4.0 Configuration information IPSSHELL has been specifically designed for the IBM IntelliStation 6217 with a ServeRAID 6i+ RAID controller. IPSSHELL may work with other compatible controllers or IntelliStation systems but this coincidental. For IPSSHELL to work properly, configure the IntelliStation 6217 as follows: * Install the ServeRAID 6i+ card in the ZCR slot. * Connect up to FOUR SCSI drives, on ONE cable, to SCSI320-B (ch-2). * Set the SCSI-ID's in sequential order starting with ID-0 and ending with ID-4. * Restore the ServeRAID 6i+ to its factory defaults, using [CTRL-I] IBM ServeRAID BIOS - Mini Configuration Program, which runs during the system boot. This program will allow the user to clear all prior RAID configurations and set all drives to ready (RDY). 5.0 Starting IPSSHELL Insert the Boot media (Floppy or CDROM) into the proper device and boot the system. After completing POST, the system will begin to boot DOS from the media. After DOS is loaded, the AutoExec.BAT file creates a RAMDRIVE. IPSSHELL and all of the required support files are copied to the RAMDRIVE. AutoExec.BAT then sets the RAMDRIVE to be the working drive. IPSHELL is Automatically started from the working drive. Users are encouraged to run IPSSHELL from the working drive (RAMDRIVE), however IPSSHELL may be run from the Boot media. There are functional limitations when running IPSSHELL from ReadOnly Boot media (CDROM). Please see the section on CDROM Limitations elsewhere in this document. After exiting IPSSHELL the user is returned to the working drive and the DOS command prompt. To restart IPSSHELL from the DOS command prompt, enter IPSSHELL and press [ENTER] or run the batch file "R.BAT", which simply calls IPSSHELL. 6.0 Using IPSSHELL IPSSHELL is a GUI interface to the IPSEND command-line tool. It simplifies the use of common IPSEND features. IPSSHELL is completely dependent on IPSEND for RAID configuration functionality. IPSSHELL constructs valid IPSEND commands which are sent to the ServeRAID 6i+ controller. To explore the full capability of the IPSEND command-line tool, the user is encouraged to run IPSEND directly. IPSEND is supplied with IPSSHELL on the CDROM and Floppy media. 6.1 Creating a RAID array IPSSHELL allows the user to create a variety of RAID types with an appropriate number of drives. The RAID types and number of drives are based on common RAID types and the physical number of drives that may be installed in an IntelliStation 6217. The available RAID types and drive options are listed below. RAID-0: (1 to 4 drives) RAID-1: (2 drives only) RAID-1e: (3 to 4 drives) RAID-5: (3 to 4 drives) To create a configuration, SELECT (1- Choose Config) from the Main menu. The Configuration menu opens. SELECT the RAID type and the number of drives desired. SELECT [A] or [ENTER] to accept the choice. To discard the choice or clear a previous choice, SELECT [C] or [ESC] and the previous choice will be cleared. 6.2 Updating the current configuration Once the configuration has been chosen, SELECT (3- Update Config) to update the ServeRAID 6i+ controller. 6.3 Deleting a configuration on the controller. To delete the current configuration, SELECT (2- Delete Current Config). It is not necessary to delete an old configuration BEFORE updating the configuration. The Update Config option deletes the current configuration before performing the update. 6.4 Saving a configuration choice to a file. It is possible to save the configuration choice to a batch file. This feature, when combined with the AutoRun feature, provides a powerful tool for configuring multiple systems. Please see the section on IPSSHELL and AutoRun elsewhere in this document. To save a configuration choice, SELECT (4- Save Current Config Choice). This will create a batch file called AutoRun.BAT on the Boot media and the current working drive. This file can be edited. It is a good starting point for understanding the IPSEND command-line syntax. 6.5 Viewing controller status To view the ServeRAID 6i+ controllers current status, SELECT (5- Show Current Status). This will show the status of the CONTROLLER but not the array configuration or the drives in the array. 6.6 Viewing the current array configuration To view the current array, SELECT (6- Show Current Config). The system will display a detailed report on the current array. 6.7 Help SELECT [F1] Help, to display the Help file. The help file can also be viewed with any standard text editor by opening the Help.TXT file on the Boot drive or the current working drive. 6.8 Hidden keys IPSSHELL provides five hidden keys designed to simplify certain tasks. These hidden keys are listed below. * [CTRL-R] Set all drives to RDY. * [CTRL-F] Restore Controller (6i+) to factory defaults. * [CTRL-D] Delete AutoRun.BAT from Floppy and working drive. * [CTRL-A] Lists the AutoRun.BAT file stored on the Boot drive. * [CTRL-Z] Full System Reset. This command combines [CTRL-F], [CTRL-D] and restores the 1stBoot file. 7.0 IPSSHELL and AutoRun IPSSHELL provides an AutoRun feature. This feature is designed to automatically recreate a previously defined RAID configuration with no user interaction. 7.1 Setup Setting up AutoRun is as simple as saving a configuration choice. The AutoRun.BAT file will be created on the Boot media. 7.2 Using AutoRun The AutoRun feature is activated after the system is booted and IPSSHELL has been run once. A 10 second count-down timer will start. A series of small dots at the bottom of the Main menu window indicates the count-down timer is running. When the timer reaches ZERO, IPSSHELL will execute the AutoRun.BAT file. The count-down timer can be stopped by pressing any key on the keyboard. 7.2.1 1stBoot File The 1stBoot file is a special file that prevents the count-down timer from activating. This file is present THE VERY FIRST TIME IPSSHELL is run. After the first time IPSSHELL is run, the 1stBoot file is deleted. The file can be restored a number of ways. * Restore 1stBoot with [CTRL-Z]. This will copy the file 1stBoot.BAK to 1stBoot. * Restore 1stBoot by copying the 1stBoot.BAK file using the DOS copy command. 7.2.2 Preventing 1stBoot from being deleted By preventing the 1stBoot file from being deleted, the count-down timer and the AutoRun features are disabled. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this such as setting a Floppy Disk to be Write Protected. Remember to restore the 1stBoot file before you set the Write Protection! Another way to prevent the 1stBoot file from being deleted is to run IPSSHELL from a CDROM. Since a CDROM is ReadOnly, the 1stBoot file can't be deleted! Therefore, the count-down timer will never start and AutoRun will never execute on CDROM Boot media. CDROM's have limitations so please review the section on CDROM Limitations elsewhere in this document. 8.0 CDROM limitations A CDROM is ReadOnly media. Certain IPSSHELL features will not work as expected when booted from a CDROM. If IPSSHELL is run from the CDROM directly, other features will not work as expected. All of the unexpected behaviors are directly related to the CDROM being a ReadOnly media. The following features are affected by ReadOnly media. * (4- Save Current Config Choice). The program writes the AutoRun.BAT file to the Boot drive and the current working drive. If a drive is ReadOnly, the write will fail and the user will be notified. None of these unexpected behaviors are FATAL to IPSSHELL, and the user is notified when they occur. * [CTRL-D] - Delete the AutoRun.BAT file. The program deletes the AutoRun.BAT file from the Boot drive and the current working drive. If a drive is ReadOnly, the delete will fail and the user will be notified. * [CTRL-A] - List Current AutoRun.BAT. The program lists the AutoRun.BAT file on the Boot drive. If the Boot drive is ReadOnly, it is very possible that the AutoRun.BAT file can not be written to it. In this case, the feature will fail and the user will be notified. If the file exists, the feature will work normally, even if the Boot drive is ReadOnly. * [CTRL-Z] - Full System Reset. The program restores the 1stBoot file to the Boot drive and the current working drive. If a drive is ReadOnly, the restore will fail and the user will be notified. * (6 - Show Current Config). The screen will not pause when the program is executed from ReadOnly Media. * [F1] - Help. The screen will not pause when the program is executed from ReadOnly Media. 9.0 WEB SITES AND PHONE SUPPORT ------------------------------- Information and assistance is available through the IBM Web site and by phone. 9.1 Web sites IBM Support Web Site: http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ IBM eServer Web site: http://www.ibm.com/eserver/xseries/ IBM IntelliStation Web site: http://www.ibm.com/pc/intellistation/ 9.2 Software service and support -------------------------------- Through IBM Support Line, you can get telephone assistance, for a fee, with usage, configuration, and software problems with xSeries servers, IntelliStation workstations, and appliances. For information about which products are supported by Support Line in your country or region, go to http://www.ibm.com/services/sl/products/. For more information about Support Line and other IBM services, go to http://www.ibm.com/services/, or go to http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/ for support telephone numbers. In the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-IBM-SERV (1-800-426-7378). 9.3 Hardware service and support -------------------------------- You can receive hardware service through IBM Services or through your IBM reseller, if your reseller is authorized by IBM to provide warranty service. Go to http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/ for support telephone numbers, or in the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-IBM-SERV (1-800-426-7378). In the U.S. and Canada, hardware service and support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the U.K., these services are available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 10.0 NOTICES AND TRADEMARKS --------------------------- INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some jurisdictions do not allow disclaimer of express or implied warranties in certain transactions, therefore, this statement may not apply to you. This information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time without notice. IBM, the e-business logo, eServer, IntelliStation, xxx, and xxx are trademarks of the IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. ****************************************************************** The following terms are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both: e-business logo eServer IBM IntelliStation ****************************************************************** Intel, MMX, and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both. Adaptec and HostRAID are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc., in the United States, other countries, or both. Red Hat, the Red Hat "Shadow Man" logo, and all Red Hat-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc., in the United States and other countries. Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. 11.0 Disclaimer ----------------- 11.1 THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. IBM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT. BY FURNISHING THIS DOCUMENT, IBM GRANTS NO LICENSES TO ANY PATENTS OR COPYRIGHTS. 11.2 Note to Government Users Include the following note after the disclaimer paragraph. Note to U.S. Government Users -- Documentation related to restricted rights -- Use, duplication or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corporation.