Do you have a question about the IBM System Storage DS3500 and is the answer not in the manual?
Explains Fibre Channel as a high-speed disk attachment technology for storage networking, its topologies, and protocol layers.
Details SAS as a computer bus for data transfer, its point-to-point serial protocol, and protocol layers.
Describes iSCSI as an IP-based storage networking standard, its use over Ethernet, and performance considerations.
Overview of IBM's DS family of disk systems, including DS3500 and DS3950, and their positioning.
Details the DS3500 series storage subsystem models, including drive expansion chassis and enhancements.
Explains the EXP3512 and EXP3524 expansion subsystems for DS3500 growth, including drive types and capacities.
Discusses standard DS3500 configurations with Premium Features like Partition Expansion and FlashCopy.
Compares the capabilities of the DS3500 and DS3950 product offerings for ease of comparison.
Introduces the DS Storage Manager software, its tasks, and management connection methods.
Describes the various connectors on the rear panel of DS3500 controllers and EXP3500 enclosures.
Details the ports on the EXP3500 expansion enclosure, including ESM boards and SAS port connections.
Explains the unique two-digit identifier for each DS3500 and EXP3500 enclosure and how to set it.
Describes the SAS cables used to connect DS3500 to hosts and EXP3500 enclosures, including precautions.
Discusses Fibre Channel cabling features, SFP transceiver modules, and LC connectors.
Explains Fibre Channel auto-detection and speed negotiation rules for interoperability.
Describes the iSCSI Ethernet cabling used for iSCSI connections to hosts.
Details requirements and best practices for connecting EXP3500 enclosures to DS3500.
Explains how each DS3500 controller has a drive expansion channel for redundant connections.
Provides basic connection rules for attaching EXP3500 enclosures to a DS3500 storage subsystem.
Shows SAS connections for a single controller DS3500 with multiple EXP3500 enclosures.
Describes cabling a dual controller DS3500 to a single EXP3500 with two ESMs installed for redundancy.
Explains cabling DS3500 to multiple EXP3500 enclosures using top-down/bottom-up layout for redundancy.
Details steps to attach an EXP3500 enclosure to a running DS3500 configuration.
Explains detection of incorrect SAS cabling and provides examples of miswired configurations.
Describes two connection methods: host-agent (in-band) and direct (out-of-band) management.
Explains out-of-band management advantages and disadvantages, recommending a dedicated management LAN.
Describes in-band management using the I/O path and the access logical drive for communication.
Covers general rules for cabling hosts and subsystems, SAN zoning, and iSCSI LAN connections.
Details host server SAS HBAs for connecting to DS3500 SAS ports, including optional adapter.
Describes iSCSI SAN using standard Ethernet infrastructure and provides guidelines for connecting iSCSI hosts.
Provides steps for installing DS Storage Manager on Windows 2008, including preparation and client installation.
Details the procedure for installing DS Storage Manager on Linux using GUI or text-based interface.
Covers the procedure for installing DS Storage Manager on AIX, noting differences from Linux installation.
Describes procedures for Enterprise and Subsystem Management features for installation completion.
Provides an overview of the Enterprise Management window and its initial setup tasks.
Details the functions available in the Enterprise Management window, including context menus and submenus.
Explains the Status box, including subsystem profile and current subsystem status indicators.
Provides an overview of installed hardware components like controllers, enclosures, and drives.
Displays the overall capacity of the subsystem, showing configured and unconfigured capacity.
Provides an overview of hosts, mappings, and storage partitions, detailing host-to-logical drive mapping.
Shows configured Arrays and Logical Drives, including RAID levels and number of logical drives.
Includes links to help topics for understanding and setting up the storage subsystem.
Introduces the Subsystem Management window with its four main areas: Pull-Down Menu, Toolbar, Status bar, and Tabs.
Details the functions available in the pull-down menu bar of the Subsystem Management window.
Describes the various icons in the Toolbar area for easy navigation to management tasks.
Explains the icons in the Status bar area that show license types and their enablement status.
Describes the six tabs (Summary, Logical, Physical, Mappings, Setup, Support) for managing the storage subsystem.
Shows the organization of the storage subsystem by logical drives, arrays, free capacity nodes, and unconfigured capacity.
Describes how to create an Array from unconfigured capacity and view associated physical components.
Explains options to change controller ownership, RAID level, add free capacity, secure drives, delete/rename, and replace drives.
Describes how to create a new Logical Drive from free capacity and the limitations involved.
Details parameters for tuning logical drives, including capacity, ownership, cache, and media scan settings.
Shows the organization of the storage subsystem by controllers, drives, and hardware components.
Explains how to discover component properties and location, including showing disk types and viewing enclosure components.
Provides guidelines for planning hot spare coverage and selecting drives.
Describes the procedure to replace a failed or missing disk drive in an array.
Explains how to set the preferred loop ID for Fibre Channel ports.
Details how IBM engineers can access the subsystem controller by TELNET for maintenance.
Describes setting IP addresses for Ethernet management ports and configuring network settings.
Explains how to set parameters for iSCSI ports on daughter cards in DS3500 controllers.
Describes the Mappings tab for assigning Logical Drives to host servers via storage partitioning (LUN masking).
Details steps to define a host as a standalone server or cluster member, including protocol and host type.
Explains setting up storage partition definitions for Host or Host Groups and mapping logical drives.
Describes how to create host groups and add hosts to them for managing shared storage.
Provides a single source of information for available host ports on servers.
Explains how to map additional logical drives to a host or host group.
Shows unassociated host ports (HBA or iSCSI Initiators) that are available but not assigned to a host.
Covers options for moving, removing, and renaming hosts or host groups in the Topology tree.
Describes how to change the host type (operating system) without redefining hosts or mapped LUNs.
Explains how to change mapping configuration for Logical Drives to hosts or host groups.
Describes the Setup tab for initial configuration of a new DS3500 Storage Subsystem.
Explains how to locate the DS3500 Storage Subsystem and its EXP3500 expansion enclosures by flashing blue LEDs.
Details how to change the name of a DS3500 Storage Subsystem for easier identification.
Explains how to change the password, including strong password rules for DS3500.
Describes setting parameters for iSCSI ports on daughter cards in DS3500 controllers.
Guides through configuring logical drives and arrays on installed disk drives.
Explains how to assign existing logical drives to existing hosts, referencing Mappings Tab.
Details how to save logical configuration settings to a script file for later use or backup.
Describes the wizard for defining a new host and other configuration steps for assigning logical drives.
Explains how to change current IP addresses of the storage subsystem's Ethernet management ports.
Describes how to activate optional licenses for Premium Features like storage partitioning and copy services.
Explains iSCSI configuration options and port settings, including target authentication and discovery.
Discusses planning for iSCSI deployment, network topology, hardware/software initiators, and storage partitioning.
Covers iSCSI settings, target authentication, mutual authentication, target identification, and discovery.
Manages security and discovery settings for iSCSI connections, including target authentication.
Introduces main support functions accessed from the Support tab, including Gather Support Information and View Event Log.
Describes automated collection of data for troubleshooting via CASD log.
Explains how to view detailed configuration information about the storage subsystem.
Discusses configuration and use of the Support Monitor profiler software for collecting support bundles.
Details steps to upgrade DS3500 storage subsystem firmware and NVSRAM microcode.
Describes how to view the list of events and their details for troubleshooting.
Explains how to use the Performance Monitor to check performance of logical drives and controllers.
Covers the ability to export and import arrays for safe migration between DS3500 systems.
Explains how to manage persistent reservations and associated logical drive registrations.
Describes how to view detailed information about DS3500 drive channels for status and problem diagnosis.
Explains how to use controller diagnostics to run internal tests and verify functionality.
Details how to safely prepare components for removal by checking service action allowed (SAA) LED status.
Describes the Recovery Guru component for diagnosing problems and recommending recovery procedures.
Covers common recovery commands accessible from the Advanced Recovery menu.
Discusses the growing need for data security, regulatory compliance, and the insufficiency of common security methods.
Explains the FDE drives' symmetric encryption and decryption hardware and its use with IBM Disk Encryption Storage Manager.
Details new components for Disk Security, managed by Storage Manager, including DS3500 Disk Encryption Manager.
Provides a step-by-step process to create a key file and enable Disk Security on FDE drives.
Discusses functions like changing security key, saving key file, secure disk erase, FDE drive status, and hot spare drives.
Details how to migrate an array with Disk Security enabled by exporting and importing.
Introduces RSM for Storage software for problem reporting and remote access, its features, and connection methods.
Lists hardware and software requirements for RSM for Storage, including suggested servers and OS compatibility.
Describes the DS-RSM Model RS3 server for simplifying hardware/software component acquisition for RSM.
Explains various options for setting up RSM for Storage, including hardware and software choices.
Illustrates RSM for Storage connection using Ethernet and modem, and its interaction with Storage Manager.
Details how to configure e-mail notifications for status changes and alerts in Storage Manager.
Covers methods for remote access by IBM Service: modem and SSH connection.
Discusses security layers for remote access, including firewall and access controls.
Provides steps for installing and configuring RSM, including host OS installation and RSM setup.
Guides on configuring Storage Manager to send SNMP alerts to the RSM server.
Details the final steps to activate the RSM system after configurations are complete.
Covers securing IBM System Storage DS subsystem from unauthorized access via SSH and modem.
Explains how to manage alerts received by RSM, including viewing and closing alerts.
Explains how to use the CLI to manage IBM System Storage DS3500, including command structure and usage notes.
Describes two ways to enter commands: interactively using SMcli or creating saved scripts with Script Editor.
Lists conventions used in command statement syntax for managing the storage subsystem.
Shows examples of adding storage subsystems manually or via automatic discovery.
Explains how to use the SMcli -d option to list defined storage subsystems and display details.
Describes how to manage alert recipients, including defining mail server and SNMP trap configurations.
Explains how to issue commands to storage subsystems using the -c option for health status and script execution.
Lists the hardware and software components needed for the SAS configuration.
Guides on checking IBM support web site for DS3500 interoperability and updating firmware.
Provides operating system installation instructions for IBM BladeCenter and System x servers.
Details installing the IBM BladeCenter SAS Expansion Card in the HS21 BladeCenter host.
Explains the installation of IBM BladeCenter SAS Connectivity modules in I/O module bays.
Ensures SAS Connectivity Module firmware is updated to the latest version.
Ensures external ports on SAS Connectivity Modules are enabled for DS3500 connectivity.
Explains zoning as partitioning of Fibre Channel fabric for restricting access and simplifying management.
Details the installation of host server components: DS Storage Manager Utilities, Agent, and DSM.
Describes configuring disk space in Windows Server 2008 using Disk Management and hot_add utility.
Explains what a failover cluster is, its components, and how it provides service during system failures.
Lists the necessary hardware for a two-node failover cluster, including servers and storage adapters.
Covers initial setup steps including infrastructure cabling, zoning, and DS3500 basic configuration.
Guides on defining logical drive, host group, host, host type, and host ports using DS Storage Manager.
Details installation of host server components: DS Storage Manager Utilities, Agent, and DSM.
Describes steps for installing and configuring a failover cluster with two nodes.
Guides on adding the server clustering feature via Server Manager or Initial Configuration Tasks Wizard.
Recommends validating the configuration to confirm requirements for failover clusters.
Provides steps to create a cluster after successful validation, specifying servers, name, and IP address.
Explains configuration of quorum options, adding the second node, and configuring cluster resources.
Details the steps to configure a two-node file server failover cluster, including network and storage setup.
Discusses adding a logical drive to SLES 11 using DS3500 SAS storage with RDAC multipath driver.
Explains adding a logical drive to SLES 11 using DS3500 iSCSI storage with RDAC multipath driver.
Discusses configuring an HS21 BladeServer to boot from DS3500 using FC HBAs on SuSE Enterprise Server.
Explains attaching a DS3500 logical drive to SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 using Device Mapper Multipath (DMM).
Provides procedures to scan and verify storage logical drives, including using lsmod and fdisk commands.
Lists important considerations for AIX host attachment to DS3500, including licensing and HBA combinations.
Explains zoning as a method to partition Fibre Channel SAN infrastructure into logical subsets.
Discusses implementing SAN boot on a system with AIX, using alt_disk_install or NIM.
Covers parameters needing change for MPIO with physical devices, including FC adapters and drivers.
Guides on mapping logical drives to AIX OS using Storage Manager and defining host type.
Assumes logical drive is mapped; explains using cfgmgr and cfgdev commands for device discovery.
Provides step-by-step illustration of SAN boot implementation using AIX 6.1 on POWER Systems.
Discusses IBM storage solutions for VMware, highlighting flexibility, performance, scalability, and efficiency.
Provides links to VMware websites for ESX server prerequisites and hardware capabilities.
Explains SAN zoning setup for VMware ESX Server to storage system, recommending four paths and two HBAs.
Guides on configuring storage: zoning, creating LUNs, and storage partitioning for VMware hosts.
Provides procedures and details for installing the VMware ESX server, including hardware and BIOS configuration.
Details installing the VMware vSphere client and configuring network settings for ESX Server.
Guides on connecting to the VMware ESX Server Host via web browser and handling certificate warnings.
Covers post-installation steps like enabling SSH connectivity and creating virtual machines.
Explains how to create additional virtual switches for guest VM connectivity.
Provides a step-by-step process for creating virtual machines, including OS and hardware configuration.
Refers to VMware documents for further information on ESX Server storage configuration.
Shows an example of navigating the IBM Support Portal for DS3500 software downloads.
Guides on downloading fixes and updates from the IBM Support Portal.
Explains how to set up notifications to receive product updates for DS3500.