Dell PowerVault E03J Series User Manual

Dell™ PowerVault™  
MD1200 and MD1220  
Storage Enclosures  
Hardware Owner’s  
Manual  
Regulatory Model: E03J Series and E04J Series  
Regulatory Type: E03J001 and E04J001  
Contents  
1
About Your Enclosure  
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7
Front-Panel Features and Indicators  
Front-Bezel Features and Indicators  
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9
Hard-Drive Indicator Patterns .  
Back-Panel Features and Indicators  
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Enclosure Failover When Two EMMs are  
Installed.  
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16  
16  
EMM Thermal Shutdown .  
Enclosure Alarms .  
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Power Indicator Codes  
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17  
18  
Other Information You May Need .  
2
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
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19  
19  
19  
20  
25  
26  
Before You Begin  
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Cabling Your Enclosure .  
Connecting the Enclosure .  
Changing Your Enclosure’s Operating Mode .  
Managing Your Storage Enclosure .  
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Contents  
3
Downloading Firmware .  
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3
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Recommended Tools .  
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Front Bezel (Optional)  
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27  
28  
Removing the Front Bezel.  
Installing the Front Bezel .  
Hard Drives.  
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29  
31  
31  
32  
Removing a Drive Blank.  
Installing a Drive Blank .  
Removing a Hard Drive .  
Installing a Hard Drive  
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Removing a Hard Drive From a Hard-Drive  
Carrier.  
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33  
Installing a Hard Drive Into a Drive Carrier.  
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35  
Removing an EMM Blank .  
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Removing an EMM .  
Installing an EMM.  
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41  
Removing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module .  
Installing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module  
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Control Panel.  
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42  
42  
44  
Removing the Control Panel  
Installing the Control Panel .  
Backplane  
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44  
Removing the Backplane .  
44  
4
Contents  
Installing the Backplane .  
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47  
4
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
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49  
49  
49  
49  
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50  
51  
52  
53  
54  
54  
55  
Safety First—For You and Your Enclosure  
Troubleshooting Enclosure Startup Failure .  
Troubleshooting Loss of Communication .  
Troubleshooting External Connections .  
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Troubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module.  
Troubleshooting Enclosure Cooling Problems  
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Troubleshooting Enclosure Management Modules.  
Troubleshooting Hard Drives  
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Troubleshooting Enclosure Connections .  
Troubleshooting a Wet Enclosure .  
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5
Getting Help  
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57  
Contacting Dell  
57  
Glossary  
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59  
69  
Index  
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Contents  
5
6
Contents  
About Your Enclosure  
Front-Panel Features and Indicators  
Figure 1-1. Front-Panel Features and Indicators—Dell™ PowerVault™ MD1200  
1
2
3
4
5
6
Figure 1-2. Front-Panel Features and Indicators—Dell PowerVault MD1220  
1
2
3
4
5
6
About Your Enclosure  
7
     
Item  
Indicator, Button, or  
Connector  
Icon  
Description  
1
Enclosure status LED  
The enclosure status LED lights when  
the enclosure power is on.  
Lights blue during normal operation and  
when the host server is identifying  
the enclosure.  
Blinks blue when a host server is  
identifying the enclosure or when the  
system identification button is pressed.  
Lights amber when the enclosure is  
turned on or is reset.  
Blinks amber when the enclosure is in  
the fault state.  
2
3
Power LED  
The power LED lights when at least one  
power supply is supplying power to  
the enclosure.  
Split mode LED  
The split mode LED lights when  
the enclosure is in a split-mode  
configuration.  
If the LED is not lit, it indicates that  
the enclosure is in a unified-mode  
configuration.  
4
System identification  
button  
The system identification button on the  
front control panel can be used to locate  
a particular enclosure within a rack.  
When the button is pushed, the system  
status indicators on the control panel  
and the EMM blinks blue until the  
button is pushed again.  
8
About Your Enclosure  
Item  
Indicator, Button, or  
Connector  
Icon  
Description  
5
Hard drives  
PowerVault MD1200—Up to 12 3.5-inch  
SAS hot-swappable hard drives.  
PowerVault MD1220—Up to 24 2.5-inch  
SAS hot-swappable hard drives.  
6
Enclosure mode  
switch  
When set in the top position, the  
enclosure is configured in unified mode.  
When set in the bottom position, the  
enclosure is configured in split mode.  
Front-Bezel Features and Indicators  
Figure 1-3. Front-Bezel Features and Indicators  
1
2
3
About Your Enclosure  
9
 
Item  
Indicator, Button, or  
Connector  
Icon  
Description  
1
Enclosure status LED  
The enclosure status LED lights when  
the enclosure power is on.  
Lights blue during normal operation and  
when the host server is identifying  
the enclosure.  
Blinks blue when a host server is  
identifying the enclosure or when the  
system identification button is pressed.  
Lights amber when the enclosure is  
turned on or is reset.  
Blinks amber when the enclosure is in  
the fault state.  
2
3
Power LED  
The power LED lights when at least one  
power supply is supplying power to  
the enclosure.  
Split mode LED  
The split mode LED lights when  
the enclosure is in a split-mode  
configuration.  
If the LED is not lit, it indicates that  
the enclosure is in a unified-mode  
configuration.  
10  
About Your Enclosure  
Hard-Drive Indicator Patterns  
Figure 1-4. Hard Drive Indicators  
1
2
1
hard-drive activity indicator (green)  
2
hard-drive status indicator (green  
and amber)  
Drive-Status Indicator Pattern (RAID Only) Condition  
Blinks green two times per second  
Off  
Identify drive/preparing for removal  
Drive ready for insertion or removal  
NOTE: The drive status indicator remains  
off until all hard drives are initialized after  
system power is turned on. Drives are not  
ready for insertion or removal during this  
time. The Dell PowerEdge™ RAID controller  
PERC H800 may take up to a minute to  
discover and initialize all the hard drives.  
About Your Enclosure  
11  
 
Drive-Status Indicator Pattern (RAID Only) Condition  
Blinks green, amber, and off  
Blinks amber four times per second  
Blinks green slowly  
Drive predicted failure  
Drive failed  
Drive rebuilding  
Drive online  
Steady green  
Blinks green three seconds, amber  
three seconds, and off six seconds.  
Rebuild aborted  
Back-Panel Features and Indicators  
Figure 1-5. Back-Panel Features and Indicators  
1
2
3
4
5
Item Indicator, Button, or  
Connector  
Icon  
Description  
1
Power supply/cooling PS 1  
600 W power supply.  
fan module  
For more information, see "Power Indicator  
Codes" on page 17.  
2
3
Primary enclosure  
management module  
(EMM)  
EMM 0  
The EMM provides:  
• a data path between the enclosure and the  
host server.  
Secondary EMM  
EMM 1  
• enclosure management functions for your  
enclosure.  
12  
About Your Enclosure  
   
Item Indicator, Button, or  
Connector  
Icon  
Description  
4
Power switches (2)  
The power switch controls the power supply  
output to the enclosure.  
5
Power supply/cooling PS 2  
fan module  
600 W power supply.  
For more information, see "Power Indicator  
Codes" on page 17.  
Enclosure Management Module  
Each EMM provides the following data path and enclosure management  
functions for your enclosure:  
Monitoring and controlling enclosure environment elements such as  
temperature, fan, power supplies, and enclosure LEDs.  
Controlling access to hard drives.  
Communicating enclosure attributes and states to the host server.  
NOTE: At least one EMM must be installed in the enclosure. If only one EMM is  
installed in the enclosure, it must be installed in the primary EMM bay and a blank  
must be installed in the secondary EMM bay. See "Installing an EMM Blank" on  
page 36.  
About Your Enclosure  
13  
   
Figure 1-6. Enclosure Management Module  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Item  
Indicator, Button, or  
Connector  
Icon  
Description  
1
System status  
indicator  
Blinks blue when the system  
identification button is pushed. You can  
identify a particular enclosure in a rack  
using the system identification indicator.  
2
3
Debug port  
For engineering use only.  
SAS port (In)  
IN  
Provides SAS connections for cabling the  
host or an upchain expansion enclosure  
(unified mode only).  
4
In port link status  
Lights green when all the links to the  
port are connected.  
Lights amber when one or more links to  
the port are not connected.  
The LED remains off if enclosure is not  
connected.  
5
SAS port (Out)  
OUT  
Provides SAS connections for cabling to  
the next down chain expansion enclosure  
in a daisy chain (unified mode only).  
NOTE: The SAS port Out is disabled if the  
enclosure is running in a split-mode  
configuration.  
14  
About Your Enclosure  
Item  
Indicator, Button, or  
Connector  
Icon  
Description  
6
Out port link status  
Lights green when all the links out of the  
port are connected.  
Lights amber when one or more links out  
of the port are not connected.  
The LED remains off if enclosure is not  
connected.  
7
EMM status LED  
Lights green when the EMM is  
functioning properly.  
Lights amber when the enclosure does  
not boot or is not properly configured.  
*
Blinks green (On 250 ms Off 250 ms)  
when a firmware download is in progress.  
**  
Blinks green (On 1000 ms Off 1000  
ms) when a peer auto-update is in  
progress.  
Blinks amber (On 250 ms Off 250 ms  
[two times]; Off 1000 ms) when the  
enclosure is unable to communicate with  
enclosure devices.  
*
Blinks amber (On 250 ms Off 250 ms  
[four times]; Off 1000 ms) when a  
firmware update fails.  
Blinks amber (On 250 ms Off 250 ms  
[five times]; Off 1000 ms) when the  
firmware versions are different between  
two EMMs in an enclosure.  
*
indicates that the LED blinks fast.  
**  
indicates that the LED blinks slowly.  
About Your Enclosure  
15  
Enclosure Failover When Two EMMs are Installed  
If two EMMs are installed, a certain degree of failover is offered. Control and  
monitoring of the enclosure elements can be transferred from one EMM to  
another in the event of an EMM failure. A failover occurs whenever  
communication is lost between an EMM and its peer.  
In the event of a peer EMM failure, the surviving EMM activates the amber  
status LED of the failed EMM. The surviving EMM then takes over the  
responsibility of enclosure management, which includes monitoring and  
control of the audible alarm, enclosure LEDs, power supplies, and fans.  
Failover does not include providing connectivity to the drives controlled by  
the failed EMM. When a failed EMM is replaced, enclosure management  
functions do not automatically return to the replaced EMM unless an  
additional failure occurs that triggers another failover event. The new EMM  
only restores the data path to the hard drives controlled by the failed EMM.  
EMM Thermal Shutdown  
If critical internal temperatures are reached, the enclosure shuts down  
automatically through either a thermal shutdown command issued by the  
EMM firmware or through a command from Dell™ OpenManage™ Server  
Administrator.  
Enclosure Alarms  
An audible alarm is activated if any of the fault conditions listed below occur.  
The alarm sounds continuously if:  
More than one fan has failed or a power supply/cooling fan module is not  
installed.  
One or more temperature sensors are in critical range.  
16  
About Your Enclosure  
           
The alarm sounds every 10 seconds if:  
One power supply has failed.  
One cooling fan has failed.  
One or more temperature sensors are in warning range.  
One EMM has failed.  
NOTE: The alarm is disabled by default. To enable the alarm, you must change the  
default setting in Server Administrator. For more information, see the Server  
Administrator documentation at support.dell.com/manuals.  
Power Indicator Codes  
Figure 1-7. Power Indicator Codes  
1
2
3
Item  
LED Type  
Icon  
Description  
1
DC power  
The LED lights green when the DC  
output voltage is within the limit.  
If this LED is off, it indicates that the  
DC output voltages are not within the  
limit.  
About Your Enclosure  
17  
 
Item  
LED Type  
Icon  
Description  
2
Power supply/cooling  
fan fault  
The LED lights amber when the DC  
output voltage is not within the limit or  
a fault with the fan is detected.  
If this LED is off, it indicates that no  
fault condition is present.  
3
AC power  
The LED lights green when the AC  
input voltage is within the limit.  
If this LED is off, it indicates either  
there is no power or the AC input voltage  
is not within the limit.  
Other Information You May Need  
WARNING: See the safety and regulatory information that shipped with your  
system. Warranty information may be included within this document or as a  
separate document.  
The rack documentation included with your rack solution describes how to  
install your system into a rack.  
The Getting Started Guide provides an overview of system features, setting  
up your system, and technical specifications.  
The OpenManage Server Administrator documentation provides  
information about managing your storage solution using the storage  
management service within the server administrator.  
The Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) H700 and H800 User’s  
Guide provides information about configuring RAID.  
Any media that ships with your system that provides documentation and  
tools for configuring and managing your system, including those  
pertaining to the operating system, system management software, system  
updates, and system components that you purchased with your system.  
NOTE: Always check for updates on support.dell.com/manuals and read the  
updates first because they often supersede information in other documents.  
18  
About Your Enclosure  
   
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
Before You Begin  
Before connecting your storage enclosure, ensure that the following are  
available:  
Power cables  
SAS cables  
Rail kit  
Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation media  
Documentation  
Getting Started Guide  
Rack Installation Instructions  
Safety instructions  
Cabling Your Enclosure  
You can cable your enclosure in either a unified-mode configuration or in a  
split-mode configuration.  
In a unified-mode configuration your enclosure is connected to one host,  
for example, a server with a controller card. Your enclosure can be one of  
up to four enclosures daisy-chained to a single port on the controller card  
in your host server. The enclosure can also be connected in a redundant  
path mode with two connections to single host server. See Figure 2-2 and  
Figure 2-3 for cabling diagrams of a unified mode configuration.  
In a split-mode configuration, your enclosure is connected to two separate  
controller cards. The controller cards may reside in the same server or in  
two different servers. The enclosure bus is logically split in half where the  
first half of the enclosure is managed by one controller and the second half  
of the enclosure is managed by the second controller. Table 2-1 lists the  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
19  
         
drives that are controlled by each enclosure management module (EMM)  
in a split-mode configuration. See Figure 2-4 for a cabling diagram of a  
split-mode configuration.  
Table 2-1. Split-Mode Configuration  
Enclosure  
EMM 0  
EMM 1  
Dell PowerVault MD1200 Drives 6 to 11  
Dell PowerVault MD1220 Drives 12 to 23  
Drives 0 to 5  
Drives 0 to 11  
NOTE: Clustering is not supported on PowerVault MD1200 and  
PowerVault M1220 enclosures.  
The operating mode is selected using the enclosure mode switch on the front  
panel of the enclosure.  
NOTE: The enclosure mode switch must be set to either unified mode or split mode  
before the enclosure is turned on. Changing the configuration mode after turning on  
the enclosure has no effect on the enclosure configuration until the enclosure  
is rebooted.  
Connecting the Enclosure  
1
Ensure that the latest version of Dell OpenManage™ Server Administrator  
is installed. For installation instructions and supported operating systems,  
see the Server Administrator documentation.  
NOTE: The minimum version of Server Administrator supported on your  
enclosure is 6.2.  
2
3
Turn off the host system and all attached devices.  
Connect the SAS cable(s) to the EMM SAS connector on the storage  
enclosure and to the RAID controller on the host system. Push the cable  
into the connector until it clicks into place. See Figure 2-1.  
NOTE: Connectors on both ends of the SAS cable are universally keyed. You  
can connect either end of the cable to the EMM or the RAID controller.  
NOTE: To remove the SAS cable, you must pull the pull-tab to release the  
cable from the connector on the EMM and the host system. See Figure 2-1.  
20  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
   
Figure 2-1. Connecting a SAS Cable  
1
2
1
SAS cable  
2
pull-tab  
NOTE: In a unified-mode configuration, connect the host to the first EMM  
module (EMM 0). See Figure 2-2. For unified-mode configurations utilizing  
redundant paths, connect the host to the second EMM module (EMM1). See  
Figure 2-3.  
See your RAID controller documentation to ensure that the controller is  
properly installed.  
If you are configuring your enclosure in a unified-mode configuration,  
connect the SAS cable from the host controller to the In port on the  
EMM module of the first enclosure in the daisy chain. See Figure 2-2.  
Attach subsequent storage enclosures in the daisy chain to the Out  
port on the first upchain storage enclosure  
.
If you are configuring your enclosure in a split-mode configuration,  
attach the SAS cable from the first host controller to the In port on  
the primary EMM module and the SAS cable from the second host  
controller port to the In port on the secondary EMM. See Figure 2-4.  
NOTE: In a split-mode configuration, you can cable the enclosure to operate  
in either a two-host or single-host configuration.  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
21  
 
Figure 2-2. EMM Cabling Diagram in Unified Mode  
host controller  
22  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
 
Figure 2-3. EMM Cabling Diagram in Unified Mode (Redundant Path)  
host controller  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
23  
 
Figure 2-4. EMM Cabling Diagram in Split Mode  
two-host configuration  
host controller  
host controller  
single-host configuration  
host controller  
host controller  
4
5
Using the enclosure mode switch, select the operating mode.  
CAUTION: To safeguard your storage enclosure against power problems,  
connect the AC power cable to a protected power supply, such as a UPS, line  
conditioner, or surge protector. If possible, connect the two power supplies to  
different circuits.  
NOTE: Before connecting the power supplies, ensure that the power switch  
on both power supplies is in the OFF position.  
6
7
8
Turn on the power switches on all power supply/cooling fan modules.  
Turn on the host system.  
Check the LED indicators on the front and back panel of the storage  
enclosure. If any of the LEDs are amber, see "Troubleshooting Your  
Enclosure" on page 49.  
24  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
 
Changing Your Enclosure’s Operating Mode  
If you decide to change the operating mode of your enclosure after initial  
configuration, you must:  
1
2
Back up all data contained in the enclosure and store the data in a  
secure location.  
When changing the operating mode from:  
Unified mode to split mode—If existing virtual disks span physical  
disks that are split by changing from unified to split mode, remove the  
virtual disk configuration.  
Split mode to unified mode—Some virtual disks may appear as foreign  
if the configuration is not deleted before turning the enclosure back on.  
These disks must be imported or cleared using either Server  
Administrator or the BIOS configuration utility before they can be used.  
NOTE: Split-mode configurations do not support daisy-chaining of enclosures  
and redundant paths.  
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Turn off the host system.  
Turn off the enclosure by turning off both power supply/cooling fan modules.  
Change the position of the enclosure mode switch.  
Rearrange the disks in the enclosure as necessary.  
Turn on the enclosure by turning on both power supply/cooling fan modules.  
Turn on the host system.  
If required, recreate virtual disks in the enclosure.  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
25  
   
Managing Your Storage Enclosure  
Disk storage within the enclosure can be configured using either the BIOS  
configuration utility or Server Administrator. For optimal management and  
serviceability of your enclosure, it is recommended that you use Server  
Administrator.  
NOTE: Online configuration, enclosure status, and active event notification is only  
supported with Server Administrator version 6.2 or later.  
Server Administrator provides a comprehensive server/storage management  
solution with an integrated graphical view and command line interface. It  
enables online configuration and management for both internal storage and  
externally attached storage.  
Server Administrator obtains information about physical storage devices, disk  
enclosures, virtual disks/RAID arrays, and logical devices and displays the  
information in both physical and logical views. Using Server Administrator  
you can:  
create and manage RAID storage configurations  
display storage information  
customize event reporting  
view logged events  
For more information, see the Server Administrator documentation at  
support.dell.com/manuals.  
Downloading Firmware  
You can download firmware updates for your storage enclosure using the Dell  
Update Package available at support.dell.com  
.
26  
Operating Your Storage Enclosure  
           
Installing Enclosure Components  
Recommended Tools  
You may need the following items to perform the procedures in this section:  
Key to the system keylock  
#2 Phillips screwdriver  
Wrist grounding strap  
Front Bezel (Optional)  
Removing the Front Bezel  
1
2
3
4
Using the system key, unlock the front bezel (if locked).  
Lift up the release latch next to the keylock.  
Rotate the left end of the bezel away from the front panel.  
Unhook the right end of the bezel and pull the bezel away from  
the system.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
27  
               
Figure 3-1. Removing and Installing the Front Bezel  
1
2
3
4
1
3
bezel  
2
4
keylock  
release latch  
hinge tab  
Installing the Front Bezel  
1
2
3
Hook the right end of the bezel onto the chassis.  
Fit the free end of the bezel onto the system.  
Secure the bezel with the keylock. See Figure 3-1.  
28  
Installing Enclosure Components  
       
Hard Drives  
SAFETY: Models AMT, E03J, and E04J  
Models AMT, E03J, and E04J are intended for installation only in restricted  
access locations as defined in cl 1.2.7.3 of IEC 60950-1:2005.  
Depending on your configuration, your enclosure either supports up to 24  
2.5-inch SAS hard drives or up to 12 3.5-inch SAS hard drives in internal drive  
bays. Hard drives are connected to a backplane through hard-drive carriers  
and can be configured as hot-swappable.  
CAUTION: Do not turn off or reboot your enclosure while the drive is being  
formatted. Doing so can cause a drive to fail.  
When you format a hard drive, allow enough time for the formatting to  
complete. High-capacity hard drives can take a number of hours to format.  
Removing a Drive Blank  
CAUTION: To maintain proper system cooling, all empty hard-drive bays must  
have drive blanks installed.  
1
2
If installed, remove the front bezel. See "Removing the Front Bezel" on  
page 27.  
Press the release tab and slide the drive blank out until it is free of the  
drive bay. See Figure 3-2 for PowerVault MD1200 and Figure 3-3 for  
PowerVault MD1220.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
29  
     
Figure 3-2. Removing and Installing a 3.5-Inch Hard-Drive Blank  
1
2
1
drive blank  
2
release tab  
Figure 3-3. Removing and Installing a 2.5-Inch Hard-Drive Blank  
1
2
1
drive blank  
2
release tab  
30  
Installing Enclosure Components  
   
Installing a Drive Blank  
1
If installed, remove the front bezel. See "Removing the Front Bezel" on  
page 27.  
2
3
4
Insert the drive blank into the drive bay until the blank is fully seated.  
Close the handle to lock the blank in place.  
If applicable, replace the front bezel. See "Installing the Front Bezel" on  
page 28.  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with  
the product.  
1
2
If installed, remove the front bezel. See "Removing the Front Bezel" on  
page 27.  
From the management software, prepare the drive for removal. Wait until  
the hard-drive indicators on the drive carrier signal that the drive can be  
removed safely. For more information, see your controller documentation  
for information about hot-swap drive removal.  
If the drive has been online, the green activity/fault indicator flashes as  
the drive is powered down. When the drive indicators are off, the drive is  
ready for removal.  
3
4
Press the release button to open the drive carrier release handle. See  
Figure 3-4.  
Slide the hard drive out until it is free of the drive bay.  
CAUTION: To maintain proper system cooling, all empty hard-drive bays must have  
drive blanks installed.  
5
6
Insert a drive blank in the empty drive bay. See "Installing a Drive Blank"  
on page 31.  
If applicable, replace the front bezel. See "Installing the Front Bezel" on  
page 28.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
31  
         
Figure 3-4. Removing and Installing a Hard Drive  
1
2
1
release button  
2
hard-drive carrier handle  
Installing a Hard Drive  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is  
not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
CAUTION: Use only hard drives that have been tested and approved for use with  
the SAS backplane.  
CAUTION: When installing a hard drive, ensure that the adjacent drives are fully  
installed. Inserting a hard-drive carrier and attempting to lock its handle next to a  
partially installed carrier can damage the partially installed carrier's shield spring  
and make it unusable.  
1
2
3
If applicable, remove the front bezel. See "Removing the Front Bezel" on  
page 27.  
If applicable, remove the drive blank from the bay. See "Removing a Drive  
Blank" on page 29.  
Press the release button to open the drive carrier release handle  
.
32  
Installing Enclosure Components  
       
4
5
Insert the hard-drive carrier into the drive bay until the carrier contacts the  
backplane.  
Close the handle to lock the drive in place.  
Removing a Hard Drive From a Hard-Drive Carrier  
Remove the screws from the slide rails on the hard-drive carrier and separate  
the hard drive from the carrier. See Figure 3-5 for PowerVault MD1200 and  
Figure 3-6 for PowerVault MD1220.  
Figure 3-5. Removing and Installing a Hard Drive Into a 3.5-Inch Drive Carrier  
4
1
3
2
Installing Enclosure Components  
33  
     
1
3
screws (4)  
2
4
drive carrier  
hard drive  
SAS screw hole  
Figure 3-6. Removing and Installing a Hard Drive Into a 2.5-Inch Drive Carrier  
4
1
3
2
1
3
screws (4)  
2
4
drive carrier  
hard drive  
SAS screw hole  
34  
Installing Enclosure Components  
 
Installing a Hard Drive Into a Drive Carrier  
1
Insert the hard drive into the hard-drive carrier with the connector end  
of the drive at the back. See Figure 3-5.  
2
Align the screw holes on the hard drive with the back set of holes on the  
hard-drive carrier.  
When aligned correctly, the back of the hard drive is flush with the back of  
the hard-drive carrier.  
3
Attach the four screws to secure the hard drive to the hard-drive carrier.  
Enclosure Management Module  
An enclosure with redundant enclosure management contains two enclosure  
management modules (EMM) and can be configured in either unified mode  
or split mode. An enclosure with non-redundant enclosure management  
consists of only one EMM in unified mode. If only one EMM is installed in  
your enclosure, it must be installed in EMM 0. You must install the EMM  
blank in EMM 1.  
CAUTION: EMMs can be removed and installed without turning off the enclosure.  
It is recommended that you do not remove the EMM while data is being  
transferred. Replacing or installing an EMM that is connected to a host server  
causes it to loose communication with the enclosure and requires a reboot of the  
host server.  
Removing an EMM Blank  
CAUTION: To maintain proper system cooling, you must install an EMM blank in  
the empty slot.  
1
2
3
4
Turn off the enclosure and host server.  
Disconnect all the power cables connected to the enclosure.  
Remove EMM 0. See "Removing an EMM" on page 37.  
To remove the EMM blank, press down on the release latch and pull the  
blank away from the enclosure. See Figure 3-7.  
5
Install an EMM in EMM 0 and EMM 1. See "Installing an EMM" on  
page 39.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
35  
       
6
7
Connect all the power cables to the enclosure.  
Turn on the enclosure and the host server.  
Figure 3-7. Removing and Installing an EMM Blank  
1
2
1
release latch  
2
EMM blank  
Installing an EMM Blank  
To install an EMM blank, align the blank with the EMM bay and insert the  
blank into the chassis until it clicks into place.  
36  
Installing Enclosure Components  
       
Removing an EMM  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
CAUTION: If you remove an EMM from an enclosure operating in split mode  
while connected to a host server, you lose connection to the physical disks  
attached to the removed EMM.  
1
2
Disconnect the cables connected to the EMM.  
Push down on the release tab and pull the release lever away from the  
chassis. See Figure 3-8.  
3
Grasp the release lever and pull the module away from the chassis.  
NOTE: To avoid damage to the sensitive EMI contacts on the EMM, do not  
stack EMMs.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
37  
     
Figure 3-8. Removing and Installing an EMM  
3
2
1
1
3
EMM  
2
release tab  
release lever  
38  
Installing Enclosure Components  
 
Installing an EMM  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You  
should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your  
product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and  
support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered  
by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the  
product.  
1
2
3
4
Insert the EMM into the EMM bay until it seats into place.  
Push the release lever toward the chassis until it clicks into place.  
Connect all the cables to the EMM.  
If applicable, update the firmware for the EMM. For information about  
the latest firmware, see the Dell Support website at support.dell.com  
.
NOTE: If two EMMs are installed in the enclosure, you must ensure that both  
the EMMs have the same firmware version installed. You can verify if both the  
enclosures use the same firmware version by checking the LEDs on the  
enclosure or by using Server Administrator.  
For more information about EMM connections and cabling, see "Operating  
Your Storage Enclosure" on page 19.  
Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module  
Your enclosure supports two hot-swappable power supply/cooling fan  
modules. While the enclosure can operate temporarily with one module, both  
the modules must be present for cooling the enclosure.  
CAUTION: A single power supply/cooling fan module can be removed from a  
powered-on enclosure for a maximum period of five minutes. Beyond that time, the  
enclosure may automatically shut down to prevent damage.  
Removing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module  
NOTE: If you remove a fully functioning power supply/cooling fan module, the fan  
speed in the remaining module increases significantly to provide adequate cooling.  
The fan speed decreases gradually when a new power supply/cooling fan module  
is installed.  
1
2
Turn off the power supply/cooling fan module.  
Disconnect the power cable from the power source.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
39  
             
3
4
Remove the Velcro straps that secure the power cable and then disconnect  
the power cable from the power supply/cooling fan module.  
WARNING: The power supply/cooling fan modules are heavy. Use both hands  
while removing the module.  
Press the release tab and pull the power supply out of the chassis.  
Figure 3-9. Removing and Installing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module  
T
U
O
T
U
O
1
2
3
1
3
power supply  
2
release tab  
power supply handle  
40  
Installing Enclosure Components  
 
Installing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module  
1
2
3
Slide the power supply/cooling fan module into the chassis until it is fully  
seated and the release tab clicks into place. See Figure 3-9.  
Connect the power cable to the power supply/cooling fan module and plug  
the cable into a power outlet.  
Secure the power cable using the Velcro strap. See Figure 3-10.  
Figure 3-10. Securing the Power Cable  
1
1
Velcro strap  
CAUTION: When connecting the power cable, secure the cable with the Velcro  
strap.  
NOTE: If the enclosure is powered on, all the power supply LEDs remain off until  
the AC power cable is connected to the power supply/cooling fan module and the  
power switch is turned on.  
4
Turn on the power supply/cooling fan module.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
41  
     
Control Panel  
Removing the Control Panel  
1
2
3
Turn off the enclosure and host server.  
Disconnect all the power cables connected to the enclosure.  
Remove the hard drives from:  
slots 0 to 2 in PowerVault MD1200  
slots 0 to 5 in PowerVault MD1220  
See "Removing a Hard Drive" on page 31.  
NOTE: Mark each hard drive with it’s slot position as you remove it.  
4
Slide the control panel out of the chassis after:  
Pushing the release tab toward the front of the enclosure in  
PowerVault MD1200. See Figure 3-11.  
Pulling the release pin toward the front of the enclosure in PowerVault  
MD1220. See Figure 3-12.  
42  
Installing Enclosure Components  
       
Figure 3-11. Removing and Installing the Control Panel—PowerVault MD1200  
1
2
1
control panel  
2
release tab  
Figure 3-12. Removing and Installing the Control Panel—PowerVault MD1220  
2
1
1
control panel  
2
release pin  
Installing Enclosure Components  
43  
   
Installing the Control Panel  
1
2
Slide the control panel into the enclosure until:  
The release tab clicks into place in PowerVault MD1200. See  
Figure 3-11.  
The release pin clicks into place in PowerVault MD1220. See  
Figure 3-12.  
3
Replace the hard drives in their respective slots. See "Installing a Hard  
Drive" on page 32.  
4
5
Connect all the power cables to the enclosure.  
Turn on the enclosure and the host server.  
Backplane  
WARNING: Whenever you need to lift the enclosure, get others to assist you. To  
avoid injury, do not attempt to lift the enclosure by yourself.  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
1
2
3
4
5
Turn off the enclosure and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.  
Disconnect all the cables connected to the enclosure.  
Remove the hard drives. See "Removing a Hard Drive" on page 31.  
Remove the EMMs. "Removing an EMM" on page 37.  
Remove the power supply/cooling fan modules. See "Removing a Power  
Supply/Cooling Fan Module" on page 39.  
6
7
Remove the control panel. See "Removing the Control Panel" on page 42.  
Remove the screws that secure the EMM/power supply cage to the chassis.  
44  
Installing Enclosure Components  
             
8
9
Grasp the cage removal ring at the bottom center of the enclosure and pull  
the EMM/power supply cage toward the back of the chassis. See  
Figure 3-13.  
Lift the EMM/power supply cage away from the chassis. See Figure 3-13.  
10 Loosen the captive screw that secures the backplane to the chassis. See  
Figure 3-14 for PowerVault MD1200 or Figure 3-15 for PowerVault  
MD1220.  
11 Remove the screws that secure the backplane and pull the backplane out  
of the enclosure. See Figure 3-14 for PowerVault MD1200 or Figure 3-15  
for PowerVault MD1220.  
Figure 3-13. Removing and Installing the EMM/Power Supply Cage  
2
1
1
EMM/power supply cage  
2
screws (6)  
Installing Enclosure Components  
45  
 
Figure 3-14. Removing and Installing the Backplane—PowerVault MD1200  
1
2
3
1
3
screws (5)  
2
backplane  
captive screw  
Figure 3-15. Removing and Installing the Backplane—PowerVault MD1220  
1
2
3
1
3
screws (4)  
2
backplane  
captive screw  
46  
Installing Enclosure Components  
   
Installing the Backplane  
1
2
Align the holes on the backplane with the holes on the enclosure.  
Tighten the captive screw to secure the backplane to the chassis.  
See Figure 3-14 for PowerVault MD1200 or Figure 3-15 for  
PowerVault MD1220.  
3
4
Replace the screws that secure the backplane to the chassis.  
See Figure 3-14 for PowerVault MD1200 or Figure 3-15 for  
PowerVault MD1220.  
Align the slots on the EMM/power supply cage with the tabs on the  
chassis. See Figure 3-13.  
5
6
7
8
Push the EMM/power supply cage toward the front of the enclosure.  
Replace the screws that secure the EMM/power supply cage to the chassis.  
Replace the control panel. See "Installing the Control Panel" on page 44.  
Replace the power supply/cooling fan modules. See "Installing a Power  
Supply/Cooling Fan Module" on page 41.  
9
Replace the hard drives. See "Installing a Hard Drive" on page 32.  
10 Connect all the cables to the enclosure.  
11 Turn on the enclosure and the host server.  
Installing Enclosure Components  
47  
     
48  
Installing Enclosure Components  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
Safety First—For You and Your Enclosure  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
Troubleshooting Enclosure Startup Failure  
The enclosure emits a series of beeps. See "Enclosure Alarms" on page 16.  
The enclosure fault LEDs are lit. See "Enclosure Management Module" on  
page 13.  
Administrator documentation.  
There is a constant scraping or grinding sound when you access the hard  
drive. See "Getting Help" on page 57.  
For information about troubleshooting loss of communication, see  
"Troubleshooting Enclosure Management Modules" on page 52.  
Troubleshooting External Connections  
Verify that the cables are connected to the correct ports before  
troubleshooting any external devices. For the location of the back-panel  
connectors on your enclosure, see Figure 1-5.  
Ensure that all the cables are securely attached to the external connectors  
on your enclosure.  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
49  
                   
Troubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling Fan  
Module  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
CAUTION: It is recommended that you turn off the host server before turning off  
the enclosure to prevent loss of data.  
1
Locate the faulty power supply and determine the status of the LEDs.  
If the AC power LED is not lit, check the power cord and power source  
into which the power supply is plugged.  
Connect another device to the power source to verify if it is  
working.  
Connect the cable to a different power source.  
Replace the power cable.  
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
If the DC power LED is not lit, verify that the power switch is turned  
on. If the power switch is turned on, see step 2.  
If the power supply’s fault indicator is lit, see "Getting Help" on  
page 57.  
CAUTION: Power supply/cooling fan modules are hot-swappable. The enclosure  
can operate on a single power supply; however both modules must be installed to  
ensure proper cooling. A single power supply/cooling fan module can be removed  
from a powered-on enclosure for a maximum period of five minutes. Beyond that  
time, the enclosure may automatically shut down to prevent damage.  
50  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
   
2
Reseat the power supply by removing and reinstalling it. See "Power  
Supply/Cooling Fan Module" on page 39.  
NOTE: After installing a power supply, allow several seconds for the  
enclosure to recognize the power supply and to determine if it is working  
properly.  
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
3
If all LEDs on the power supply/cooling fan module are off and if the  
enclosure is powered on, you must update the firmware. For information  
about updating the firmware, see "Downloading Firmware" on page 26.  
Troubleshooting Enclosure Cooling Problems  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
Ensure that none of the following conditions exist:  
Enclosure cover or drive blank is removed.  
Ambient temperature is too high. See "Technical Specifications" in the  
Getting Started Guide.  
External airflow is obstructed.  
The power supply/cooling fan module is removed or has failed. See  
"Troubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module" on page 50.  
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
51  
     
Troubleshooting Enclosure Management  
Modules  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.  
CAUTION: It is recommended that you turn off the host server before turning off the  
enclosure to prevent loss of data.  
If the EMM status LED is solid or blinking amber (2 or 4 times per sequence):  
a
b
Turn off the server.  
Remove the EMM and verify that the pins on backplane and EMM are  
not bent. See "Removing an EMM" on page 37.  
c
Reinstall the EMM and wait for 30 seconds. See "Installing an EMM" on  
page 39.  
d
e
Turn on the server.  
Check the EMM status LED.  
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
If EMM status LED is blinking amber (5 times per sequence), update the  
firmware to the latest supported firmware on both the EMMs. For more  
information about downloading the latest firmware, see "Downloading  
Firmware" on page 26.  
If the link status LEDs are not green:  
a
b
c
d
e
Turn off the server.  
Reseat the cables on the storage enclosure and the server.  
Restart the storage enclosure and wait until enclosure is fully booted.  
Turn on the server.  
Check the link status LED. If the link status LED is not green, proceed to  
the next step.  
f
Replace the cables.  
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
52  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
 
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
1
2
Remove the hard drive from the enclosure. See "Removing a Hard Drive"  
on page 31.  
NOTE: You must ensure that you check the hard drive indicators before  
removing the faulty hard drive from the enclosure.  
Check the hard drives and the backplane to ensure that the connectors are  
not damaged.  
3
4
Reinstall the hard drive.  
If the problem is not resolved, proceed to step 5.  
5
6
7
Verify that the EMM port link status LED and the EMM status LED are  
solid green for each port that is connected to a cable. If the LEDs are not  
solid green, see "Enclosure Management Module" on page 13.  
Ensure that all the cables are attached correctly according to the enclosure  
mode you selected. For more information on enclosure modes, see  
"Operating Your Storage Enclosure" on page 19.  
If you reseated the cables, reboot the host server.  
If the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting Loss of Communication" on  
page 49 or see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
53  
   
Troubleshooting Enclosure Connections  
1
2
3
Verify that the EMM port link status LED and the EMM status LED are  
solid green for each port that is connected to a cable. If the LEDs are not  
solid green, see "Enclosure Management Module" on page 13.  
Ensure that all the cables are attached correctly according to enclosure  
mode you selected. For more information about enclosure modes, see  
"Operating Your Storage Enclosure" on page 19.  
If you reseated cables, reboot the host server.  
NOTE: You must turn off the host server before reseating the cables on  
the enclosure.  
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
Troubleshooting a Wet Enclosure  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
1
2
Turn off the enclosure and disconnect all the cables.  
Remove the following components from the enclosure. See "Installing  
Enclosure Components" on page 27.  
Hard drives  
Enclosure Management Modules (EMMs)  
Power supply/cooling fan modules  
Control panel  
Backplane  
3
4
5
Let the system dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.  
Reinstall the components you removed in step 2.  
Connect all the cables and turn on the enclosure.  
If the enclosure does not start properly, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
54  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
         
Troubleshooting a Damaged Enclosure  
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.  
You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in  
your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service  
and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not  
covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came  
with the product.  
1
Ensure that the following components are properly installed:  
Hard drives  
EMMs  
Power supply/cooling fan modules  
Control panel  
Backplane  
2
3
Ensure that all the cables are properly connected and that there are no  
damaged pins in the connectors.  
Run diagnostics available in Server Administrator.  
If the test fails, see "Getting Help" on page 57.  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
55  
   
56  
Troubleshooting Your Enclosure  
Getting Help  
Contacting Dell  
For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355).  
NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact  
information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.  
Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options.  
Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be  
available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or  
customer service issues:  
1
2
Visit support.dell.com.  
Verify your country or region in the Choose A Country/Region drop-down  
menu at the bottom of the page.  
3
4
5
Click Contact Us on the left side of the page.  
Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need.  
Choose the method of contacting Dell that is convenient for you.  
Getting Help  
57  
         
58  
Getting Help  
Glossary  
A — Ampere(s).  
AC — Alternating current.  
ACPI — Advanced Configuration and Power Interface. A standard interface for  
enabling the operating system to direct configuration and power management.  
ambient temperature — The temperature of the area or room where the system is  
located.  
ANSI — American National Standards Institute. The primary organization for  
developing technology standards in the U.S.  
asset tag — An individual code assigned to a system, usually by an administrator, for  
security or tracking purposes.  
backup — A copy of a program or data file. As a precaution, back up your system’s  
hard drive(s) on a regular basis.  
blade — A module that contains a processor, memory, and a hard drive. The modules  
are mounted into a chassis that includes power supplies and fans.  
BMC — Baseboard management controller.  
bootable media — A CD, diskette, or USB memory key that is used to start your  
system if the system does not boot from the hard drive.  
BTU — British thermal unit.  
bus — An information pathway between the components of a system. Your system  
contains an expansion bus that allows the processor to communicate with controllers  
for the peripheral devices connected to the system. Your system also contains an  
address bus and a data bus for communications between the processor and RAM.  
C — Celsius.  
cache — A fast storage area that keeps a copy of data or instructions for quick data  
retrieval.  
cm — Centimeter(s).  
COMn — The device names for the serial ports on your system.  
control panel — The part of the system that contains indicators and controls, such as  
the power button and power indicator.  
controller — A chip or expansion card that controls the transfer of data between the  
processor and memory or between the processor and a peripheral device.  
coprocessor — A chip that relieves the system’s processor of specific processing tasks.  
A math coprocessor, for example, handles numeric processing.  
Glossary  
59  
 
CPU — Central processing unit. See processor.  
DC — Direct current.  
DDR — Double-data rate. A technology in memory modules that potentially doubles  
the data rate by transferring data on both the rising and falling pulses of a clock cycle.  
device driver — A program that allows the operating system or some other program to  
interface correctly with a peripheral.  
DHCP — Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A method of automatically  
assigning an IP address to a client system.  
diagnostics — A comprehensive set of tests for your system.  
DIMM — Dual in-line memory module. See also memory module.  
DNS — Domain Name System. A method of translating Internet domain names, such  
as www.example.com, into IP addresses, such as 208.77.188.166.  
DRAM — Dynamic random-access memory. A system’s RAM is usually made up  
entirely of DRAM chips.  
driver — See device driver.  
DVD — Digital versatile disc or digital video disc.  
ECC — Error checking and correction.  
EMI — Electromagnetic interference.  
ERA — Embedded remote access. ERA allows you to perform remote, or "out-of-  
band," server management on your network server using a remote access controller.  
ESD — Electrostatic discharge.  
ESM — Embedded server management.  
expansion bus Your system contains an expansion bus that allows the processor to  
communicate with controllers for peripherals, such as NICs.  
expansion card — An add-in card, such as a NIC or SCSI adapter, that plugs into an  
expansion-card connector on the system board. An expansion card adds some  
specialized function to the system by providing an interface between the expansion  
bus and a peripheral.  
expansion-card connector — A connector on the system board or riser board for  
plugging in an expansion card.  
F — Fahrenheit.  
FAT — File allocation table. The file system structure used by MS-DOS to organize  
®
®
and keep track of file storage. The Microsoft Windows operating systems can  
optionally use a FAT file system structure.  
Fibre Channel — A high-speed network interface used primarily with networked  
60  
Glossary  
storage devices.  
flash memory — A type of electronic chip that can be programmed and  
reprogrammed using a software utility.  
FSB — Front-side bus. The FSB is the data path and physical interface between the  
processor and the main memory (RAM).  
FTP — File transfer protocol.  
g — Gram(s).  
G — Gravities.  
Gb — Gigabit(s); 1024 megabits or 1,073,741,824 bits.  
GB — Gigabyte(s); 1024 megabytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes. However, when referring  
to hard-drive capacity, the term is usually rounded to 1,000,000,000 bytes.  
graphics mode — A video mode that can be defined as x horizontal by y vertical pixels  
by z colors.  
host adapter — A controller that implements communication between the system’s  
bus and the peripheral device, typically a storage device.  
hot-plug — The ability to insert or install a device, typically a hard drive or an internal  
cooling fan, into the host system while the system is powered on and running.  
Hz — Hertz.  
I/O — Input/output. A keyboard is an input device, and a monitor is an output device.  
In general, I/O activity can be differentiated from computational activity.  
IDE — Integrated drive electronics. A standard interface between the system board  
and storage devices.  
iDRAC — Internet Dell Remote Access Controller. A remote access controller that  
uses the Internet SCSI protocol.  
InfiniBand —  
IP — Internet Protocol.  
IPv6 — Internet Protocol version 6.  
IPX — Internet package exchange.  
IRQ — Interrupt request. A signal that data is about to be sent to or received by a  
peripheral device travels by an IRQ line to the processor. Each peripheral connection  
must be assigned an IRQ number. Two devices can share the same IRQ assignment,  
but you cannot operate both devices simultaneously.  
iSCSI — Internet SCSI (see SCSI). A protocol that enables SCSI device  
communication across a network or the Internet.  
jumper — Small blocks on a circuit board with two or more pins emerging from them.  
Glossary  
61  
Plastic plugs containing a wire fit down over the pins. The wire connects the pins and  
creates a circuit, providing a simple and reversible method of changing the circuitry in  
a board.  
K — Kilo-; 1000.  
Kb — Kilobit(s); 1024 bits.  
KB — Kilobyte(s); 1024 bytes.  
Kbps — Kilobit(s) per second.  
KBps — Kilobyte(s) per second.  
kg — Kilogram(s); 1000 grams.  
kHz — Kilohertz.  
KVM — Keyboard/video/mouse. KVM refers to a switch that allows selection of the  
system from which the video is displayed and for which the keyboard and mouse are  
used.  
LAN — Local area network. A LAN is usually confined to the same building or a few  
nearby buildings, with all equipment linked by wiring dedicated specifically to the  
LAN.  
LCD — Liquid crystal display.  
LED — Light-emitting diode. An electronic device that lights up when a current is  
passed through it.  
LGA — Land grid array.  
local bus — On a system with local-bus expansion capability, certain peripheral  
devices (such as the video adapter circuitry) can be designed to run much faster than  
they would with a traditional expansion bus. See also bus.  
LOM — LAN on motherboard.  
LVD — Low voltage differential.  
m — Meter(s).  
mA — Milliampere(s).  
MAC address — Media Access Control address. Your system’s unique hardware  
number on a network.  
mAh — Milliampere-hour(s).  
Mb — Megabit(s); 1,048,576 bits.  
MB — Megabyte(s); 1,048,576 bytes. However, when referring to hard-drive capacity,  
the term is often rounded to mean 1,000,000 bytes.  
Mbps — Megabits per second.  
62  
Glossary  
MBps — Megabytes per second.  
MBR — Master boot record.  
memory address — A specific location, usually expressed as a hexadecimal number, in  
the system’s RAM.  
memory module — A small circuit board containing DRAM chips that connects to the  
system board.  
memory — An area in your system that stores basic system data. A system can contain  
several different forms of memory, such as integrated memory (ROM and RAM) and  
add-in memory modules (DIMMs).  
memory key — A portable flash memory storage device integrated with a USB  
connector.  
MHz — Megahertz.  
mirroring — A type of data redundancy in which a set of physical drives stores data  
and one or more sets of additional drives stores duplicate copies of the data. Mirroring  
functionality is provided by software. See also striping and RAID.  
mm — Millimeter(s).  
ms — Millisecond(s).  
NAS — Network Attached Storage. NAS is one of the concepts used for implementing  
shared storage on a network. NAS systems have their own operating systems,  
integrated hardware, and software that are optimized to serve specific storage needs.  
NIC — Network interface controller. A device that is installed or integrated in a  
system to allow connection to a network.  
NMI — Nonmaskable interrupt. A device sends an NMI to signal the processor about  
hardware errors.  
ns — Nanosecond(s).  
NVRAM — Nonvolatile random-access memory. Memory that does not lose its  
contents when you turn off your system. NVRAM is used for maintaining the date,  
time, and system configuration information.  
parity — Redundant information that is associated with a block of data.  
parity stripe — In RAID arrays, a striped hard drive containing parity data.  
partition You can divide a hard drive into multiple physical sections called  
partitions with the fdisk command. Each partition can contain multiple logical drives.  
You must format each logical drive with the format command.  
PCI — Peripheral Component Interconnect. A standard for local-bus  
implementation.  
Glossary  
63  
PDU — Power distribution unit. A power source with multiple power outlets that  
provides electrical power to servers and storage systems in a rack.  
peripheral — An internal or external device, such as a diskette drive or keyboard,  
connected to a system.  
pixel — A single point on a video display. Pixels are arranged in rows and columns to  
create an image. A video resolution, such as 640 x 480, is expressed as the number of  
pixels across by the number of pixels up and down.  
POST — Power-on self-test. Before the operating system loads when you turn on your  
system, the POST tests various system components such as RAM and hard drives.  
processor — The primary computational chip inside the system that controls the  
interpretation and execution of arithmetic and logic functions. Software written for  
one processor must usually be revised to run on another processor. CPU is a synonym  
for processor.  
PXE — Preboot eXecution Environment. A way of booting a system via a LAN  
(without a hard drive or bootable diskette).  
RAC — Remote access controller.  
RAID — Redundant array of independent disks. A method of providing data  
redundancy. Some common implementations of RAID include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID  
5, RAID 10, and RAID 50. See also mirroring and striping.  
RAM — Random-access memory. The system’s primary temporary storage area for  
program instructions and data. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you turn  
off your system.  
R-DIMM — A registered DDR3 memory module.  
readme file — A text file, usually shipped with software or hardware, that contains  
information supplementing or updating the product’s documentation.  
read-only file — A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from editing or  
deleting.  
ROM — Read-only memory. Your system contains some programs essential to its  
operation in ROM code. A ROM chip retains its contents even after you turn off your  
system. Examples of code in ROM include the program that initiates your system’s  
boot routine and the POST.  
ROMB — RAID on motherboard.  
SAN — Storage Area Network. A network architecture that enables remote network-  
attached storage devices to appear to a server to be locally attached.  
SAS — Serial-attached SCSI.  
SATA — Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. A standard interface between the  
64  
Glossary  
system board and storage devices.  
SCSI — Small computer system interface. An I/O bus interface with faster data  
transmission rates than standard ports.  
SD card — Secure digital flash memory card.  
SDRAM — Synchronous dynamic random-access memory.  
sec — Second(s).  
serial port — A legacy I/O port with a 9-pin connector that transfers data one bit at a  
time and is most often used to connect a modem to the system.  
service tag — A bar code label on the system used to identify it when you call Dell for  
technical support.  
SMART — Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. Allows hard drives to  
report errors and failures to the system BIOS and then display an error message on the  
screen.  
SMP — Symmetric multiprocessing. Used to describe a system that has two or more  
processors connected via a high-bandwidth link and managed by an operating system,  
where each processor has equal access to I/O devices.  
SNMP — Simple Network Management Protocol. A standard interface that allows a  
network manager to remotely monitor and manage workstations.  
striping — Disk striping writes data across three or more disks in an array, but only  
uses a portion of the space on each disk. The amount of space used by a "stripe" is the  
same on each disk used. A virtual disk may use several stripes on the same set of disks  
in an array. See also guarding, mirroring, and RAID.  
SVGA — Super video graphics array. VGA and SVGA are video standards for video  
adapters with greater resolution and color display capabilities than previous standards.  
system board — As the main circuit board, the system board usually contains most of  
your system’s integral components, such as the processor(s), RAM, controllers for  
peripherals, and various ROM chips.  
system configuration information — Data stored in memory that tells a system what  
hardware is installed and how the system should be configured for operation.  
system memory — See RAM.  
System Setup program — A BIOS-based program that allows you to configure your  
system’s hardware and customize the system’s operation by setting features such as  
password protection. Because the System Setup program is stored in NVRAM, any  
settings remain in effect until you change them again.  
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.  
termination — Some devices (such as the last device at each end of a SCSI cable)  
Glossary  
65  
must be terminated to prevent reflections and spurious signals in the cable. When  
such devices are connected in a series, you may need to enable or disable the  
termination on these devices by changing jumper or switch settings on the devices or  
by changing settings in the configuration software for the devices.  
TOE — TCP/IP offload engine.  
U-DIMM — An unregistered (unbuffered) DDR3 memory module.  
uplink port — A port on a network hub or switch used to connect to other hubs or  
switches without requiring a crossover cable.  
UPS — Uninterruptible power supply. A battery-powered unit that automatically  
supplies power to your system in the event of an electrical failure.  
USB — Universal Serial Bus. A USB connector provides a single connection point for  
multiple USB-compliant devices, such as mice and keyboards. USB devices can be  
connected and disconnected while the system is running.  
USB memory key — See memory key.  
utility — A program used to manage system resources—memory, disk drives, or  
printers, for example.  
V Volt(s).  
VAC — Volt(s) alternating current.  
VDC — Volt(s) direct current.  
VGA — Video graphics array. VGA and SVGA are video standards for video adapters  
with greater resolution and color display capabilities than previous standards.  
video adapter — The logical circuitry that provides (in combination with the monitor)  
your system’s video capabilities. A video adapter may be integrated into the system  
board or may be an expansion card that plugs into an expansion slot.  
video memory — Most VGA and SVGA video adapters include memory chips in  
addition to your system’s RAM. The amount of video memory installed primarily  
influences the number of colors that a program can display (with the appropriate video  
drivers and monitor capabilities).  
video resolution — Video resolution (800 x 600, for example) is expressed as the  
number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down. To display a program at  
a specific graphics resolution, you must install the appropriate video drivers and your  
monitor must support the resolution.  
virtualization — The ability via software to share the resources of a single computer  
across multiple environments. A single physical system may appear to the user as  
multiple virtual systems able to host multiple operating systems.  
W Watt(s).  
66  
Glossary  
WH Watt-hour(s).  
XML — Extensible Markup Language. XML is a way to create common information  
formats and to share both the format and the data on the World Wide Web, intranets,  
and elsewhere.  
ZIF — Zero insertion force.  
Glossary  
67  
68  
Glossary  
Index  
A
E
alarms, 16  
enclosure  
managing, 26  
enclosure mode  
cabling, 19  
B
backplane  
installing, 47  
removing, 44  
unified, 19  
C
firmware  
cabling  
downloading, 26  
split mode, 20  
unified mode, 20  
front bezel  
installing, 28  
removing, 27  
contacting Dell, 57  
control panel  
installing, 44  
removing, 42  
front panel  
features, 7  
H
D
hard drive  
Dell  
drive carrier, 33  
installing, 32  
removing, 31  
contacting, 57  
drive carrier  
hard drive, 33  
I
indicators  
Index  
69  
 
power, 7  
hard drive, 31  
hard drive from a drive carrier, 33  
installing  
backplane, 47  
control panel MD1200, 44  
drive blank, 31  
EMM, 39  
S
EMM blank, 36  
front bezel, 28  
hard drive, 32  
safety, 49  
support  
hard drives, 32  
power supply/cooling fan  
module, 41  
contacting Dell, 57  
T
telephone numbers, 57  
thermal shutdown, 16  
M
managing  
storage enclosure, 26  
troubleshooting, 49  
connections, 54  
cooling problems, 51  
damaged enclosure, 55  
external connections, 49  
P
phone numbers, 57  
power indicators, 7  
R
recommended tools, 27  
removing  
backplane, 44  
control panel MD1200, 42  
drive blank, 29  
EMM, 37  
W
warranty, 18  
EMM blank, 35  
front bezel, 27  
Index  
70  

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