Sx300 Storage Array Installation Guide

This document is the Sx300 Storage Array Installation Guide (Order Number: EK–SX300–IG. B01) published by Digital Equipment Corporation. It is intended for Digital Multivendor Customer Services and personnel qualified to service the Sx300 storage array.

The primary purpose of this manual is to provide step-by-step instructions for installing Sx7x and RA9x storage enclosures, magazine tape subsystems, and add-on SDI storage elements within the Sx300 storage array cabinet.

The guide is organized into several key areas:

• General Information: Provides product descriptions, physical and electrical specifications (e.g., dimensions, weight, power requirements), environmental operating ranges, and acoustic noise values for the DECArray300 cabinet system and its storage elements.
• Unpacking and Repacking: Details procedures for safely unpacking, placing, leveling, and inspecting the storage array, along with instructions for repacking equipment for storage or shipment.
• Preparation and Installation: Covers general installation processes, including the proper order for adding disk or tape drives to maintain cabinet stability, removing/replacing cabinet components (bezels, panels, covers), installing cabinet hardware (rails, brackets), and routing/connecting cables and power cords.
• System Integration: Describes how to install SF3xx storage arrays in both single-host and dual-host configurations for VAX 6000 and VAX 4000 systems, covering inspection, cabling, labeling, and powering up procedures.
• Specific Component Installation: Features dedicated chapters for installing SF7x storage enclosures and magazine tape subsystems into the Sx300 array, outlining required tools, installation steps, cabling for various configurations (single-host, dual-host, split-bus), power-up sequences, and labeling. Procedures for adding SDI disk drive elements are also included.
• Troubleshooting: Offers a comprehensive section for identifying and resolving common installation problems with SF7x storage enclosures and magazine tape subsystems, including fault indicators, probable causes, and corrective actions.
• Appendices: Provide detailed DSSI cabling diagrams for single-host, dual-host, and stripeset configurations, instructions for installing Sx72–UK upgrade kits, and procedures for converting single-host configurations to dual-host.

Throughout the document, emphasis is placed on ESD precautions, adhering to specific installation sequences for stability, and the importance of orderly system shutdowns before performing maintenance.