BA350-LA Modular Storage Shelf User's Guide

This document, the "BA350-LA Modular Storage Shelf User's Guide," provides comprehensive instructions for configuring, installing, and maintaining the BA350-LA modular storage shelf.

Key areas covered include:

• Shelf Description: Details the physical layout of the BA350-LA shelf, including SBB (System Building Block) slots, SCSI cable slots, and the mandatory use of the BA35X-HB dc power supply. It specifically notes that the BA350-LA shelf does not contain blowers and relies on the DEC 10000 AXP system cabinet for cooling, and it can only be used within this specific system.
• Shelf Status: Explains how to determine the shelf's operational status (cooling and power) via LEDs on the power supply, indicating normal operation, overtemperature conditions, or power supply faults.
• Replacing SBBs: Describes three methods for replacing SBBs (including power supplies): hot swap, warm swap, and cold swap, along with a general removal/installation procedure.

• Configuration Rules:

  • Power: Guidelines for installing primary and optional redundant power supplies.
  • SBBs: Rules for configuring storage devices (disk drives, tape drives, etc.), including maximum numbers based on physical size and bus configuration, and sequential spin-up requirements.
  • Device Addressing: How device addresses are assigned (automatically by physical location or via address switches on certain SBBs), and how to set these addresses. A maximum of seven device addresses are allowed per SCSI bus/shelf.

• SCSI Bus Configuration: Detailed procedures for setting up the shelf's two single-ended SCSI bus connectors. This includes instructions for configuring a single SCSI bus within one shelf, two separate SCSI buses within one shelf, or a single SCSI bus across multiple BA350-LA shelves (up to two shelves). It also specifies where to install terminator and jumper boards.

The manual is intended for Digital customers and Digital Services engineers responsible for installing and maintaining BA350 DECstor/me modular storage shelf subsystems. It also provides important safety warnings regarding electrostatic discharge (ESD) and access to internal components.