Adding SCSI Host Adapter (X6541A) into a Blade 100/150

by Jeff Hunter, Sr. Database Administrator

Overview

A Sun Blade 100/150 can accept the following PCI SCSI host adapters:

Option # Top Level Part # Manufacturing Part # Description Substitute Part #

Single-Ended Ultra/Wide
X1032A 595-4258 501-5656 SCSI/FastEthernet (SunSwift 501-2741
PCI)
Dual Ultra-2 SCSI/Dual
X2222A 595-5624 501-5727 n/a
FastEthernet PCI Adapter
Single-Channel Single-Ended
X5010A 595-5377 375-0097 n/a
Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI)
Dual Single-Ended
X6540A 595-4399 375-0005 n/a
Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI)
Dual Differential Ultra/Wide
X6541A 595-4414 375-0006 n/a
SCSI (PCI)

In this article I will be documenting the steps for installing and

configuring a Dual Differential Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI) host adapter
(X6541A) in a Sun Blade 150 running Solaris 8.

The above host adapters are designed to be installed in SPARC systems

running at least Solaris 2.5.1 Hardware:4/97 operating system.

The host adapters support up to 15 targets on each SCSI bus.

Installing the Dual Differential Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI)

The following section documents the steps necessary to install a Dual

Differential Ultra/Wide SCSI (PCI) (X6541A) in a Sun Blade 150.

1. Check OS version

Check the file /etc/release to ensure you are running Solaris

2.5.1 or higher.

# cat /etc/release

Solaris 8 2/02 s28s_u7wos_08a SPARC

Copyright 2002 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.
Assembled 18 December 2001
2. Exit the OS and power down the system

Use either the shutdown command (if this is a server with active
users that should be warned) or init 0 (if this is a stand along
server). When at the ok prompt power down the system.

3. Unpack host adapter

The following items should be included with your host adapter

package:

1. PCI UltraSCSI host adapter

2. 2 meter UltraSCSI-compliant cable
3. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) kit
4. Open the computer
5. Attach the wrist strap

Attach the wrist strap between your wrist and a metal part of the
system chassis.

6. Disconnect power cord from computer

7. Remove the filler panel for the desired slot

In most cases this will be just one screw to remove in order to

remove the filler panel for the desired PCI slot.

8. Make sure that the switches and jumpers are correctly set.

For the single-ended host adapter, confirm the following settings:

o Make sure that all elements of switches U1 and U2 are off.

o Make sure that jumper TP9 is open.

For the differential host adapter, confirm the following settings:

o Make sure that all jumpers (TP1, TP2, TP3, TP5, TP6) are
open.
2. Install the host adapter

Install the host adapter into the PCI slot in your system. Ensure to
secure the card in with the screw used in the removed filler panel.
Using excessive force can bend or damage the pins.

3. Close up system

Close up the system and remove the anti-static wrist strap.

4. Reconnect power cable
5. Connect the SCSI cables

Connect the SCSI cable to your newly installed SCSI host adapter
and then to the SCSI peripheral(s).

6. Power on peripherals / system

Power on your peripherals and then your system.

NOTE: If your system starts to reboot, interrupt the reboot process

by pressing the Stop and A keys together. If this is not possible,
allow the system to complete the boot process and then bring the
system to the ok prompt by using init 0.

7. Make sure the host adapter is recognized by the system

Use the probe-scsi-all command to display the SCSI devices

connected to your system. For example:

ok probe-scsi-all
/pci@1f,2000/scsi@2
Target 8
Unit 0 Disk SEAGATE ST34371W SUN4.2G8254
/pci@1f,2000/scsi@2,1
Target 1
Unit 0 Disk SEAGATE ST34371W SUN4.2G8254

In the example, the first SCSI port (scsi@2) has one disk drive
connected (target 8). The second SCSI port (scsi@2,1) also has one
disk drive connected (target 1).

8. Reboot your system (using the -r option)

ok boot -r

9. Test the installation with SunVTS

You can use the SunVTS diagnostic program exercise your system
to verify the functionality, reliability, and configuration of the new
host adapter card. It is recommended to run the SunVTS program
before attempting to utilize the new host adapter for any
applications.

The SunVTS program needs to be run as the root userid.

# su
Bring up the SunVTS program (GUI Window):

# /opt/SUNWvts/bin/sunvts

1. Select a disk drive (any disk) that is attached to the host

adapter card you just installed.
2. Start the test by hitting the "Start" button.
3. Verify that no errors have occurred by checking the
SunVTS status window.
4. If no problems occur, stop SunVTS by hitting the "Stop"
button and exit from the SunVTS application.

Your host adapter card is ready to run applications!