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®
3ware 9690SA
SAS/SATA RAID
Controller
PN 720-0170-01
March 2008
Installation Guide
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Copyright ©2004-2008 Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC). All rights reserved. This publication may be copied or reproduced for reference purposes only. All other purposes require the express written consent of AMCC, 215 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. AMCC shall not be responsible or liable for, and shall be held harmless against, any and all damages, claims, and/or disputes that arise from the copying or reproduction of this publication. Trademarks 3ware®, Escalade®, 3DM®
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Table of Contents About this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv Chapter 1. Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Contents of this Package. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9690SA RAID Controller Card Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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About this Guide Congratulations on your purchase of the 3ware® 9690SA SAS RAID Controller. This guide tells you how to install it. Chapter Description 1 Getting Started Overview of the 3ware RAID controller and important safety factors to keep in mind during installation 2 Installing Your 3ware How to install your 3ware RAID controller RAID Controller 3 Installing a Battery How to install and maintain a BBU Backup Unit The following additional documentation is available for your 3ware RAID
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Chapter 1. Getting Started The 3ware® 9690SA SAS RAID controller provides these features: Support for up to 128 SAS and/or SATA devices RAID 6 with simultaneous parity generation to maximize performance 8th-generation StorSwitch™ switch fabric for maximum controller output StreamFusion™ optimization of RAID 5 and RAID 6 disk accesses to maximize application performance under heavy loads StorSave Battery Backup Unit (BBU) with write journaling to optimize data protection and perfor
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Chapter 1. Getting Started Appropriate cables for your 3ware 9690SA model. 9690SA-4I (one internal SFF-8087 to SFF-8087 cable) 9690SA-8I (two internal SFF-8087 to SFF-8087 cables) 9690SA-8E (two external SFF-8088 to SFF-8088 cables) 9690SA-4I4E (one internal SFF-8087 to SFF-8087 cable and one external SFF-8088 to SFF-8088 cable) If you purchased the 3ware RAID controller in a single pack or as part of a bulk pack, cables are not included. 9690SA RAID Controller Card Models Figure 1. 4-P
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Cables Figure 3. 8-Port 3ware 9690SA-8E Serial ATA RAID Controller Two external Multi-lane connectors BBU connector and hole for post Heat Sinks Figure 4. 8-Port 3ware 9690SA-4I4E Serial ATA RAID Controller BBU connector and hole One external Multi-lane 2 I C connector One internal Multi-lane connector Heat Sinks Cables Important: You should only use AMCC/3ware certified cables with your 3ware RAID controller. Using an incorrect cable can result in drives that are not detected. The app
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Chapter 1. Getting Started SFF-8087-to-SFF-8087 Multi-lane cables Use with an internal connector of the 9690SA-8I, 9690SA-4I or 9690SA-4I4E 3ware RAID controller. These cables are for use with a multi-lane-enabled drive backplane that has the SFF-8087 mini SATA/SAS 4i connectors. These cables have multi-lane cable plug connectors on each end (Figure 5). Figure 5. Multi-lane Cable Serial ATA (SFF-8087) SFF-8088 to SFF-8088 Multi-lane cables For use with the 9690SA-8E and 9690SA-4I4E 3ware RA
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System Requirements System Requirements Motherboard and Slot Requirements A workstation-class or server-class motherboard with an x8 or x16 PCI-Express® slot. A list of systems that have been tested is available at http://www.3ware.com/products/sys_compatibility.asp Enclosure Requirements In order to attach more than four drives per connector, enclosures with expanders are required. In order to use enclosure support services, such as locating a drive by blinking an LED or notification of a
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Chapter 1. Getting Started Operating System Requirements Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit x86), Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit x86) Red Hat Linux, 32-bit and 64-bit x86 SuSE Linux, 32-bit and 64-bit x86 Fedora Core, 32-bit and 64-bit x86 FreeBSD, 32-bit and 64-bit x86 Other versions of Linux, 32-bit and 64-bit x86, using the open source Linux 2.4 or 2.6 kernel driver For the latest driver versions for all operating systems, see the current Release Notes, at http://
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Safety Information Safety Information To reduce the risk of bodily injury, electrical shock, fire, and equipment damage, read this information and observe all warnings and precautions in this guide before installing or maintaining your computer. The 3ware 9690SA RAID controller card should be installed by technically qualified persons. If you are uncomfortable opening a computer system and conforming to standard ESD (electrostatic discharge) practices, you should have a computer technicia
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Chapter 1. Getting Started Personal Safety When Installing the 9690SA RAID Controller in Your Computer Warning! High voltages may be found inside computer equipment. Before installing any of the hardware in this package or removing the protective covers of any computer equipment, turn off power switches and disconnect power cords. Do not reconnect the power cords until the hardware is installed and the system cover is closed. Protecting Equipment and Data Heat Sink Warning. Do not replac
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Safety Information Installation Considerations Air Flow, Cable Length, and Routing Space Adequate airflow and ventilation are particularly important for 3ware 9690SA RAID controllers. The on-board heat sink collects heat, and must have adequate airflow in order to disburse it. It is important that the cables do not obstruct the air flow or prevent proper ventilation of the system. Selecting the Slot in Which to Install the Controller Consider these factors when deciding on the slot in which
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Chapter 2. Installing Your 3ware RAID Controller Tools You Need You will need the following tools during installation: An ESD grounding strap or mat A Phillips screwdriver Before You Start 3ware 9690SA RAID controllers can be installed in a standard enclosure or in an enclosure with a backplane. 1 Be sure to read “Safety Information” on page 7 in Chapter 1. 2 If you have a Battery Backup Unit (BBU), install it before proceeding. For details, see “Chapter 3. Installing a Battery Backup Un
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Chapter 2. Installing Your 3ware RAID Controller Install the Controller in the Computer 1 If the computer is running, shut it down. Turn off power to the computer and disconnect the power cord from the outlet. 2 Make sure you are properly grounded. (For details about safety precautions, see page 7.) 3 Open the computer case according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 4 Locate the PCI Express slot you want to use for the 3ware 9690SA RAID controller. For a discussion of which slot to use,
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Install the Controller in the Computer 7 Press down gently on the edge of the 3ware RAID controller directly above the PCI Express slot until it is fully seated. Figure 7. Inserting Controller Into PCI Express Slot Use a PCI Express slot for the 3ware 9690SA controller. If in doubt about what slots you have, check the documentation for your motherboard. Do NOT use a PCI or PCI-X slot. 8 Check that the 3ware RAID controller’s metal bracket covers the hole in the case and secure the
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Chapter 2. Installing Your 3ware RAID Controller Attach the Cables to Your Controller The internal and external connectors of the 9690SA RAID controller accept different cable connector plugs. Internal Connectors The 9690SA-8I, 9690SA-4I, and 9690SA-4I4E controller cards have internal connectors and use the SFF-8087 cable. Insert the SFF-8087 cable plug into the multi-lane connector on the controller. When the cable is inserted correctly, you will feel it click into place. Figure 8. Conne
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Connect the Cables to Backplanes External Connectors The 9690SA-8E and 9690SA-4I4E controller cards have external connectors and use the SFF-8088 cable. Insert the SFF-8088 cable plug connector into the multi-lane external connector of the controller. When the plug is inserted correctly, you will feel it click into place. Figure 9. Connecting a Multi-lane Cable with an SFF-8088 Connector to the 9690SA-8E Controller Connect the Cables to Backplanes After installing your 3ware RAID controll
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Chapter 2. Installing Your 3ware RAID Controller Note: If your backplane has individual connections for each drive, or if you do not have a backplane, you can directly connect up to 4 drives per internal connector through use of a breakout cable. Finishing Up the RAID Controller Installation After you have installed the controller in the computer and attached appropriate cables to the controller and drives, complete the following steps to complete the hardware installation. Connect Battery
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Chapter 3. Installing a Battery Backup Unit The Battery Backup Unit (BBU) is an optional add-on consisting of a control module and a battery pack. When used with the 3ware 9690SA RAID controller, the BBU control module is mounted on the RAID controller and the battery pack is installed on a remote battery board. The BBU’s purpose is to supply power to the controller’s memory module in the event of a system power loss. This allows the controller to safely use write-caching for optimal perfo
