Connecting Cables

Prerequisites

• The disk enclosure connection plan has been worked out.
• The following installation tools and materials have been prepared:
  • Disk enclosure expansion cables (mini SAS HD or RDMA cables)
  • Diagonal pliers
  • Cable ties

Procedure

1. Attach labels to disk enclosure expansion cables.
   1. Prepare the cables for connecting controller enclosures to disk enclosures.

      Cables shipped with the device have been coiled. Uncoil the cables based on site requirements to prevent unnecessary cable arrangement and binding.

   2. Prepare labels for guiding cable connections based on the disk enclosure connection plan.

      The label for connection between a 4 U controller enclosure and a disk enclosure is CTEx-H/Lx-Px TO DAExxx-A/B-Px, and that for connection between two disk enclosures is DAExxx-A/B-Px TO DAExxx-A/B-Px. The following table explains the label.

      Table 4-21 Label naming rules

      Item	Description				Example		Description
      CTEx	Controller enclosure ID				CTE0		Controller enclosure 0
      H/Lx	Slot ID of the expansion module on the H or L plane of a 4 U controller enclosure				H5 or L6		Slot IOM 5 on the H plane of the controller enclosure or slot IOM 6 on the L plane of the controller enclosure
      DAExxx	Disk enclosure ID				DAE000		Disk enclosure 0
      Px	Port ID on the expansion module				P0		Port P0 on the expansion module

      For example: CTE0-H6-P0 TO DAE000-A-P0 indicates that one end of the cable connects to port P0 of the expansion module in slot IOM6 on the H plane of a 4 U controller enclosure (ID: 0), and the other end connects to port P0 on expansion module A in disk enclosure 0.

      Figure 4-80 shows an example of filling in a label.

      Figure 4-80 Example of filling in a label
      

   3. Attach a pair of labels to both ends of a cable. For details on how to attach a label, see "Engineering Label Specifications for Cables" in the General Cable Operation Guide.

2. Connect disk enclosures following the connection plan, as shown in Figure 4-81, Figure 4-82, Figure 4-83, Figure 4-84, Figure 4-85, and Figure 4-86.
   • When connecting to a controller enclosure, ensure that the plastic ring of the cable or the optical module handle is on the right side of the cable.
   • When connecting to a disk enclosure, ensure that the plastic ring of the cable or the optical module handle is on the upper side of the cable.
   Figure 4-81 Connecting mini SAS HD cables to a controller enclosure
   
   Figure 4-82 Connecting mini SAS HD cables to a disk enclosure
   
   Figure 4-83 Connecting RDMA electrical cables to a controller enclosure
   
   Figure 4-84 Connecting RDMA electrical cables to a disk enclosure
   
   Figure 4-85 Connecting RDMA optical cables to a controller enclosure
   
   Figure 4-86 Connecting RDMA optical cables to a disk enclosure
   

3. Adjust the length of the cables by wrapping them into circles according to the distance away from the system bay, and use a cable tie to bind them and use diagonal pliers to trim off the excess of cable ties, as shown in Figure 4-87.

   After cables are connected, fix extra cables onto the cable tray at the rear of the system bay by using fiber binding tapes.

   Figure 4-87 Routing and binding cables
   

   For details about how to lay out and bind cables, see General Cable Routing Principles and Cable Routing and Binding Basics.

Prerequisites

• You have developed a plan for connections between multiple controller enclosures. For details on how to develop a connection plan, see (Optional) Connection Planning Between Controller Enclosures.
• The following installation tools and materials have been prepared:
  • RDMA cables
  • Diagonal pliers
  • Cable ties

Procedure

1. Connect controller enclosures following the connection plan, as shown in Figure 4-88 and Figure 4-89.

   When connecting a cable, ensure that the plastic ring of the cable or the optical module handle is on the right side of the cable.

   Ensure that a cable is connected to a storage system for over two minutes. Otherwise, the storage system may fail to detect the cable. If the storage system cannot detect a cable that has been connected for over two minutes, check whether the cable is properly connected or damaged. Then, reinsert the cable.

   Figure 4-88 Connecting an RDMA electrical cable
   
   Figure 4-89 Connecting an RDMA optical cable
   

2. Lay out ground cables.

   For details about how to lay out and bind cables, see General Cable Routing Principles and Cable Routing and Binding Basics.

Prerequisites

• The connection between the controller enclosure and the application server has been completed. For details about the connection solution design, see Connection Planning Between Controller Enclosures and Application Servers.
• If Fibre Channel switches are used, the NPIV function of these switches has been enabled. For details about how to query and set the NPIV function of a switch, see How Do I Query and Configure the NPIV Function of Switches?
• The ports on the storage device are set to the autonegotiation mode. To keep a smooth link, the rates of the ports on the storage device and the application server (or the switch) must be consistent. If the rates are inconsistent, perform the following:
  • Set the rate of a front-end port. See "Modifying an Ethernet Port" and "Modifying a Fibre Channel Front-End Port" in the Basic Storage Service Configuration Guide (Block Service) specific to your product model and version.
  • To set the rate of the ports on the application server (or the switch), see the documents of the application server (or the switch).
• The following installation tools and materials are ready:
  • Network cables, cable ties, and diagonal pliers in Ethernet networking

    If GE electrical ports on a GE electrical interface module or network ports on an application server (or a switch) are not in autonegotiation mode, you must use crossover cables to connect the controller enclosure to the application server (or switch). Otherwise, the controller enclosure may fail to communicate with the application server (or switch).

  • Optical modules, optical fibers, fiber binding tapes, and diagonal pliers in Fibre Channel networking

Connecting GE or 10GE Electrical Interface Modules

1. Wear an ESD wrist strap, ESD gloves, and ESD clothes.
2. Connect one end of a network cable to a GE or 10GE electrical port.

   For the GE electrical interface module, connect the network cable directly to the electrical port on the interface module. For the 10GE electrical interface module, you must first install an electrical module (see Figure 4-90) and then connect the network cable.

   Figure 4-90 Installing an electrical module
   

3. Set up a connection to a network port on the application server.
   • Direct connection: Connect the other end of the network cable to a network port on the application server.
   • Switch-based connection: Connect the other end of the network cable to a switch. Then connect the switch to the application server using a network cable.

4. Repeat 2 and 3 to connect another GE or 10GE electrical port to the application server.
5. Lay out and bind the network cables.

   For details about how to lay out and bind cables, see General Cable Routing Principles and Cable Routing and Binding Basics.

Connecting SmartIO Interface Modules

When installing an optical fiber, do not look into the optical port without eye protection.

1. Wear an ESD wrist strap, ESD gloves, and ESD clothes.
2. (Optional) Install an optical module to the ports on the SmartIO interface module of the storage system.

   If ports on the SmartIO interface module are already equipped with optical modules, go to 3.

   1. Remove the protective cap from the optical module. See (1) in Figure 4-91.
   2. Insert the optical module into the port on the SmartIO interface module. See (2) in Figure 4-91.

   Insert an optical module horizontally. Otherwise, it may be damaged.

   Figure 4-91 Inserting an optical module
   

3. Remove the protective cap from the optical fiber connector. See (1) in Figure 4-92.

   Precautions about connecting optical fibers are as follows:

   • An optical module is electrostatic sensitive and must be placed in an ESD-resistant and dust-proof environment during transportation, storage, and use.
   • When connecting cables, select proper cables according to site requirements and label information.
   • An optical fiber connector must be kept clean and free from scratches.
   • Cover optical fibers and optical modules that are not in use with protective caps.
   • The bend radius of an optical fiber must be larger than 5 cm.

4. Connect one end of the optical fiber to the port on the SmartIO interface module. See (2) in Figure 4-92.

   Insert the optical fiber connector until it clicks into place.

   Figure 4-92 Connecting an optical fiber
   

5. Set up a connection to the application server.
   • Direct connection: Connect the other end of the optical fiber to a network port on the application server.
   • Switch-based connection: Connect the other end of the optical fiber to a switch. Then connect the switch to the application server.

6. Repeat 2 and 5 to connect another front-end port to the application server.
7. Lay out and bind the optical fibers.

   For details about how to lay out and bind cables, see General Cable Routing Principles and Cable Routing and Binding Basics.

Connecting 40GE/100GE Interface Modules

1. Wear an ESD wrist strap, ESD gloves, and ESD clothes.
2. (Optional) Install an optical module to an ETH port on the storage system.

   If ETH ports on the storage system are already equipped with optical modules, go to 3.

   1. Remove the protective cap from the optical module. See (1) in Figure 4-93.
   2. Insert the optical module into the ETH port. See (2) in Figure 4-93.

   Insert an optical module horizontally. Otherwise, it may be damaged.

   Figure 4-93 Inserting an optical module
   

3. Connect the optical fiber.
   1. Remove the protective cap from the optical fiber connector. See (1) in Figure 4-94.
   2. Connect one end of the optical fiber to the optical module on the ETH port. See (2) in Figure 4-94.
   Figure 4-94 Connecting an optical fiber
   

4. Set up a connection to an ETH port on the application server.
   • Direct connection: Connect the other end of the optical fiber to an ETH port on the application server.
   • Switch-based connection: Connect the other end of the optical fiber to a switch. Then connect the switch to the application server.

5. Repeat 2 and 4 to connect another front-end port to the application server.
6. Lay out and bind the optical fibers.

   For details about how to lay out and bind cables, see General Cable Routing Principles and Cable Routing and Binding Basics.

Context

• Each management module has two management network ports and a maintenance network port. In normal cases, the management network ports are used to configure and manage a storage device. The maintenance network port is designed for special maintenance in emergency.
  • Management network port 1 is reserved and not used.
  • The default IP address of management network port 0 on management module 0 is 192.168.128.101, and that of management network port 0 on management module 1 is 192.168.128.102. The default subnet mask is 255.255.0.0.
  • The default IP address of the maintenance network port is 172.31.128.101 or 172.31.128.102, and the default subnet mask is 255.255.0.0.
• The management network ports and the maintenance terminal must reside on the same network segment, or reside on different network segments but are connected by routes. This ensures that the management network ports and the maintenance terminal can correctly communicate with each other.

Procedure

1. Prepare cables that are used to connect the controller to the management network. Attach labels to these cables. For details about how to prepare and attach labels, see Engineering Label Specifications for Cables.
2. Connect the controller to the management network.
   • Do not connect the management network port and maintenance network port to the same LAN or switch to prevent network loops.
   • If multiple controller enclosures are deployed, you only need to connect the management network ports of controller enclosure 0 to the management network. For details, see Direct-Connection Network.

   Figure 4-95 shows the cable connection.

   Figure 4-95 Connecting a controller enclosure to the management network
   

Context

There are two types of serial cables: RJ-45 to DB9 serial cable and double RJ-45 serial cable. The type of serial cable to be used depends on the type of the serial port on the maintenance terminal. Typically, the storage system is connected to a maintenance terminal through an RJ-45 to DB9 serial cable, as shown in Figure 4-96.

If you use an RJ-45 to DB9 serial cable, connect the RJ-45 connector to the storage system, and connect the DB9 connector to the maintenance terminal.

Figure 4-96 Connecting a serial port to a maintenance terminal

Procedure

1. Wear an ESD wrist strap, ESD gloves, and ESD clothes.
2. Prepare a serial cable used to connect the serial port on the controller enclosure and a network port on the maintenance terminal, and label the cable. For details about how to prepare and attach labels, see Engineering Label Specifications for Cables.
3. Connect the RJ-45 end of an RJ-45 to DB9 serial cable to a serial port on the controller enclosure.
4. Connect the DB9 end of the RJ-45 to DB9 serial cable to the serial port on the maintenance terminal.

Prerequisites

The storage system is disconnected from the external power source.

Context

• Generally, PDUs are divided into groups. Power of each group is determined by the specifications of protection components configured for each group. When power cables of storage devices are connected to PDUs, the power of the devices connected to each group should not exceed the maximum power of the group, avoiding overload caused by excessive power on one PDU.
• To ensure power stability, connect the power cables on both sides of the storage system to two external power supplies. In this way, one power supply can continue to meet power requirements when the other becomes faulty.
• The input AC voltage ranges from 100 V to 127 V or 200 V to 240 V.
• To prevent other devices connected to the circuit breakers from being incorrectly powered off due to a power supply failure of the storage device, you are recommended to ensure that the electric current of the circuit breakers of the external AC power supplies to which the storage device is connected greater than 16 A.

Procedure

1. Unpack and take out the AC power cables.
2. Connect the controller to the power sockets on the cabinet through AC power cables.
3. Repeat 1 and 2 to connect the AC power cables of the disk enclosures to the power sockets on the cabinet.
4. Check whether the AC power cables of the controller and disk enclosures are correctly connected to the AC power supplies.
   • Figure 4-97 shows how to connect AC power cables of a controller enclosure.
   Figure 4-97 Connecting AC power cables of a controller enclosure
   
   • Figure 4-98, Figure 4-99, and Figure 4-100 show how to connect AC power cables of a disk enclosure.
     Figure 4-98 Connecting AC power cables of a 2 U SAS disk enclosure
     
     Figure 4-99 Connecting AC power cables of a 4 U SAS disk enclosure
     
     Figure 4-100 Connecting AC power cables of a smart disk enclosure
     

5. Secure the AC power cables with retention clips.
   • For SAS disk enclosures, secure AC power cables with retention clips.
     1. Open the locker of the retention clip (see a of step 1 in Figure 4-101), and slide the retention clip to the connection part of the AC power cable (see b of step 1 in Figure 4-101).
        Figure 4-101 Securing an AC power cable using a retention clip
        

     2. Loosen the retention clip. See (2) in Figure 4-101.
     3. Close the retention clip to secure the connection part of the AC power cable. See (3) in Figure 4-101.

        Before fully closing the retention clip, slide it into a position where it will tightly secure the power cable.

     4. Repeat 5.a to 5.c to secure other AC power cables.
   • For controller enclosures and smart disk enclosures, use velcro tapes to secure AC power cables.
     1. Connect the power cable to the cable port on the AC power module. See (1) in Figure 4-102.
        Figure 4-102 Use a velcro strap to secure the AC power cable.
        

     2. Secure the power cable using a velcro strap. See (2) in Figure 4-102.
     3. Repeat 5.a and 5.b to secure other AC power cables.

     Adjust the position of the velcro strap to ensure that the velcro strap can fasten the AC power cable and the connector of the AC power cable is secure.

6. Route and bind AC power cables.

   If the power supply unit of bays contains multiple control switches, then in system bay 1:

   • The power output ports connecting to the controller, the power output ports connecting to the controller enclosure and data switches must be controlled by one control switch, and this area controlled by the control switch must be powered on last.
   • If each power output port is controlled by a switch, the controller enclosure must be powered on last.