Sun Fire V120 as NAS part 2: SSM

Before I create a ZFS array I decided to check the RAID 5 software with the standard UFS configuration to get some performance results and, then, compare with a RAID-Z. But before everything, to install the Sun Storage Subsystem Manager 2.0 (SSM) is a good idea. This software monitors the status of the atthached StorEdge S1 SCSI array writing messages to the system log and can be accessed from diferent clients utside the main server.

The SSM can be downloaded form the Sun downloads page here or, like me, it can be installed with the CDROM supplied with the disk array.

Fortunately, the lasts versions of the Solaris operating system come with the Solaris Volume Manager (SVM) loaded by default and the cdrom is mounted as soon as the disc is in the drive:

# cd /cdrom/cdrom0
# ls
Copyright FR_Copyright License.ps Packages
# cd Packages
# ls
SUNWssmr SUNWssmu
# pkgadd -d /cdrom/cdrom0/Packages SUNWssmu SUNWssmr

Just type 'y' when the wizard ask to follow with the intallation. Now the status of the array can be followed with the help of the ssmadmin utility:

# /opt/SUNWssmu/bin/ssmadmin -view

At first time the server didn't show the status of my disk because I had the array turned off and for this reason the configuration file was bad. I have to recreated the disk configuration booting the system with thr '-r' flag at the ok prompt. To create a new one if you change any of the disk or insert a new one:

lom>poweroff
LOM event: +0h26m56s host power off
lom>bootmode forth
lom>poweron
lom>
LOM event: +0h27m19s host power on
ok setenv auto-boot? off
auto-boot? = false
ok reset-all

Sun Fire V120 (UltraSPARC-IIe 648MHz), No Keyboard
OpenBoot 4.0, 512 MB memory installed, Serial #56372093.
Ethernet address 0:3:ba:5c:2b:7d, Host ID: 835c2b7d.

ok boot -r
Boot device: /pci@1f,0/pci@1/scsi@8/disk@0,0:a File and args: -r
SunOS Release 5.10 Version Generic_141444-09 64-bit
Copyright 1983-2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Use is subject to license terms.

v120 console login: root
password:

Last login: Mon Mar 29 21:10:49 on console
Mar 29 21:32:56 v120 login: ROOT LOGIN /dev/console
Sun Microsystems Inc. SunOS 5.10 Generic January 2005

# format
Searching for disks...done


AVAILABLE DISK SELECTIONS:
0. c1t0d0
/pci@1f,0/pci@1/scsi@8/sd@0,0
1. c1t1d0
/pci@1f,0/pci@1/scsi@8/sd@1,0
2. c2t1d0
/pci@1f,0/pci@1/scsi@8,1/sd@1,0
3. c2t2d0
/pci@1f,0/pci@1/scsi@8,1/sd@2,0
4. c2t3d0
/pci@1f,0/pci@1/scsi@8,1/sd@3,0

# /opt/SUNWssmu/bin/ssmadmin -c /etc/opt/SUNWssmu/ssmon.conf
Reading configuration file: /etc/opt/SUNWssmu/ssmon.conf

Searching for disks...done.


NOTE: A disk drive must be physically installed in the
base target slot of each storage unit.

Press enter to continue:

Disks found on the system:

Disk
Number Bus Target Disk
1 1 0 c1t0d0s0
2 1 1 c1t1d0s0
3 2 1 c2t1d0s0
4 2 2 c2t2d0s0
5 2 3 c2t3d0s0


Please enter the disk number of the base target address of
the storage unit. NOTE: An asterisk denotes a selected disk.

Just press enter when finished: 3
Disks found on the system:

Disk
Number Bus Target Disk
1 1 0 c1t0d0s0
2 1 1 c1t1d0s0
* 3 2 1 c2t1d0s0
* 4 2 2 c2t2d0s0
* 5 2 3 c2t3d0s0


Please enter the disk number of the base target address of
the storage unit. NOTE: An asterisk denotes a selected disk.

Just press enter when finished:


The following disks have been selected:

/dev/rdsk/c2t1d0s0
/dev/rdsk/c2t2d0s0
/dev/rdsk/c2t3d0s0

Save configuration? (yes,no): yes


The SSM daemon must be stopped and restarted after re-creating
the configuration file. Use the /etc/init.d/ssmgmt script to
stop and start the daemon:
# /etc/init.d/ssmgmt stop
# /etc/init.d/ssmgmt start

# /etc/init.d/ssmgmt stop
stopping SSM server.
# /etc/init.d/ssmgmt start
starting SSM server.
ssmond: Failed to open message catalog.
#

You can see the error message but the SSM works nice:

# /opt/SUNWssmu/bin/ssmadmin -view
ssmond: Failed to open message catalog.

Number of S1-D130 Units: 1
Critical Temperature Threshold: 60 Degrees Celsius
Warning Temperature Threshold: 50 Degrees Celsius

TIME: 29 de marzo de 2010 21:40:12 CEST
*****************************************************************

v120::S1-D130-1: Online
-------------------

DISK1[c2t1d0s0]:
Serial Number: 0224Z35960
Vendor: FUJITSU
Model: SUN18G
Status: Online
Current Temperature: 26 Degrees Celsius
DISK2[c2t2d0s0]:
Serial Number: 3BT2FCQL
Vendor: SGI
Model: C
Status: Online
DISK3[c2t3d0s0]:
Serial Number: 0224Z35919
Vendor: FUJITSU
Model: SUN18G
Status: Online
Current Temperature: 28 Degrees Celsius

#