This chapter introduces you to the Origin200 FailSafe network server (OFNS) rack system.
It describes the basic unpacking and system setup procedures you use to get your OFNS system ready to operate.
This chapter includes
The OFNS system is a pre-packaged, highly available solution using two Origin200 servers and two Origin Vault drive enclosures in a 42-inch (107 cm) rack (see Figure 1-1). The system comes with IRIS FailSafe software already installed and internal cables connected, and it is ready for unpacking, installation, and configuration.
![]() | Note: The key that opens the rear door of the rack and the key for the front doors of the Origin enclosures are two different keys. |
Read this section for information on how to unpack the rack system and move it to the operational location. The packing crate is 40.5 inches (103 cm) long. You will need an area at least 10 feet (3 m) long to properly unpack the crate.
![]() | Caution: Be careful when unpacking and moving the OFNS rack chassis. The unit weighs 440 lbs (200 kg) before unpacking, and 365 lbs (166 kg) when ready for installation. Get help from a second or third person whenever you need it. |
Ensure that the chassis remains on a level surface and that the chassis weight remains evenly distributed across the four casters. If the casters must be lifted over an obstacle, such as a door threshold, use proper lifting techniques and employ a minimum of two people. Do not subject the rack cabinet to any unnecessary shocks or vibration while unpacking and installing the system.
Follow these procedures to properly uncrate the rack and move it to the operating location:
Use a pallet jack to move the pallet and carton as close to the operation area as possible. Use a 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) wrench to adjust the rack's leveling feet up or down.
Carefully cut the pallet's bands, then lift off the cardboard top cover (see Figure 1-3).
Remove the flat wooden pallet ramp, then pull the corrugated cardboard liners out and remove the accessory box (it contains additional manuals, CDs, and a console terminal cable).
Pull the cardboard sleeve off and remove the rack's plastic cover.
Go to the rear of the system and pull out the two lag bolts (one at each corner) that hold the rear 2 x 6 board (also known as the gate) to the side boards.
Remove the rear 2 x 6 board. Note that the other 2 x 6 boards are not removable and there are no bolts holding the rack chassis directly to the bottom of the pallet.
Set the ramp in place at the rear of the chassis. Secure the ramp by inserting the two lag bolts through the holes in the ramp and into the pallet's bolt holes (see Figure 1-4).
With one person in front and one in back, slowly roll the unit down the ramp to the floor.
![]() | Caution: The rack chassis weighs 365 lbs (166 kg). Take care when rolling it. |
The OFNS system should be fully configured with all hardware and software needed to start immediate network operation. Two Ethernet and four power connections are required for proper operation of the system. You must also have a console terminal connected to one of the Origin200 systems in the rack to properly configure the system's interface; see “Connecting an ASCII Terminal”. If you wish to make other connections to the system for peripherals such as a modem or printer, see the Origin200 and Origin200 GIGAchannel Owners Guide for information.
Be sure the proper physical, electrical, and environmental preparations have been completed in advance of the installation. See Appendix A for information relating to the OFNS server's technical specifications.
Ensure proper floor space is available to permit connectivity and service access.
Be sure networking plans are in place to support the Origin200 host systems on a local public Ethernet.
Be sure proper power sources and cooling have been arranged.
You must have network IP addresses and hostnames on the network for each of the Origin200 units in the rack. You will need two IP addresses per Origin200 (four total).
Be sure to have the network address, host IP addresses, and hostnames before continuing.
At this point, most of the preparatory steps should be complete. The section “Label Networking Cables” is helpful but not required before you begin the actual installation.
Label both ends of the networking cables with numbers that can be matched up later. This may save you time and confusion if the OFNS system is installed in a crowded lab or server room.
Each of the four units inside the OFNS rack has its own power cord. Depending on the country of operation, you may use 100-120 VAC or 200-240 VAC power connections. Chapter 4, “Cabling and Configuration,” has additional information on plug type and connector requirements.
The best power availability can be attained by connecting each power cord to an individual uninterruptable power supply (UPS). Be sure to check the inrush current capacity of any UPS you decide to use with the system. If this is not possible, you should try to connect each enclosure power cable to a separate power connection (see Figure 1-5). See Appendix A for information relating to enclosure inrush current maximums.
An acceptable (but somewhat less reliable) power connection scheme is to ensure that an Origin200 and Origin Vault pair are each connected to one power branch, while the other two enclosures are plugged to a different branch.
To ensure the availability of the system, you should never plug all four cords into the same branch power source. Doing this means you have a single point of electrical failure or overload. If that single power branch fails, you lose all connectivity.
You should connect an optional ASCII terminal to one of the Origin200 servers in your OFNS rack. This section tells you how to use the serial cable shipped with your server. It has a DB-9 connector on one end and a 25-pin serial connector on the other. Note that you must have a console terminal connected to tty_1 to configure the software for your OFNS system.
Be sure to read the documentation that comes with the terminal. Always connect your system console terminal to serial port 1 (tty_1).
Set the terminal with the following operational characteristics:
9600 baud
8 bits
1 stop bit
no parity
Connect the RS-232 serial cable (provided) to an ASCII terminal. The cable is approximately 10 feet (3 meters) long and is sometimes called a “dumb terminal cable.” Plug the D-shaped, 9-pin connector into serial port 1 (tty_1) on the back of the system, as shown in Figure 1-6. See the Origin200 and Origin200 GIGAchannel Owner's Guide (p/n 007-3708-xxx) for additional information on using ASCII terminals with your system.
The Origin200 host system and the Origin Vault storage enclosure are similar in that they each have both a main (master) power switch at the rear and a power button in the front. See Figure 1-7 for an example and switch locations.
Pressing the power button at the front is a soft power-off. Residual power is still supplied to the unit as long as the main power switch at the rear is on. The main power switch is a circuit breaker that cuts off all power to the enclosure. Note that the Origin Vault does not power on and off automatically along with the Origin200 server to which it is attached.
![]() | Note: When you power off an Origin200 using the rear power switch, wait at least seven seconds before you turn the master power switch on again. If you do not wait at least seven seconds, the system controller may fail to initialize properly. |
Generally, to power off an enclosure, press the power button at the front and then turn off the main switch at the rear. To turn the enclosure back on, reverse these steps.
On the Origin Vault, if you turn off the main switch and do not press the power button at the front, the enclosure “remembers” the state of the front power switch (independently of the main power switch). When power is restored after a power cutoff from the rear switch (or a failure), the enclosure immediately powers back on.
For more information regarding turning the enclosures on or off, see the Origin200 and Origin200 GIGAchannel Owners Guide (p/n (007-3708-xxx).