Conference ssag::ask_ssag

    Anyone?  HELP!
    
    If not, where do I go?
    
    --Ron

    
    That ain't a storageworks device. It's a Prioris Mylex device.....
    The latest firmware is 3.21-0-5.  There is a writeup about it in
    the techtip section of the Prioris Server Support WEBsite at
    akin40.ako.dec.com.  I have the firmware and load utilities. I will
    try to make it available on our web tomorrow.
    
    I don't know if the SWXCRMGR software will work since it is 
    mylex firmware and bios as opposed to SWXCR firmware and bios. 
    Correct me if I'm wrong SWXCR folks.  
    
    The GAM software will work though.  It is also available through our
    web.. Click on Digital Serverworks at the main page, and go to the 2.2
    kit.
    
    Chet

    OK, I give.  I guess in the past we received boxes (Prioris HX 5000)
    with the DIGITAL version of the Mylex, which is a "StorageWorks" RAID
    controller.  These new Prioris HX 6000 boxes shipped with the Mylex
    firmware version.  (I don't think we had a choice, as it was bundled in
    the part number.)
    
    Internally, we bet on the SWXCR on-line management and monitoring tool.
    (Especially the event logger, so NT can see any errors!)  Does this mean
    we can't use them now?  All the systems came without any form of
    documentation or software (other than the ServerWORKS disk) for the
    RAID controller.  Is there a Mylex version of the utility or are we SOL?
    Can the GAM log events to the NT event logger?  Or can the StorageWorks
    version of the firmware be installed on our standard Mylex?
    
    ACK!
    
    Thanks for the help.
    
    --Ron

    If you want the StorageWorks controller and all the support and
    features it comes with you must replace the Mylex controller with the
    proper StorageWorks Raid 230 and the proper drives.  A lot of our
    customers are having the same problems and it is because they think
    they are buying StorageWorks but they are being sold PCBU drives and
    mylex controllers.

    Is there even a StorageWorks version of these newer "high-performance"
    Mylex (EDRAM, etc.) controllers?
    
    "A lot of our customers are having the same problem"?  Obviously, we're
    screwing up if this is true.
    
    This is extremely confusing... all guides for Prioris configuration do not
    mention special StorageWorks Mylex RAID controllers.  Were we running
    "unsupported" previously?
    
    So, I guess we're SOL... since, obviously, we're not going to replace
    perfectly good controllers.  Again, is there a tool that can shove
    Mylex (non-StorageWorks) events into the Windows NT Event Logger?
    
    --Ron

    
    We are not screwing up.  The Mylex Raid controller and the PCBU Disks
    are tested, qualified, and supported.  There is a version 1.05 kit with
    updated NT Drivers on our web site. 
    http://akin40.ako.dec.com/~FTP/Library/OptionsDrivers/STORAGE/SCSI/CTRL
    /PCI/MYLEX/1-05-kit/
     
    the new NT driver is there.
    
    What specifically are you attempting to do?  
    
    chet

    
    The online monitoring and management tool for the Mylex is the Global
    Array Manager Software. It comes with Serverworks. Be careful and
    read the readme file.. the exact installation proceedure should be
    followed or problems may arrise.  It works file.  
    
    There are kits on the akin40 site as well......Please note that there
    are firmware considerations with the Older mylex versus the newer rev E
    mylex.  Any firmware with 2.x is rev d,c b or a. Newer firmware for the
    Rev E is 3.21x-x. There is firmware for the new mylex (Shipped with
    3.21-0-0 that should be upgraded to 3.21-0-5. Directions/readme with
    the kit.
    
    chet

    But can GAM "simply" log the events to the NT event logger, like the
    SWXCR event logging utility?  I don't need to send SNMP events directly,
    page, send mail, dance a jig, etc.
    
    GAM is pretty... but does more than we really need.  The SWXCR
    utility is much more to the point.
    
    I can't even get GAM to work in Administrative privilege mode.  (The
    documentation doesn't help... it says it's uses the integrated NT user
    security... but I can't get it to work.)  I seem to always be a guest. 
    And every NT username/password combination I try fails.  (With or
    without domain name.)  Any hints?
    
    (Is this where this should be discussed?)
    
    --Ron
    

    If you are using the proper PCBU parts you only get what the PCBU
    builds into the mylex controller.  If you want SWXCR stuff you must buy
    StorageWorks.  They are two different products, from two different BU's
    with two different sets of features.  The PCBU part is qualified and
    sold on Prioris only.  The StorageWorks SWXCR is sold on any Intel or
    Alpha based box running VMS, DUNIX, NT or Novell.  I don't think you
    can get the features of one transplanted onto the other.

    if you install the software as per the instructions.......
    
    first update the NT Driver....
    Next add the GAM driver.
    Next install the GAM server software
    next configure the utility that forwards information to the GAM Client 
       (the name escapes me for now)
    rename the send logfile to c:\tmp\gamevlog.log to c:\temp\gamevlog.log
    Create (From the Administrator account) the GAMROOT account
    then re-boot.
    
    The logfile is in the c:\temp directory.
    
    The long and short of it is that it will not update the lofile in
    NT unless the 'DRIVER' detects an error.
    
    chet

    Well, I needed to install the updated "2.05" versions of the Mylex GAM
    Server and Client.  If the box is a domain controller (doesn't have a
    local username database), a bug or "feature" in the "2.0" release prevents
    the user logon from working.
    
    Still, not exactly what I need... but at least it works as advertised.
    
    So, what is the part number of the "StorageWorks" SWXCR versions of the
    new "high-performance" Mylex (3.x firmware, EDRAM, etc.) controllers
    (like FR-PCTAR-EC)?  (That, I assume, can run the SWXCR manager/monitor
    tools.)  Anyone?
    
    --Ron
    

    I don't think the 230 plus is out quite yet for StorageWorks.  It is
    still in Qual.

    I also believe that the older version would have worked.  From our web
    site there are tech tips in the storageworks page that outlines
    the login failure with a Domain controller that required a patch
    we also made available from our website. The 2.05 kit has it bilt in.
    
    Chet

    Thanks for the help/comments.
    
    Now only if Mylex or we had a nice little NT service to feed the standard
    NT event logger like the SWXCR group does.. (Hint... hint... hint...
    Product manager?)  This should really exist if the PCBU and/or Mylex
    wants to play in the Windows NT world.  (Heck, I'd help port it if I had
    source code!)
    
    This has been a thorn for us.  Because of this, our new boxes will require
    different monitoring procedures that all our RAID enabled Alpha and older
    Intels.
    
    --Ron
    
    

    request has been forwarded to the PM, I'll let you know what happens.  
    
    chet

    Can someone tell me what the version of the firmware is required to run
    the GAM software ...Will it run on fw 2.x or do I need V3.x to run the
    GAM manager ...
    
    Some customers have the older controllers and some have newer
    controllers . Can the GAM software be run on all or do we need to
    update the firmware on some of the older controllers ?
    
    Reg

    
    We have a WEB Page. akin40.ako.dec.com, in there is a techtip about
    GAM, It is rather old, but you get the gist of what is supported.
    
    for the older Rev C and D boards, version 1.29 of BIOS and 2.39 of
    firmware are required, obtainable from that same website. There are
    several versions. from the main page, click on Digital ServerWORKS,
    and go to the KITS section.  Please read the readme file.  IT talks
    about the proceedure, I've followed it WITH NO PROBLEMS. You need
    to update your NT Mylex driver if you use the one that comes with
    NT.
    
    This and other PCBU Related questions would be better asked in the 
    PCBUOA::SERVER_WORKS notesfile.  
    
    chet

    
    Also, take a second and click onm the search button from the
    akin40.ako.dec.com site, and search the term GAM.
    
    It's all there.
    
    chet