VessRAID Setup - Promise Technology, Inc.

Connection Problems
311
Chapter 9: Troubleshooting
When you install your Promise product following the instructions in the Quick
Start Guide and this Product Manual, you should have little trouble getting your
equipment to work the first time. But connection problems can arise that are not
the User's or Installer's fault. Every conceivable problem cannot be covered in
the documentation but some guidelines could be helpful.
Connection problems cause a majority of failures in almost any electrical system.
While the installation of the cables and components was correct, they don't
function properly, or at all, because:
• A connector is dirty or corroded.
• A connector is loose or damaged.
• A cable looks OK outside but has an open circuit inside.
• The wrong cable was used.
VessRAIDs ship with a full set of new cables, as required for each specific model.
Be sure to use these components because:
• They are the proper ones for your RAID subsystem.
• They are in brand-new condition.
• You paid for them with the purchase of your VessRAID.
Serial Connections
VessRAID uses a serial connection for the command line interface (CLI) and the
command line utility (CLU). After you set the IP address, you can access the CLI
and CLU through a network connection, also. Normally, users prefer WebPAM
PROe because of its graphic user interface. But the CLI and CLU can do the
same jobs. And they will work when your network connection is down.
For VessRAID, you must use the CLI or CLU to set the Management Port IP
address in order for WebPAM PROe to connect with it. See “Setting Up Serial
Cable Connections” on page 23 and “Setting up the Serial Connection” on
page 27.
The CLI and CLU control and manage but they do not move data. They
communicate through a RJ11-to-DB9 cable, supplied with the VessRAID. An
ordinary serial cable will not work for this purpose. You may not use the CLI or
CLU often and want to disconnect and store the cable. Consider leaving it
connected, to be sure it is there when you need it.