Manual (PDF) - certon systems GmbH

www.certon.de
Manual
certon systems GmbH
Hans-Bunte-Straße 8-10
D-69123 Heidelberg
Tel. +49 (0)6221 7590-260
Fax +49 (0)6221 7590-261
E-Mail: info@certon.de
http://www.certon.de
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Preface
• The purchase of your gemSTONE Direct Attached Storage (DAS) is a valuable investment
ensuring the security of your data well into the future.
• With the gemSTONE from certon systems GmbH you have a high-tech product that offers the
perfect combination of the highest possible quality, reliability and performance.
• gemSTONE is designed to easily and securely store large volumes of digital photographs,
movies and other data and enable easy access to stored data.
The gemSTONE
• The gemSTONE is a mass storage device for that enables long-term, secure storage of large
amounts of digital data, for instance many
thousands of high resolution pictures and
movies as well as vital personal and business
data.
• The gemSTONE is characterized by high
reliability and fast transfer rates. By using
RAID6 technology, gemSTONE can suffer the
failure of two hard disks simultaneously while
still maintaining the integrity of the data.
• gemSTONE used Enterprise class SATA II hard
drives that are certified for 24 hours of
continuous operation (24 / 7) ensuring safe,
fast and efficient backup of data (gemSTONE
barebone is not supplied with hard drives).
• Most mass storage systems require an
application to be running on the connected
computer. With gemSTONE no program is
required, gemstone runs autonomously and is
administered via your browser, further
enhancing reliability.
• gemSTONE can be configured with multiple
volumes (partitions) that can be individually
connected via different interfaces to your
computer. gemSTONE is available in
capacities from 8TB, 16TB, 24TB, or as an
empty housing (barebones).
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Table of contents
Preface ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
The gemSTONE .................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Table of contents ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Safety instructions .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
General safety instructions .............................................................................................................................................. 5
General safety instructions .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Installation location and precautions .......................................................................................................................... 5
Risk of Electric Shock .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Repairing ................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Cleaning .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Additional hints to intended usage .............................................................................................................................. 6
Reparation and remodelling gemSTONE ................................................................................................................... 6
gemSTONE package contents ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Quick Start ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Placement of hard disks (barebone) ............................................................................................................................ 8
First Steps ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Administration of a configured gemSTONE .............................................................................................................. 9
Registration ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Start screen ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Create Volume Set ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
Delete Volume Set ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
Modify Volume Set .......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Enable eSATA Interface .................................................................................................................................................. 13
Enable FW800 or USB 3.0 Interface ............................................................................................................................ 13
Volume and Interface assignment ............................................................................................................................. 14
Enable USB 2.0 Interface ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Enable iSCSI interface ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
The Web Interface ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
Quick Function .................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Raid Set Functions ........................................................................................................................................................... 18
Create RAID Set ................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Delete RAID Set ................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Expand RAID Set ............................................................................................................................................................... 19
Offline RAID Set ................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Rename RAID Set .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Activate RAID Set .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Create Hot Spare .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
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Delete Hot Spare .............................................................................................................................................................. 20
Rescue RAID Set ................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Volume Set Functions ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Create Volume Set ........................................................................................................................................................... 20
Delete Volume Set ........................................................................................................................................................... 23
Modify Volume Set .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Check Volume Set ............................................................................................................................................................ 23
Stop Volume Check ......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Physical Drives ................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Create Pass Trough .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Modify Pass Trough ......................................................................................................................................................... 24
Delete Pass Trough .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Identify selected Drive .................................................................................................................................................... 25
System Controls ................................................................................................................................................................ 25
System Configuration ..................................................................................................................................................... 26
iSCSI Configuration .......................................................................................................................................................... 27
Ethernet Configuration .................................................................................................................................................. 27
Alert by Mail Configuration .......................................................................................................................................... 28
SNMP Configuration ....................................................................................................................................................... 28
NTP Configuration ........................................................................................................................................................... 28
View Events / Mute Beeper ........................................................................................................................................... 28
Generate Test Event ........................................................................................................................................................ 28
Clear Event Buffer ............................................................................................................................................................. 29
Modify Password .............................................................................................................................................................. 29
Upgrade Firmware ........................................................................................................................................................... 29
Shutdown Controller ...................................................................................................................................................... 29
Restart Controller ............................................................................................................................................................. 29
10. Warranty ....................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Contact ................................................................................................................................................................................. 31
Copyright ............................................................................................................................................................................ 31
Trademarks ......................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Disclaimer ........................................................................................................................................................................... 31
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Safety instructions
General safety instructions
• The gemSTONE is earthed via the power connection.
• Ensure that you have plugged in the power supply before you connect gemSTONE to your
computer.
• If you need to transport the gemSTONE, disconnect it from the computer before disconnecting
the power supply
• Use the original packaging for transport.
• Do not touch the power plug with wet hands.
• Do not open the gemSTONE. This is only to be done by qualified service personnel.
• Do not set up the device in damp or wet areas such as a shower rooms. It is not waterproof.
• Should you pass the gemSTONE on to a third party, please include p the manual.
The gemSTONE has to be plugged in to an accessible
earthed power supply at all times so it can be disconnected
from the power supply quickly in the event of an
emergency.
General safety instructions
Installation location and precautions
Your device complies with the safety regulations for equipment of information technology. If
you are unsure whether you can use of the device in your intended surroundings, please
direct your inquiry to our service department.
• Keep this manual together with the device. Should you pass the gemSTONE on to a third party,
please include the manual.
Risk of Electric Shock
• For using the system a power supply, which fulfills the security regulations of your country, is
needed.
• Please check cables and power plug controls for damage.
• The system can only be connected to a standard, country-usual socket.
• You can only use the system if power supply voltage of the system is the same as the local
power supply voltage.
• A full disconnection can only be acheived by pulling out the power plug.
• The intended usage of the gemSTONE is only guaranteed if the case is not opened or covered.
• The system should only be opened by authorized persons otherwise the warranty is invalidated.
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• Do never open up the power plug. Components should only be opened, changed and replaced
by experts.
Repairing
• Repairs may only be accomplished by experts. By opening up the system or inappropriate
repairs the user may be in danger of fire or electric shock.
Cleaning
• Clean the gemSTONE occasionally, shut the system down and pull out the power plug, use a
damp cloth and a non-aggressive cleaner.
• Avoid usage of alcohol and other flammable fluids, also avoid abrasive powders and syntheticsolving
cleaning products.
Additional hints to intended usage
• The system has to be installed so it can get enough air for cooling. Never cover the system
otherwise life of your system will be shorted by overheating.
• Before you start the system remove the safety-films which are applied to some outer surfaces
during manufacture.
• Protect the system from humidity, direct sunlight and extremely high or low temperatures.
• Condensation risk: If the system is cold and is installed in a warm room please allow around 2 – 4
hours so it can adapt to the temperature of the room before switching it on.
• The system is not waterproof. Never put it into water and protect it from splashing (rain, sea
etc.)
• If there are abnormal smells, smoke or emergency situations (e.g. damage of case, power plug,
spilt fluids etc. immediately shut off the system, pull off the power plug and call your dealer or
the manufacturer.
• Cables should be arranged without a risk of tripping or damage.
• Transport should only be performed using the original packaging because it has been specially
made for the system.
Reparation and remodelling gemSTONE
• The manufacturer only guarantees that system will work correctly if it is unmodified therefore
any changes or repairs should only be performed by authorised experts. Fitting components
that are not accredited by the manufacturer can damage the system in which case certon
systems GmbH assumes no liability. For questions in this regard please contact the
manufacturer.
• The system should not be disposed in normal consumer waste. Please conform to the EU-policy
2002/96/EG for electric powered equipment. Professional users are asked to return
their gemSTONE to the purveyor dealer where they have purchased the device or
to send it back to the manufacturer. Consumers End customers are asked to bring
the device to e-waste collection points, free of charge. The device may not be
disposed off together with municipal waste (domestic waste). This device has been
marked in accordance with the European Guideline 2002/96/EG Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment - WEEE. The guideline sets the frame for the collection and recycling
of used equipment in the entire European Union.
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Technical Data
Hot Swap hard disk bays 8
Capacity gross 8TB; 16TB; 24TB or without drives
Capacity net depending from RAID Level
RAID Level JBOD, Single Disk, 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
Type of hard disks Enterprise Hard disk with 5 years warranty
Connections USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 compatible),
USB 2.0,
Firewire 800 (cascadable),
eSATA,
iSCSI via Gigabit ethernet
Network 1x Gigabit Ethernet
Compatible operating systems Microsoft Windows (XP, VISTA, Windows 7)
Mac OS X 10.01
Linux
Power consumption 70W under full load
Internal Power Supply 220W 100-240V, 50-60Hz
Management Web Interface
Dimensions and weight (WxHxD) 146 x 302 x 290 mm; about 13,2kg
Warranty 5 years for hard discs, otherwise 2 years
gemSTONE package contents
• gemSTONE 8-bays RAID compact tower (no disks installed in the barebone version)
• Powercord
• User manual
• 1 x USB 3.0 cable
• 1 x USB 2.0 cable
• 1 x LAN cable
• 1 x eSATA cable
• 1x Firewire 800 cable
• 32 drive mounting screws (barebone version)
Quick Start
• gemSTONE is factory configured as follows:
• RAID 6 via 8 hard drives (2 drives can fail simultaneously).
• 1 Volume over the entire range (at 8TB/6TB volume size; at 16TB/12TB volume size at 24TB/18TB
volume size)
• Firewire 800 is configured by default
• The volume is not formatted.
• If the preset configuration corresponds to your expectations simply connect the gemSTONE to
the mains, connect it to you computer using the Firewire 800 cable and turn on the gemSTONE
before formatting the volume.
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Placement of hard disks (barebone)
• The gemSTONE requires at least two hard drives and a maximum of eight.
• To take the hard disk carrier from the gemSTONE press the button on the lever and pull it out of
the chassis
• Assemble each using the 4 supplied screws in the carrier. Insert the carrier mounted disk in to
the gemSTONE.
• Lock the lever.
First Steps
• Turn on the gemSTONE.
• “The IP address is displayed on the LCD. Type the IP address in your
• browser and a window will appear:
Figure 2: Logon screen
The username is: “admin“ and the default password is also: ”admin“
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• After successful registration, the following screen appears (depending on the installed hard
disks and RAID levels and volumes set):
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Figure 3: Homepage of gemSTONE
• The example Figure 3 shows a RAID set that was created over three disks. The RAID set is called
"RAID Set # 00". Members of the RAID Set # 00 are the disks Ch01, Ch02, and CH03. These are the
first three slots in the gemSTONE counted from the top. A further three disks are in CH04, Ch05
and Ch06 installed and not in use. This is by the word "Free" in the "Usage" column. The hard
drives CH07 and CH08 are not installed. There are six identical hard disks of type Hitachi
HUA722020ALA330 with the size of 2TB 2000GB or installed.
• The RAID Set # 00 includes a volume set called gemSTONE, which has the capacity of 4000GB or
4TB. A volume is roughly equivalent to a conventional disk partition. gemSTONE the volume is
in a status of "normal", all disks are in order and performing without problems.
Administration of a configured gemSTONE
Registration
• When you turn on the gemstone and IP address appears in the front panel display. Type this
into a browser on the connected computer which opens a window into which you must enter
your credentials as requested.
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Start screen
• After successful registration you will see the start screen.
Figure 1: Start screen of gemSTONE
• In this case, it is a pre-configured gemSTONE with eight 1TB drives, a RAID (Raid Set # 00)
created with a volume (partition) on it. This volume has the name gemSTONE. Below this you
can see which disks have been installed in the RAID.
• To learn more about the volume, click on the left:
• It opens a sub-menu:
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Create Volume Set
• Using "Create Volume Set" you can create a volume. This is only possible if you have previously
created a RAID, which has available space.
Delete Volume Set
• Using "Delete Volume Set" can destroy an existing volume. Do this only if you are absolutely
sure that you no longer need the data on it.
Modify Volume Set
• Using "Modify Volume Set" you can change the properties of the volume. By clicking with the
left mouse button „Modify Volume Set" you can select the volume to be changed.
Figure 2: Choose the volume.
• In this case only one volume is present. Press the "Submit" button to open the Properties
window of the volume.
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Figure 3: Properties of the volume
If you make changes click on "Confirm The Operation“ then only after pressing the button
"Submit" are the changes are applied. Depending on the type of change, a restart of the
GemSTONE may be necessary.
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• “Volume Name“: You can change the name of the volume.
• “Max Capacity Allowed“: No changes are possible. You can see the maximum capacity of the
volume. In this case 6000.0 GB / 6TB.
• “Volume Capacity“: You can change the volume capacity. The maximum capacity cannot exceed
the value “Max Capacity Allowed“.
Caution! Make sure you backup the data on the disk before you change the volume size. The
volume change is dependent on the file system used.
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• “Volume Initialization Mode“: If you create a new volume, so you can choose between:
• “Foreground Initialization“: The volume is only available for use once fully created. Only then it
can be formatted. The advantage is that the volume is completed faster.
• “Background Initialization“: The volume can be used immediately, but reacts more slowly
because the initialization is running in the background.
• If the volume already created the button is grayed out and unavailable.
• “Volume RAID Level“: You can configure the RAID level.
• “Volume Stripe Size“: Here you can adjust the StripeSize. This is a measure that affects the speed
of the system. The StripeSize should be a function of the data to be stored and later to be
retrieved. Use a small StripeSize if most of your file sizes are less than 1MB, choose a large strip
size if you mainly use file greater than 3MB).
• “Volume Cache Mode“: You can choose between:
• “Write Back“: The cache of the gemSTONE is enabled and allows a better performance. The
disadvantage is a possible data loss during power failure.
• “Write Through“: The cache is disabled and the gemSTONE is a little slow though data is
protected during a power failure.
• “SATA Data Xfer Mode“: Here you can change the SATA mode. Older hard disks have only SATA
150 or SATA I, SATA II and SATA 300 are backwards compatible. If you have purchased a
gemstone fully equipped with hard drives there is no change necessary.
• “Channel: DRV#“: This maps the volume to the desired interface. More on this in the next
chapter.
Enable eSATA Interface
• To enable eSATA interface, choose at Channel SATA (CH0) and at DRV a number between 0 and
7.
Figure 4: eSATA interface is enabled
• Confirm the changes by setting the hook on "Confirm the operation". Then press the "Submit".
The changes are applied. Turn off and back on the Gemstone. The corresponding volume is now
available at eSATA.
Enable FW800 or USB 3.0 Interface
• To connect via Firewire 800 with a computer, please adjust the allocation of Channel and Drv #
as follows:
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• The following values are allowed for Drv #: 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15. Confirm the changes by
clicking on "Confirm the operation". Then click on "Submit" To apply the changes. Now you
must activate the appropriate interface. Since USB 3.0 and Firewire 800 use the same setting for
Channel: DRV # needed, you must turn to a second location, the associated interface.
• To do this, please left-click "System Controls" and then click "Config". Now select "USB 3.0/1394,
select" the interface that you need. To use Firewire 800, you can choose "1394". To use USB 3.0,
please choose "USB 3.0". Then puts a tick in the "Confirm The Operation", click on "Submit" to
apply the changes.
Volume and Interface assignment
• A volume (partition) can be assigned to a particular interface. Depending on the type of
interface it can be assigned to multiple volumes:
• The eSATA interface allows up to eight volumes.
• Firewire allows up to two volumes
• USB 2.0, USB 3.0 or iSCSI allows eight volumes.
• Click on:
• and
• You find the attribute for the selected volume. Important for mapping the interface is the line:
Figure 5: FW 800 or USB 3.0 is enabled
• Using the channel allocation (channel) and drive number (Drv) activated the appropriate
interfaces.
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Enable USB 2.0 Interface
Figure 6: Choose interface
• To access the volume (partition) via USB 2.0, Please set the values in the row channel: # Drv as
follows:
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Figure 7: USB 2.0 is enabled
If you have multiple volumes that you want to share via USB 2.0 make sure that the number Drv
# is continuous and starts at zero. You can share up to 8 volumes.
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• Then put a tick in the "Confirm The Operation" and click "Submit"
Enable iSCSI interface
• With iSCSI, you are using the SCSI protocol over the network. The drive appears in Explorer /
Finder as a physical disk and not as a network share.
• Set the "Channel: Drv #" USBiA (CH1) and a drive number from 8 to 15. Then put a tick in the
"Confirm The Operation" and click on "Submit" to apply the changes.
• The iSCSI protocol can share a total of eight volumes.
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The Web Interface
• In the following we will explain all the possibilities of the web interface. The web interface offers
many ways to configure your GEMSTONE according to your wishes. Please note as well that you
can amend an incorrect setting your data on the Gemstone via the web interface. If you have
any doubts about the settings that you want to apply please contact our service department.
Quick Function
• Using the "Quick Create" you can quickly create a RAID with a few mouse clicks and an
appropriate volume. With this option, the system selects the optimal configuration for you.
, After you have configured the appropriate interface and created the volume do not forget to
format the drive in Windows or Mac OS X.
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Raid Set Functions
Create RAID Set
• If you want to manually create a RAID, then click on "Create RAID Set". Select the disks that are
to be used in the RAID. Choose a name for the created RAID and fill in the gaps in "RAID Set
name" to create a name for the RAID.
Figure 8: 5 drives selected for a RAID
• Place a check mark in the "Confirm The Operation" and click on "Submit" to apply the changes.
Delete RAID Set
• If you want to delete a RAID set, please select the appropriate RAID set and click on "Confirm the
operation, click on "Submit" to apply the changes.
Caution! If a volume (partition exists on that RAID set then this will also be deleted. The data it
contains will be deleted!
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Expand RAID Set
Figure 9: Delete a RAID
• Using this function you can add another disk to the existing RAID. It only displays the disks that
are not part of a RAID.
Offline RAID Set
• Allows you to disable RAID in the way that it is no longer active but still present. You can
activate it again under "Activate RAID Set."
Rename RAID Set
• If you want to rename your RAID set you can do so here. Enter the new name in the "Raid Set
Name" field and click on "Confirm the operation" and click on the "Submit" button to apply the
changes. You will have to restart the Gemstone.
Activate RAID Set
• You may find an unused but not active RAID. You may activate it here to use it again. See
“Offline RAID Set” above.
Create Hot Spare
• To define a disk as a hot spare, select the appropriate drive here. A "hot spare" disk is a disk that
is marked as a spare disk. If it is a disk from an existing RAID then this record is automatically
included in the RAID. Ideally the disk should be at least as large as the largest disk in a RAID. The
"hot spare" disk is available to all of the RAIDs available on the gemSTONE System.
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Delete Hot Spare
• To remove a defined "hot spare" disk select it here. It will display all disks that have been defined
as a "hot spare".
Rescue RAID Set
• If, contrary to expectations, the RAID Should be destroyed,, here it is possible to restore the
RAID. Use this function ONLY after consulting the support department.
Caution! "Rescue RAID set" is a way to restore data. This option must be used as advised by the
support department. Incorrect use could irretrievably destroy your data!
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Volume Set Functions
• Using the "Volume Set Functions", you can create volumes (partitions) manage them, and delete
them.
Create Volume Set
• After you have created a RAID, you can now create a volume on it. Pick the appropriate RAID
from the list. The following screen appears:
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Figure 10: Create a volume
• In the column "Volume Name" you can give the volume a name of your choice.
• Under "Member Disks" you can see how many hard drives are part of the RAID in question. In
our example there are five.
• The number of disks that comprise the RAID is displayed under "volume, RAID level," Select the
appropriate RAID level.
o RAID 0: here the hard drives are optimized for speed. RAID 0 offers you the best performance,
but no security. If a disk should fail all data on the volume is lost irretrievably. Select this RAID
level only when you require very high speed and secure your data regularly by backing up to
a safe storage, for instance another gemstone running RAID 6.
o RAID 1+0 or called RAID 10, arranged so the disks are mirrored with a second disk. This level
provides good security in comparison to the speed, but the working capacity is only half of
the total capacity.
o RAID 3. Here, a disk is used to store security information (checksums). The effective space is
then the sum of all the RAID disks used minus the one used for the checksums. One hard disk
may fail without any data loss occurring.
o RAID 5 is a further development of RAID 3, except that the checksums are distributed evenly
across all disks. This improves the speed over RAID 3 significantly. The effective space
remains the same over RAID 3. One hard disk may fail without any data loss occurring.
o RAID 6 is the evolution of RAID 5. Checksums are distributed evenly across all disks though
with two checksums per item of data being written on to different disks. Therefore space
utilisation is not as high as RAID 5 though RAID 6 is the safest way to store data in relation to
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the cost. Two hard disks may fail without any data loss occurring.
• Select Volume Capacity ": Here you can enter the desired volume size in gigabytes.
• Greater Two TB Volume Support: Enable this feature if you use a 64bit operating system. Only
64bit operating systems support partitions larger than 2 terabytes.
• "Volume Initialization Mode". Using this function you can control the initialization of the
volume. "Foreground Initialization" means that the volume is only available when it is fully
initialized. This is the fastest. "Background Initialization" means that the initialization occurs in
the background, but the volume is readily available and can be used after a format. However, it
is initially a bit slower because the initialization is running in the background. If the option is not
selectable, you have a RAID level selected, that does not require initialization (such as RAID level
0).
• Using the "Volume Size Stripe" They affect the critical speed of the Gemstone. If you are mostly
small files, so you should choose a small stripe size. Do you work primarily with large files, so
choose a large StripeSize.
• "Volume Cache Mode": Here you can choose between "Write Back" and "Write Through". "Write
Through" turns off the built-in cache of the system and thus slows down the rate appreciably.
"Writeback" uses the gemSTONE’s built in cache.
• Using the "SATA Data Xfer Mode 'you can choose the right protocols for accessing the built-in
hard drives:
o SATA150 should be chosen for older drives though after the SATA I standards were
introduced.
o SATA150 + NCQ should be chosen for older drives (SATA I standard) and utilise Native
Command Queuing. Look at the documentation of the hard drives.
o SATA300 should be chosen for drives that are more modern and to the SATA II standard.
o SATA300 + NCQ should be chosen for drives that are more modern and to the SATA II
standard and utilize Native Command Queuing. Look at the documentation of the hard
drives.
If you have purchased the gemSTONE complete with hard disks please select SATA300 + NCQ.
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• Channel: Drv #. This association between the channel and allows the assignment of drive letters
that you create volumes on the desired interface.
o SATA (CH0)
Port 0 to 7 : Under this setting, you can reach the volume via the eSATA interface.
Port 8 to 15: Under this setting, you can reach the volume via the USB 3.0 or FireWire 800
port. To choose between these two interfaces you have the right under "System
Controls" -> select "System Config" in the column "USB 3.0 / 1394 Select" the appropriate
interface.
o USBiA (CH1)
To enable USB 2.0 for this volume select one of the ports between 0 and 7. The first
volume, that is to communicate via USB 2.0, must have the port number 0. The second
volume is the port 1 and so on.
To enable iSCSI select a port 8 to 15.
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Do not forget, after you have made the appropriate changes click on "Confirm the operation".
Then press the "Submit" to apply the changes.
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Delete Volume Set
• You can delete a previously created volume. The data in the volume will also be deleted. Use
this function with care.
Modify Volume Set
• You can change how to Create Volume Set properties of an existing volume.
Check Volume Set
• Here you can check for problems the volume. This feature is only available in volume, within a
RAID 3, RAID 5 or RAID 6.
Stop Volume Check
• Here you can stop a running volume check.
Physical Drives
• The "Physical Drives" offers to identify individual drives.
Create Pass Trough
• A "Pass Through" is a hard disk drive that is not in a RAID. However, you can use this hard drive
by creating a file system. This hard drive is not protected against failure through redundancy.
The list features only disks that are not in a RAID group. If you have a "Pass Through" hard disk,
you can make additional settings in the menu:
• Volume Cache Mode: Here you can specify whether the cache of the Gemstone is to be used,
Write-Back or Write Through). If you turn off the cache, the hard drive is slower.
• SATA Data Xfer Mode: Set the transfer mode of the harddisk:
o SATA150 should be chosen for drives that are older though after the SATA I standard.
o SATA150+NCQ should be chosen for drives that are older though after the SATA I standard
and utilise Native Command Queuing. Look at the documentation of the hard drives.
o SATA300 should be chosen for drives that are more modern and to the SATA II standard.
o SATA300+NCQ should be chosen for drives that are more modern and to the SATA II
standard and utilise the Native Command Queuing. Look at the documentation of the hard
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drives.
• Channel: Drv#. This association between the channel and allows the assignment of drive letters
that you create volumes on the desired interface.
o SATA (CH0)
Port 0 to 7: Under this setting, you can reach the volume via the eSATA interface.
Port 8 to 15: Under this setting, you can reach the volume via the USB 3.0 or FireWire 800
port. To choose between these two interfaces you have the right under "System
Controls" -> select "System Config" in the column "USB 3.0 / 1394 Select" the appropriate
interface.
o USBiA (CH1)
To enable USB 2.0 for this volume if you select one of the ports between 0 and 7. The first
volume, that is to communicate via USB 2.0, must have the port number 0. The second
volume port number 1 etc.
To enabled iSCSI choose a port between 8 and 15.
Modify Pass Trough
Figure 11: Create Pass Trough
• To enable USB 2.0 for this volume you must select one of the ports between 0 and 7. The first
volume that is to communicate via USB 2.0 must have the port number 0. The second volume
port number 1 etc.
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Delete Pass Trough
• Here you can delete a “Pass Trough“ harddisk.
Identify selected Drive
Figure 12: Identification of individual hard disks
• Here you can identify individual hard disks.
• Once you have pressed the "Submit" button, the LED on the hard disk lights up.
System Controls
" system Controls" includes many possibilities to administer your gemSTONE.
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System Configuration
Figure 13: System Controls - System Config
• Using the "System Config" you can administer extensive settings on your gemSTONE:
• System Beeper Setting. Turns the speakers on and off. If it is turned on, you hear a beep if
problems arise with the gemSTONE. By default, the speaker is on.
• Background Task Priority. Following a hard drive processing power is needed to integrate a new
hard disk. This computing power can be adjusted in four steps. The higher the priority, the
faster the hard drive is integrated into the RAID The default value is 80%.
• Terminal Port Configuration. You can also configure using a null modem cable connected to the
gemSTONE. You must install a terminal program on your computer, thegemSTONE settings
must match those of the terminal program.
• JBOD/RAID Configuration. Here you can choose to work the Gemstone as a JBOD or a RAID. The
default value is "RAID".
MAX SATA Mode Supported. Here you can set the maximum value of the SATA protocol. The
Default value is "300 + SATA NCQ“
o SATA150 should be chosen for drives that are older though after the SATA I standard.
o SATA150+NCQ should be chosen for drives that are older though after the SATA I standard
and utilise Native Command Queuing. Look at the documentation of the hard drives.
o SATA300 should be chosen for drives that are more modern and to the SATA II standard.
o SATA300+NCQ should be chosen for drives that are more modern and to the SATA II
standard and utilise the Native Command Queuing. Look at the documents to the hard disks.
• Host NCQ mode. If you have connected the eSATA GEMSTONE through an interface to your
computer, you can improve performance slightly (~ 10%), if you know the type of your SATA
controller in your computer. If you do not this, please leave the setting to "disabled".
o Disabled. Uses no optimisation.
o ESB2/MAC Pro/ Silicon Image. Use this option if you are one of ESB2 SATA controller, Silicon
Image or use a MAC Pro.
o ICH is the chipset of Intel
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o Marvell 6145. If you use a Marvell 6145, set this option.
o nVidia. If you use a nVidia chipset in your computer, set this option.
• HDD Read Ahead Cache. This will speed up the gemSTONE when reading files. The default value
is "enabled".
• Volume Data READ Ahead. Here you can set different modes, such as the gemSTONE will preread
data so it is available when requested.
o Normal. Pre-reads very little data. Default.
o Aggressive. Pre-reads as much data as possible in one run. Can accelerate the system if you
mainly use large files.
o Conservative. Pre-reads a little data in advance in order to keep the cache for other processes.
o Disabled. Turns of the Read Ahead service.
• Stagger Power on Control. When switching on the disks are not switched on simultaneously,
you can set the time in seconds to wait before the next disk is switched on. The default is 0.7
seconds.
• Spin Down Idle HDD (Minutes). If the gemSTONE is not needed the hard disks are switched off
after the specified time to conserve power.
• Empty HDD Slot LED. If the value is set to "on" the LEDs on the slots that have no hard drive
illuminate red.
• HDD SMART Status Polling: default is "Enabled". The SMART data is collected. Based on the
SMART data, a hard disk failure may be detected in advance.
• Auto Activate Incomplete RAID. Defaults to "Enabled". "Disabled" means: If one disk fails the
affected volumes are disabled until the hard disk in question is replaced and integrated.
• USB3.0/1394 Select: If you use individual volumes for either FireWire or USB 3.0, you have to
activate the corresponding interface.
• Disk Capacity Truncation. gemSTONE can use disks made by different manufacturers and of
different sizes. In this case the actual size of disks that are nominally quoted as, say, 1TB may
vary, this can make the building of a RAID very complex. Therefore you have the opportunity to
curtail the limits of a disks capacity:
o Multiples of 10GB: The hard disk has a size which corresponds to a multiple of 10 GB,
although in reality perhaps this disk is 978GB, 970GB will be used and displayed (default).
o Multiples of 1GB. The hard disk has a size which corresponds to a multiple of 1GB, although in
reality perhaps this disk is 978.45 GB, 978GB will be used and displayed.
o No Truncation: Here the true capacity of each disk appears.
iSCSI Configuration
• If you want to create individual volumes using iSCSI, then you must make the appropriate
settings (up to 8 volumes are possible).
• iSCSI TargetNode Base Name: Enter a name which is network-wide unique and satisfies the
following syntax::
• “iqn.2000-01.com.abc.xyz:group“. The points are necessary.
• iSCSI Port Number: Enter here the iSCSI port. The default port is 3260th.
Ethernet Configuration
• You can change the IP address in the address type:
• DHCP Function: Enabled for yes, Disabled for no. If DHCP is disabled, you must amend the
following three columns.
• Local IP Address: enter the address manually.
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• Gateway IP Adress: Enter the IP address of the gateway.
• Subnet Mask: Enter the subnet mask. In most cases, the following value is correct: 255.255.255.0
• HTTP Port Number: You can change the port, through which you can now reach the Web server
of the gemSTONE.
• SMTP Port: If you want to be notified by mail if, for example one disk fails, you must enter here
the port for the SMTP server. The default Port is 25.
• iSCSI Port Number: You can change the iSCSI port. The default Port is 3260.
• AoE Mayor Address: Has no function.
Do not forget, after you have made the appropriate changes to click on "Confirm The
operation". Then click on "Submit" to apply the changes.
i
Alert by Mail Configuration
• You can enter up to four email addresses to be notified in the event of a failure.
• SMTP Server IP Address: Enter the IP address of the SMTP server.
• Sender Name: Choose a sender name, e.g. gemSTONE.
• Mail Address: The mail address of the user accounts
• Account: The email accounts over which the messages to be sent.
• Password: The password for the mail accounts.
• MailTo Name1 to 4 : These users are informed
• You can then choose the wording that is generated when an email is sent.
SNMP Configuration
• If you use an SNMP server in your network so you can integrate the gemSTONE in the SNMP
network.
NTP Configuration
• You can enter up to two time servers. The gemSTONE will synchronize its internal clock with
those servers.
View Events / Mute Beeper
• Here you see the internal log of the gemSTONE. If the beeping is, for example because disk 1 has
failed, then turn you can turn the beeper off when after looking at the log.
Generate Test Event
• You can generate a test event for the mail to verify correct configuration.
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Clear Event Buffer
• Here you can delete the internal log file.
Modify Password
• You can set the password for user “admin”.
Upgrade Firmware
• If certon systems make firmware updates available for the Gemstone this feature "upgrade
firmware" can be used to install the new firmware.
Shutdown Controller
• Shutdown the gemSTONE.
Restart Controller
• Using this function you can restart the gemSTONE.
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10. Warranty
• The consumer (customer), without prejudice to any claim against the seller, shall be granted a
statutory guarantee given to the following conditions:
• Devices and their components, which, due to manufacturing and / or material faults within 24
months of purchase, may be replaced at the discretion of certon systems or repaired free of
charge. For wear and tear parts (e.g. fans), this warranty applies to six months from purchase.
• This guarantee does not apply if the defect is attributable to improper treatment and / or
ignoring the user manuals.
• This guarantee does not apply to the contract by the dealer or the customer themselves (e.g.
installation, software downloads, configuration) and supplied manuals or possibly on a separate
disk software.
• This warranty applies to new devices purchased in the European Union. As proof of purchase
receipt with purchase date is required.
• Warranty claims must be filed within 60 days after becoming aware of the problem but within
the warranty period.
• If the customer wants to replace parts, especially the hard disks, the replacements will be
supplied in advance. The customer informs certon systems service department about the
problem and receives drive bay-mounted hard drive replacement. The customer then sends
back the defective hard disk with carrier to the certon systems service department in the same
shipping box.
• Replaced equipment becomes the property of certon systems.
• Further or other claims are excluded. certon systems shall not be liable for business interruption,
loss of data, lost profits, or loss of customers, loss of software or other data. The disclaimer does
not apply to mandatory liability, e.g. under the Product Liability Act.
• The duration of the warranty does not extend beyond the warranty period.
• certon systems reserve the right to charge the customer for the repair or replacement if the
warranty is not applicable.
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Contact
certon systems GmbH
Hans-Bunte-Straße 8-10
69123 Heidelberg (Germany)
• This present user manual is valid for the certon systems gemSTONE featuring 8 hard disks.
Copyright
• The rights to all texts, photographs and graphics are certon systems GmbH. Any form of further
use, even in part, requires the explicit approval of certon systems GmbH.
Trademarks
• gemSTONE is a registered trademark of certon systems Ltd. All other trademarks mentioned in
this document are the property of their respective owners.
Disclaimer
• certon systems GmbH assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions that may be present in
this document. Certon systems GmbH expressly points out that no claims for damages against
certon systems GmbH can be derived from mistakes and errors contained within.
• Before using the gemSTONE, we recommend to read the manual.
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