Infortrend RAID Controller Manual

Chapter
13
In-band SCSI Text RAID
Manager and SNMP Agent
Installation
13.1 In-band SCSI Text RAID Manager
The Text RAID Manager software offers the same functionality as the
VT-100 terminal emulation. Instead of communicating via an RS-232C
connection, the program communicates with the RAID controller over
the SCSI bus. This is especially useful when you want to ready a
RAID system before using the Java-based RAID manager.
In-band SCSI technology translates the original commands into
standard SCSI commands. These SCSI commands are then sent to and
received from the SCSI RAID controller. The Text RAID Manager is
thus able to administrate the RAID controller.
The Text RAID Manager supports both local and remote management
of Infortrend external disk array controllers. Local management refers
to management of the disk array from a local host − management
transactions traverse the SCSI bus connected between the controller
and the host’s SCSI adapter. Remote management refers to
management of the disk array from a remote station connected to the
controller through a network cable.
Typically, management will be done locally. A local host runs the
Text RAID Manager to configure and monitor the connected
controller. Local management is simpler than remote management in
that it requires less hardware in its configuration. Remote
management is more complicated than local management but
provides the following benefit:
• Arrays can be managed from distant and remote locations. Since
remote management utilizes network cable or the telephone line,
management from anywhere around the globe is possible. All that
is needed is a simple attachment to an existing network where the
disk array’s host exists.
Depending on your specific needs and configuration requirements,
you may perform management either from a local host or from a
remote station. The following sections describe how to set up your
hardware for local and remote management.
In-band Text RAID Manager and SNMP Agent Installation 13-1