RAID

Description

IPitomy now delivers RAID-1 on all platforms of the IPitomy IP PBX.RAID is “Redundant Array of Independent Disks”. RAID-1 is the mirroring of data onto two or more independent Hard Disk Drives. (HDD-Array) (Two HDD’s maximum in IP1100 and IP1200.)

Hospitals, Call Support Centers and any organization that strives to provide the highest level of customer service and shave-off possible down-time will find RAID indispensible.

IPitomy RAID is available in software and hardware variations to allow its deployment onto the smallest system configuration.

Software RAID can be implemented on any platform and delivers the basis of RAID security. RAID status is presented to the user/dealer via the Standard IPitomy software interface.

Hardware RAID can be implemented only on the IP2000 and above since it includes a Hard Disk Drive Array controller board. Hardware RAID now includes Hot Swap operation. Swapping-out the defective drive is possible during runtime with the Front Panel access without opening the chassis! The utility SW resides on the PBX in the software level between the hardware interface BIOS and application layers.  HW RAID is recommended for all larger system applications.

RAID is configured at IPitomy and shipped as a complete product solution. It is not available as a field upgrade.

 

RAID related Features	IP1100	IP1200	IP2000	IP5000
Mirroring Hard Disks (2x)	RAID	RAID	RAID	RAID
Automatic Redundancy	RAID	RAID	RAID	RAID
Hot Swappaple Hard Drive	No	No	Yes	Yes
Front Panel Hard Drive Access	No	No	Yes	Yes
Dual Power Supply	No	No	Yes	Yes

RAID Configurations / Redundancy Options

Product	Description	Part Number
RAID	Add software RAID for Redundant Hard Drive mirroring.  If one drive fails, the other takes over automatically reducing downtime due to drive failure and ensuring a more reliable performance.	SW-RAID
Redundant Power Supply	4U power supply for IP2000/5000 with two independent replaceable hot swappable power supplies contained in one unit. PRODUCT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Hot-Swap: This means when either one of the redundant power supply fails or  breaks down, you can easily replace failed unit without any interference to the system.  Buzzer: A warning buzzer sounds when any one of the power supplies fails.  LED’s: Tells if one of the two power supplies has failed by LED blink	REDPS
SATA Front Loading Rack	Front Cabinet Accessible Mobile Rack for SATA Drives - Add to IP2000 Chassis as an Option. Should order 2 units for both mirrored SATA drives so both drives will be accessible. This is only an option on the IP2000 chassis.  This unit is included in the IP5000 and IP2000-E Chassis	KF-91

Procedure

Since the RAID options are installed at IPitomy no user servicing is required to install RAID.This procedure guides the service technician through restoring a system to RAID protected status when a Degraded Array (failure) has occurred.(In RAID-1 data is stored on multiple drives (an Array) as a single drive.)

In the screen shot the PBX is reporting:  

“RAID Status: OK”.

This screen capture is from: PBX Setup/Services/

RAID - Drive Removal

1. When a failure occurs the displayed information will show which drive has failed.

1. This screen (from PBX Setup/Services/) shows that Drive 1 has failed. A failure is denoted by the word “degraded” in the RAID Status display.

1. Locate the defective drive in the PBX.
2. TAKE Care to remove the correct drive! Using the System Information screen (PBX Setup/Services/)... IDENTIFY the failed drive. In the display the left-most drive is Drive 0, the Center or Right displayed drive is Drive 1. If there are three drives, the right-most drive is Drive 2.
3. POWER OFF the PBX; this is most efficiently accomplished using the Boot/Power-Down switch on the front panel. It’s a momentary switch and will return to its idle position.
4. Press this button on the raised side—it may also be printed with a dot or large “I”.
5. Once pressed the PBX will begin it’s power-down sequence. When complete the PBX LED will be OFF.
6. At this time you should be wearing a grounded wrist-strap to prevent ESD damage to components inside the PBX.
7. If working on IP2000 or greater: Not all power supplies are the same. If your power supply has an ON/OFF switch, move it to the OFF position. Otherwise skip this step.
8. Disconnect the power cord at the back of the PBX cabinet.
9. Remove the housing cover screws—depending upon the genre of case these vary in location. Usually the case screws are at the sides of the case lid. In some cases there will be a screw at the back as well.
10. The case lid must be pushed backward to free it from the front panel mated-lip. Do so and lift the case lid up and off of the housing.
11. Inside the PBX, locate the HDD that will be replaced using the next few steps to identify the drive.
12. Matching the actual HDD to that in the PBX Setup/Services displayed is done by tracing the wire from the corresponding port to the HDD.
13. In the photos, the HDD connectors on the PBX Motherboard are labeled “SATA 0” and “SATA 1” to assist in this identification.
14. If your version of PBX SW supports serial number identification—use that number to ID the HDD and skip to Step 18. Otherwise continue to ID the defective HDD with Step 17.
15. Using the wire connected to the SATA port associated to the defective HDD, locate the drive that is to be removed.
16. Disconnect the SATA cable and power cable from the HDD.
17. Use standard PC hardware tools to remove the HDD from the chassis.
18. Replace the HDD. It is best to match the HDD that is being replaced. If this is not possible, get a replacement HDD with similar specifications and storage capacity. You must match or exceed the storage capacity to assure capacity is available for RAID storage. RAID will configure the media installed to the extent of the smallest capacity HDD. Use a new drive. A drive from another source—particularly another RAID-enabled system may be recognized as the data SOURCE! This can result in complete loss of existing data!
19. Install the new HDD using the hardware supplied with the drive.
20. Connect the SATA cable and power cable to the drive.
21. Use cable ties and secure the wiring so that it cannot become pinched when the chassis cover is replaced. Also assure that wiring does not obstruct fan blades.
22. Replace the chassis lid making sure to position the front edge under the housing front mated lip and secure with the screws previously removed.
23. Continue to Software RAID Restore Procedure.