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Asset ID: 1-73-1017436.1
Update Date:2010-11-12
Keywords:

Solution Type  FAB (standard) Sure

Solution  1017436.1 :   PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: Procedure for extension of service life of T3 with 1.x FW and T3+ with 2.x FW battery to 36 months.  


Related Items
  • Sun Storage 6960 Array
  •  
  • Sun Storage 6910 Array
  •  
  • Sun Storage T3+ Array
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  • Sun Storage T3 Array
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  • Sun Storage 3960 Array
  •  
Related Categories
  • GCS>Sun Microsystems>Sun FAB>Standard>Controlled Proactive
  •  

PreviouslyPublishedAs
228539


Product
Sun StorageTek 3960
Sun StorageTek T3 Array
Sun StorageTek T3+ Array
Sun StorageTek 6910
Sun StorageTek 6960
Sun StorageTek 3910

Part
  • Part No: 370-3956-01
  • Part Description: PURPLE 1 NIMH
Part
  • Part No: 300-1454-04
  • Part Description: PURPLE 1 NIMH

Impact
T3/T3+ units were originally designed with a battery expiration strategy to protect data integrity in the event of battery failure.

Historical and installed base data has established that the original 24-month battery lifetime was unnecessarily short. The result was unnecessary replacement of PCUs and batteries.  This premature replacement increased outage opportunities that could be caused by inadvertent damage to other internal parts and/or reinitializing the unit during battery/PCU replacements.

Previously, the default battery life span for the T3/T3+ was two years.  If the battery life is not extended, once the battery reaches 45 days before the 2 year expiration date, the T3/T3+ will give issue "battery near expiration" messages to remind the user to replace the battery. Once the battery reaches its 2 year expiration date, the T3/T3+ will issue "battery expired" messages, and disable the write cache.

There is no identified increase in risk to customer data caused by extending the battery service life.

Testing the extended battery life strategy:

Accelerated battery life testing was done by the RAS engineering group.  This testing consisted of using batteries in various stages of their duty cycle installed in operational units, and running an accelerated charge/discharge cycle. The batteries performed well in excess of a 40 month average prior to the end of the test cycle. None of the batteries used in this test however failed the 6 minute charge/discharge cycle when testing was halted. This suggests that the batteries effective, operational life is in excess of this 40 month threshold.

The testing arm of Sun Network Storage used the battery duty cycle extension program to re-enable the batteries in all units installed in the Colorado facility. These units were used to do stress testing on a variety of sub components and represent an "extreme example" test environment. Batteries in these units were subject to continued test, disable/re-enable, charge/recharge cycles in prior testing of other components and software.

In January of 2004, the extended life battery batch file was used on these test units to re-enable the batteries placing them back into an unexpired condition. As of July 2004, all units continue to perform as expected without any monthly battery test failures, data integrity or performance issues.

The preferred method to obtain the benefits of an extended battery service life is to upgrade to the latest recommended firmware (3.1.4 or higher). We recognize that this may not be an immediate option, but should be discussed with the customer. Although some early T3's cannot be upgraded to the 3.1.4 firmware level, they can benefit from the use of this tool. The new process extends the service life of the battery an additional 12 months. The batch file resets the battery expiration out an additional 12 months based on a simple calculation using the existing expiration date, thereby lowering the statistical probability of related outages even more significantly.

By implementing the more aggressive 36 month strategy however, the customer runs the risk of performance degradation (not data loss) in the event the battery fails the monthly test cycle. Performance is restored once the failed battery unit is replaced.

SPECIAL NOTE: The process below outlines the procedure for extension of battery service life to 36 months for:

- T3 with 1.x FW and T3+ with 2.x FW
- T3+ with 2.x FW within 3910, 3960, 6910, 6960 systems (39x0/69x0 with SP Image ver 2.3.2 or earlier)

For T3+ with 3.1.x FW, and T3+ with 3.1.x FW within 3910, 3960, 6910, 6960 systems (39x0/69x0 with SP Image ver 2.3.3 or later), manually extending the battery service life is not necessary.  A new battery management scheme has been developed in the 3.1.x FW. 3.1.x modifies the battery routine to extend the effective service life of the battery as long as they continue to pass the 28 day battery health checks refresh.  Even though the 'refresh -s' and '.bat -s' commands display the battery with a 2 year expiration date, the array will consider a battery with an expired warranty to be good as long as that battery continues to pass the 28 day battery health checks refresh.

Symptoms


Resolution

Procedure:

NOTE: The PROCEDURE BELOW IS ONLY APPLICABLE for:

- T3 with 1.x FW and T3+ with 2.x FW.

- T3+ with 2.x FW within 3910, 3960, 6910, 6960 systems

NOTE: The PROCEDURE BELOW IS NOT APPLICABLE for:

- T3+ with 3.1.x FW.

- T3+ with 3.1.x FW within 3910, 3960, 6910, 6960 systems

Download a file "T3extender.tar.Z" which contains a script to extends the battery life from 24 months to 36 months.  The file is located on the following PTS web site.

  • http://pts-americas.west/nws/products/T3/tools.html

Or, for T3 and T3+ only, download the latest T3 patch 109115-17 or T3+ patch 112276-13. The file "T3extender.tar.Z" is also bundled in these patches.

For T3 and T3+, copy T3extender.tar.Z to a Solaris host.  For 3910, 3960, 6910, 6960 systems, copy T3extender.tar.Z to the SP.

It is critical that the included README file is reviewed. This file contains specific information necessary for successfully using the script.

To install and execute the program, perform the following steps:

1. # zcat T3extender.tar.Z | tar xf -

2. # cd T3extender

3. (optional) edit the t3hosts file (see t3hosts.example)

4. # ./batxtender

A. script will ask for IP address of target unit

B. enter IP address of target T3 to reset battery service life.

NOTE: script will ask for password

C. enter password for unit

NOTE: script will auto run and reset batteries in units attached to the specific IP address. once updated, script will issue messages battery life status as 36 months.

NOTE: Script will do BOTH PCUs in an individual unit, or all 4 PCUs in a partner pair.

NOTE: To batch update units with different IP addresses, all units MUST have the same password to use this option.  

 

AN ALTERNATIVE method to input multiple IP addresses:

A. create a t3hosts file and save it into the original directory containing the downloaded .batxtender file and libraries. [see example t3hosts.example file included in the original download]

B. enter # ./batxtender

NOTE: script will capture IP address of first target unit from t3hosts file.

NOTE: script will ask for password

C. enter password

NOTE: script will auto run and reset batteries in units attached to the specific IP address.

NOTE: On completion of first IP address, script will return to the t3hosts file and capture second IP address. [PASSWORD MUST BE THE SAME AS FIRST UNIT.] once updated, script will message battery life status as 36 months.

NOTE: Script will do BOTH PCUs in an individual unit, or all 4 PCUs in a partner pair.

Example of script output:

Enter the root password for the T3/T3+ arrays:
10.4.26.85 10.4.26.65
..
Enter it again for verification.
..
Passwords matched! Extending T3 Battery Life to 36 Months...
This will take a few minutes
10.4.26.8510.4.26.65.id write blife u1pcu1 36.id write blife
u1pcu2 36.id write blife
u2pcu1 36.id write blife u2pcu2 36Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00202003
Battery Install Week : 00232003
Battery Life Used    : 174 days, 9 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 034410
Battery Warranty Date: 20040224034126
Battery Internal Flag: 0x00000000
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
hws26-65Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00472000
Battery Install Week : 00232003
Battery Life Used    : 174 days, 9 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 034408
Battery Warranty Date: 20040224034126
Battery Internal Flag: 0x00000000
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
hws26-65Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00421999
Battery Install Week : 00482002
Battery Life Used    : 174 days, 9 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 005100
Battery Warranty Date: 20040224034126
Battery Internal Flag: 0x0000000b
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
hws26-65Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00362001
Battery Install Week : 00112003
Battery Life Used    : 174 days, 20 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 072594
Battery Warranty Date: 20040223164126
Battery Internal Flag: 0x00000000
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
hws26-65.id write blife u1pcu1 36.id write blife u1pcu2 36.id
write blife u2pcu1 36.id write
blife u2pcu2 36Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00342000
Battery Install Week : 00102003
Battery Life Used    :  60 days, 21 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 016132
Battery Warranty Date: 20040616223810
Battery Internal Flag: 0x00000000
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
nws-encl51Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00431999
Battery Install Week : 00012004
Battery Life Used    :  60 days, 21 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 005723
Battery Warranty Date: 20040616223810
Battery Internal Flag: 0x0000000a
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
nws-encl51Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00281999
Battery Install Week : 00372002
Battery Life Used    :  66 days, 19 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 001841
Battery Warranty Date: 20040611005405
Battery Internal Flag: 0x00000000
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
nws-encl51Revision             : 0000
Manufacture Week     : 00372000
Battery Install Week : 00102003
Battery Life Used    :  60 days, 21 hours
Battery Life Span    : 1095 days, 18 hours
Serial Number        : 019338
Battery Warranty Date: 20040616223810
Battery Internal Flag: 0x00000000
Vendor ID            : TECTROL-CAN
Model ID             : 300-1454-01(50)
nws-encl51#

Related Information
  • URL: http://pts-storage.west/products/T3/tools/t3extender/


Modification History
Date: 06-OCT-2005
Updated document to fix formatting issues.
Previously Published As
100654
Internal Eng Business Unit Group
KE Authors

Internal Services Knowledge Engineer
[email protected]

Internal Kasp FAB Legacy ID
100654, I1126-1 (FIN)

Internal Sun Alert & FAB Admin Info
Critical Category:
Significant Change Date:
Avoidance: Patch
Responsible Manager: null
Original Admin Info: [WF 06-Oct-2005 shassall: updated the doc to fix formatting issues]
[WF 05-Oct-2005 shassall: updated the doc to reflect the new (accurate) URL]

Internal SA-FAB Eng Submission
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: Procedure for extension of service life of T3 with 1.x FW and T3+ with 2.x FW battery to 36 months.

Product_uuid
05b0b61b-e1ba-4e07-a932-a782f3b92213|Sun StorageTek 3960
2a6d7d50-0a18-11d6-8e0b-f0bd33b24928|Sun StorageTek T3 Array
2a714b10-0a18-11d6-86e2-d56b387d4fbf|Sun StorageTek T3+ Array
681b08b4-d683-4f9e-b8ba-cbbb87b01d05|Sun StorageTek 6910
86b6cc47-00d7-43f1-8efd-81690a8d5b6f|Sun StorageTek 6960
f651ba09-f2d9-4dbc-918c-ad530528e4dc|Sun StorageTek 3910

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