SL8500 - CAP Not Seen by Host After Upgrading to 7.70 Microcode

Asset ID:	1-72-1487919.1
Update Date:	2017-09-21
Keywords:

Solution Type Problem Resolution Sure

Solution 1487919.1 : SL8500 - CAP Not Seen by Host After Upgrading to 7.70 Microcode

Applies to:

Sun StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library System - Version Not Applicable and later
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Update added 20-Dec-2013:

7.70 and higher code CAP issues - There are still many libraries not at 7.70 or higher microcode. Please be aware of the following issue that keeps coming up from time to time as up-level code is installed.

Resend - CAP Loss After Upgrade to FRS-7.70 and Higher Code - The following note is a review of this rare issue. It has been updated to include optional steps to take should you want to test for this condition prior to an upgrade or help resolve the issue should it be encountered. Any code at or above 7.70 could have this issue.

CAPs were reported to have correct displays in SLConsole but were not available to the Host. The problem was determined to be poor connections (partially engaged and not locked) connectors on the J406/J407 ribbon cables that run along the right side of the machine on the floor. The older codes would "cache" the status of the CAPs and hid the problem with the cables. FRS-7.70 and higher codes query the CAPs directly and exposes the cable problem. Inspect these cables in the event that a CAP problem arises after a code upgrade.

New - FSE's that upgraded to code 7.70+ and have this problem, or FSE's that plan to upgrade to 7.70+ and are concerned about this problem AND have their library's connected to SDP can request additional remote assistance. The FSE has the option to contact Back-line support to either validate a possible CAP problem is due to the ribbon cable issue or whether a problem exists before upgrading to 7.70 or higher code. Engineering is working to provide a script to diagnose the CAP issue if the library is not on SDP. Reference KB1487919.1 on the Internal Support Portal for more information.

Symptoms

CAP Not Seen by Host After Upgrading to 7.70 Microcode

Changes

Upgraded SL8500 microcode to 7.70.

Cause

Signal cables have not been connected properly.

Solution

Check the connectors J407 and P407. These cables run on the right side under the array's in the middle of the library with an extension for every expansion module.

In picture 1, notice the space in between the latch and the plug... this is correctly plugged in as it should be.

In picture 2, notice there is no space between the latch and plug. This is not plugged in correctly and could be the result of the cable being tugged on at one time or another during the installation time frame. There is a possibility of the right side SSD not opening intermittently. Schedule a maintenance window with the customer to check these connections.

In picture 3, look inside the service area behind the cover on rail 3, on the left side, this is where the connections have not been seated correctly. The recommendations are that you start at the first expansion module and work your way back to verify the proper connections. An added recommendation is to use tie straps to these connections to prevent this from happening in the future.

The latch in the connector is too long. This issue was resolved in latter build machines.

The subsequent reboot after checking and verifying these connections should re-discover the CAPs during the microcode upgrade process.

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Please contact Level 2 Support to ssh into your library to determine if the following signals are active.. Be prepared to launch a Beehive conference if your library is not connected to SDP.

proc/fpga/hbz/a/present
0 this should be a 1
proc/fpga/hbz/b/present
0 this should be a 1 also

Following is the cable list should you need to go that route.. They will need to be ordered via the NOPRT process.

Here are the 4 different cables as they are laid out in the library modules:

419606801 Cable in the Customer Interface Module (CIM) and is routed from the HBN card (J502) to the frame connection behind the safety door area on the floor of the right side of center wall (P406 and P 407).

419616801 Cable is in the Cartridge Expansion Module (CEM) and connects to cable 41906801 in the CIM module (P/J406 and P/J407) to cable 419616401 in Robotic Interface Module (RIM) (P/J406 and P/J407).

You will need this cable for each CEM installed.

419616401 Cable is in the RIM frame and is routed through the floor under the lower track rail. This cable connects the CEM or CIM frames P/J406 and P/J407) the other end connects the Electronics Module (EM) (P/J404 and P/J405).

419606601 Cable is in the EM frame and connects to RIM (P/J404 and P/J405) and the HBX card on the back side card cage (P/J207).

Provided by Robert Voss.

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