Auxiliary-write cache IOA (FC 5582, 5583)(CCIN 574F)

Learn about the auxiliary-write cache IOA adapter for IBM System i5™ and eServer™ i5.

Custom Card Identification Number (CCIN) 574F is an auxiliary-write cache IOA that provides 1.5 GB of (compressed) auxiliary-write cache when paired with the 5738 or 5777 PCI-X quad-channel Ultra320 SCSI RAID adapter.

The 574F auxiliary-write cache IOA can be used with the 5738, 5777, 2780, 2757, disk controllers.
574F can be used as a replacement IOA for the 5708 auxiliary-write cache IOA.
5582 includes an IOP-based 5738 PCI-X quad-channel Ultra320 SCSI RAID adapter and a CCIN 574F auxiliary-write cache IOA.
5583 includes an IOPless, 5777 PCI-X quad-channel Ultra320 SCSI RAID adapter and a CCIN 574F auxiliary-write cache IOA

The auxiliary-write cache IOA mirrors the write cache of the disk-controller IOA to which it is connected. If a failure occurs to the write cache of the disk-controller, the auxiliary-write cache IOA provides a backup copy during the recovery of the failed IOA.

The disk controller IOA and the secondary, auxiliary-write cache IOA each require one PCI-X slot and must be installed together in the same enclosure. The disk controller IOA and the auxiliary-write cache IOA are connected by a SCSI cable (provided). The connecting SCSI cable is attached to SCSI bus port 3 of the disk controller IOA, reducing the number of SCSI buses that support disk drives from four to three. The reduction of SCSI buses can also reduce the number of disk drives supported by the disk controller, depending on the enclosure in which the disk controller is installed. No disk drives are driven by the auxiliary-write cache IOA.

Figure 1. Auxiliary-write cache IOA

A: SCSI connector

Considerations for installing or converting to feature 5582 or 5583

Attention: Converting your adapters to feature 5582 or 5583 requires extensive planning. If the planning is not done correctly, the result could be an extended server outage, loss of data, or both. You might need to do a system restore.

Read the following questions as they pertain to your system:

Are you converting from feature 5738 to feature 5582 or 5583?
Are you replacing any other existing storage adapters with features 5582 and 5583?
Is your server partitioned, meaning is it an LPAR?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, or you are unsure of the answers, it is a good idea to contact your authorized service provider for planning and deployment services.

For planning information and examples of deployment, see Planning for Disk Storage Availability with Auxiliary Write Cache Solutions

574F adapter specifications

Item	Description
Adapter FRU number	42R5133
Cache battery FRU number	39J5554
Cable FRU number	39J1702
Cables	A specific storage adapter to auxiliary storage adapter SCSI cable is necessary and is provided with each feature or conversion.
Series type	IBM System i5 and eServer i5
Unit description	Long, 64 bit, 133 MHz, 3.3 V edge connector, single-slot PCI-X 2.2 compliant Compatible down to 32 bit, 33 MHz PCI adapter slots
Operating system or partition requirements	574F is only supported in the i5/OS^® operating system. When 574F is used with the 2780 or 2757 controller, the feature is supported in V5R2 or later. When 574F is used with the 5738 or 5777 controller, the feature is supported in V5R3 or later. Important: There will be a PTF/Cume level prerequisite for each release. Check the IBM^® Prerequisite Web site at http://www-912.ibm.com/e_dir/eServerPrereq.nsf.
Maximum number	For system-specific adapter placement, see PCI placement in the system unit or expansion unit.
Partition information	If you are placing the feature in the primary partition or any non-partitioned system, the auxiliary cache IOA for the load source (LS) adapter must be in the same enclosure as the LS IOA. If you are placing the feature in the secondary partition on any system, the auxiliary cache IOA for the LS adapter must be under the LS IOP.
Related information	The auxiliary-write cache IOA cannot be placed in the model 520, 550, or 570 system units. The auxiliary-write cache IOA must be placed in attached expansion units. The disk controller adapter and the auxiliary-write cache adapter each require one PCI slot. Both adapters must be installed in the same enclosure. The adapters are connected by a SCSI cable that is provided. The operating system identifies the auxiliary-write cache IOA as a storage controller with no devices attached. The operating system does not identify which controller the auxiliary-write cache IOA is connected to. The adapter pairs must both be IOPless, or IOP controlled. 5582 includes an IOP-based 5738 PCI-X quad-channel Ultra320 SCSI RAID adapter and a CCIN 574F auxiliary-write cache IOA. 5583 includes an IOPless, 5777 PCI-X quad-channel Ultra320 SCSI RAID adapter and a CCIN 574F auxiliary-write cache IOA

Installing the adapters

To install the adapters, see PCI adapters, and then return here for instruction on installing the SCSI cable.

Installing the SCSI cable

The disk controller adapter and the auxiliary-write cache adapter are connected by a SCSI cable.

Attention: Do not install or remove the adapter cable if the adapters have the power on. Use the service procedures to turn off the power to the adapter slots or shut down the system or partition in which the adapters are placed.

To install the SCSI cable, do the following:

Attach the SCSI cable to SCSI bus port 3 (fourth physical port) of the disk controller adapter.
Attach the cable to the SCSI port on the auxiliary-write cache adapter.

Note:

Attaching the cable to the disk controller reduces the number of SCSI buses that support disk drives from four to three.
Reducing the number of SCSI buses might also reduce the number of disk drives supported by the disk controller, depending on the system unit or expansion drawer in which the disk controller is installed.
No disk drives are driven by the auxiliary-write cache adapter. This adapter protects against extended outage caused by loss of write cache, but does not protect against a disk controller failure.