** Reply to message from civileme <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on Sat, 13 Jan
2001 15:37:06 +0100
>
> One vote here for active termination--it cannot hurt your config.
>
> Civileme
I'm posting one last followup here for documentation purposes. As stated in my
earlier message, I was attempting to install LM 7.2 on a new machine with a
Mylex AcceleRAID 170 hardware RAID controller and a series of Seagate LVD SCSI
160 devices. I finally completed the install and I've been running most of the
day. This may belong on cooker as well, but I'll not cross-post it myself.
Problem 0. SCSI Detection Loop in second stage install
When prompted that the Mandrake install had found my Adaptec 2940 adapter and
asked if I had another, I selected the Mylex 960 controller from the list. I was
then presented with a similar prompt asking if I wanted to install a third. The
routine seems stuck here as an answer of "Cancel" brings me back to the device
list.
Resolution 0. Select Mylex controller in BOTH first and second stage installs
During this attempt I had not selected the Mylex controller at the first stage
install. The prompt to select SCSI adapters does not necessarily indicate one
should include array controllers as well. Also, cancelling from the device list
allowed me to continue.
Problem 1. Failed Devices
Initially, every (or almost every) time I rebooted the box after creating
partitions with fdisk, the controller would report one device as failed. Nine
out of ten times this was the devicest closest to the controller on the chain,
which also happened to be the highest numbered device (2 in this case) on the
chain. Using the Mylex software enbedded on the card, I could always make the
device active.
Resolution 1. Active Termination
As I thought, even though the devices were properly seen by the controller and
I was able to create partitions on the disks, a physical terminator (LVD/SE)
installed after the last physical device on the chain seems to have fixed this
problem. Thanks for the support, civilme!
Problem 2. Cannot format all partitions
After creating a series of partitions with both DiskDrake and fdisk, formatting
would always fail on any partition numbered eight (8) or higher. (ie
/dev/rd/c0d0p8, /dev/rd/c0d0p9, etc)
Resolution 2. Mylex AcceleRAID is limited to seven (7) partitions
The Mylex controller is limited to a maximum of seven partitions per
controller. Of course, you could always add controllers, but this doesn't help
my partitoning scheme any. I settled for a 60 GByte /, 25 MByte /boot, and 4
GByte each /home and /usr. This is documented elsewhere on some of the RedHat
install lists.
Problem 3. Installation Hangs during formatting or file copies
The array seemed to hang during the installation at one of two points - either
while formatting a partition (usually the large one) or during the file copy /
package install process.
Resolution 3. Updated all BIOS and Firmware on the Mylex 170 controller
My card happened to be running BIOS rev 6.00-0, had firmware rev 6.00-0,
bootblock rev 600.00, and RAID EzAssist version 2.01-00. I updated the card
using the latest software from Mylex, BIOS 6.01-00, firmware 6.00-03, bootblock
600.03, and RAID EzAssist version 2.02-00. The next install attempt went
seamlessly.
Hopefully this will provide someone else with some help in getting Linux
installed with this adapter!
John LeMay Jr.
Senior Enterprise Consultant
NJMC, LLC.
