SUMMARY: A1000 serial port information

On Tue, 2 Apr 2002, Mark Montague wrote:

> I'm wondering if we can use the serial port on an A1000 to control
> the array and get diagnostic information.

I recieved two responses, both of which are included below.
In short, it does not look like using the serial port on the
A1000 controllers is easily possible.

Thanks to Julie Baumler and Steve Camp for the replies!

                Mark Montague
                LS&A Information Technology
                The University of Michigan
                markmont@umich.edu


>From julie.x.baumler@co.multnomah.or.us Tue Apr  2 12:29:26 2002
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 09:16:19 -0800
From: BAUMLER Julie L <julie.x.baumler@co.multnomah.or.us>
To: 'Mark Montague' <markmont@umich.edu>
Subject: RE: A1000 serial port information

Mark -

I wasn't involved, but Sun was here today with a special serial cable
tipping in to our A3500 to fix something.  It is apparently a non-standard
cable and the command set is something developed by LSI, who make the
controller boards.  Before coming in, they tried replacing controllers and
trying out all the commands on a lab setup to be as similar to ours as
possible.  Given the level of preparation they did, and all the stuff they
tried before resorting to this; I wouldn't recommend trying it on your own.

Julie

Julie L Baumler, SCNA
Sr Systems Administrator
Multnomah County ISD
503-988-3749 x26909

-----

>From steve@aslan.camp.com Tue Apr  2 15:10:25 2002
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 13:06:18 -0700
From: Steve Camp <steve@aslan.camp.com>
To: markmont@umich.edu
Subject: Re: A1000 serial port information

Mark,

Theoretically, you probably could use the A1000 controller serial port
to control the array, since you are talking directly to the controller.

However, this was *never* supported by Sun.  In fact, if Sun caught you
doing so, and you have a maintenance contract... they would raise hell,
and might cancel your maintenance contract.  Sun views the serial port
as strictly for emergency diagnostic use.

If you really want to fool around with it, please understand that I
consider you to be playing Russian Roulette of sorts:  except that you
are using a loaded shotgun, and not a revolver, and the shotgun is
pointed at your feet.  So, feel free to blow your feet off.  ;-)

That said, I do not believe you will find the information you seek
from Sun.  The A1000 / A3x00 controller boards were OEM'd from LSI Logic.
I'd suggest rummaging through their support website looking for documents.

--
Steve Camp
who used to work for Sun (HAS / Mission Critical Support)
Camp Technologies, LLC
steve@camp.com
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