4 MRU Browser GUI: IO Controllers (IOC)
This chapter includes the following topics:
• Overview
• Launching the MRU
• Launching the MRU in the Browser
• Creating and Managing Virtual Disks
• View Properties of a Virtual Disk
• Modify Properties of a Virtual Disk
• Check Consistency of a Virtual Disk
• Set Free
• Set Up Automatic Event Notifications
This chapter describes the options available in the MRU browser-based GUI when using IOCs for creating and managing virtual disks. The GUI is applicable to both Windows and Linux OS.
4.2 Launching the MRU in the Browser
After installing your MRU software, you can access and control both local and remote adapters using the browser GUI. For remote access, you need to know the IP address of the system with the remote adapter.
For the MRU to function properly in the browser, Active Scripting must be enabled in your default browser.
To enable Active Scripting in Internet Explorer
1. Select Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level.
2. Under Scripting and check the radio button for Active Scripting as shown in Figure 4-1.
Figure 4-1 Internet Explorer: Active Scripting
Note: Active Scripting is disabled by default in Internet Explorer distributed with Windows 2008.
4.2.1 Local Adapter
You can access and control local adapters using the MRU Browser GUI. This section describes the procedure to launch the GUI on Windows and Linux OS.
To launch the MRU in Windows OS
• You can use the desktop shortcut and the system tray icon to launch the MRU in your default browser. When launched, your default browser opens and displays the MRU login page.
Figure 4-2 shows the MRU desktop shortcut.
Figure 4-2 MRU Desktop Shortcut
Figure 4-3 shows the MRU system tray icon.
Figure 4-3 MRU System Tray Icon
To launch the MRU in Linux OS
1. Launch your default web browser.
2. Type the following web address in the address bar, as shown in Figure 4-4.
http://localhost:8443/MRU/JumpPage.php?Target=LoginPage
Figure 4-4 Example MRU Browser Web Address
4.2.2 Remote Adapter
You can access and control remote adapters using the MRU Browser GUI. This procedure to launch the GUI on Windows and Linux OS is identical.
1. Launch your default web browser.
2. Type the following web address in the address bar, as shown in Figure 4-5.
http://*Your IP Address*:8845/MRU/JumpPage.php?Target=LoginPage
Figure 4-5 Example MRU Browser Web Address
Note: Alternatively, you can use the system name instead of the IP address in most internal network environments.
When you first start the MRU, you are prompted for a username and password, as shown in Figure 4-6. MRU user accounts and their permissions follow the OS user accounts and their permissions. Only user accounts with administrator privileges have access to all permissions. Non-administrator users have view-only permissions.
Figure 4-6 The MRU Login Screen
The MRU GUI, as shown in Figure 4-7, comprises three sections: the navigation, interaction panels, and event logs.
The left navigation panel displays a tree of the physical and logical devices connected to the Marvell adapter, such as hard drives and arrays of virtual disks.
The right interaction panel allows you to perform specific tasks and view configuration details related to both the selection in the navigation tree and the tab within the panel.
The bottom event-logs panel displays the description and severity of various events, such as informational, warning, and error messages.
The MRU functionality is further divided into the following subsections:
• System
• Toolset
• Adapters
The System window includes two tabs as shown in Figure 4-8. The Property tab provides information about the system-level components of the MRU software. Click the More button for additional information.
The Toolset tab on the System window includes three subsections: Schedule Setting, Account Manager, and Email Setting.
The Schedule Setting window lists all activities you have scheduled (see section Schedule an Activity for more information). You can delete or edit activities within this window, as shown in Figure 4-9.
Figure 4-9 MRU Schedule Setting Window
The Account Manager window lists the current MRU user, as shown in Figure 4-10. You can perform the following tasks from this window:
• Change event notification levels received through email. These events are the same events recorded in the events log on the MRU main page.
• Change email address and event notification level.
Figure 4-10 MRU Account Manager
The Email Setting window allows users to email MRU events, as shown in Figure 4-11. This feature requires an SMTP server. Once you have entered an SMTP server address, you can test the connection through the Test Setting button. See Set Up Automatic Event Notifications for more information.
Figure 4-11 MRU Email Settings
The Adapter link, as shown in Figure 4-12, includes two tabs. The Property tab provides information about each adapter, such as adapter version and setting information. You can perform the following tasks from this window:
• Modify and Restore the configuration.
• View adapter version information.
• Set various background activity rates.
• Set Optimize CPU Efficiency on or off.
• Set Auto-Rebuild on or off. For more information, see Auto-Rebuild.
• Set Poll SMART Status on or off.
Note: Your computer can support a maximum of two Marvell adapters.
Figure 4-12 MRU Adapters Property Tab
The Operation tab, as shown in Figure 4-13, allows you to perform the following tasks:
• Update the BIOS flash on your controller from a file on your computer.
• Back up the existing version of the BIOS flash from the controller.
Figure 4-13 MRU Adapters Operation Tab
The Virtual Disks link, shown in Figure 4-14, appears after you create a virtual disk and includes two tabs. The Property tab allows you to view the virtual disk configurations and change its name.
Figure 4-14 MRU Virtual Disks Property Tab
The Operation tab, as shown in Figure 4-15, allows you to perform various actions on the virtual disk as follows:
• Check Consistency of a Virtual Disk
Figure 4-15 MRU Virtual Disks Operation Tab
The Physical Disks link, shown in Figure 4-16, displays the drives on your computer and includes two tabs. The Property tab allows you to view the physical disk status and change certain configurations.
Figure 4-16 MRU Physical Disks Property Tab
Table 4-1 shows the physical disk icons and their descriptions.
Symbol |
Name |
Description |
|
Configured |
Device has been configured as part of a virtual disk. |
|
Unconfigured |
Device is not part of a virtual disk or a spare. |
|
Foreign Disk |
Device has been used by a different model of controller and cannot be used with the current controller. |
|
Offline |
The physical disk has an error and has been placed into an offline state. An offline PD might result in a virtual disk being placed in an offline or degrade mode. Check the event log for details about why the PD was marked offline. Replace the PD as needed. |
|
Tape |
SAS/SATA tape device. |
|
CD/DVD ROM |
SAS/SATA CD/DVD device. |
|
Configured Spare Drive |
Device has been configured as a spare drive and has been used. |
|
Unconfigured Spare Drive |
Device has been configured as a spare drive and has not been used. |
The Operation tab, shown in Figure 4-17, allows users to perform tasks on the physical disk.
• Set Free
Figure 4-17 MRU Physical Disks Operation Tab
The Enclosures link, shown in Figure 4-18, displays general information about all currently connected port multiplier or expander devices.
Figure 4-18 MRU Enclosures Link
For more detailed information about the device, click
the drop down button , as shown in Figure 4-19.
Figure 4-19 MRU Enclosure Extended Details
Clicking on the Help Button, shown in Figure 4-20, launches the MRU built-in help. You can browse through help topics or search for a specific keyword using the search or index section.
Figure 4-20 Help Section Button
You can create a new virtual disk and view details about an existing virtual disk from the Adapter Operation tab.
Note: You can create virtual disk arrays only with RAID-On-Chip (ROC) controllers.
To create a virtual disk
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Adapter link.
3. Click the Operation tab.
4. From the drop-down menu, click Create VD, as shown in Figure 4-21.
Figure 4-21 MRU Adapter Operation Tab
5. The available physical drives are displayed, as shown in Figure 4-22. Click on the specific drives to create the virtual disk of your choice.
Figure 4-22 MRU Create New Virtual Disk
6. Change the RAID level from the top drop-down menu.
Table 4-2 lists the minimum number of drives required for each RAID level.
Table 4-2 RAID Level Physical Disk Requirement
RAID Level |
Minimum Number of Physical Disks Required |
RAID 0 |
2 |
RAID 1 |
2 |
RAID 1E |
n/a |
RAID 5 |
3 |
RAID 6 |
n/a |
RAID 10 |
4 |
RAID 50 |
n/a |
RAID 60 |
n/a |
7. Click Next.
If the chosen chosen RAID level does not support the combination of selected drives, the Next button remains grayed out.
8. The second Create New VD window appears, as shown in Figure 4-23, for setting the virtual disk properties. Enter the desired value in each field.
Figure 4-23 MRU Create Virtual Disk (second window)
9. Click Submit at the bottom of the screen.
A new virtual disk link appears in your left navigation panel, displaying the new virtual disk properties.
WARNING |
When initializing a virtual disk, you lose the data on that disk. The Fast Initialization option is only available when creating a virtual disk. |
4.6 View Properties of a Virtual Disk
To view the properties of a virtual disk
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Virtual Disks link in the left navigation panel, as shown in Figure 4-24. Details about the virtual disk are displayed in the Property tab.
Figure 4-24 MRU Virtual Disk Properties
Table 4-3 displays the status of each virtual disk by its icon.
Symbol |
Name |
Description |
|
Foreign disk |
This virtual disk was not originally created on the adapter. |
|
Functional virtual disk |
This virtual disk operates at its optimal strength. |
|
Functional virtual disk with BGA |
This functional virtual disk is performing background activity. |
|
Offline virtual disk |
This virtual disk is not functional. Data cannot be read or written to the virtual disk. |
|
Degraded virtual disk |
This virtual disk has no fault-tolerance. Consequently, you must rebuild the drive. |
|
Degraded virtual disk with BGA |
This degraded virtual disk is performing background activity. |
|
Partial Optimal virtual disk |
This virtual disk has lost HD but has fault-tolerance. |
|
Partially Optimal virtual disk with BGA |
This partially optimal virtual disk is performing background activity. |
4.7 Modify Properties of a Virtual Disk
You can change the configuration of an existing virtual disk to enhance its performance.
To modify the properties of a virtual disk
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Virtual Disks link in the left navigation panel, as shown in Figure 4-25. Details about the virtual disk are displayed in the Property tab.
Figure 4-25 MRU Modify Virtual Disk Properties
3. Change the properties as needed, then click Modify at the top, right-hand side of the screen.
Note: The Modify button becomes available only when you have changed Properties. To return the editable properties to their original values, click Restore.
Virtual disks can be initialized using two methods:
• Fast initialization. This method erases only the Master Boot Record (MBR) in all of the selected disk drives. All existing data is always erased. Once a RAID is created, this option is no longer available.
• Background initialization. In this method, data synchronization occurs in the background while the operating system continues to have access to the virtual disk. This method is similar to a consistency fix. This method only updates the ”r;parity” or ”r;mirrored” data and is a non-destructive method.
WARNING |
Running fast initialization on a virtual disk destroys the data on that disk. However, background initialization does not destroy the data. |
To initialize an existing virtual disk
This method focuses on initialization only after a virtual disk has been created.
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Virtual Disks link in the left navigation panel, as shown in Figure 4-26.
3. Click the Operation tab and click Initialization.
Figure 4-26 MRU Virtual Disk Initialization
4. In the Initialize Options box, select an initialization method, as shown in Figure 4-27.
Figure 4-27 MRU Initialize Option
5. Click Submit.
The Virtual Disk Property tab opens and displays the status of your initialization.
Note: Clicking Submit starts the initialization process immediately. Click Schedule to run this activity automatically at a later time and date. See Schedule an Activity for more information.
4.9 Check Consistency of a Virtual Disk
The MRU allows you to check and fix the data parity of the virtual disks. Checking the integrity of data on your virtual disk is performed as a housekeeping function or when a virtual disk is not performing activities as expected. Initialize your virtual disk before performing a consistency check.
To check the consistency of a virtual disk
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Virtual Disks link in the left navigation panel, as shown in Figure 4-28.
3. Click the Operation tab and click Consistency Check.
Figure 4-28 MRU Virtual Disk Consistency Check
4. Select one of the following options:
• Consistency Check. This option, as shown in Figure 4-29, checks and reports data inconsistencies.
• Consistency Fix. This option checks, reports, and resolves data inconsistencies.
Figure 4-29 Consistency Check Window
5. Click Submit.
The Virtual Disk Property tab opens and displays the status of your consistency check.
Note: Clicking Submit starts the consistency-checking process immediately. Click Schedule to run this activity automatically at a later time and date. See Schedule an Activity for more information.
You can manually start some activities (rebuild, consistency check, initialize, and migrate) through the Virtual Disk Property window. However, using the Schedule option, you can run these activities automatically at a later date for a specified number of times.
To schedule an activity
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Virtual Disk link and then click the Operation tab.
3. Select the activity you want to schedule: Initialization, Consistency Check or Rebuild.
4. Click Schedule.
Note: Clicking Submit starts the activity immediately.
5. On the Schedule Time Setting window, select your date and time. You can also view a drop-down calendar by clicking the calendar icon beside the date, as shown in Figure 4-30.
Scheduled activities run the following day if their setting day matches their scheduled day.
Note: For Rebuild, choose Only Once. Do not choose Daily.
Figure 4-30 Background Activity Schedule
6. Click Submit. You are redirected to the Schedule Setting tab where you can edit or delete your newly scheduled activity.
This feature allows you to clear the meta data on a physical disk.
To perform the Set Free operation
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Physical Disk link from the left navigation panel.
3. Click the Operation tab and select Set Free, as shown in Figure 4-31.
Figure 4-31 MRU Physical Disks Operation Tab
You can assign spare drives that virtual disks can use for Auto-Rebuild functions. Global spare drives can be used by any virtual disk. You must use an unconfigured physical disk. A physical disk that is fully or even partially configured cannot be set as a spare drive.
To set a spare drive
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Physical Disks link from the left navigation panel.
3. Select an unconfigured Physical Disk.
4. Click the Operation tab and select Set as Global Spare Drive, as shown in Figure 4-32.
Figure 4-32 MRU Physical Disks Operation Tab
4.13 Unset a Global Spare Drive
To unset a spare drive
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Physical Disks link from the left navigation panel.
3. Select the Spare Drive.
4. Click the Operation tab and select Unset as Global Spare Drive
The MRU can rebuild a fault-tolerant virtual disk by reconstructing data from the member drives. RAID 0 excludes rebuild capabilities; therefore, all data is lost if one of the physical disks fails.
When a virtual disk fails and becomes degraded, the virtual disk icon turns red with a warning symbol next to it.
A virtual disk can be rebuilt either automatically or manually:
There are two types of Auto-Rebuilds:
4.14.1.1 Auto-Rebuild with Hot Spare
If the Auto-Rebuild option is on, the MRU automatically rebuilds degraded drives. To use the auto-rebuild process, a spare physical disk must be available.
Auto-Rebuild chooses a disk to rebuild based on available spare disk space. If you want to rebuild a specific degraded disk, turn Auto-Rebuild off and rebuild manually.
Click the Adapters tab to change the Auto-Rebuild status.
4.14.1.2 Auto-Rebuild with Hot Swap
In the absence of spare drive, you can replace an offline physical disk by hot-swapping another physical disk in the same location.The MRU will automatically rebuild the virtual disk when it detects an online physical disk at that location.
You can manually rebuild a virtual disk using the MRU to select any unconfigured drive. You must already have a spare physical disk to start a manual rebuild. See Set a Global Spare Drive for more information.
To manually rebuild a virtual disk
1. Start the MRU
2. Click the Virtual Disks link in the left navigation panel.
3. Select the Operation tab.
4. Click Rebuild.
5. Select the drive you will use for the rebuild.
6. Click Submit.
Note: Clicking Submit starts the rebuild process immediately. Click Schedule to automatically run this activity at a later time and date. See Schedule an Activity for more information.
If you want to change the size of a virtual disk, you must delete that virtual disk and create a new one with the desired configuration.
WARNING |
Deleting a virtual disk is permanent and data cannot be retrieved. However, you can choose to keep partition information from the deleted virtual disk. |
After deleting the virtual disk, the additional free space is shown as space available on the physical drives. Any physical drive that is not used as part of a virtual disk is available through the Windows Storage Manager.
To delete a virtual disk
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Virtual Disks link in the left navigation panel, as shown in Figure 4-33.
3. Click the Operation tab, as shown in Figure 4-33, and click Delete VD.
Two pop-up dialogs appear asking for confirmation of the delete operation.
Note: You cannot delete the virtual disk if your OS is running on it.
Figure 4-33 MRU Delete Virtual Disk
4. As shown in Figure 4-34, click OK twice to confirm the VD deletion.
A third pop-up dialog appears asking if the partition information must be deleted.
Figure 4-34 MRU Delete Virtual Disk Confirmation Dialogs
5. As shown in Figure 4-35, click OK to delete information or Cancel to keep information.
An event message confirming the virtual disk deletion pops-up at the taskbar, as shown in Figure 4-36.
Figure 4-35 MRU Delete Virtual Disk Partition Information
Figure 4-36 MRU Delete Virtual Disk Event Confirmation
4.16 Set Up Automatic Event Notifications
The MRU can send event notifications through a user’s email account system. This feature requires a working SMTP email server.
To set up your server address
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the System link, then click the Toolset tab.
3. From the drop down menu, select Email Setting, as shown in Figure 4-37.
4. Enter your SMTP server address and account information.
5. Click Test Setting.
If your connection is valid, the following confirmatory message is displayed.
Mail setting test succeeded, please save your settings.
If you see an error message, check your server address and port number.
6. Click Submit.
The following confirmatory message is displayed.
Setting updated successfully.
To select event notification levels
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the System link, then click the Toolset tab.
3. From the drop down menu, select Account Manager, as shown in Figure 4-38.
Figure 4-38 MRU Account Manager
4. Enter your email address and check the events you want emailed.
5. Click Submit. You will now receive email notifications on the events you selected.
Locate On helps you find a physical disk by blinking the LED of the enclosure in which the physical disk is held. The enclosure must support the Locate function.
Set Locate On
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Physical Disks link from the left navigation panel.
3. Select the physical disk you want to find.
4. Click the Operation tab and select Locate On, as shown in Figure 4-39.
The enclosure LED of the physical disk should start blinking.
Figure 4-39 MRU Physical Disks Operation Tab
Set Locate Off
1. Start the MRU.
2. Click the Physical Disks link from the left navigation panel.
3. Select the physical disk with the enclosure that is currently blinking.
4. Click the Operation tab and select Locate Off.