Cisco VSM RAID Viewer - Version 1.1.0

[Sean Merrow]

Hello Everyone,

[June 23, 2011] UPDATE:  Beginning with the VSM 6.3.2 software release, this tool is now built into the software and available as RAID Status in the VSMC for supported servers.

I want to bring to your attention the latest release of the Cisco VSM Raid Viewer.  It will assist in viewing the status of your RAID and in gathering a debug package for Cisco TAC if you run into any problems with the RAID.  Version 1.1.0 of the tool has the following changes:

• Fixed a bug that left the lsi-fwterm.log file empty in the debug package
• Formatted the disk usage to match the rest of the formatting throughout
• Added RAID controller firmware information
• Added a ‘Silence Alarm’ button to silence the audible alarm
• Reformatted the top header table (ie. button layout and table of contents)
• Changed version to 1.1.0
• Fixed formatting so that tables would be centered in Internet Explorer as they were in Firefox.

Note:  This tool will only work with servers containing the LSI MegaRAID controller.  Those servers include the CIVS-MSP-2RU/4RU and CPS servers.

The Challenge

Prior to the release of the Cisco VSM Raid Viewer, if you wanted to view the status of your RAID in a VSM MSP, you can SSH into the server and enter some rather cryptic commands to get your output, or you have to rely on audible alerts and red LEDs on the front of the server.  This leaves the server administrator to deal with RAID issues (ie. failed disk drives) in a reactive manner after a failure.

How does this tool help?

With this tool, checking the status of your RAID, including virtual and physical disks, will be as simple as pointing your web browser to a page you'll very likely bookmark.  This allows the administrator to monitor the server in a pro-active manner and replace failing disks before they actually fail.  Gathering data from the RAID for troubleshooting is also only a click away.

How to install and use the tool

1. Download the script using the link at the bottom of this post.
2. Copy the script to the /usr/BWhttpd/root/cgi-bin/ directory on each your MSPs containing an LSI MegaRAID controller.
3. Make the script executable:

• If you are in a console prompt, use the command:  chmod +x vsmRaidViewer.pl
• If you are in WinSCP, right-click the file, go to Properties, and click all the x boxes

That's it.  The Cisco VSM RAID Viewer is ready for use.  Just open your browser to the following URI:

https://<server-ip>/cgi-bin/vsmRaidViewer.pl

The tool will also work over HTTP, but since you need to enter your root password, you are better off using HTTPS so that your password will be transmitted securely.

Tip

If the tool does not work at all when you open your browser to it, then it is possible that the script got converted to DOS format during the transfer to the server.  Open a console prompt on the server, change to the /usr/BWhttpd/root/cgi-bin folder and enter the following command to convert the file back to Unix format:

dos2unix -k vsmRaidViewer.pl

Please try out the tool and let us know what you think.  We would like to hear what you like about it, don't like about it, and what suggestions you may have form improving it.  Of course, we also want to know if you run into any problems with it.  This tool is not supported by the VSM developement team, but I will try to address any reported problems in a timely manner.  Hey, I've got cases to work you know ;- )

Thank you,
Sean

Sean Merrow CCIE 25197
Physical Security CSE
Cisco Systems

[Cory Blackman]

Maybe a link from the older versions should link to this thread?

[Scott Olsen]

About to get some real-life use out of this on a failing CPS-MSP-2RU.

... also a request - a README.txt with a summary of implementation instructions included in the archive? ;-)

(I have colleagues that don't follow these forums, but I would likely end up providing this tool to them at some point)

Thanks again!

[Scott Olsen]

I believe there is a rogue perenthesis at line #42, and a rogue # at line #410.  I could be totally wrong though.

Cheers!

[Cory Blackman]

I'm seeing the rouge syntax issues as well during the password input.

[Sean Merrow]

Thanks guys.  What do you mean by rogue?  Is the script not displaying the RAID information correctly, or at all? Does this impact the the functionality of the script in any way.

Any more info is appreciated.

Sean

[Cory Blackman]

The script appears to function correctly, but during password login there are some errors in the script, the visuals are ( and # symbols displaying on-screen, this may effect the functionality or security of this very useful script.  Run the script through your checker/debugger and/or look at the line#s mentioned to clean-up the script, imo.

[Sean Merrow]

Hi Scott,

You're right on both counts.

Thanks for pointing them out!

Sean

[Cory Blackman]

Hey Sean, is there any way to pull the Cisco serial number(s) and display them with this script?  That would be something my customers need to speedly initiate TAC/SRs.

[Sean Merrow]

Hi Cory,

The RAID Viewer gives you the serial number of the RAID controller.  I don't think there is a way to determine the serial number of the server itself via the CLI, therefore I can't add it to the script.

Sean

[Cory Blackman]

Okay, then a feature request, as it would seem the Cisco serial number is not stored on the server, perhaps you might program in a way to optionally store that serial number on the server through the script or with it?  That way i could install your script, put in their Cisco serial number for my dear customer's servers, and when they need retrieve it, it will be there?

[Scott Olsen]

I agree with Cory.  Before this script was available (many thanks again Sean), I had actually used the output of:

MegaCli -PDList -aALL

... to get an inventory of RAID members including firmware and SN for any future field notices or advanced RMAs.  I tried in vain for a couple hours to determine a way to retrieve the overall MSP chassis SN, but eventually gave up.  I don't think it's stored anywhere within the server build or other firmware element.  I could be wrong though.  If it were stored in some form of system NVRAM (DMI??), that would be prime in my opinion.  It would be tied to the mainboard and would survive things like a complete server imaging from the Recovery DVD.

[vriden]

Sean, this works great! Got it loaded on (4) new 4U servers and works exaclty as described. Thank you for the hard work, it is our benefit! Glad to know they will include it in the next release.

[oliver.sheng]

Do you know if there is a way to setup a SNMP / email alart for a HD failure?

[Sean Merrow]

Hi Oliver,

I would recommend upgrading to VSM 6.3.2 as you'll not only have the Raid Viewer built-in to the VSMC page of your server, but the Health Monitor page can alert you when the RAID is degraded due to a failed disk.

Thanks,

Sean

[Danny Mainprize]

I just had a failed drive and found this.  Tons easier to read and understand.  One suggestion would be to include it on the main vsmc page to click on rather than bookmarking the address.

Can the viewer initiate a rebuild to include the newly replaced drive or is that still a cryptic MegaCli command?