Document fins/I0745-1
FIN #: I0745-1
SYNOPSIS: T3/T3+ Power Control Unit connectors on the midplane may be damaged
by excessive vibration during shipment or operation
DATE: Nov/28/01
KEYWORDS: T3/T3+ Power Control Unit connectors on the midplane may be damaged
by excessive vibration during shipment or operation
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- Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
(For Authorized Distribution by SunService)
SYNOPSIS: T3/T3+ Power Control Unit connectors on the midplane may be
damaged by excessive vibration during shipment or operation.
Sun Alert: No
TOP FIN/FCO REPORT: No
PRODUCT_REFERENCE: T3/T3+ Power Cooling Unit
PRODUCT CATEGORY: Storage / Service
PRODUCTS AFFECTED:
Systems Affected
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Mkt_ID Platform Model Description Serial Number
------ -------- ----- ----------- -------------
- ANYSYS - System Platform Independent -
X-Options Affected
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Mkt_ID Platform Model Description Serial Number
------ -------- ----- ----------- -------------
- T3 ALL T3 StorEdge Array -
- T3+ ALL T3+ StorEdge Array -
PART NUMBERS AFFECTED:
Part Number Description Model
----------- ----------- -----
300-1454-01 PWR SUPPLY PURPLE1 NIMH -
REFERENCES:
URL: http://grand.central/web/salesmktg/products/svc_prod/sz/SunMoves.html
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_closeup.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_closeup2.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_inchassis.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_inchassis2.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_inchassis3.jpg
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
Excessive vibration during transit, system repositioning, or
environmental causes such as earthquakes may cause the Power Cooling
Unit (PCU) in StorEdge T3/T3+ arrays to shift. This may produce PCU
midplane connector breakage and cause the T3 PCU leads to short,
rendering the disk array non-functional.
NOTE: It is not just the PCU mid-plane connector but also the
micro-caps facing the disks that have been known to be affected.
Heat deformation to the back of the plastic disk cage has been
observed as well. There is a possibility for data loss given
that the array can come to a complete stop and data on the cache
would not be destaged (if still accessible on the controller)
until all affected parts are replaced. If the controller itself
gets damaged in the process there is the potential for data loss,
and certainly in a standalone (WG) config.
NOTE: It is also important to note the same fault may be experienced on
incorrect removal/re-insertion of a PCU. PCU's should be inserted
and removed with a single motion without hesitation or side to
side motion.
When this connector damage occurs and power is applied to the T3/T3+
disk array, the power leads may short. Smoke and heat may be emitted
from the unit and the T3/T3+ disk array. This results in the array
becoming non-functional. Components on the controller and loop cards
can be seen to have heat damage, as can the PCU and the PCU midplane
connector.
There have been no reported instances of data loss, but a new chassis
with midplane, loop cards, controller and at least one PCU may be
required to restore the system to full functionality.
The primary external factor suspected is excessive vibration during
shipment or movement of the systems. Make sure to follow all
guidelines for the movement of any Sun equipment:
URL: http://grand.central/web/salesmktg/products/svc_prod/sz/SunMoves.html
The root cause of the problem is a vibration and movement of system
due to misalignment and the PCU shifting on Midplane/Chassis/PCU.
Sun Engineering is working on an ECR which will provide additional
support for the PCU to prevent PCU shifting and to take potential
stress off of the PCU midplane connector.
In the meantime, please follow the guidelines for inspecting the T3/T3+
PCU midplane connector given in the Corrective Action section.
IMPLEMENTATION: (Proactive vs Reactive)
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| | MANDATORY (Fully Proactive)
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| | CONTROLLED PROACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan)
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| X | REACTIVE (As Required)
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CORRECTIVE ACTION:
The following recommendation is provided as a guideline for authorized
Enterprise Services Field Representatives who may encounter the above
mentioned problem.
Inspect the PCU midplane connector for damage before power-up and order
a chassis FRU if damage is found. If a short has occurred rendering
the disk array nonfunctional, order the necessary FRUs through your
local RSL or request a replacement unit through the CIC process.
If an existing T3 has been running in an environment for more than 1
month, then the physical inspection is not necessary unless one of the
events has occurred which can create the condition.
Inspect for this problem in these cases:
. ALL NEW table top, rack ready or rack mounted T3/T3+'s
. ALL RECENTLY MOVED table top, rack ready or rack mounted T3/T3+'s
. ALL T3/T3+'s exposed to EXCESSIVE VIBRATION or SHAKING (for example,
units surviving an earthquake)
First, visit these URL's for examples of damaged connectors:
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_closeup.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_closeup2.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_inchassis.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_inchassis2.jpg
http://sdpsweb.EBay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0745-1_dir/connector_inchassis3.jpg
For NEW out-of-the-box or RECENTLY MOVED units:
1) Before any power is supplied to the unit, remove either PCU.
2) Looking inside the PCU bay, inspect the left and right sides of
the PCU midplane connector for cracks or other damage. A flashlight
may be needed to inspect the connector, depending on lighting conditions.
3) If obvious damage is seen, do not apply power to this system and
immediately order a new chassis FRU (part number 370-3990-03).
4) If no damage is seen, carefully reinstall the PCU.
5) Repeat the above steps for the remaining PCU.
6) If damage is seen and a replacement chassis ordered, make sure to
submit a CPAS to have the chassis submitted to failure analysis.
Please include any shipping information, damage to the container,
etc. that may indicate undue stress on the unit during movement or
shipping.
URL: http://www.sun.com/SE/CPAS/
In the case the disk array or rack containing the disk array is exposed
to EXCESSIVE VIBRATION:
. If the unit is still under power.
1) If no problems have occurred and the disk array/arrays are still
functional, do NOT remove the PCU's for inspection.
. If the unit is not under power:
1) Follow the instructions for recently moved units (above)
. If the unit suffers a short or a thermal event:
1) Inspect the components for damage; the most likely components to be
damaged in this case are the controller, loop cards, PCU and midplane.
2) Depending on time and customer requirements, request the necessary
FRUs from your local RSL or submit a CIC request for a replacement unit:
URL: http://cic-server.sfbay/cic_login.html
3) Immediately e-mail customer.quality@sun.com to inform them of the event.
Create a CPAS:
URL: http://www.sun.com/SE/CPAS/
and submit a T3 Install Report:
URL:
http://gsops.central/sdeskproc/OSP/p5/mission-critl/install_report.html
4) Be prepared to return the damaged unit to Product Engineering
for investigation. Shipping information will be supplied as necessary.
COMMENTS:
None
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Implementation Footnote:
i) In case of MANDATORY FINs, Enterprise Services will attempt to
contact all affected customers to recommend implementation of
the FIN.
ii) For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services mission critical
support teams will recommend implementation of the FIN (to their
respective accounts), at the convenience of the customer.
iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services will implement the FIN as the
need arises.
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