Chapter 1 About the PFC500/E
22
PFC 500/E Instruction Manual
2 December 1999
Each RC has two status lights visible from the rear of the PFC500/E. For the meaning
of these lights, see “Monitoring PFC500/E status” on page 40.
Storage-system read caching requires one RC, and mirrored storage-system write
caching requires two RCs. If an PFC500 has one RC, you can install a second one
while the PFC500 is running. When both RCs are installed, you can replace either RC
while the PFC 500 is running. You should never attempt to replace any of the RC’s
components, except the memory modules.
Disk modules
Each disk module consists of a Fibre Channel disk drive in a carrier assembly. You
can add or remove a disk module while the PFC 500/E is powered up.
Disk drives
The disk drives are 3.5-inch FC-AL drives that conform to the following standards:
• SFF-8045
• Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL)
• FC-AL Private Loop Direct Attach (PLDA) profile
The disk module slots in the chassis accommodate drives with heights of either
1.0 inch (2.54 cm) or 1.6 inches (4.06 cm). You can combine approved drives of either
height, and from different manufacturers, within the same PFC500/E, subject to the
restrictions imposed by the Licensed Internal Code (LIC) running in the PFC 500’s
RCs.
Drive carrier
The disk-drive carrier is a plastic assembly that slides into the chassis slot guides and
midplane connectors. It has a handle with a latch and electrostatic discharge (ESD)
clips, which connect to the drive’s head-disk assembly. The latch holds the disk
module in place to ensure proper connection with the midplane.
Disk drive
Latch
Shock mount (4)
Carrier
Handle
ESD clip (2)
