Be aware that unlike like DS4000 range, the cache batteries within the DS3000 Storage Subsystems (including DS3200, DS3300 and DS3400) are not covered under IBM warranty. This means that when they fail a replacement part must be purchased even if the unit is under standard or uplifted warranty.

IBM state in Retain Tip H194543 that "the battery is designed to have a life expectancy of two (2) years and to maintain the data in cache for up to three (3) days in the event of a power outage".

The replacement part can be requested from your IBM Sales Representative or an IBM Business Partner. The part required is:

DS3000 System Memory Cache Battery, Option 39R6519

Retain Tip H194543 also recommends that users upgrade the subsystem controller firmware to 07.35.41.00 or later to benefit from the Smart Battery Learn Cycle technology which monitors battery life and will override the "Battery Nearing Expiration" warning if it determines that the battery is still in good order.

Note that in order to calculate battery life, the "Smart Battery Learn Cycle" performs a discharge and charge every 13 weeks during which time write cache will be suspended and this could impact on the performance of the system. This Smart battery feature can be disabled if preferred.

*A small set of batteries may not support this Smart battery technology - see the Retain Tip for more information*

http://www-947.ibm.com/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5079213&brandind=5000008

IBM have issued the following bulletin for POWER6 systems with 12X I/O PCIe drawers attached. If you need some help checking/updating your system please get in touch.

The DS4000 cache battery provides valuable backup for the controller cache in the event of a subsystem power failure. The battery will allow the controller cache to be de-staged (i.e. written to disk) safely and ensure data remains consistent. 

In older levels of microcode, these batteries were set to notify regarding an impending expiration at 36 months followed by cache disable action by the microcode at 39 months. When the cache disables, you could experience performance degradation since the controller's high speed cache is no longer in use.

IBM now state that in fact these batteries can last well past 62 months and in microcode 6.60.02.00 and onwards a notification is now set to occur at 62 months followed by the cache disable action by the microcode a little after ten years.

I have found that when logging calls with IBM for the "Battery Nearing Expiration" notification, if the firmware is below 6.60.02.00 they simply tell me to reset the battery age to zero. Of course if the battery has actually failed then this would be replaced as usual under maintenance.

It's worth noting that there are no diagnostics to trigger the expiration notification and the date is purely hardset in microcode.

All this information was obtained from IBM retain tip H193840.

You see the error:

ERROR: Cluster verification detected that some of the disks on the cluster use both hdisks and device paths on different nodes. To ensure correct device processing, please
confgure all nodes to use either hdisk or vpath devices for the following PVIDs:
     PVID: 00a8558e51a39da30000000000000000
     node2: hdisk108
     node1: hdisk15

This error may be related the following APAR:

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1IZ42686


If you have recently replaced a hard drive on the server, you should ensure that all 'Defined' devices are removed and then re-run cluster verification.

It's important to keep you version of HACMP up to date with the latest fixes to avoid problems like this.

IBM have released a new ESM and hard drive firmware package for the ESMs of the IBM DS4000/DS5000 Storage Subsystem range.

The new firmware bundle version 1.65 is an update to the previous version 1.64 and can be downloaded from the following link: 

Click Here

IBM have released a new ESM and hard drive firmware package for the ESMs of the IBM DS Storage Subsystem range.

The new firmware bundle version 1.63 is an update to the previous version 1.62 and can be downloaded from the following link: 

Click Here