Xserve RAID: How to Reset the Controller

Summary

This document explains how to reset the controller on Xserve RAID and which settings are reset when you do this.

Products Affected

Xserve RAID

To reset the RAID controller to its factory settings, press the reset button on the RAID controller module. The reset button is located on the back of the RAID controller module behind the metal housing and is accessed through a pinhole. Use a straightened paper clip or similar item to press the button through the pinhole.

When you reset the RAID controller, the original, default passwords take effect. The monitoring password is "public"; the management password is "private". You may want to change these passwords as soon as possible to maintain system security.

How to reset the controller when you want to: Reset network settings to DHCP and restart controller module. Temporarily return to the default passwords.
Follow these steps:
  1. Unmount any Xserve RAID volumes if they are mounted on a host computer.
  2. Leave the Xserve RAID turned on.
  3. Use an unbent paper clip or similar tool to press the reset button through the pinhole on the back of the controller module for five seconds, then release the button.
  4. The controller will restart - you will see the power LED and the four status LEDs on the front panel turn off while restarting. Do not hold the button down during the restart. (If the button is held down during restart, it will be necessary to restart the RAID again.)
  1. Use an unbent paper clip or similar tool to BRIEFLY press the reset button through the pinhole on the back of the controller module.
  2. Check to be sure the power LED flashes - this indicates the password is temporarily reset.
Notes: If you are resetting the controller permanently (not temporarily), reset the password on both controllers. If you do not reset both, you may see a communications error alert. It is only necessary to reset the password of the controller that the RAID Admin is talking to. If you are not sure which controller you are connected to, there is no harm in resetting both.
This only restarts the controller module, not the entire Xserve RAID. This mode works even when the server has been turned off, as long as it still has AC power connected.
This mode resets your Xserve RAID to the following settings:
  • a generic name (Xserve RAID)
  • DHCP networking
  • data will be cleared in the fields "location", "contact", and "Restart automatically after a power failure"
  • passwords are changed to "public" and "private" as mentioned above
  • The field "Enable audible system alerts" will be set
  • Email notification lists and settings will be cleared
  • It does not change the drive cache settings, write cache settings, or pre-fetch settings.
 In this mode, settings remain untouched except for the passwords, which change to "public" and "private" as mentioned above. After five minutes, the previous passwords are restored.
Important: Shutting down a controller module of the Xserve RAID without unmounting its volumes from connected computers may cause issues for those computers. This method does not require unmounting the volume from connected computers.

Additional Information


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