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    AST RESEARCH, INC.          TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1292A              2-14-96

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    	   Manhattan SMP, Netware 3.12, and Seagate ST15230N Disk Drives

    PROBLEM

    When configuring the DAC960 with a Seagate ST15230N disk drive in a
    Manhattan SMP system, the following error message is displayed:

    			   "Divide by zero error"

    CAUSE

    Older firmware and software were used with the disk array subsystem and
    Seagate disk drive.  The firmware version in the disk array controller was
    1.24 and the BIOS in the disk array controller was 1.05.  The firmware
    version in the Seagate disk drive was 0088.

    SOLUTION

    Use updated BIOS, firmware, and software with the disk array subsystem and
    Seagate disk drives.

    SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

    To resolve the problem outlined in this Technical Bulletin, AST obtained the
    most current firmware components for each hardware product involved in the
    disk array subsystem at the time this bulletin was written.  Then the updated
    firmware components were installed and tested to verify the problem was
    resolved.  For reference purposes, the following list identifies the firmware
    components that AST used for testing:

    The firmware on the Seagate ST15230N disk drive was version 498.

    The BIOS for the DAC960 was updated to version 1.19 and the firmware was
    updated to version 2.14.  The updated firmware and BIOS does not support
    drive sizing.  This means the same manufacturer and model number of a disk
    drive must be used when performing a hot-replacement.  Also, the same
    manufacturer and model number must be used when configuring a hot-
    standby or the native size of the hot-standby disk drive must be larger than
    the native size of all of the other disk drives that are installed in the disk
    array subsystem.

    The DAC960 software drivers for Netware 3.12 was updated to:

    Filename:     Size:     Date:      Version:    Description
    dac960.dsk    13376     2/9/95     3.07        DAC960 driver for Netware 3.1X
    aspidac3.dsk  4591      2/9/95     3.02        DAC960 ASPI driver for
    					       Netware 3.1X
    dacadm.nlm    148461    5/5/95     3/05        DAC960 administration utility
    					       for Netware 3.1X
    dacmon.nlm    65521     5/5/95     3.07        DAC960 monitoring utility for
    					       Netware 3.1X

    The updated software for the disk array subsystem is available on AST's BBS
    or CompuServe, or AST's web site.

    The procedures discussed in this Technical Bulletin require a diskette from
    AST's BBS.  The file that contains the diskette is called "SMP_N312.EXE" and
    is located AST's BBS (817) 230-6850.  AST's BBS supports modem speeds
    up to 28.8k bps.  The above file will also be posted on:

    CompuServe
    Go ASTSUPPORT

    AST Worldwide Web Site
    http://www.ast.com

    For AST's world wide BBS numbers, see Technical Bulletin # 1500
    (1500TB.TXT) on AST's BBS and other On-Line! forums.

    PART I:    DAC960 UPDATE PROCEDURE

    PREREQUISITES

    1.  The updated firmware (2.14) and BIOS (1.19) that will be installed in the
    DAC960 controller is incompatible with the older firmware (1.24) and BIOS
    (1.05).  This means the stripe size that is used to create the RAID disk
    drives are incompatible and all data will be destroyed when the RAID drives
    are recreated.  Because of the incompatibility, it is mandatory for all of the
    data to be backed up before performing the update procedure.  The data will be
    restored after the operating system has been reinstalled.

    2.  Due to the comprehensive nature of the DAC960 subsystem, AST
    recommends the System Administrator receive proper training prior to
    configuring this subsystem.  This Technical Bulletin assumes the System
    Administrator has already received training from AST and is familiar with the
    DAC subsystem.

    CAUTION

    Use an ESD ground strap when handling hard drives or circuit boards.

    PART I:  INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPGRADING THE DAC960 BIOS AND
    FIRMWARE

    WARNING:  The updated firmware download utility MUST be run from a
    floppy disk drive.

    1.  A diskette is required for this procedure.  To obtain the diskette,
        download the file "SMP_N312.EXE".  Enter the command "SMP_N312.EXE"
        to decompress and explode the file.  Enter the command "README" and
        follow the instructions to create the diskette.  The DOS command "sys"
        will need to be used to make the diskette bootable after it is created.
        Use DOS 5.0 or higher when using the "sys" command.

    2.  The firmware needs to be upgraded first.  To upgrade the firmware, boot
        from the floppy diskette and enter the command "NEWFIRM"

    NOTE:

    The DAC960 may report the following error status during this process:

    		  "ERROR STATUS FROM DAC = 104H"

    This error message is actually a warning message and should be ignored.
    After receiving the message, press any key to continue.

    Answer "Y" to the Download Verification Prompt.

    The system will need to be rebooted after the firmware has been updated.
    When prompted, press the   key on the front of the computer to
    continue with the procedure.

    NOTE

    The DAC960 will report errors after the computer is reset.  Again, these error
    messages are actually informational messages and should be ignored.  Press
    any key to continue with this procedure.

    3.  The BIOS needs to be upgraded next.  After the computer has rebooted to
        the floppy diskette, upgrade the BIOS by entering the command
        "NEWBIOS".

    The system will need to be rebooted after the BIOS update process is
    complete.  When prompted, press any key to reboot the computer system.

    4.  The system drive(s) needs to be created and configured after the BIOS
        update is complete.  To configure a system drive, enter the command
        "DAC960CF".

    When the utility prompts you to press "S" to save the default configuration,
    press  and then after the configuration is saved, reboot the system again.
    After the computer has rebooted, enter the command "DAC960CF" to
    continue creating the system drive.

    Because each customers configuration is different, this Technical Bulletin is
    not able to document exactly how the system drive(s) should be configured.
    The configuration menu is very intuitive and following the prompts will
    enable each customer to set up their configuration without problems.  As a
    basic guideline, the following list consists of the steps that need to be
    followed in order to set up a system drive properly.

    1.  Low level format the SCSI disk drive.
    2.  Define the pack.
    3.  Define the system drive and select the desired RAID level.
    4.  Initialize the system drive.
    5.  Save configuration and exit.
    6.  Install the operating system.

    PART II:  INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SEAGATE ST15230N

    The firmware for the Seagate ST15230N needs to be at revision level 498 or
    higher.  Contact AST Technical Support at (800) 727-1278 to exchange the
    disk drive if it is below revision level 498.

    It is also possible for qualified personnel to upgrade the firmware on the
    Seagate ST15230N in the field.  Follow the steps detailed in Technical
    Bulletin #1161, except choose "Seagate ST15230N," where the Technical
    Bulletin says "Quantum 1080S."  This should update the Seagate firmware to
    revision 498.

    PART III:  INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING NETWARE 3.12

    NOTE

    Part II must be completed before continuing with Part III.

    The procedure for installing Netware 3.12 has not changed but the files have
    been updated.  The files that are required to install DOS are located in the
    subdirectory called "DOS".  In order to install NetWare 3.12 from a
    CD-ROM,  the CD-ROM must be made accessible through DOS.
    An example CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file is included in the
    "DOS" subdirectory to assist with configuring the CD-ROM under DOS.

    The files that are required to install Netware 3.12 are located in the
    subdirectory called "n312".  For reference, an example CONFIG.SYS and
    AUTOEXEC.BAT is also provided in the subdirectory to assist with
    installing Netware with the CD-ROM.  To install Netware, follow the
    procedure that is documented in the DAC960 documentation that was
    originally provided with the DAC960 product.

    CONCLUSION

    This concludes the steps that are required to upgrade to the most recent
    firmware, BIOS and software drivers.  Contact AST Technical Support if
    additional information is required.

    SYSTEMS AFFECTED
    AST PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION

    All models          Manhattan SMP Computer system

    501133-002          Five channel EISA SCSI Disk Array Controller
    520082-002          Five Channel EISA SCSI Disk Array Controller
    221134-001          FRU Five Channel EISA SCSI Disk Array Controller