ACS-7_Check is software specifically designed to verify the integrity of ACS-7 series RAID controllers.
The major disadvantage of the Accusys ACS-7x range of RAID controllers is that the software supplied to keep track of the device's status is quite heavy. The software runs a web server that displays the state of the RAID, but it only runs under certain platforms and requires a large download. This is where acs7_check comes in.
acs7_check comprises two simple Python programs designed to monitor RAID status. They can be run periodically from cron to check RAID status. The first program, acs7_serial, monitors status using a serial port (RS232), while the second program, acs7_smart, accesses SMART information from the disk device directly. The serial connection should work under all POSIX systems, such as Linux and Unix. However, the SMART program only works under Linux.
The two programs have relatively low requirements, only requiring a modern version of Python, and they should run on versions down to Python 2.2. The acs7_serial program should run under any POSIX platform, but the acs7_smart program will only run under Linux. They have been tested with the Accusys InneRAID Duo 75200 under Linux. Thus, users are advised to check and report successes with other platforms and devices.
The installation process is quite straightforward. The acs7_serial and acs_smart scripts do not need proper installation and can be run directly from the unpacked tar.gz file. If users opt for proper installation, they will need to execute the following commands: python setup.py build followed by python setup.py install. The distribution utilities documentation is also available for users with more specific installation requirements.
The programs are straightforward to use: acs7_smart and acs7_serial. They take the same command line parameters and return a non-zero error code if there is a problem with the RAID device or its disks. Additional parameters can be used to print out more information about the status of the RAID. They can be used to check that the programs are interrogating the RAID device correctly.
In conclusion, acs7_check is an easy-to-use tool that users can employ to monitor the Accusys ACS-7x range of RAID controllers. The software is ideal for keeping track of the status of the RAID device and its disks without having to use the supplied heavy software. The programs are easy to install, and users can set them up to run periodically from cron. This is undoubtedly a useful addition for those using RAID controllers who are looking for a cost-efficient option to monitor status.
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