JP2001290609A - Method and system for identifying fault device during booting - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved method for identifying a fault device during booting more efficiently as occasion demands. SOLUTION: A device is accommodated in a device carrier inside an enclosure provided with plural device slots, and each of device slots has one related slot indicator and is suited to accept one device carrier. Concerning this method, respective devices in configuration are identified, while using the respective slot indicators and respective devices failed in configuration are identified. As one execution form, the use of each of slot indicators turns on each of slot indicators repeatedly, for example, by a first system while configuring a device related to that device slot. After the device is successfully configured, the slot indicator related to that device is turned on continuously, for example, by a second system and the fault device can be confirmed visually by the related slot indicator turned on by the first system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a device configuration, and more particularly to a fault identification. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for identifying a failed device during a boot operation.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The need to store and access large amounts of data is continually increasing. For example, as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) become increasingly focused on providing access, content, and value-added services to an increasing number of customers, more and more are storing, managing, and protecting critical customer data. Requires more capacity and better tools. To accommodate the ever-increasing storage of data, data storage systems use a large number of disk drives, typically housed in multiple enclosures, such as small computer system interface (SCSI) disk drives, each with its own enclosure. Can accommodate dozens, if not hundreds, of individual disk drives.

[0003] Many of the newer, larger systems now use a SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) backplane into which SCSI disk drive devices are plugged. With such a SES backplane, the SES logic is addressed as a SCSI device. Typically, this backplane includes six device slots, each device slot adapted to receive a device carrier containing a disk drive. Each device carrier or slot is typically
It has at least two light emitting diode indicators driven by the logic circuit. One of these indicators is called the slot indicator and
Used to indicate which of the three states the drive is in. These three states are identification, normal, and insertion / removal. The state of the indicator is controlled by the SES and allows the slot to be in either the identified state or the normal state without affecting the disk drive operation.

Each SCSI device is configured during system boot. Currently, while configuring the device, a value identifying the device type is displayed on the system's operator panel display. In some cases, the location of the device may also be displayed on the operator panel. However, it is noted that typically an operator panel with a two-line display is required to display the position code, with the upper line displaying the device type and the second line displaying the position code. I want to. Therefore, this approach works only with systems that have multiple rows of operator panel displays. During the configuration phase, a failed device, ie, an unidentified or inoperable device, can "hang" the system. If the system includes multiple failed devices, the procedure for locating and identifying the failure is very time consuming and difficult. If the location code is unavailable, the procedure for identifying the failed device is to remove each device one at a time until the failed device is identified. In large systems using a large number of devices, it may take several hours to identify and replace each failed device.

[0005]

Therefore, what is needed in the art is an improved method that alleviates the aforementioned limitations. More specifically, what is needed in the art is an improved method for more timely and efficient identification of failed devices during a boot operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for identifying a faulty device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and system for identifying a failed device during a boot operation.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above objects, the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, provides:
A method for identifying a failed device during a boot operation is disclosed. The device is housed in a device carrier in an enclosure including a plurality of device slots, each of the device slots having one associated slot indicator and adapted to receive one device carrier. The method includes using each of the slot indicators to identify each device in the configuration and each device that failed to configure. In one embodiment, using each of the slot indicators includes illuminating each of the slot indicators in a first manner, for example, repeatedly, when configuring a device associated with the device slot. . After successful configuration of the device, the slot indicator associated with the device is illuminated in a second manner, eg, continuously, and the associated slot indicator illuminated in the first manner visually identifies the failed device. Be able to confirm. Note, however, that the behavior of the slot indicator typically depends on the type of hardware and device driver used. It should also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that there are other ways to distinguish the operation of the slot indicator.
For example, changing colors or changing the number of repetitions can also be used to advantage. In a related embodiment, the method further includes illuminating an indicator on the enclosure in response to a device in the enclosure that is not properly configured.

The present invention recognizes that currently no slot indicator on the device carrier is used during the configuration / discovery process of the device associated with the device carrier. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, the currently available hardware, i.e., the slot indicator, is provided to provide a new, low cost, efficient and easily implemented method for identifying a failed device during the configuration / finding process. use.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the slot indicators is mounted on an associated device carrier. In a related embodiment, the slot indicator is a light emitting diode (LED). Of course, other types of lighting devices, such as lamps or light bulbs or audio devices, may be advantageously used in the practice of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention, the device is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device. Further, in a related embodiment, the SCSI device is a hard disk drive. However, the invention is not intended to limit its implementation to any one type of device, and in another advantageous embodiment, the device is discovered or configured or booted when booting a system that uses it. Note that any type of device that requires both can be used.

In another embodiment of the invention, the enclosure is a multiple SCSI enclosure service (SE).
S) Includes backplane. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of backplanes or lack thereof may be used to advantage and are within the intended scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention may be advantageously implemented with an enclosure that supports PCI adapters using "hot plug".

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly preferred and alternative features of the present invention in order that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention forming the subject of the claims of the invention are set forth below. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed concepts and particular embodiments can be readily used as a basis for designing or modifying other structures to accomplish the same purpose of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit or scope of the invention in its broadest form.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015]

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a computer system 100 that provides an environment suitable for practicing the present invention is shown. Computer system 100 includes a conventional personal computer (PC) 120, which includes a processing unit 121 and a system memory 122.
And a system bus 123, which couples the system memory 122 to the processing unit 121. In the illustrated embodiment, system memory 122 includes read only memory (ROM) 124 and random access memory (ROM).
And a memory (RAM) 125. A basic input / output device (BIOS) 1 including a basic routine for supporting information transfer between elements in the personal computer 120 at the time of startup or the like
26 is generally stored in the ROM 124.

The personal computer 120 includes a hard disk drive 127, a magnetic disk drive 128 for reading from and writing to, for example, a removable disk 129, and a CD-ROM, for example.
An optical disk drive 130 for reading the disk 131 or for reading from or writing to other optical media. Hard disk drive 127, magnetic disk drive 128, optical disk drive
The drive 130 is connected to the system bus 123 by a hard disk drive interface 132, a magnetic disk drive interface 133, and an optical drive interface 134.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage for personal computer 120. However, although the above description of computer readable media refers to hard disks, removable magnetic disks, and CD-ROM disks, other types of computer readable media, such as magnetic cassettes, flash media, etc.
It should be noted that those skilled in the art will readily understand that memory cards and the like can also be used in the exemplary operating environment.

The above disk drive and RAM1
25 includes an operating system, one or more application programs 136, other program modules 137, and program data 13.
Several program modules can be stored, including eight. A user can enter commands and information into personal computer 120 with keyboard 140 and pointing device 142, such as a mouse. Other data input devices include microphones, joysticks, games,
It may include a pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, or the like. The data input device is typically connected to the processing unit 121 by a serial port interface 146 coupled to the system bus 123, but may be a game port or a universal serial interface.
Other types of interfaces such as a bus (USB) can be used for connection. A monitor 147 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 123 via an interface, such as a video adapter 148.

Personal computer 120 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer 149. Remote computer 149 can be a server, router, peer device, or other common network node, and typically includes some or all of the elements described above with respect to personal computer 120, but only memory storage 150 Is shown. The logical connections shown in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 151 and a wide area network (WAN) 152.

When used in a LAN environment, personal
Computer 120 is the network interface 1
53 connects to the LAN 151. When used in a WAN environment, personal computer 120 typically includes a modem 154 or other means for establishing communication with WAN 152, such as the Internet.
The modem 154 may be internal or external, but is connected to the system bus 123 via a serial port interface 146. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer 120, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. However, it should be readily apparent that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used to advantage.

It should be noted that the above description is intended to provide a brief, general description of an exemplary computing environment in which the invention may be advantageously implemented. Although the illustrated exemplary environment has been described in the general context of a distributed computing environment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced in other environments. In a distributed computing environment, tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked by a communications network. Program modules can reside in both local and remote memory storage devices. Program modules, such as routines,
Programs, components, data structures perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention can also be implemented in the context of an application program running on an operating system, in connection with a personal computer or in combination with other program modules. Moreover, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, and mainframe computers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the personal computer 120 includes the first, second, and third enclosures 1.
It is also shown coupled to a plurality of enclosures shown as 60a, 160b, 160c. These enclosures are used, in one preferred embodiment, to house multiple devices, such as disk drives, coupled to computer 120. Further, in one preferred embodiment, each of these enclosures is a small computer system interface (SCS).
I) Includes a plurality of cabinets including an Enclosure Services (SES) backplane into which multiple devices are plugged or mounted to allow electrical communication between the devices and the computer 120. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, second enclosure 160b is an exemplary enclosure that includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cabinets 162a-162e. First, second and third enclosures 160
a, 160b, 160c further include first, second, and third indicators 164a, 164b, 164c, which in one advantageous embodiment are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown one embodiment of a cabinet 200 (similar to cabinets 162a-162e shown in FIG. 1) that can be advantageously used in the practice of the present invention. ing. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a device carrier 260 that houses a device 270. Cabinet 200 is first, second, third,
A fourth bay 210, 220, 230, 240, which individually includes a plurality of device slots. However, it should be noted that the cabinet 200 is not necessarily limited to having four bays, and the present invention can be advantageously implemented with any number of enclosures and bays. In the illustrated embodiment, the first bay 210 is generally
It is shown as having a plurality of device slots, indicated as ~ 250h. Again, it should be emphasized that the present invention does not require each of the plurality of bays 210-240 to have a particular number of device slots. The number of bays and equipment slots depends primarily on the type of enclosure used. Each slot in a bay is generally adapted to receive one device carrier. As shown in FIG. 3, the device carrier 260 has a housing 270 for the device 270 for mounting in one of the device slots in the cabinet 200.
Used to provide a platform. Device 27
0 is, in one advantageous embodiment, a hard disk drive, which, together with another disk drive (not shown) mounted in the remaining device slots, is a means for storing or storing information. Is provided to the computer system 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, FIG. 4 shows a SCSI disk drive carrier 310,
FIG. 5 shows a serial storage architecture (SSA) disk drive carrier 330. The SCSI disk drive carrier 310 includes first and second
Status indicators 320, 325 and a spin down button 315. Second status indicator 32
5 is also called a slot indicator. Usually the first
And the second status indicators 320, 325 are amber and green status lights, respectively. These status lights are typically light emitting diodes (LEDs). Table 1 below shows the first and second status indicators 32.
0, 325 and the meaning of the spin down button 315.

[0025]

[Table 1]

SSA disk drive carrier 33
0 is the first, second and third status indicators 335, 3
40, 345, corresponding to the status light for power, preparation, and check. The first, second, and third status indicators 335, 340, 345 are also typically LEDs. Table 2 below illustrates the meaning of the first, second, and third status indicators 335, 340, 345 on the SSA disk drive.

[0027]

[Table 2]

Referring now to FIG. 6, with continuing reference to the preceding figures, there is shown a high-level process flow diagram 400 for identifying a failed device during a startup sequence using the principles disclosed by the present invention. Have been. Process 40
0 is started when the computer system 100 is booted from a halt state or a power-off state, as shown in step 410. Computer system 10
When 0 switches on, the memory resident boot code is invoked. Generally, the memory resident code initiates a self-diagnosis and begins to search the system bus for a boot device. Once the boot device is located, the boot program is read. The boot program then reads the operating system kernel and passes control to it. The kernel then begins to identify all devices coupled to the system and starts configuring it by loading the appropriate device drivers. This process of identifying a device is also called a discovery process.

[0029] The discovery process typically involves storing data about the detected device in a bus-specific data structure. Later, these data structures are used to search the configuration tables of known devices. This configuration table provides the information needed to determine the driver name, device name, and other parameters for loading and connecting the appropriate driver. For example, the VMS operating system typically provides a system file that identifies all operating system supported devices, while the user file contains all other device files.
Identify the driver. These files are read by the system during the boot process and are used to create a set of configuration tables. These tables are used for subsequent automatic configuration of the hardware device. However, it should be noted that although these tables are built from two files and are collected by bus type, they can also be considered as one logical configuration table for known devices.

During this configuration process, when one device, eg, device 270, is polled for its data structure, the indicator associated with that device is lit repeatedly, as shown in step 420. This indicator is the second indicator 320 on the SCSI disk drive carrier 310 in one preferred embodiment. For the SSA disk drive carrier 330, the preferred indicator to be lit repeatedly is the third
The indicator 345 of FIG. However, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that in other advantageous embodiments, this indicator may be provided using other indicators on the disk drive.

Next, the process 400 proceeds to decision step 4
As shown at 30, it is determined whether the device has been successfully configured. If the device has not yet been properly configured, the slot indicator, the second indicator 325, will continue to light up repeatedly. On the other hand, if it is determined that the device has been successfully identified and configured, the slot indicator will light continuously, as shown in step 440. However, it should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that continuous lighting includes continuously turning the slot indicator ON or OFF. Also, while the process 400 has been described in the context of a single device, it should be readily apparent that the process 400 is repeated for all devices coupled to the identifying and configuring system 100. I want to be.

In summary, the slot indicator associated with a device can be "identified" before the device is configured.
Mode, that is, blinking state. If the configuration is successful, the slot indicator will be in the "normal" state, i.e., the indicator will be ON, i.e. lit continuously. If the system "hangs" due to a device during the boot process, it can be easily identified by its blinking slot indicator. Moreover, for a given enclosure, the slot indicator is hidden by the enclosure. In such a situation, many enclosures generally provide additional indicators external to the enclosure, which can be used to indicate whether one of the internal slot indicators indicates a failed device. This allows the user to quickly identify the enclosure containing the failed device. Further, the present invention can be used with system firmware or an operating system. The "hang" that occurs during the configuration process is typically caused by a software loop, so that the present invention can be used to advantage when configuring multiple devices in parallel. Note, however, that in this case, multiple slot indicators may light up simultaneously. But at the right time, "good"
The configuration of the device must be completed successfully, and only the slot indicator associated with the failed device must be lit repeatedly.

Although the present invention has been described in the context of a computer system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be distributed as various forms of computer program products, and that the present invention may be implemented in practice. Note that it is readily understood that it is not intended to limit its implementation to the particular type of signal-carrying medium used to do so, ie, the computer-readable medium. Examples of signal-carrying media include recordable-type media, such as floppy disks and hard disk drives, and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communication links.

In one preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented in a computer system programmed to perform the methods described herein. Thus, in one advantageous embodiment, the instruction sets for performing the methods disclosed herein reside in the RAM of one or more processors generally configured as described above. Until required by the computer system, the set of instructions may be stored on another computer memory, for example, a disk drive, as a computer program product. In another advantageous embodiment, the computer program product is stored on another computer and is stored on an internal or external communication network, for example LA
It can also be transmitted over N or WAN to the user's computer system.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

In summary, the following is disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention.

(1) A method for identifying a failed device in an enclosure during a boot operation, said enclosure having a plurality of device slots, each device slot containing one device, and one associated device slot. A method having a slot indicator, wherein the method includes using each of the slot indicators to identify each device in the configuration and to identify each device that failed to configure. (2) the step of using each of the slot indicators is performed in a first manner during the configuration of a device associated with each of the plurality of device slots.
Illuminating each of the indicators; illuminating the slot indicator in a second manner in response to successful configuration of the device associated with the slot indicator; and illuminating the associated slot indicator in the first manner. Making the failed device visually identifiable by the indicator. (3) The method of (1) above, wherein each of the slot indicators is mounted on an associated device carrier. (4) The method of (1) above, further comprising illuminating an indicator on the enclosure in response to an incorrectly configured device within the enclosure. (5) The method according to (1) above, wherein the device is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device. (6) The method according to (5), wherein the SCSI device is a hard disk drive. (7) The method of (1), wherein the enclosure includes a plurality of SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) backplanes. (8) The method according to (1), wherein the slot indicator is a light emitting diode (LED). (9) A computer program product comprising computer readable media having stored therein computer executable instructions for performing a method for identifying a failed device in an enclosure during a boot operation, wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of computer readable media. With device slots, each device slot being 1
Containing one device and having an associated slot indicator, wherein when the computer-executable instructions are executed, each of the slot indicators is used to identify each device in the configuration and to fail the configuration. A computer program product that performs the step of identifying each device that has performed. (10) illuminating each of the slot indicators in a first manner during configuration of a device associated with each of the plurality of device slots, wherein the step of using each of the slot indicators comprises: Lighting the slot indicator in a second manner in response to successful configuration of the device associated with the indicator;
Making the faulty device visually identifiable by its associated slot indicator illuminated in the first manner. (11) The computer program product of (9) above, wherein each of the slot indicators is mounted on an associated device carrier. (12) The computer program product of (9) above, further comprising illuminating an indicator on the enclosure in response to a device in the enclosure that is not properly configured. (13) The computer program product according to (9), wherein the device is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device. (14) The computer program product according to (13), wherein the SCSI device is a hard disk drive. (15) The computer program product of (9), wherein the enclosure includes a plurality of SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) backplanes. (16) The computer according to (9), wherein the slot indicator is a light emitting diode (LED).
Program products. (17) a processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit, and at least one enclosure coupled to the processing unit and the memory, wherein the enclosure has a plurality of device slots; Each of the device carriers is adapted to receive one device carrier, each of the device carriers being associated with an enclosure containing one device, and a plurality of slot indicators, each of the slot indicators being associated with a corresponding device slot. A server comprising: a slot indicator to be configured; and means for using each of said slot indicators to identify each device in the configuration and to identify each device that failed to configure. (18) means for illuminating each of the slot indicators in a first manner during configuration of a device associated with each of the plurality of device slots; Illuminating the slot indicator in a second manner in response to successful configuration of the device associated with the indicator;
Means for visually identifying a failed device by its associated slot indicator illuminated in the manner described above. (19) Each of the plurality of slot indicators is attached to an associated device carrier.
The server according to 7). (20) The server according to the above (17), further comprising means for lighting an indicator on the enclosure in response to a device in the enclosure that is not properly configured. (21) The server according to (17), wherein the device is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device. (22) The server according to (21), wherein the SCSI device is a hard disk drive. (23) The server according to (17), wherein the enclosure includes a plurality of SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) backplanes. (24) The server according to (17), wherein the plurality of slot indicators are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a computer system that provides an environment suitable for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a cabinet that can be advantageously used in the practice of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a device carrier that houses the device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional SCSI disk drive carrier.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional SSA disk drive carrier.

FIG. 6 is a high level process flow diagram for identifying a faulty device during a startup sequence using the principles disclosed by the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 310 SCSI disk drive carrier 320 first status indicator 315 spin down button 325 second status indicator

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Douglas Marvin Benignas United States 77853 Dime Box, TX 1 Box 159A1, Texas (72) Inventor Meza Dinesh Date United States 78613 Cedar, Texas Park Edelweiss Drive 1807 (72) Inventor Arthur James Tyther United States 78610 Buda-Rillawood, Texas 702

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A method for identifying a failed device in an enclosure during a boot operation, said enclosure having a plurality of device slots, each device slot containing one device and one associated slot. A method having an indicator, wherein the method includes using each of the slot indicators to identify each device in the configuration and to identify each device that failed to configure. 2. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of using each of the slot indicators comprises: illuminating each of the slot indicators in a first manner during configuration of a device associated with each of the plurality of device slots. In response to a successful configuration of the device associated with the slot indicator, the slot indicator is illuminated in a second manner and the associated slot indicator illuminated in the first manner.
Allowing the indicator to visually identify the failed device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said slot indicators is mounted on an associated device carrier. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of illuminating an indicator on said enclosure in response to a device within said enclosure that is not properly configured.
The method described in. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a small computer system.
The method of claim 1, wherein the method is an interface (SCSI) device. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said SCSI device is a hard disk drive. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) backplanes. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said slot indicator is a light emitting diode (LED). 9. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing a method for identifying a failed device in an enclosure during a boot operation, wherein the enclosure is a computer program product. A plurality of device slots, each device slot containing one device and having an associated slot indicator, wherein each of the slot indicators is used when the computer-executable instructions are executed. , A computer program product that performs the steps of identifying each device being configured and identifying each device that failed to configure. 10. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of using each of the slot indicators comprises: illuminating each of the slot indicators in a first manner during configuration of a device associated with each of the plurality of device slots. In response to a successful configuration of the device associated with the slot indicator, the slot indicator is illuminated in a second manner and the associated slot indicator illuminated in the first manner visually identifies a failed device. Enabling the computer program product. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of said slot indicators is mounted on an associated device carrier.
A computer program product as described in. 12. The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising the step of illuminating an indicator on the enclosure in response to a device in the enclosure that is not properly configured. 13. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein said device is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device. 14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said SCSI device is a hard disk drive.
14. The computer program product according to claim 13, which is a drive. 15. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) backplanes. 16. The computer program product according to claim 9, wherein said slot indicator is a light emitting diode (LED). 17. A processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit, and at least one enclosure coupled to the processing unit and the memory, wherein the enclosure has a plurality of device slots, An enclosure in which each of the slots is adapted to receive one device carrier, each of the device carriers containing one device; and a plurality of slot indicators, each of the slot indicators corresponding to a corresponding device slot. And a means for using each of said slot indicators to identify each device in the configuration and to identify each device that failed to configure. 18. A means for illuminating each of said slot indicators in a first manner during configuration of a device associated with each of said plurality of device slots, said means for using each of said slot indicators; In response to a successful configuration of the device associated with the slot indicator, the slot indicator is illuminated in a second manner and the associated slot indicator illuminated in the first manner.
Means for allowing the indicator to visually identify the failed device. 19. The server of claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of slot indicators is mounted on an associated device carrier. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for illuminating an indicator on said enclosure in response to a device in said enclosure that is not properly configured.
Server as described in. 21. The device of claim 17, wherein said device is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device.
Server as described in. 22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the SCSI device is a hard disk drive.
22. The server according to claim 21, which is a drive. 23. The server of claim 17, wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) backplanes. 24. The server of claim 17, wherein said plurality of slot indicators are light emitting diodes (LEDs).