RE: Disk Failure

Mr. Breisacher,

Your response leads me to believe that if I gave you the answers to those
questions, then you would be able to compare my answers to some reference you
have and tell me (or at least make an informed guess) if my system is at risk of
losing a disk drive.  Rather than 100,000 emails directed to you, would it not
be simpler for you to provide to this list a description of the problem in more
detail than IBM has provided so that we can all analyze our own situations and
draw our own conclusions?

Phil Rumschlag
MIS Director
PHD, Inc
Voice:    219 479-2321
Fax: 219 479-2807
email:    prumschlag@phdinc.com



     Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 11:37:52 -0700
     From: David Breisacher <DBreisacher@bcctech.com>
     Subject: RE: Disk Failure

     Al & all other parties concerned about iSeries disk -

     My name is David Breisacher and I am the CEO/Chairman of BCC Technologies.
     Before I comment on any IBM disk failures I must let everyone know that my
     company manufacturers disk for the iSeries. My comments here are not
     intended to promote BCC nor disparage IBM. I must also point out that I am
     a
     strong advocate of IBM technology since we deal with the IBM Information
     Technology Group.

     So what is going on with all these failing disk? You may all be surprised
     to
     find out that the answer is less simple than just pinpointing a serial
     number list of drives?

     Before any concise answer can be formulated we must address some obvious
     questions.

     1. Could the failing drive be rebuilt or was a new drive required? This
     will
     help us determine if the problem is software or hardware related.
     2. Was the replaced drive an Ultrastar XP, 2XP, 18XP, 9LZX, 18LZX, or 36LZX
     drive?
     3. What was the capacity of the drive?
     4. Where was the drive located within the iSeries bus?
     5. What was the RAID parity (4 or 8 drive) configuration?
     6. Was RAID or Mirroring being utilized?
     7. What SCSI IOP was being utilized?
     8. What was the iSeries model and OS400 level?
     9. What was your last CUM level, hiper, and individual disk related ptf
     apply date?

     Please send me answers to any of these questions and I'll give you my
     opinions. I have to run into a meeting so that's all for now.


     Regards,


     David Breisacher
     BCC Technologies, Inc.

     Contact Information
     15331 Barranca Parkway
     Irvine, CA 92618 - USA
     949.453.7600 x 37 - Phone
     949.510.3283 - Mobile
     949.453.7601 - Fax
     http://www.bcctech.com
     dbreisacher@bcctech.com


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