Overview of K2 Storage Tools


Topics in the chapter include the following:

K2 System Configuration

The K2 System Configuration application (K2 Config) is the primary tool for configuring the K2 Storage System. Once the devices of the storage system are cabled and are communicating on the control network, you can do all the configuration required to create a working K2 Storage System using the K2 System Configuration application.

After your K2 Storage System is initially installed and configured, as instructed in the installation chapters earlier in this manual, if you need to reconfigure the system you should do so using the K2 System Configuration Application. While some reconfiguration tasks can be accomplished without using the K2 System Configuration Application, it is not recommended. Using the K2 System Configuration Application enforces consistent policy and sequencing for reconfiguration tasks, which makes the system easier to maintain and aids in troubleshooting should a problem arise.

The K2 System Configuration application runs on a control point PC and accesses the devices of the K2 Storage System via the control network. You can configure the devices of the K2 Storage System as follows:

If necessary, you can install and run the K2 System Configuration application on multiple PCs in your facility. Refer to Accessing a K2 Storage System from multiple PCs for constraints and considerations.

To open the K2 System Configuration application do the following:

  1. On the control point PC open the K2 System Configuration application shortcut on the desktop. The K2 System Configuration application log in dialog box opens.
  2. Log in using the designated administrator account for configuring K2 Storage System devices. By default this account is as follows:
    • Username: administrator
      Password: adminK2
  3. The K2 System Configuration application opens.


  4. If you have one or more K2 Storage Systems currently configured, the K2 System Configuration application displays the systems in the tree view.
    If you have not yet configured a K2 Storage System, the K2 System Configuration application opens with the tree view blank. Refer to the installation chapters earlier in this manual to add and configure a new K2 Storage System.
    You can expand and select nodes in the tree view to view K2 Storage Systems, individual devices, and configuration settings. When you do so, the K2 System Configuration application displays information as found in a configuration file, rather than continuously polling devices to get their latest information. The configuration file is saved on the V: drive, along with the media files in the shared storage system. The configuration file is updated and saved whenever you change a configuration using the K2 System Configuration application. That is why you must always use the K2 System Configuration application to change settings on the storage system, so the most recently changed configurations will always be stored in the configuration file and displayed.

Server Control Panel

Server Control Panel allows you to monitor and control the current status of a K2 Media Server in its roles as the media file system server and the media database server. This is especially useful for redundant K2 Storage Systems (Level 2R and Level 3R), as you must know if a media server is currently acting as primary or as backup before attempting any troubleshooting or service work.

Server Control Panel displays information about the Failover Service, the media file system server primary/redundant roles, the media database primary/redundant roles, and database replication.

NOTE: Do not click Stop or Start unless you intend to manually control the current primary/redundant roles. Using these buttons can trigger an automatic system recovery (failover) event.

To launch Server Control Panel, in the the K2 System Configuration application, click the Server Control Panel button. You can also launch Server Control Panel on the local K2 Media Server. When you do so you must log in with administrator-level privileges.

Refer to procedures in Administering and maintaining the K2 Storage System to use Server Control Panel for maintenance, service, and other tasks.

Storage Utility

You should be aware that there are two versions of Storage Utility:

This section explains Storage Utility for the K2 Storage System. Refer to the K2 System Guide to learn about Storage Utility for internal storage K2 Media Client models.

NOTE: Do not run Storage Utility on an external storage K2 Media Client. For external storage, run Storage Utility only via the K2 System Configuration application.

The Storage Utility is your primary access to the media file system, the media database, and media disks of the K2 Storage System for configuration, maintenance, and repair. It is launched from the K2 System Configuration application.

CAUTION: Use the Storage Utility only as directed by a documented procedure or by Grass Valley Support. If used improperly, the Storage Utility can render your K2 Storage System inoperable or result in the loss of all your media.

The Storage Utility’s primary functionality is hosted by the K2 media server. The Storage Utility uses the Fibre Channel connection between the K2 media server and the RAID storage device for access and configuration. When you launch Storage Utility from the K2 System Configuration application on the control point PC, you use a Storage Utility remote interface to control the main application as it runs on the K2 Media Server.

The Storage Utility requires that the storage system be in an offline operating mode before it allows any configuration to take place. Use the K2 System Configuration application to take your K2 Storage System devices offline before configuring with Storage Utility. This means all media access operations are disabled while you are using the Storage Utility.

NOTE: Do not run Storage Utility as a stand-alone application, separate from the K2 System Configuration application. To maintain a valid K2 Storage System all configuration must be controlled and tracked through the K2 System Configuration application.

Refer to Administering and maintaining the K2 Storage System for procedures for using Storage Utility.

NetCentral

NetCentral is Grass Valley’s monitoring application and is required on a K2 Storage System. The NetCentral server component runs on a NetCentral server PC, which could also be a K2 system control point PC. The devices of the K2 Storage System report status, primarily via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), to NetCentral on the NetCentral server PC.

You must get the NetCentral system installed and running, and you must be fully monitoring the K2 configuration control point PC with NetCentral before you begin configuring the K2 Storage System with the K2 System Configuration application. Refer to “Sending K2 configuration to NetCentral” in the installation chapter earlier in this manual for more information.

Refer to the NetCentral User Guide to get the NetCentral system installed and operating. You must install a NetCentral device provider on the NetCentral server PC for each type of device you are monitoring. For detailed information about setting up and monitoring each type of device, go to the NetCentral Help menu and read the online help for the device-type.


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