Unable to connect to MD3820i

Hello, I'm sorry for the problem you're having. Frankly, the first possibility that came to my mind might have been controller lockdown. First thing first I suggest you try these steps.

Troubleshooting Array and Expansion Enclosure Connections

1. Verify that the RAID controller module port link status LED and the RAID controller module status LED are solid green for each port that is connected to a cable.
2. Ensure that all the cables are attached correctly according to the array mode you selected.
3. Turn off the host server, storage array, and expansion enclosures.
4. Reseat the RAID controller module and reconnect cables on the storage array and the host server. (Pull the controller from the system and wait about 3 minutes then insert it back into it)
5. Turn on the expansion arrays and then the storage array and wait until the system is fully booted.
6. Turn on the host server.
7. Check the LEDs of all cabled ports.
8. Reboot the host server.
   NOTE: You must turn off the host server before resetting the cables on the storage array or expansion enclosure.

to access the console:

1. Change the baud rate from 115200 to 9600.

2. Swap the controller slots or try the controller by itself.

3. Connect the serial cable to the other working storage controller and run these commands:

cmgrSetAltToOptimal

altCtlReset 2

resetController_MT 1

If you can't access the controller, you need to examine the support bundle. As I suspect, there is a procedure followed to clear the lockdown level on the controls by going into VXshellusr and running the "lemclearlockdown" command to clear any lockdown level if it is in lockdown state as I suspect. However, it needs a shell user name and password and unfortunately, Dell does not share this information. For this, the support team is called and this process is carried out under their control. Because the operations that are not done in the right order can cause great damage to your system and your data. In this sense, we, unfortunately, do not share shell user information with you. But if you see that there is a lockdown in the controls and somehow you want to try troubleshooting at your own risk, not in cooperation with the support team. You can take a look at other users' experiences by doing a google search of How to clear lockdown MD3820i or MD3X series.

Hope that helps!

Hi, tnx for your support.
I will test your walkthrough. Only one question: I see that the serial port controller side is mini-usb.
So I need a cable Serial->mini-usb? Or what kind of cable?
Tnx

Hi, sure np and yes it is serial>mini USB I checked and found this part number. If you google below the part number and select images you can see similar screenshot.

Hi, today we changed both battery on controller. Now we have on both controller
Power Led -> green

battery fault-> amber
other led off (also fault led now is off)
and display with SE.dF error code.

Why also with battery replacement led is amber? maybe need some reset or clock adjust?

I still not tryed to access by MSDM, maybe now can try again (i think to be in place later for test connection)

PS: don't exists a table with all code error of this display ?

I'm not sure but might be battery needs to be charged and meanwhile, it shows amber. I found in user guide: "Battery fault: Lights amber when battery backup unit or battery has failed. Turns off when battery backup unit is operating normally. "

But I found this thread and it is very similar, I think pls checkout it https://dell.to/3Sx6epv

While waiting for a USB / serial adapter to arrive from amazon, yesterday I tried to connect again to the two controllers via the network.

The strange thing is that now it doesn't even respond to ping: neither with the IP it had before nor with the default ones (having removed the batteries I assumed that they had reset).

The IPs indicated in the manual 192.168.129.101/102 and 192.168.128.101/102 do not seem to work 
When I connect serail cable I can read actual IP address?

The IPs you mentioned should be the default ones. I also think like you about IPs changed. Hmm. but I believe with the serial cable you can follow up with this article https://dell.to/3NeJcCO

Hi, just some update:
I tried to log in with the USB to serial adapter but both controllers are in a pre boot error (due to battery error) and I can't access to the menu where you can read the controller's IP configuration.
A DELL technician came with a new controller but was unable to configure it: the IP addresses were unknown and via the serial line he was unable to access (the problem seems to be sending the "break" command).
I do not understand why a technician who comes to make an intervention in which he already knows that he must connect via a serial port does not have a computer with a serial port or a "certified" adapter by DELL.
Today I got an old notebook with windows XP, serial port and HyperTerminal (WOW !!) and I finally, not without problems, managed to access the menu that gives me the ip addresses (luckily I had read on the forum the password that protects the menu).
The controller took the address 192.168.122.22/24
I set up a new notebook with DELL storage management software, gave it ip 122.3, connected it with a 5 port switch to the controller and pinged it.
I tried automatic storage discovery but it failed.
I added storage by hand via IP, added it but in warning state.
The storage expects a firmware version 08.25.14.60, but the new controller has 08.25.04.60
The DELL technician should return as soon as possible to update the firmware and see if the storage structure is recovered (and then I will re-attach it to the VMWare to see if we recover the machines)

Hello,

thanks for the update.

Let us know if there are still issue after the technician intervention.

Thanks