Adding an option drive is a very common upgrade for a SGI workstation. The option drive is usually configured to hold the files for local users' accounts, typically under the directory /usr/people. Whatever your purpose, adding an option drive with one partition is usually an ucomplicated task. This document is designed to help you add the option drive yourself. The two models of workstations covered are the Indy and Indigo2. It covers installing the disk with the GUI Disk Manager Tools.

Determining an Address for the New Drive

Note: If you are installing a drive mounted on an autodetecting sled into an Indigo2, you may skip this step.

Before you install the drive, you should start the Disk Manager (found under the System menu on the Toolchest) and find a unique disk address between 1 and 6 for your new drive. The disk address is listed on a button beneath each drive, and is the second number listed. For example, if the label reads "SCSI Disk 0,1", the disk address for that drive is 1. Select a number between 1 and 6 that is not currently used, and continue to the next step.

Setting the SCSI ID on the New Drive

Note: If you are installing a drive mounted on an autodetecting sled into an Indigo2, you may skip this step.

Once you have decided on a disk address, set the drive's SCSI ID to that address. There are too many different drives out there to describe how this is done. The documentation that came with the drive should provide you with that information. This can usually be done by moving jumpers around on the drive.

Power Down the Machine

You can power down the machine by typing, as root, the command

/etc/shutdown -h -y -i0 -g0

in a UNIX shell. The machine MUST be off before you continue.

Getting to the Drive

Indy Workstation

In order to get to the drive bays on an Indy workstation, you must remove the top cover of the workstation. Remove everything (monitor, books, yesterday's lunch, etc...) from the top of the machine, and unlock the machine, if it is locked. Pull the cover toward you and up; it should come right off.

Indigo2 Workstation

On the Indigo2 workstations, all you need to do is remove the front plate.  To do this, flip the front flap down, pull the security bar out (unlock the machine first), and press down on the two tabs, pulling out as you do. This will expose the three drive bays.

Installing the Drive

Indigo2 Workstation

For the Indigo2 workstations, simply slide the drive/sled combo into a free drive bay. Be certain the sled has been inserted all the way, and the locking bar is as far to the right as possible. Replace the front clap and security bar.

Indy Workstation

Remove an empty sled from the case (it should slide off to the left), and fasten the drive to it. Slide the sled back into place, and attach the power cable and bus cable (that's the one with a thin, wide, gray cable) to the drive. Replace the cover.

Powering up the Machine

Power up the machine, and log in as root. Start up the Disk Manager (found under the System menu on the Toolchest). Your new drive should appear on the list of drives available, and will be listed as inactive. If it is not, verify the SCSI ID on your new drive is set properly, and that the cables/sleds have been inserted.

Repartitioning the Drive

Click the button underneath the new drive. Another window should appear. Verify that the drive in the new window has the same address as your new drive. If is does, click the "Initialize" button, and answer any questions the Disk Manager might ask you.

Mounting the Drive

Once you have initialized the drive, you will want to mount it. Press the "Mount" button, and enter the directory where you want to mount the drive under (i.e. /usr/people).

Problems?

If you have any problems, contact your SGI Varsity Contact for assistance.

Congratulations, you're done!