Instructions for macOS Big Sur (11.x) and later

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 - System Requirements

Hardware

A computer with:

  • Thunderbolt 2*
  • Thunderbolt 3
  • Thunderbolt 4


*Requires Apple Thunderbolt Adapter - not supplied (part number MMEL2ZM/A)


Operating System

  • macOS version 10.13 or later
  • Windows 10

2 - Confirm you have everything

  • SymplySPARK 8 Bay with 8 x HDDs
  • Symply Thunderbolt 3 Certified Cable 2m (6.5ft) 40Gbps 100 W Charging 5A/20V Active Type-C 
  • 2m (6.5 ft) IEC power cord for local region

3 - Prepare for installation

3a - Prepare your SymplySPARK

Before powering on the system, ensure that none of the ventilation holes or the FAN module are blocked or obstructed. Make sure that there are no obstructions around the system that might restrict air flow. Ensure that the environment is within the specified operating conditions specified in this document.

 

Power On Note:  The power on process takes on average 40 seconds, and the system will beep once the POST (Power On Self Test) checks have been completed and the controller heartbeat LED will flash Green @ 1Hz (once per second) signalling the unit is ready

  

Never turn off, remove power, or disconnect the Thunderbolt cable from the host computer while the SymplySPARK RAID volume is mounted on the host computer. Always eject the volume first before powering off the system or disconnecting the Thunderbolt cable.


 

3b - Prepare your Mac

Macs equipped with T2 Security Chips or Apple Silicon M1 Macs ship by default with a Security Policy which blocks Third Party Kernel Extensions. Follow the [instructions in this article] to modify the Security Policy in Recovery Mode using the Startup Security Utility to enable your Mac to communicate with your Symply products.

4 - Install Symply RAID Manager and driver

4a - Download installer package

Driver and utility downloads are available on the [SymplySPARK - Downloads page]

 

4b - Install

Double-click the installation package, you may see this prompt informing you that the installer package isn't signed, click OK

Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General tab, where you will see the following prompt, click Open Anyway to proceed.

The next prompt is macOS checking with you again that you're happy to proceed with opening the installer, click Open if you'd like to proceed


The macOS Installer app now opens, follow the prompts in the Installer app to complete the installation.

4c - Confirm kernel extension permission

During installation a pop-up will present itself requesting permission to allow the kernel extension to be loaded.

 

Clicking in the prompt on Open Security Preferences opens System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General tab, where you will see the following prompt. Click Allow to approve the loading of the kernel extension which enables your Mac to communicate with the SymplySPARK.















4d - Restart

Once the kernel extension has been given permission to load, the system will request a restart. When the Restart button is selected, a message may be displayed stating that the system extension cache is being rebuilt and the Mac will restart.

 

5 - Install Java

5a - Launch Symply RAID Manager

After the reboot you may need to install Java. The simplest way to find out is to open the Symply RAID Manager utility. On the first launch you may first of all be presented with a dialog requesting permission to allow 'bash' to control System Events, click OK to proceed.







5b - Run Java installer

If a suitable version of Java isn't detected then you may see another dialog informing you that you need to install Java.

A Java install package is supplied (Java_8_Update_301). This can be found in the Symply RAID Manager folder in /Applications/Symply RAID Manager. Double-clicking the installation package launches the Java installer, click Install to complete the installation.


6 - Launch Symply RAID Manager

Symply RAID Manager is a support utility. It isn't necessary for SymplySPARK day-to-day operations, and should only be used if you're familiar and comfortable with configuring RAID arrays or are directed to use it by Symply Support. In order to check that all is present and correct, now would be a good time to launch Symply RAID Manager to check it's working. Launching the utility looks like this...

If you have any questions please submit a [support ticket]