If you plan to add, upgrade, or replace a host interface card (HIC), keep the
following requirements in mind.
- You have scheduled a downtime maintenance window for this procedure. The power must be off when you install HICs, so you cannot access data on the storage array until you have successfully completed this procedure. (In a duplex configuration, this is because both controllers must have the same HIC configuration when they are powered on.)
- You have one or two HICs, based on whether you have one or two controllers in your storage array. The HICs must be compatible with your controllers.
If you have a duplex configuration (two controllers), the HICs installed in the two controller canisters must be identical. The presence of mismatched HICs causes the controller with the replacement HIC to lock down when you bring it online.
- You have all cables, transceivers, switches, and host bus adapters (HBAs) needed to connect the new host ports.
For information about compatible hardware, refer to the NetApp Interoperability Matrix or the NetApp Hardware Universe.
- You have an ESD wristband, or you have taken other antistatic precautions.
- You have a #1 Phillips screwdriver.
- You have labels to identify each cable that is connected to the controller canister.
- You have installed SANtricity Storage Manager on a management station, so you can use the storage array's command line interface (CLI).
If SANtricity Storage Manager has not yet been installed, follow the instructions in the Linux express configuration, Windows express configuration, or VMware express configuration to download and install the software.