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BeeGFS on NetApp with E-Series Storage

Upgrade E-Series storage array

Contributors mcwhiteside
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Follow these steps to upgrade the HA cluster's E-Series storage arrays (block nodes).

Overview

Keeping your HA cluster's NetApp E-Series storage arrays up-to-date with the latest firmware ensures optimal performance and improved security. Firmware updates for the storage array are applied using SANtricity OS, NVSRAM, and drive firmware files.

Important While the storage arrays can be upgraded with the HA cluster online, it is recommended to place the cluster into maintenance mode for all upgrades.

Block node upgrade steps

The following steps outline how to update the storage arrays's firmware using the Netapp_Eseries.Santricity Ansible collection. Before proceeding, review the Upgrade considerations for updating E-Series systems.

Note Upgrading to SANtricity OS 11.80 or later releases is only possible from 11.70.5P1. The storage array must first be upgraded to 11.70.5P1 before applying further upgrades.

  1. Validate your Ansible control node is using the latest Santricity Ansible Collection.

    • For collection upgrades with access to Ansible Galaxy, run the following command:

      ansible-galaxy collection install netapp_eseries.santricity --upgrade

    • For offline upgrades, download the collection tarball from Ansible Galaxy, transfer it to your control node, and execute:

      ansible-galaxy collection install netapp_eseries-santricity-<VERSION>.tar.gz --upgrade

      See Installing Collections for more information.

  2. Obtain the latest firmware for your storage array and drives.

    1. Download the firmware files.

      • SANtricity OS and NVSRAM: Navigate to the NetApp support site and download the latest release of SANtricity OS and NVSRAM for your storage array model.

      • Drive Firmware: Navigate to the E-Series disk firmware site and download the latest firmware for each of your storage array's drive models.

    2. Store the SANtricity OS, NVSRAM, and drive firmware files in your Ansible control node's <inventory_directory>/packages directory.

  3. If necessary, update your cluster's Ansible inventory files to include all storage arrays (block nodes) requiring updates. For guidance, see the Ansible Inventory Overview section.

  4. Ensure the cluster is in an optimal state with each BeeGFS service is on its preferred node. Refer to Examine the state of the cluster for details.

  5. Place the cluster in maintenance mode following the instructions in Place the cluster in maintenance mode.

  6. Create a new Ansible playbook named update_block_node_playbook.yml. Populate the playbook with the following content, replacing the Santricity OS, NVSRAM, and drive firmware versions to your desired upgrade path:

    - hosts: eseries_storage_systems
  gather_facts: false
  any_errors_fatal: true
  collections:
    - netapp_eseries.santricity
  vars:
    eseries_firmware_firmware: "packages/<SantricityOS>.dlp"
    eseries_firmware_nvsram: "packages/<NVSRAM>.dlp"
    eseries_drive_firmware_firmware_list:
      - "packages/<drive_firmware>.dlp"
    eseries_drive_firmware_upgrade_drives_online: true

  tasks:
    - name: Configure NetApp E-Series block nodes.
      import_role:
        name: nar_santricity_management

  7. To start the updates, execute the following command from your Ansible control node:

    ansible-playbook -i inventory.yml update_block_node_playbook.yml

  8. After the playbook completes, verify each storage array is in an optimal state.

  9. Move the cluster out of maintenance mode and validate the cluster is in an optimal state with each BeeGFS service is on its preferred node.