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ONTAP MetroCluster

Choose a controller upgrade procedure

Contributors netapp-aoife netapp-pcarriga

The controller upgrade procedure you use depends on the platform model and type of MetroCluster configuration.

In an upgrade procedure, the controllers are replaced with a new controller model. The storage shelf models are not upgraded.

  • In switchover and switchback procedures, the MetroCluster switchover operation is used to provide nondisruptive service to clients while the controller modules on the partner cluster are upgraded.

  • In an ARL-based controller upgrade procedure, the aggregate relocation operations are used to nondisruptively move data from the old configuration to the new, upgraded configuration.

Supported controller upgrades

Select your Current platform from the FC or IP table below. If the intersection of the Current platform row and Target platform column is blank, the upgrade is not supported.

Note For supported upgrades using system controller replace commands in a four-node MetroCluster IP configuration, refer to the table in Upgrade controllers in a four-node MetroCluster IP configuration using switchover and switchback with "system controller replace" commands (ONTAP 9.13.1 and later)

Supported MetroCluster IP controller upgrades

  • If your platform is not listed, there is no supported controller upgrade combination.

  • When you perform a controller upgrade, the old and the new platform type must match:

    • You can upgrade a FAS system to a FAS system, or an AFF A-Series to an AFF A-Series.

    • You cannot upgrade a FAS system to an AFF A-Series, or an AFF A-Series to an AFF C-Series.

      For example, if the platform you want to upgrade is a FAS8200, you can upgrade to a FAS9000. You cannot upgrade a FAS8200 system to an AFF A700 system.

  • All nodes (old and new) in the MetroCluster configuration must be running the same ONTAP version.

Supported AFF and FAS MetroCluster IP controller upgrades

The following table shows the supported platform combinations for upgrading an AFF or FAS system in a MetroCluster IP configuration:

metrocluster ip upgrade so sb aff fas
Supported ASA MetroCluster IP controller upgrades

The following table shows the supported platform combinations for upgrading an ASA system in a MetroCluster IP configuration:

metrocluster ip upgrade so sb asa fas
  • Note 1: Controller upgrades are supported on systems running ONTAP 9.13.1 or later.

Supported MetroCluster FC controller upgrades

  • If your platform is not listed, there is no supported controller upgrade combination.

  • When you perform a controller upgrade, the old and the new platform type must match:

    • You can upgrade a FAS system to a FAS system, or an AFF A-Series to an AFF A-Series.

    • You cannot upgrade a FAS system to an AFF A-Series, or an AFF A-Series to an AFF C-Series.

      For example, if the platform you want to upgrade is a FAS8200, you can upgrade to a FAS9000. You cannot upgrade a FAS8200 system to an AFF A700 system.

  • All nodes (old and new) in the MetroCluster configuration must be running the same ONTAP version.

Supported AFF and FAS MetroCluster FC controller upgrades

The following table shows the supported platform combinations for upgrading an AFF or FAS system in a MetroCluster FC configuration:

metrocluster fc upgrade table aff fas
Supported ASA MetroCluster FC controller upgrades

The following table shows the supported platform combinations for upgrading an ASA system in a MetroCluster FC configuration:

Source MetroCluster FC platform Destination MetroCluster FC platform Supported?

ASA A400

ASA A400

Yes

ASA A900

No

ASA A900

ASA A400

No

ASA A900

Yes (see Note 1)

  • Note 1: Controller upgrades are supported on systems running ONTAP 9.14.1 or later.

Choose a procedure that uses the switchover and switchback process

After reviewing the supported upgrade combinations, choose the correct controller upgrade procedure for your configuration.

MetroCluster type

Upgrade method

ONTAP version

Procedure

IP

Upgrade with 'system controller replace' commands

9.13.1 and later

FC

Upgrade with 'system controller replace' commands

9.10.1 and later

FC

Manual upgrade with CLI commands (AFF A700/FAS9000 to AFF A900/FAS9500 only)

9.10.1 and later

IP

Manual upgrade with CLI commands (AFF A700/FAS9000 to AFF A900/FAS9500 only)

9.10.1 and later

FC

Manual upgrade with CLI commands

9.8 and later

IP

Manual upgrade with CLI commands

9.8 and later

Choosing a procedure using aggregate relocation

In an ARL-based controller upgrade procedure, the aggregate relocation operations are used to nondisruptively move data from the old configuration to the new, upgraded configuration.

MetroCluster type Aggregate relocation ONTAP version Procedure

FC

Using "system controller replace" commands to upgrade controller models in the same chassis

9.10.1 and later

FC

Using system controller replace commands

9.8 and later

FC

Using system controller replace commands

9.5 through 9.7

FC

Using manual ARL commands

9.8

FC

Using manual ARL commands

9.7 and earlier