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ONTAP MetroCluster

Choose a controller upgrade procedure

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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.

Choosing a procedure that uses the switchover and switchback process

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.

Supported MetroCluster IP controller upgrades

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

Important

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.
metrocluster ip upgrade table 914

Supported MetroCluster FC controller upgrades

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

Important

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.
metrocluster fc upgrade table 914

  • Note 1: For upgrading controllers when FCVI connections on existing FAS8020 or AFF8020 nodes use ports 1c and 1d, see the following Knowledge base article.

  • Note 2: Controller upgrades from AFF A300 or FAS8200 platforms using onboard ports 0e and 0f as FC-VI connections are only supported on the following systems:

    • ONTAP 9.9.1 and earlier

    • ONTAP 9.10.1P9

    • ONTAP 9.11.1P5

    • ONTAP 9.12.1GA

    • ONTAP 9.13.1 and later

      For more information, review the Public Report.

  • Note 3: For this upgrade refer to Upgrade controllers from AFF A700/FAS9000 to AFF A900/FAS9500 in a MetroCluster FC configuration using switchover and switchback (ONTAP 9.10.1 or later)

  • Note 4: Controller upgrades are supported on systems running ONTAP 9.13.1 or later.

  • Note 5: Controller upgrades are supported on systems running ONTAP 9.14.1 or later.

  • All nodes in the MetroCluster configuration must be running the same ONTAP version. For example, the new controllers must be running the same ONTAP version as the old controllers.

MetroCluster type

Upgrade method

ONTAP version

Procedure

IP

Upgrade with 'system controller replace' commands

9.13.1 and later

Link to procedure

FC

Upgrade with 'system controller replace' commands

9.10.1 and later

Link to procedure

FC

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

9.10.1 and later

Link to procedure

IP

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

9.10.1 and later

Link to procedure

FC

Manual upgrade with CLI commands

9.8 and later

Link to procedure

IP

Manual upgrade with CLI commands

9.8 and later

Link to procedure

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

Link to procedure

FC

Using system controller replace commands

9.8 and later

Link to procedure

FC

Using system controller replace commands

9.5 through 9.7

Link to procedure

FC

Using manual ARL commands

9.8

Link to procedure

FC

Using manual ARL commands

9.7 and earlier

Link to procedure