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Install and maintain

Requirements to replace the controller - AFF A400

Contributors dougthomp
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Before replacing the controller of your AFF A400 system, verify all other components in the system are functioning properly, ensure you have the correct replacement controller, and save the controller's console output to a text log file.

Review the requirements for replacing the controller module.

Note

NetApp strongly recommends that you enable console logging on the devices you are working with and take the following actions when performing this procedure:

  • Leave AutoSupport enabled during your maintenance. This allows NetApp support to receive diagnostic information if issues occur.

  • Enable session logging for any CLI sessions. This creates a complete record of all commands and system output during the maintenance activity. For guidance on how to enable session logging, see How to configure PuTTY for optimal connectivity to ONTAP systems.

  • All drive shelves must be working properly.

  • The healthy controller must be able to take over the controller being replaced (referred to in this procedure as the impaired controller).

  • Do not use this procedure for controller upgrades. Refer to Choose your controller hardware upgrade procedure for guidance.

  • If your system is in a MetroCluster configuration, review Choosing the correct recovery procedure to determine whether to use this procedure.

  • Replace the failed component with the field-replaceable unit (FRU) you received from NetApp.

  • Replace the controller module with a controller module of the same model type. You cannot upgrade your system by replacing the controller module.

  • You cannot change drives or drive shelves as part of this procedure.

  • In this procedure, the boot device is moved from the impaired controller to the replacement controller so that the replacement controller will boot up in the same version of ONTAP as the old controller module.

  • Understand the controller terminology used in this procedure:

    • The impaired controller is the controller being replaced.

    • The replacement controller is the new controller replacing the impaired controller.

    • The healthy controller is the surviving controller.

  • Use security key-manager onboard show-key-store to check whether Onboard Key Manager (OKM) is configured. If so, retrieve the cluster-wide passphrase using security key-manager onboard show-backup or contact NetApp Support before starting this procedure.

What's next?

After you've reviewed the requirements to replace your AFF A400 controller, you need to shut down the impaired controller.