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Install and maintain

Replace the boot media for automated boot recovery - AFF A70 and AFF A90

Contributors netapp-lisa dougthomp
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The boot media in your AFF A70 or AFF A90 storage system stores essential firmware and configuration data. The replacement process involves removing the System Management module, removing the impaired boot media, installing the replacement boot media in the System Management module, and then reinstalling the System Management module.

The automated boot media recovery process is supported only in ONTAP 9.17.1 and later. If your storage system is running an earlier version of ONTAP, use the manual boot recovery procedure.

The boot media is located inside the System Management module and is accessed by removing the module from the system.

Steps

  1. Make sure NVRAM destage has completed before proceeding. When the LED on the NV module is off, NVRAM is destaged. If the LED is flashing, wait for the flashing to stop. If flashing continues for longer than 5 minutes, contact Technical Support for assistance.

    NVRAM attention and status LED location graphic

    Callout number 1

    NVRAM status LED

    Callout number 2

    NVRAM attention LED

    • If the NV LED is off, go to the next step.

    • If the NV LED is flashing, wait for the flashing to stop. If flashing continues for longer than 5 minutes, contact Technical Support for assistance.

  2. Go to the rear of the chassis. If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.

  3. Unplug the controller's PSUs.

    Note If your system has DC power, disconnect the power block from the PSUs.

    1. Remove any cables connected to the System Management module. Make sure to label where the cables were connected, so that you can connect them to the correct ports when you reinstall the module.

    2. Rotate the cable management tray down by pulling the buttons on both sides on the inside of the cable management tray and then rotate the tray down.

    3. Depress the system management cam button. The cam lever moves away from the chassis.

    4. Rotate the cam lever all the way down and remove the System Management module from the controller module.

    5. Place the System Management module on an anti-static mat, so that the boot media is accessible.

  4. Remove the boot media from the management module:

    Boot media replace graphic
    Callout number 1

    System Management module cam latch
    Callout number 2

    Boot media locking button
    Callout number 3

    Boot media

    1. Press the blue locking button.

    2. Rotate the boot media up, slide it out of the socket, and set it aside.

  5. Install the replacement boot media into the System Management module:

    1. Align the edges of the boot media with the socket housing, and then gently push it squarely into the socket.

    2. Rotate the boot media down toward the locking button.

    3. Push the locking button, rotate the boot media all the way down and then release the locking button.

  6. Reinstall the System Management module:

    1. Rotate the cable management tray up to the closed position.

    2. Recable the System Management module.

  7. Plug the power cords into the power supplies. The controller reboots as soon as power is restored.

    Note If you have DC power supplies, reconnect the power block to the power supplies.

  8. Interrupt the boot process by pressing Ctrl-C to stop at the LOADER prompt.

What's next

After physically replacing the impaired boot media, restore the ONTAP image from the partner node.