Skip to main content
Install and maintain

Replace the controller module hardware - AFF A70, AFF A90

Contributors dougthomp
PDFs

To replace the controller, you must remove the impaired controller, move FRU components from the impaired controller module to the replacement controller module, install the replacement controller module in the chassis, and then boot the system to Maintenance mode.

Step 1: Remove the controller module

You must remove the controller module from the chassis when you replace the controller module or replace a component inside the controller module.

  1. On the front of the chassis, use your thumbs to firmly push each drive in until you feel a positive stop. This ensures that the drives are firmly seated against the chassis midplane.

    drw a800 drive seated IEOPS 960

  2. Check the amber NVRAM that status LED located in slot 4/5 on the back of the impaired controller module is off. Look for the NV icon.

    NVRAM attention and status LED location graphic

    Callout number 1

    NVRAM status LED

    Callout number 1

    NVRAM attention LED
    Note If the NVRAM status LED is flashing, it could mean the controller module was not taken over or halted properly (uncommitted data). If the impaired controller module was not successfully taken over by the partner controller module, contact NetApp Support before continuing with this procedure.

    The general behavior of the NVRAM status LED on the impaired controller module is as follows:

    • The NVRAM status LED flashes when power is removed from the controller module and the storage system is in the "waiting for giveback" state, or the controller module is not taken over or halted properly (uncommitted data).

    • The NVRAM status LED flashes when the controller module is removed from the chassis and could mean the controller module is not taken over or halted properly (uncommitted data). Confirm that the controller module has been cleanly takeover by the partner controller module or the impaired controller module shows waiting for giveback. Then, the flashing LED can be ignored (and the controller module can be removed from the chassis).

  3. If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.

  4. Unplug the controller module power supply cables from the controller module power supplies (PSU).

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

  5. Unplug the system cables and SFP and QSFP modules (if needed) from the controller module, keeping track of where the cables were connected.

    Leave the cables in the cable management device so that when you reinstall the cable management device, the cables are organized.

  6. Remove the cable management device from the controller module.

  7. Press down on both of the locking latches, and then rotate both latches downward at the same time.

    The controller module moves slightly out of the chassis.

    Controller remove graphic

    Callout number 1

    a Locking latch

    Callout number 2

    Locking pin

  8. Slide the controller module out of the chassis and place it on a flat, stable surface.

    Make sure that you support the bottom of the controller module as you slide it out of the chassis.

Step 2: Move the power supplies

Move the power supplies to the replacement controller.

  1. Rotate the cam handle such that it can be used to pull power supply out of the controller module while pressing the locking tab.

    Caution The power supply is short. Always use two hands to support it when removing it from the controller module so that it does not suddenly swing free from the controller module and injure you.
    PSU remove
    Callout number 1

    Terracotta PSU locking tab
    Callout number 2

    Power supply

  2. Move the power supply to the new controller module, and then install it.

  3. Using both hands, support and align the edges of the power supply with the opening in the controller module, and then gently push the power supply into the controller module until the locking tab clicks into place.

    The power supplies will only properly engage with the internal connector and lock in place one way.

    Note To avoid damaging the internal connector, do not use excessive force when sliding the power supply into the system.

Step 3: Move the fans

Move the fans modules to the replacement controller module.

  1. Remove the fan module by pinching the locking tabs on the side of the fan module, and then lifting the fan module straight out of the controller module.

    Remove fans
    Callout number 1

    Fan locking tabs
    Callout number 2

    Fan module

  2. Move the fan module to the replacement controller module, and then install the fan module by aligning its edges with the opening in the controller module, and then sliding the fan module into the controller module until the locking latches click into place.

  3. Repeat these steps for the remaining fan modules.

Step 4: Move the NV battery

Move the NV battery to the replacement controller module.

  1. Open the air duct cover in the middle of the controller module and locate the NV battery.

    Move the NV battery
    Callout number 1

    NV battery air duct
    Callout number 2

    NV battery pack plug

    Attention: The NV module LED blinks while destaging contents to the flash memory when you halt the system. After the destage is complete, the LED turns off.

  2. Lift the battery up to access the battery plug.

  3. Squeeze the clip on the face of the battery plug to release the plug from the socket, and then unplug the battery cable from the socket.

  4. Lift the battery out of the air duct and controller module.

  5. Move the battery pack to the replacement controller module and then install it in the replacement controller module:

    1. Open the NV battery air duct in the replacement controller module.

    2. Plug the battery plug into the socket and make sure that the plug locks into place.

    3. Insert the battery pack into the slot and press firmly down on the battery pack to make sure that it is locked into place.

    4. Close the NV battery air duct.

Step 5: Move system DIMMs

Move the DIMMs to the replacement controller module.

  1. Open the controller air duct on the top of the controller.

    1. Insert your fingers in the recesses at the far ends of the air duct.

    2. Lift the air duct and rotate it upward as far as it will go.

  2. Locate the system DIMMs on the motherboard.

    DIMM map
    Callout number 1

    System DIMM

  3. Note the orientation of the DIMM in the socket so that you can insert the DIMM in the replacement controller module in the proper orientation.

  4. Eject the DIMM from its slot by slowly pushing apart the two DIMM ejector tabs on either side of the DIMM, and then slide the DIMM out of the slot.

    Note Carefully hold the DIMM by the edges to avoid pressure on the components on the DIMM circuit board.

  5. Locate the slot on the replacement controller module where you are installing the DIMM.

  6. Insert the DIMM squarely into the slot.

    The DIMM fits tightly in the slot, but should go in easily. If not, realign the DIMM with the slot and reinsert it.

    Note Visually inspect the DIMM to verify that it is evenly aligned and fully inserted into the slot.

  7. Push carefully, but firmly, on the top edge of the DIMM until the ejector tabs snap into place over the notches at the ends of the DIMM.

  8. Repeat these steps for the remaining DIMMs.

  9. Close the controller air duct.

Step 6: Move the I/O modules

Move the I/O modules to the replacement controller module.

Remove I/O module
Callout number 1

I/O module cam lever

  1. Unplug any cabling on the target I/O module.

    Make sure that you label the cables so that you know where they came from.

  2. Rotate the cable management arm down by pulling the buttons on the inside of the cable management arm and rotating it down.

  3. Remove the I/O modules from the controller module:

    1. Depress the target I/O module cam latch button.

      The cam lever moves away from the controller module.

    2. Rotate the cam latch down as far as it will go. For horizontal modules, rotate the cam away from the module as far as it will go.

    3. Remove the module from the controller module by hooking your finger into the cam lever opening and pulling the module out of the controller module.

      Make sure that you keep track of which slot the I/O module was in.

    4. Install the replacement I/O module into the replacement controller module by gently sliding the I/O module into the slot until the I/O cam latch begins to engage with the I/O cam pin, and then push the I/O cam latch all the way up to lock the module in place.

  4. Repeat these steps to move the remaining I/O modules, except the modules in slots 6 and 7, to the replacement controller module.

    Note To move the I/O modules from slots 6 and 7, you must move the carrier containing these I/O modules from the impaired controller module to the replacement controller module.

  5. Move the carrier containing the I/O modules in slots 6 and 7 to the replacement controller module:

    1. Press the button on the right-most handle on the carrier handle. ..Slide the carrier out of the impaired controller module insert it into the replacement controller module in the same position it was in the impaired controller module.

    2. Gently push the carrier all the way into the replacement controller module until it locks into place.

Step 7: Move the System Management module

Move the System Management module to the replacement controller module.

Replace the System Management module
Callout number 1

System Management module cam latch
Callout number 2

Boot media locking button
Callout number 3

Replacement System Management module

  1. Remove the System Management module from the impaired controller module:

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

    2. Rotate the cam lever all the way down.

    3. Loop your finger into the cam lever and pull the module straight out of the system.

  2. Install the system management module into the replacement controller module in the same slot that it was in on the impaired controller module:

    1. Align the edges of the System Management module with the system opening and gently push it into the controller module.

    2. Gently slide the module into the slot until the cam latch begins to engage with the I/O cam pin, and then rotate the cam latch all the way up to lock the module in place.

Step 8: Move the NVRAM module

Move the NVRAM module to the replacement controller module.

Remove the NVRAM12 module and DIMMs

Callout number 1

Cam locking button

Callout number 2

DIMM locking tab

  1. Remove the NVRAM module from the impaired controller module:

    1. Depress the cam latch button.

      The cam button moves away from the chassis.

    2. Rotate the cam latch as far as it will go.

    3. Remove the NVRAM module from the enclosure by hooking your finger into the cam lever opening and pulling the module out of the enclosure.

  2. Install the NVRAM module into slot 4/5 in the replacement controller module:

    1. Align the module with the edges of the chassis opening in slot 4/5.

    2. Gently slide the module into the slot all the way, and then push the cam latch all the way up to lock the module in place.

Step 9: Install the controller module

Reinstall the controller module and reboot it.

  1. Ensure the air duct is completely closed by rotating it down as far as it will go.

    It must lie flush against the controller module sheet metal.

  2. Align the end of the controller module with the opening in the chassis, and then gently push the controller module halfway into the system.

    Note Do not completely insert the controller module in the chassis until instructed to do so.

  3. Recable the system, as needed.

    If you removed the transceivers (QSFPs or SFPs), remember to reinstall them if you are using fiber optic cables.

  4. Complete the reinstallation of the controller module:

    1. Firmly push the controller module into the chassis until it meets the midplane and is fully seated.

      The locking latches rise when the controller module is fully seated.

    Note Do not use excessive force when sliding the controller module into the chassis to avoid damaging the connectors.

    1. Rotate the locking latches upward into the locked position.

  5. Plug the power cords into the power supplies.

    Note If you have DC power supplies, reconnect the power block to the power supplies after the controller module is fully seated in the chassis.

    The controller module boots when power is restored. If it boots to the LOADER prompt, reboot the controller with the boot_ontap command.

  6. Restore automatic giveback if you disabled it by using the storage failover modify -node local -auto-giveback true command.

  7. If AutoSupport is enabled, restore/unsuppress automatic case creation by using the system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message MAINT=END command.

  8. If you have not already done so, reinstall the cable management device and recable the controller.