Replace the NVRAM module or NVRAM DIMMs - AFF A700

08/16/2023 Contributors

The NVRAM module consists of the NVRAM10 and DIMMs and up to two NVMe SSD Flash Cache modules (FlashCache or caching modules) per NVRAM module. You can replace a failed NVRAM module or the DIMMs inside the NVRAM module.

To replace a failed NVRAM module, you must remove it from the chassis, remove the FlashCache module or modules from the NVRAM module, move the DIMMs to the replacement module, reinstall the FlashCache module or modules, and install the replacement NVRAM module into the chassis.

Because the system ID is derived from the NVRAM module, if replacing the module, disks belonging to the system are reassigned to the new system ID.

Before you begin

All disk shelves must be working properly.
If your system is in an HA pair, the partner node must be able to take over the node associated with the NVRAM module that is being replaced.
This procedure uses the following terminology:
- The impaired node is the node on which you are performing maintenance.
- The healthy node is the HA partner of the impaired node.
This procedure includes steps for automatically or manually reassigning disks to the controller module associated with the new NVRAM module. You must reassign the disks when directed to in the procedure. Completing the disk reassignment before giveback can cause issues.
You must replace the failed component with a replacement FRU component you received from your provider.
You cannot change any disks or disk shelves as part of this procedure.

Step 1: Shut down the impaired controller

Shut down or take over the impaired controller using one of the following options.

Option 1: Most systems

To shut down the impaired controller, you must determine the status of the controller and, if necessary, take over the controller so that the healthy controller continues to serve data from the impaired controller storage.

About this task

If you have a SAN system, you must have checked event messages (cluster kernel-service show) for the impaired controller SCSI blade. The cluster kernel-service show command (from priv advanced mode) displays the node name, quorum status of that node, availability status of that node, and operational status of that node.

Each SCSI-blade process should be in quorum with the other nodes in the cluster. Any issues must be resolved before you proceed with the replacement.
If you have a cluster with more than two nodes, it must be in quorum. If the cluster is not in quorum or a healthy controller shows false for eligibility and health, you must correct the issue before shutting down the impaired controller; see Synchronize a node with the cluster.

Steps

If AutoSupport is enabled, suppress automatic case creation by invoking an AutoSupport message: system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message MAINT=<# of hours>h

The following AutoSupport message suppresses automatic case creation for two hours: cluster1:> system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message MAINT=2h
Disable automatic giveback from the console of the healthy controller: storage failover modify –node local -auto-giveback false

When you see Do you want to disable auto-giveback?, enter y.

Take the impaired controller to the LOADER prompt:

If the impaired controller is displaying… Then…

If the impaired controller is displaying…	Then…
The LOADER prompt	Go to the next step.
Waiting for giveback…	Press Ctrl-C, and then respond `y` when prompted.
System prompt or password prompt	Take over or halt the impaired controller from the healthy controller: `storage failover takeover -ofnode impaired_node_name` When the impaired controller shows Waiting for giveback…, press Ctrl-C, and then respond `y`.

The LOADER prompt

Go to the next step.

Waiting for giveback…

Press Ctrl-C, and then respond y when prompted.

System prompt or password prompt

Take over or halt the impaired controller from the healthy controller: storage failover takeover -ofnode impaired_node_name

When the impaired controller shows Waiting for giveback…, press Ctrl-C, and then respond y.

Option 2: Controller is in a Two-node MetroCluster

To shut down the impaired controller, you must determine the status of the controller and, if necessary, switch over the controller so that the healthy controller continues to serve data from the impaired controller storage.

About this task

You must leave the power supplies turned on at the end of this procedure to provide power to the healthy controller.

Steps

Check the MetroCluster status to determine whether the impaired controller has automatically switched over to the healthy controller: metrocluster show

Depending on whether an automatic switchover has occurred, proceed according to the following table:

If the impaired controller… Then…

If the impaired controller…	Then…
Has automatically switched over	Proceed to the next step.
Has not automatically switched over	Perform a planned switchover operation from the healthy controller: `metrocluster switchover`
Has not automatically switched over, you attempted switchover with the `metrocluster switchover` command, and the switchover was vetoed	Review the veto messages and, if possible, resolve the issue and try again. If you are unable to resolve the issue, contact technical support.

Has automatically switched over

Proceed to the next step.

Has not automatically switched over

Perform a planned switchover operation from the healthy controller: metrocluster switchover

Has not automatically switched over, you attempted switchover with the metrocluster switchover command, and the switchover was vetoed

Review the veto messages and, if possible, resolve the issue and try again. If you are unable to resolve the issue, contact technical support.

Resynchronize the data aggregates by running the metrocluster heal -phase aggregates command from the surviving cluster.
```
controller_A_1::> metrocluster heal -phase aggregates
[Job 130] Job succeeded: Heal Aggregates is successful.
```
If the healing is vetoed, you have the option of reissuing the metrocluster heal command with the -override-vetoes parameter. If you use this optional parameter, the system overrides any soft vetoes that prevent the healing operation.

Verify that the operation has been completed by using the metrocluster operation show command.

controller_A_1::> metrocluster operation show
    Operation: heal-aggregates
      State: successful
Start Time: 7/25/2016 18:45:55
   End Time: 7/25/2016 18:45:56
     Errors: -

Check the state of the aggregates by using the storage aggregate show command.

controller_A_1::> storage aggregate show
Aggregate     Size Available Used% State   #Vols  Nodes            RAID Status
--------- -------- --------- ----- ------- ------ ---------------- ------------
...
aggr_b2    227.1GB   227.1GB    0% online       0 mcc1-a2          raid_dp, mirrored, normal...

Heal the root aggregates by using the metrocluster heal -phase root-aggregates command.
```
mcc1A::> metrocluster heal -phase root-aggregates
[Job 137] Job succeeded: Heal Root Aggregates is successful
```
If the healing is vetoed, you have the option of reissuing the metrocluster heal command with the -override-vetoes parameter. If you use this optional parameter, the system overrides any soft vetoes that prevent the healing operation.

Verify that the heal operation is complete by using the metrocluster operation show command on the destination cluster:

mcc1A::> metrocluster operation show
  Operation: heal-root-aggregates
      State: successful
 Start Time: 7/29/2016 20:54:41
   End Time: 7/29/2016 20:54:42
     Errors: -

On the impaired controller module, disconnect the power supplies.

Step 2: Replace the NVRAM module

To replace the NVRAM module, locate it in slot 6 in the chassis and follow the specific sequence of steps.

Steps

If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.
Move the FlashCache module from the old NVRAM module to the new NVRAM module:

Orange release button (gray on empty FlashCache modules)

FlashCache cam handle
1. Press the orange button on the front of the FlashCache module.
  
  The release button on empty FlashCache modules is gray.
2. Swing the cam handle out until the module begins to slide out of the old NVRAM module.
3. Grasp the module cam handle and slide it out of the NVRAM module and insert it into the front of the new NVRAM module.
4. Gently push the FlashCache module all the way into the NVRAM module, and then swing the cam handle closed until it locks the module in place.
Remove the target NVRAM module from the chassis:
1. Depress the lettered and numbered cam button.
  
  The cam button moves away from the chassis.
2. Rotate the cam latch down until it is in a horizontal position.
  
  The NVRAM module disengages from the chassis and moves out a few inches.
3. Remove the NVRAM module from the chassis by pulling on the pull tabs on the sides of the module face.
  
  Lettered and numbered I/O cam latch
  
  I/O latch completely unlocked
Set the NVRAM module on a stable surface and remove the cover from the NVRAM module by pushing down on the blue locking button on the cover, and then, while holding down the blue button, slide the lid off the NVRAM module.

Cover locking button

DIMM and DIMM ejector tabs
Remove the DIMMs, one at a time, from the old NVRAM module and install them in the replacement NVRAM module.
Close the cover on the module.
Install the replacement NVRAM module into the chassis:
1. Align the module with the edges of the chassis opening in slot 6.
2. Gently slide the module into the slot until the lettered and numbered 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.

Step 3: Replace a NVRAM DIMM

To replace NVRAM DIMMs in the NVRAM module, you must remove the NVRAM module, open the module, and then replace the target DIMM.

Steps

If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.
Remove the target NVRAM module from the chassis:
1. Depress the lettered and numbered cam button.
  
  The cam button moves away from the chassis.
2. Rotate the cam latch down until it is in a horizontal position.
  
  The NVRAM module disengages from the chassis and moves out a few inches.
3. Remove the NVRAM module from the chassis by pulling on the pull tabs on the sides of the module face.
  
  Lettered and numbered I/O cam latch
  
  I/O latch completely unlocked
Set the NVRAM module on a stable surface and remove the cover from the NVRAM module by pushing down on the blue locking button on the cover, and then, while holding down the blue button, slide the lid off the NVRAM module.

Cover locking button

DIMM and DIMM ejector tabs
Locate the DIMM to be replaced inside the NVRAM module, and then remove it by pressing down on the DIMM locking tabs and lifting the DIMM out of the socket.
Install the replacement DIMM by aligning the DIMM with the socket and gently pushing the DIMM into the socket until the locking tabs lock in place.
Close the cover on the module.
Install the replacement NVRAM module into the chassis:
1. Align the module with the edges of the chassis opening in slot 6.
2. Gently slide the module into the slot until the lettered and numbered 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.

Step 4: Reboot the controller after FRU replacement

After you replace the FRU, you must reboot the controller module.

Step

To boot ONTAP from the LOADER prompt, enter bye.

Step 5: Reassign disks

Depending on whether you have an HA pair or two-node MetroCluster configuration, you must either verify the reassignment of disks to the new controller module or manually reassign the disks.

Select one of the following options for instructions on how to reassign disks to the new controller.

Option 1: Verify ID (HA pair)

Verify the system ID change on an HA system

You must confirm the system ID change when you boot the replacement node and then verify that the change was implemented.

Disk reassignment is only needed when replacing the NVRAM module and does not apply to NVRAM DIMM replacement.

Steps

If the replacement node is in Maintenance mode (showing the *> prompt, exit Maintenance mode and go to the LOADER prompt: halt
From the LOADER prompt on the replacement node, boot the node, entering y if you are prompted to override the system ID due to a system ID mismatch.

boot_ontap bye

The node will reboot, if autoboot is set.

Wait until the Waiting for giveback… message is displayed on the replacement node console and then, from the healthy node, verify that the new partner system ID has been automatically assigned: storage failover show

In the command output, you should see a message that the system ID has changed on the impaired node, showing the correct old and new IDs. In the following example, node2 has undergone replacement and has a new system ID of 151759706.

node1> `storage failover show`
                                    Takeover
Node              Partner           Possible     State Description
------------      ------------      --------     -------------------------------------
node1             node2             false        System ID changed on partner (Old:
                                                  151759755, New: 151759706), In takeover
node2             node1             -            Waiting for giveback (HA mailboxes)

From the healthy node, verify that any coredumps are saved:
1. Change to the advanced privilege level: set -privilege advanced
  
  You can respond Y when prompted to continue into advanced mode. The advanced mode prompt appears (*>).
2. Save any coredumps: system node run -node local-node-name partner savecore
3. Wait for the `savecore`command to complete before issuing the giveback.
  
  You can enter the following command to monitor the progress of the savecore command: system node run -node local-node-name partner savecore -s
4. Return to the admin privilege level: set -privilege admin
Give back the node:
1. From the healthy node, give back the replaced node's storage: storage failover giveback -ofnode replacement_node_name
  
  The replacement node takes back its storage and completes booting.
  
  If you are prompted to override the system ID due to a system ID mismatch, you should enter y.
  
  If the giveback is vetoed, you can consider overriding the vetoes.
  
  Find the High-Availability Configuration Guide for your version of ONTAP 9
2. After the giveback has been completed, confirm that the HA pair is healthy and that takeover is possible: storage failover show
  
  The output from the storage failover show command should not include the System ID changed on partner message.

Verify that the disks were assigned correctly: storage disk show -ownership

The disks belonging to the replacement node should show the new system ID. In the following example, the disks owned by node1 now show the new system ID, 1873775277:

node1> `storage disk show -ownership`

Disk  Aggregate Home  Owner  DR Home  Home ID    Owner ID  DR Home ID Reserver  Pool
----- ------    ----- ------ -------- -------    -------    -------  ---------  ---
1.0.0  aggr0_1  node1 node1  -        1873775277 1873775277  -       1873775277 Pool0
1.0.1  aggr0_1  node1 node1           1873775277 1873775277  -       1873775277 Pool0
.
.
.

If the system is in a MetroCluster configuration, monitor the status of the node: metrocluster node show

The MetroCluster configuration takes a few minutes after the replacement to return to a normal state, at which time each node will show a configured state, with DR Mirroring enabled and a mode of normal. The metrocluster node show -fields node-systemid command output displays the old system ID until the MetroCluster configuration returns to a normal state.
If the node is in a MetroCluster configuration, depending on the MetroCluster state, verify that the DR home ID field shows the original owner of the disk if the original owner is a node on the disaster site.

This is required if both of the following are true:
- The MetroCluster configuration is in a switchover state.
- The replacement node is the current owner of the disks on the disaster site.
  
  Disk ownership changes during HA takeover and MetroCluster switchover in a four-node MetroCluster configuration

If your system is in a MetroCluster configuration, verify that each node is configured: metrocluster node show - fields configuration-state

node1_siteA::> metrocluster node show -fields configuration-state

dr-group-id            cluster node           configuration-state
-----------            ---------------------- -------------- -------------------
1 node1_siteA          node1mcc-001           configured
1 node1_siteA          node1mcc-002           configured
1 node1_siteB          node1mcc-003           configured
1 node1_siteB          node1mcc-004           configured

4 entries were displayed.

Verify that the expected volumes are present for each node: vol show -node node-name
If you disabled automatic takeover on reboot, enable it from the healthy node: storage failover modify -node replacement-node-name -onreboot true

Option 2: Reassign ID (MetroCluster config)

Reassign the system ID in a two-node MetroCluster configuration

In a two-node MetroCluster configuration running ONTAP, you must manually reassign disks to the new controller's system ID before you return the system to normal operating condition.

About this task

This procedure applies only to systems in a two-node MetroCluster configuration running ONTAP.

You must be sure to issue the commands in this procedure on the correct node:

The impaired node is the node on which you are performing maintenance.
The replacement node is the new node that replaced the impaired node as part of this procedure.
The healthy node is the DR partner of the impaired node.

Steps

If you have not already done so, reboot the replacement node, interrupt the boot process by entering Ctrl-C, and then select the option to boot to Maintenance mode from the displayed menu.

You must enter Y when prompted to override the system ID due to a system ID mismatch.

View the old system IDs from the healthy node: `metrocluster node show -fields node-systemid,dr-partner-systemid`

In this example, the Node_B_1 is the old node, with the old system ID of 118073209:

dr-group-id cluster         node                 node-systemid dr-partner-systemid
 ----------- --------------------- -------------------- ------------- -------------------
 1           Cluster_A             Node_A_1             536872914     118073209
 1           Cluster_B             Node_B_1             118073209     536872914
 2 entries were displayed.

View the new system ID at the Maintenance mode prompt on the impaired node: disk show

In this example, the new system ID is 118065481:
```
Local System ID: 118065481
    ...
    ...
```
Reassign disk ownership (for FAS systems) or LUN ownership (for FlexArray systems), by using the system ID information obtained from the disk show command: disk reassign -s old system ID

In the case of the preceding example, the command is: disk reassign -s 118073209

You can respond Y when prompted to continue.

Verify that the disks (or FlexArray LUNs) were assigned correctly: disk show -a

Verify that the disks belonging to the replacement node show the new system ID for the replacement node. In the following example, the disks owned by system-1 now show the new system ID, 118065481:

*> disk show -a
Local System ID: 118065481

  DISK     OWNER                 POOL   SERIAL NUMBER  HOME
-------    -------------         -----  -------------  -------------
disk_name   system-1  (118065481) Pool0  J8Y0TDZC       system-1  (118065481)
disk_name   system-1  (118065481) Pool0  J8Y09DXC       system-1  (118065481)
.
.
.

From the healthy node, verify that any coredumps are saved:
1. Change to the advanced privilege level: set -privilege advanced
  
  You can respond Y when prompted to continue into advanced mode. The advanced mode prompt appears (*>).
2. Verify that the coredumps are saved: system node run -node local-node-name partner savecore
  
  If the command output indicates that savecore is in progress, wait for savecore to complete before issuing the giveback. You can monitor the progress of the savecore using the system node run -node local-node-name partner savecore -s command.</info>.
3. Return to the admin privilege level: set -privilege admin
If the replacement node is in Maintenance mode (showing the *> prompt), exit Maintenance mode and go to the LOADER prompt: halt
Boot the replacement node: boot_ontap
After the replacement node has fully booted, perform a switchback: metrocluster switchback

Verify the MetroCluster configuration: metrocluster node show - fields configuration-state

node1_siteA::> metrocluster node show -fields configuration-state

dr-group-id            cluster node           configuration-state
-----------            ---------------------- -------------- -------------------
1 node1_siteA          node1mcc-001           configured
1 node1_siteA          node1mcc-002           configured
1 node1_siteB          node1mcc-003           configured
1 node1_siteB          node1mcc-004           configured

4 entries were displayed.

Verify the operation of the MetroCluster configuration in Data ONTAP:
1. Check for any health alerts on both clusters: system health alert show
2. Confirm that the MetroCluster is configured and in normal mode: metrocluster show
3. Perform a MetroCluster check: metrocluster check run
4. Display the results of the MetroCluster check: metrocluster check show
5. Run Config Advisor. Go to the Config Advisor page on the NetApp Support Site at support.netapp.com/NOW/download/tools/config_advisor/.
  
  After running Config Advisor, review the tool's output and follow the recommendations in the output to address any issues discovered.
Simulate a switchover operation:
1. From any node's prompt, change to the advanced privilege level: set -privilege advanced
  
  You need to respond with y when prompted to continue into advanced mode and see the advanced mode prompt (*>).
2. Perform the switchback operation with the -simulate parameter: metrocluster switchover -simulate
3. Return to the admin privilege level: set -privilege admin

Step 6: Return the failed part to NetApp

Return the failed part to NetApp, as described in the RMA instructions shipped with the kit. See the Part Return and Replacements page for further information.

Replace the NVRAM module or NVRAM DIMMs - AFF A700

Creating your file...

Step 1: Shut down the impaired controller

Step 2: Replace the NVRAM module

Step 3: Replace a NVRAM DIMM

Step 4: Reboot the controller after FRU replacement

Step 5: Reassign disks

Step 6: Return the failed part to NetApp