Skip to main content
Install and maintain

Detailed steps - AFF 900

Contributors netapp-martyh Vaishnavi-Totewar netapp-jsnyder
PDFs

This article gives detailed step-by-step instructions for installing a typical NetApp system. Use this article if you want more detailed installation instructions.

Step 1: Prepare for installation

To install your system, you need to create an account on the NetApp Support Site, register your system, and get license keys. You also need to inventory the appropriate number and type of cables for your system and collect specific network information.

You need to have access to the NetApp Hardware Universe for information about site requirements as well as additional information on your configured system.

What you need

You might also want to have access to the ONTAP 9 Release Notes for your version of ONTAP for more information about this system.

You need to provide the following at your site:

  • Rack space for the storage system

  • Phillips #2 screwdriver

  • Additional networking cables to connect your system to your network switch and laptop or console with a Web browser

Steps

  1. Unpack the contents of all boxes.

  2. Record the system serial number from the controllers.

    Example of the system serial number showing location of the number

  3. Inventory and make a note of the number and types of cables you received.

    The following table identifies the types of cables you might receive. If you receive a cable not listed in the table, see the Hardware Universe to locate the cable and identify its use.

    NetApp Hardware Universe

    Type of cable…​ Part number and length Connector type For…​

    25 GbE data Cable

    X66240A-05 (112-00639), 0.5m

    X66240A-2 (112-00598), 2m

    X66240A-5 (112-00600), 5m
    Gbe copper SFP

    Network cable

    32 Gb FC (SFP+ Op)

    X66250-2 (112-00342), 2m

    X66250-5 (112-00344), 5m

    X66250-15 (112-00346), 15m
    Gbe copper SFP

    FC optical network cable

    40 GbE network cable

    X66100-1 (112-00542), 1m

    X66100-3 (112-00543), 3m

    X66100-5 (112-00544), 5m
    Gbe copper SFP

    Ethernet data, cluster network

    100 GbE cable

    X66211B-1 (112-00573), 1m

    X66211B-2 (112-00574), 2m

    X66211B-5 (112-00576), 5m
    Gbe copper SFP

    Network,

    NVME storage,

    Ethernet data,

    cluster network

    Optical cables

    X66031A (112-00436), 1m

    X66032A (112-00437), 2m

    X66033A (112-00438), 3m
    LC fiber connector

    FC optical network

    Cat 6, RJ-45 (order dependent)

    Part numbers X6585-R6 (112-00291), 3m

    X6562-R6 (112-00196), 5m
    RJ-45 cable connector

    Management network and Ethernet data

    Micro-USB console cable

    Not applicable
    Micro USB connector

    Console connection during software setup on non-Windows or Mac laptop/console

    Power cables

    Not applicable
    Power cable connector

    Powering up the system

  4. Review the ONTAP Configuration Guide and collect the required information listed in that guide.

Step 2: Install the hardware

You need to install your system in a 4-post rack or NetApp system cabinet, as applicable.

  1. Install the rail kits, as needed.

  2. Install and secure your system using the instructions included with the rail kit.

    Note You need to be aware of the safety concerns associated with the weight of the system.
    Weight lifting caution label

  3. Attach cable management devices (as shown).

    Install cable management arm

  4. Place the bezel on the front of the system.

The following diagram shows a representation of what a typical system looks like and where the major components are located at the rear of the system:

Typical cluster configuration

Step 3: Cable controllers to your network

You can cable the controllers to your network by using the two-node switchless cluster method or by using the cluster interconnect network.

Option 1: Two-node switchless cluster

Management network, data network, and management ports on the controllers are connected to switches. The cluster interconnect ports are cabled on both controllers.

Before you begin

You must have contacted your network administrator for information about connecting the system to the switches.

Be sure to check the direction of the cable pull-tabs when inserting the cables in the ports. Cable pull-tabs are up for all networking module ports.

Cable pull tab direction
Note As you insert the connector, you should feel it click into place; if you do not feel it click, remove it, turn it around and try again.

  1. Use the animation or illustration to complete the cabling between the controllers and to the switches:

    Animation - Cable a two-node switchless cluster
    Two-node switchless network cabling
    Step Perform on each controller
    Callout number 1

    Cable cluster interconnect ports:

    • Slot A4 and B4 (e4a)

    • Slot A8 and B8 (e8a)

    100 Gb connector
    Callout number 2

    Cable controller management (wrench) ports.

    RJ-45 cable connector
    Callout number 3

    Cable 25 GbE network switches:

    Ports in slot A3 and B3 (e3a and e3c) and slot A9 and B9 (e9a and e9c) to the 25 GbE network switches.

    GBe copper SFP

    40GbE host network switches:

    Cable host‐side b ports in slot A4 and B4 (e4b) and slot A8 and B8 (e8b) to the host switch.

    100 GBe cable connector

    Callout number 4

    Cable 32 Gb FC connections:xxx

    Cable ports in slot A5 and B5 (5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d) and slot A7 and B7 (7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d) to the 32 Gb FC network switches.

    Gbe copper SFP
    Callout icon five

    • Strap the cables to the cable management arms (not shown).

    • Connect the power cables to the PSUs and connect them to different power sources (not shown). PSU 1 and 3 provide power to all side A components, while PSU2 and PSU4 provide power to all side B components.

    Power connections

Step 4: Cable controllers to drive shelves

Cable either a single NS224 drive shelf or two NS224 drive shelves to your controllers.

Option 1: Cable the controllers to a single NS224 drive shelf

You must cable each controller to the NSM modules on the NS224 drive shelf on an AFF A900 system.

Before you begin

  • Be sure to check the illustration arrow for the proper cable connector pull-tab orientation. The cable pull-tab for the storage modules are up, while the pull tabs on the shelves are down.

Cable pull tab direction
Cable pull tab direction
Note As you insert the connector, you should feel it click into place; if you do not feel it click, remove it, turn it around and try again.

  1. Use the following animation or drawings to cable your controllers to a single NS224 drive shelf.

    Animation - Cable a single NS224 shelf
    Single shelf cabling
    Step Perform on each controller
    Callout number one

    • Connect controller A port e2a to port e0a on NSM A on the shelf.

    • Connect controller A port e10b to port e0b on NSM B on the shelf.

    100 Gbe QSFP connector

    100 GbE cable
    Callout number two

    • Connect controller B port e2a to port e0a on NSM B on the shelf.

    • Connect controller B port e10b to port e0b on NSM A on the shelf.

    100 Gbe QSFP connector

    100 GbE cable

Step 5: Complete system setup and configuration

You can complete the system setup and configuration using cluster discovery with only a connection to the switch and laptop, or by connecting directly to a controller in the system and then connecting to the management switch.

Option 1: If network discovery is enabled

If you have network discovery enabled on your laptop, you can complete system setup and configuration using automatic cluster discovery.

  1. Use the following animation or drawing to set one or more drive shelf IDs:

    The NS224 shelves are pre-set to shelf ID 00 and 01. If you want to change the shelf IDs, you must create a tool to insert into the hole where button is located. see Change a shelf ID - NS224 shelves for detailed instructions.

    Animation - Set NVMe drive shelf IDs
    Changing shelf ID
    Callout number 1

    Shelf end cap
    Callout number 2

    Shelf faceplate
    Callout number 3

    Shelf ID LED
    Callout number 4

    Shelf ID setting button

  2. Turn on the power switches on the power supplies to both nodes.

    Animation - Turn on the power to the controllers
    Power switch
    Note Initial booting may take up to eight minutes.

  3. Make sure that your laptop has network discovery enabled.

    See your laptop's online help for more information.

  4. Use the following animation to connect your laptop to the Management switch.

    Animation - Connect your laptop to the Management switch
    Laptop to switch connection

  5. Select an ONTAP icon listed to discover:

    Autodiscovery

    1. Open File Explorer.

    2. Click network in the left pane.

    3. Right click and select refresh.

    4. Double-click either ONTAP icon and accept any certificates displayed on your screen.

      Note XXXXX is the system serial number for the target node.

      System Manager opens.

  6. Use System Manager guided setup to configure your system using the data you collected in the ONTAP Configuration Guide.

  7. Set up your account and download Active IQ Config Advisor:

    1. Log in to your existing account or create an account.

      NetApp Support Registration

    2. Register your system.

      NetApp Product Registration

    3. Download Active IQ Config Advisor.

      NetApp Downloads: Config Advisor

  8. Verify the health of your system by running Config Advisor.

  9. After you have completed the initial configuration, go to ONTAP 9 documentation for information about configuring additional features in ONTAP.

Looking for answers?
Try Doc, our Gen AI Assistant.