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Replace a DIMM - AFX 1K

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Replace a DIMM in your AFX 1K storage system if excessive correctable or uncorrectable memory errors are detected. Such errors can prevent the storage system from booting ONTAP. The replacement process involves shutting down the impaired controller, removing it, replacing the DIMM, reinstalling the controller, and then returning the failed part to NetApp.

Before you begin

  • Make sure you have the replacement component you received from NetApp.

  • Make sure you replace the failed component with a replacement component you received from NetApp.

Step 1: Shut down the impaired controller

Shut down or take over the impaired controller.

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

About this task

  • If you have a cluster with more than four nodes, it must be in quorum. To view cluster information about your nodes, use the cluster show command. For more information about the cluster show command, see View node-level details in an ONTAP cluster.

  • If the cluster is not in quorum or if the health or eligibility of any controller (other than the impaired controller) shows as false, you must correct the issue before shutting down the impaired controller. See Synchronize a node with the cluster.

Steps

  1. 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

  2. Disable automatic giveback from the console of the impaired controller:

    storage failover modify -node impaired-node -auto-giveback-of false

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

    1. If you are running ONTAP version 9.17.1 and the impaired controller cannot be brought up or is already taken over, you must take the HA interconnect link down from the healthy controller before booting up the impaired controller. This prevents the impaired controller from performing automatic giveback.

      system ha interconnect link off -node healthy-node -link 0

      system ha interconnect link off -node healthy-node -link 1

      Note If you are not running ONTAP version 9.17.1, skip the above step and go to step 3.

  3. Take the impaired controller to the LOADER prompt:

    If the impaired controller is displaying…​ Then…​

    The LOADER prompt

    Go to the next step.

    System prompt or password prompt

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

    The -halt true parameter brings the impaired node to the LOADER prompt.

Step 2: Remove the controller module

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

  1. Check the NVRAM status LED located in slot 4/5 of the system. There is also an NVRAM LED on the front panel of the controller module. Look for the NV icon:

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

  3. Remove the bezel (if necessary) with two hands, by grasping the openings on each side of the bezel and pulling towards you until the bezel releases from the ball studs on the chassis frame.

  4. On the front of the unit, hook your fingers into the holes in the locking cams, squeeze the tabs on the cam levers, and gently, but firmly rotate both latches toward you at the same time.

    The controller module moves slightly out of the enclosure.

    Controller remove graphic

    Callout number 1

    Locking cam latches

  5. Slide the controller module out of the enclosure 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 enclosure.

Step 3: Replace a DIMM

You must replace a DIMM when the system reports a permanent failure condition for that DIMM.

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

  2. 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.

  3. Locate the DIMMs on your controller module and identify the DIMM for replacement.

    Use the FRU map on the controller airduct to locate the DIMM slot.

  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.

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

    Callout number 1

    DIMM and DIMM ejector tabs

  5. Remove the replacement DIMM from the antistatic shipping bag, hold the DIMM by the corners, and align it to the slot.

    The notch among the pins on the DIMM should line up with the tab in the socket.

  6. Make sure that the DIMM ejector tabs on the connector are in the open position, and then 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.

    Important 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. Close the controller air duct.

Step 4: Install the controller

Reinstall the controller module and boot 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 enclosure, and slide the controller module into the chassis with the levers rotated away from the front of the system.

  3. Once the controller module stops you from sliding it farther, rotate the cam handles inward until they latch back under the fans

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

    The controller module begins to boot as soon as it is fully seated in the enclosure.

  4. Align the bezel with the ball studs and then gently push the bezel into place.

  5. Press <enter> when console messages stop.

    • If you see the login prompt, go to the next step.

    • If you do not see a login prompt, log into the partner node.

  6. Give back only the root with override-destination-checks option:

    storage failover giveback -ofnode impaired-node -only-root true -override -destination-checks true

    Note The following command is only available in the Diagnostic mode privilege level. For more information on privilege levels, see Understand the privilege levels for ONTAP CLI commands.

    If you encounter errors, contact NetApp Support.

  7. Wait 5 minutes after the giveback report completes, then check failover and giveback status:

    storage failover show and storage failover show-giveback

    Note The following command is only available in the Diagnostic mode privilege level.

  8. If the HA internconnect links were taken down, bring them back up:

    system ha interconnect link on -node healthy-node -link 0

    system ha interconnect link on -node healthy-node -link 1

  9. If automatic giveback was disabled, reenable it:

    storage failover modify -node local -auto-giveback-of true

  10. Return the impaired controller to normal operation by giving back its storage:

    storage failover giveback -ofnode impaired_node_name

  11. If AutoSupport is enabled, restore/unsuppress automatic case creation:

    system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message MAINT=END

Step 5: 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.