Replace NVRAM - ASA A70 and ASA A90

09/09/2024 Contributors

The NVRAM module consists of the NVRAM12 hardware and field-replaceable DIMMs. You can replace a failed NVRAM module or the DIMMs inside the NVRAM module. To replace a failed NVRAM module, you must remove the module from the chassis, move the DIMMs to the replacement module, and install the replacement NVRAM module into the chassis.

All other components in the system must be functioning properly; if not, you must contact NetApp Support.

You must replace the failed component with a replacement FRU component you received from your provider.

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, 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.

Step 2: Replace the NVRAM module

To replace the NVRAM module, locate it in slot 4/5 in the chassis and follow the specific sequence of steps.

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.
Go to the rear of the chassis. If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.
Disconnect power to the controller module by pulling the controller module out about three inches:
1. Press down on both of the controller module locking latches, and then rotate both latches downward at the same time.
2. Pull the controller module about 3 inches out of the chassis to disengage power.
Rotate the cable management tray down by pulling the buttons on the inside of the cable management tray and rotating it down.
Remove the target NVRAM module from the chassis:
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 impaired NVRAM module from the chassis by hooking your finger into the cam lever opening and pulling the module out of the chassis.
  
  Cam locking button
  
  DIMM locking tabs
Set the NVRAM module on a stable surface.
Remove the DIMMs, one at a time, from the impaired NVRAM module and install them in the replacement NVRAM module.
Install the replacement NVRAM module into the chassis:
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.
Reconnect power to 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.
2. Rotate the locking latches upward into the locked position.
The controller reboots as soon as it is fully seated in the chassis.
Rotate the cable management tray up to the closed position.

Step 3: Replace a NVRAM DIMM

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

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.
Go to the rear of the chassis. If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.
Disconnect power to the controller module by pulling the controller module out about three inches:
1. Press down on both of the controller module locking latches, and then rotate both latches downward at the same time.
2. Pull the controller module about 3 inches out of the chassis to disengage power.
Rotate the cable management tray down by gently pulling the pins on the ends of the tray and rotating the tray down.
Remove the target NVRAM module from the chassis:
1. Depress the cam 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 chassis by hooking your finger into the cam lever opening and pulling the module out of the chassis.
  
  Cam locking button
  
  DIMM locking tabs
Set the NVRAM module on a stable surface.
Locate the DIMM to be replaced inside the NVRAM module.

Consult the FRU map label on the side of the NVRAM module to determine the locations of DIMM slots 1 and 2.
Remove the DIMM 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.
Install the NVRAM module into the chassis:
1. 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.
Reconnect power to 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.
2. Rotate the locking latches upward into the locked position.
The controller reboots as soon as it is fully seated in the chassis.
Rotate the cable management tray up to the closed position.

Step 4: Verify controller state

You must confirm the controller state of the controllers connected to the disk pool when you boot the controller.

Steps

If the controller is in Maintenance mode (showing the *> prompt), exit Maintenance mode and go to the LOADER prompt: halt
From the LOADER prompt on the controller, boot the controller and enter y when prompted to override the system ID due to a system ID mismatch.

Wait until the Waiting for giveback… message is displayed on the console of the controller with the replacement module and then, from the healthy controller, verify the system state: storage failover show

In the command output, you should see a message indicates the state of the controllers.

                              Takeover
Node           Partner        Possible State Description
-------------- -------------- -------- -------------------------------------
<nodename>
               <nodename>-   true     Connected to <nodename>-P2-3-178.
               P2-3-178                Waiting for cluster applications to
                                       come online on the local node.
AFF-A90-NBC-P2-3-178
               <nodename>-   true     Connected to <nodename>-P2-3-177,
               P2-3-177                Partial giveback
2 entries were displayed.

Give back the controller:
1. From the healthy controller, give back the replaced controller's storage: storage failover giveback -ofnode replacement_node_name
  
  The controller connects back its storage pool 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.
  
  For more information, see the Manual giveback commands topic to override the veto.
2. After the giveback has been completed, confirm that the HA pair is healthy and that takeover is possible: storage failover show

Verify that the disks that the disk pools are as expected: storage disk show -ownership

node1:> storage disk show -ownership

Disk     Aggregate  Home Owner    DR Home      Home ID       Owner ID    DR Home ID  Reserver Pool
-------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
1.0.0 pod_NVME_SSD_1

0 0 - 0 Pool0
1.0.1 pod_NVME_SSD_1
0 0 - 0 Pool0
1.0.2 pod_NVME_SSD_1
0 0 - 0 Pool0

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.