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Install and maintain

Replace the boot media for automated boot recovery - AFF C30 or AFF C60

Contributors netapp-lisa
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The boot media in your AFF C30 or AFF C60 storage system stores essential firmware and configuration data. The replacement process involves removing the controller module, removing the impaired boot media, installing the replacement boot media, and then reinstalling the controller module.

The automated boot media recovery process is supported only in ONTAP 9.17.1 and later. If your storage system is running an earlier version of ONTAP, use the manual boot recovery procedure.

About this task

If needed, you can turn on the platform chassis location (blue) LEDs to aid in physically locating the affected platform. Log into the BMC using SSH and enter the system location-led on command.

A platform chassis has three location LEDs: one on the operator display panel and one on each controller. Location LEDs remain illuminated for 30 minutes.

You can turn them off by entering the system location-led off command. If you are unsure if the LEDs are on or off, you can check their state by entering the system location-led show command.

Step 1: Remove the controller

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

Before you begin

Make sure all other components in the storage system are functioning properly; if not, you must contact NetApp Support before continuing with this procedure.

Steps

  1. On the impaired controller, make sure the NV LED is off.

    When the NV LED is off, destaging is complete and it is safe to remove the impaired controller.

    Note If the NV LED is flashing (green), destage is in progress. You must wait for the NV LED to turn off. However, if the flashing continues for longer than five minutes, contact NetApp Support before continuing with this procedure.

    The NV LED is located next to the NV icon on the controller.

    NV status LED location
Callout number 1

NV icon and LED on the controller

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

  2. Disconnect the power on the impaired controller:

    Note Power supplies (PSUs) do not have a power switch.
    If you are disconnecting a…​ Then…​

    AC PSU

    1. Open the power cord retainer.

    2. Unplug the power cord from the PSU and set it aside.

    DC PSU

    1. Unscrew the two thumb screws on the D-SUB DC power cord connector.

    2. Unplug the power cord from the PSU and set it aside.

  3. Unplug all cables from the impaired controller.

    Keep track of where the cables were connected.

  4. Remove the impaired controller:

    The following illustration shows the operation of the controller handles (from the left side of the controller) when removing a controller:

    controller handle operation to remove a controller
    Callout number 1

    On both ends of the controller, push the vertical locking tabs outward to release the handles.
    Callout number 2

    • Pull the handles towards you to unseat the controller from the midplane.

      As you pull, the handles extend out from the controller and then you feel some resistance, keep pulling.

    • Slide the controller out of the chassis while supporting the bottom of the controller, and place it on a flat, stable surface.
    Callout number 3

    If needed, rotate the handles upright (next to the tabs) to move them out of the way.

  5. Place the controller on an anti-static mat.

  6. Open the controller cover by turning the thumbscrew counterclockwise to loosen, and then open the cover.

Step 2: Replace the boot media

To replace the boot media, locate it inside the controller and follow the specific sequence of steps.

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

  2. Remove the boot media:

    Boot media replace graphic
    Callout number 1

    Boot media location
    Callout number 2

    Press down on the blue tab to release the right end of the boot media.
    Callout number 3

    Lift the right end of the boot media up at a slight angle to get a good grip along the sides of the boot media.
    Callout number 4

    Gently pull the left end of the boot media out of its socket.

  3. Install the replacement boot media:

    1. Remove the boot media from its package.

    2. Slide the socket end of the boot media into its socket.

    3. At the opposite end of the boot media, press down and hold the blue tab (in the open position), gently push down on that end of the boot media until it stops, and then release the tab to lock the boot media into place.

Step 3: Reinstall the controller

Reinstall the controller into the chassis and reboot it.

About this task

The following illustration shows the operation of the controller handles (from the left side of a controller) when reinstalling the controller, and can be used as a reference for the rest of the controller reinstallation steps.

controller handle operation to install a controller
Callout number 1

If you rotated the controller handles upright (next to the tabs) to move them out of the way while you serviced the controller, rotate them down to the horizontal position.
Callout number 2

Push the handles to reinsert the controller into the chassis halfway and then, when instructed, push until the controller is fully seated.
Callout number 3

Rotate the handles to the upright position and lock in place with the locking tabs.
Steps

  1. Close the controller cover and turn the thumbscrew clockwise until tightened.

  2. Insert the controller halfway into the chassis.

    Align the rear of the controller with the opening in the chassis, and then gently push the controller using the handles.

    Note Do not completely insert the controller in the chassis until instructed to do so later in this procedure.

  3. Reconnect the cables to the controller; however, do not plug in the power cord to the power supply (PSU) at this time.

    Note Make sure that the console cable is connected to the controller because you want to catch and log the boot sequence later in the boot media replacement procedure when you fully seat the controller in the chassis and it begins to boot.

  4. Fully seat the controller in the chassis:

    1. Firmly push on the handles until the controller meets the midplane and is fully seated.

      Do not use excessive force when sliding the controller into the chassis; it could damage the connectors.

      Note The controller boots to the LOADER prompt when fully seated in the chassis. It gets its power from the partner controller.

    2. Rotate the controller handles up and lock in place with the tabs.

  5. Reconnect the power cord to the PSU on the impaired controller.

    Once power is restored to the PSU, the status LED should be green.

    If you are reconnecting a…​ Then…​

    AC PSU

    1. Plug the power cord into the PSU.

    2. Secure the power cord with the power cord retainer.

    DC PSU

    1. Plug the D-SUB DC power cord connector into the PSU.

    2. Tighten the two thumb screws to secure the D-SUB DC power cord connector to the PSU.
What's next

After physically replacing the impaired boot media, restore the ONTAP image from the partner node.