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Install and maintain

Replace the controller - AFF C30 and AFF C60

Contributors netapp-jsnyder
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To replace the controller, you must remove the impaired controller, move FRU components from the impaired controller to the replacement controller, install the replacement controller in the chassis, set the time and date, and then recable the replacement controller.

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

All other components in the storage system must be 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. Open the controller cover by turning the thumbscrew counterclockwise to loosen, and then open the cover.

Step 2: Move the power supply

Move the power supply (PSU) to the replacement controller.

  1. Move the PSU from the impaired controller:

    Make sure the left side controller handle is in the upright position to allow you access to the PSU.

Option 1: Move an AC PSU

To move an AC PSU, complete the following steps.

Steps

  1. Remove the AC PSU from the impaired controller:

    Replace AC PSU
    Callout number 1

    Rotate the PSU handle up, to its horizontal position, and then grasp it.
    Callout number 2

    With your thumb, press the blue tab to release the PSU from the controller.
    Callout number 3

    Pull the PSU out of the controller while using your other hand to support its weight.

    Caution The PSU is short. Always use two hands to support it when removing it from the controller so that it does not suddenly swing free from the controller and injure you.

  2. Insert the PSU into the replacement controller:

    1. Using both hands, support and align the edges of the PSU with the opening in the controller.

    2. Gently push the PSU into the controller until the locking tab clicks into place.

      A PSU will only properly engage with the internal connector and lock in place one way.

      Note To avoid damaging the internal connector, do not use excessive force when sliding the PSU into the controller.

    3. Rotate the handle down, so it is out of the way of normal operations.

Option 2: Move a DC PSU

To move a DC PSU, complete the following steps.

Steps

  1. Remove the DC PSU from the impaired controller:

    1. Rotate the handle up, to its horizontal position, and then grasp it.

    2. With your thumb, press the terracotta tab to release the locking mechanism.

    3. Pull the PSU out of the controller while using your other hand to support its weight.

      Note The PSU is short. Always use two hands to support it when removing it from the controller so that it does not swing free from the controller and injure you.
      Remove a DC PSU
    Callout number 1

    Thumb screws
    Callout number 2

    D-SUB DC power PSU cord connector
    Callout number 3

    Power supply handle
    Callout number 4

    Terracotta PSU locking tab

  2. Insert the PSU into the replacement controller:

    1. Using both hands, support and align the edges of the PSU with the opening in the controller.

    2. Gently slide the PSU into the controller until the locking tab clicks into place.

      A PSU must properly engage with the internal connector and locking mechanism. Repeat this step if you feel the PSU is not properly seated.

      Note To avoid damaging the internal connector, do not use excessive force when sliding the PSU into the controller.

    3. Rotate the handle down, so it is out of the way of normal operations.

Step 3: Move the fans

Move the fans to the replacement controller.

  1. Remove one of the fans from the impaired controller:

    Fan replace
    Callout number 1

    Hold both sides of the fan at the blue touch points.
    Callout number 2

    Pull the fan straight up and out its socket.

  2. Insert the fan into the replacement controller by aligning it within the guides, and then push down until the fan connector is fully seated in the socket.

  3. Repeat these steps for the remaining fans.

Step 4: Move the NV battery

Move the NV battery to the replacement controller.

  1. Remove the NV battery from the impaired controller:

    Replace the NV battery
    Callout number 1

    Lift the NV battery up and out of its compartment.
    Callout number 2

    Remove the wiring harness from its retainer.
    Callout number 3

    1. Push in and hold the tab on the connector.

    2. Pull the connector up and out of the socket.

      As you pull up, gently rock the connector from end to end (lengthwise) to unseat it.

  2. Install the NV battery into the replacement controller:

    1. Plug the wiring connector into its socket.

    2. Route the wiring along the side of the power supply, into its retainer, and then through the channel in front of the NV battery compartment.

    3. Place the NV battery into the compartment.

      The NV battery should sit flush in its compartment.

Step 5: Move system DIMMs

Move the DIMMs to the replacement controller.

If you have DIMM blanks, you do not need to move them, the replacement controller should come with them installed.

  1. Remove one of the DIMMs from the impaired controller:

    DIMM replace
    Callout number 1

    DIMM slot numbering and positions.

    Note Depending on your storage system model, you will have two or four DIMMs.
    Callout number 1

    • Note the orientation of the DIMM in the socket so that you can insert the DIMM in the replacement controller in the proper orientation.

    • Eject the DIMM by slowly pushing apart the two DIMM ejector tabs on both ends of the DIMM slot.

    Important Carefully hold the DIMM by the corners or edges to avoid pressure on the DIMM circuit board components.
    Callout number 3

    Lift the DIMM up and out of the slot.

    The ejector tabs remain in the open position.

  2. Install the DIMM in the replacement controller:

    1. Make sure that the DIMM ejector tabs on the connector are in the open position.

    2. Hold the DIMM by the corners, and then insert the DIMM squarely into the slot.

      The notch on the bottom of the DIMM, among the pins, should line up with the tab in the slot.

      When inserted correctly, the DIMM should go in easily but fit tightly in the slot. If not, reinsert the DIMM.

    3. Visually inspect the DIMM to verify that it is evenly aligned and fully inserted into the slot.

    4. Push down carefully, but firmly, on the top edge of the DIMM until the ejector tabs snap into place over the notches at both ends of the DIMM.

  3. Repeat these steps for the remaining DIMMs.

Step 6: Move the boot media

Move the boot media to the replacement controller.

  1. Remove the boot media from the impaired controller:

    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.

  2. Install the boot media into the replacement controller:

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

    2. 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 7: Move the I/O modules

Move the I/O modules and any I/O blanking modules to the replacement controller.

  1. Unplug cabling from one of the I/O modules.

    Make sure to label the cables so that you know where they came from.

  2. Remove the I/O module from the impaired controller:

    Make sure that you keep track of which slot the I/O module was in.

    If you are removing the I/O module in slot 4, make sure the right side controller handle is in the upright position to allow you access to the I/O module.

    Remove I/O module
    Callout number 1

    Turn the I/O module thumbscrew counterclockwise to loosen.
    Callout number 2

    Pull the I/O module out of the controller using the port label tab on the left and the thumbscrew.

  3. Install the I/O module into the replacement controller:

    1. Align the I/O module with the edges of the slot.

    2. Gently push the I/O module all the way into the slot, making sure to properly seat the module into the connector.

      You can use the tab on the left and the thumbscrew to push in the I/O Module.

    3. Turn the thumbscrew clockwise to tighten.

  4. Repeat these steps to move the remaining I/O modules and any I/O blanking modules to the replacement controller.

Step 8: Install 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.

  3. Connect the console cable to the console port on the controller and to the laptop so that the laptop receives console messages when the controller reboots.

  4. Fully seat the controller in the chassis:

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

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

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

      Note The controller begins to boot as soon as it is fully seated in the chassis.

  5. Take the controller to the LOADER prompt by pressing CTRL-C to abort AUTOBOOT.

  6. Set the time and date on the controller:

    Make sure you are at the controller's LOADER prompt.

    1. Display the date and time on the controller:

      show date

      Note Time and date default is in GMT. You have the option to display in local time and in 24hr mode.

    2. Set the current time in GMT:

      set time hh:mm:ss

      You can get the current GMT from the healthy node:

      date -u

    3. Set the current date in GMT:

      set date mm/dd/yyyy

      You can get the current GMT from the healthy node:
      date -u

  7. Recable the controller as needed.

  8. Reconnect the power cord to the power supply (PSU).

    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.