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Install and maintain

Replace a DIMM - AFF C30 and AFF C60

Contributors netapp-jsnyder
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You must replace a DIMM in the controller when your storage system encounters errors such as, excessive CECC (Correctable Error Correction Codes) errors that are based on Health Monitor alerts or uncorrectable ECC errors, typically caused by a single DIMM failure preventing the storage system from booting ONTAP.

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.

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

About this task

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

A storage system 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: Shut down 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

  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 healthy controller: storage failover modify -node local -auto-giveback false

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

  3. Take the impaired controller to the LOADER prompt:

    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.

Step 2: 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 3: Replace a DIMM

To replace a DIMM, locate the faulty DIMM inside the controller and follow the specific sequence of steps.

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

  2. Locate the DIMMs on your controller and identify the faulty DIMM.

    Note Consult either the Netapp Hardware Universe or the FRU map on the cover of the controller for exact DIMM locations.

  3. Remove the faulty DIMM:

    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 2

    • Note the orientation of the DIMM in the socket so that you can insert the replacement DIMM using the same orientation.

    • Eject the faulty 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.

  4. Install the replacement DIMM:

    1. Remove the replacement DIMM from its antistatic shipping bag.

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

    3. 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.

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

    5. 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.

Step 4: 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.

  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.

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.