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Install and maintain

Replace the controller module hardware - AFF C800

Contributors dougthomp Copilot
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Replace the controller in your AFF C800 system when a hardware failure requires it. The replacement process involves removing the impaired controller, moving the components to the replacement controller, installing the replacement controller, and rebooting it.

Step 1: Remove the controller module

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

Steps

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

  2. Ensure that all drives in the chassis are firmly seated against the midplane by using your thumbs to push each drive until you feel a positive stop.

    Video - Confirm drive seating
    Seat the drives

  3. Check the controller drives based on the system status:

    1. On the healthy controller, check if any active RAID group is in a degraded state, failed state, or both:

      storage aggregate show -raidstatus !*normal*

      • If the command returns There are no entries matching your query. continue to go to the next sub-step to check for missing drives.

      • If the command returns any other results, collect the AutoSupport data from both controllers and contact NetApp Support for further assistance.

        system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message '<message_name>'

    2. Check for missing drive issues for both the file system or spare drives:

      event log show -severity * -node * -message-name *disk.missing*

      • If the command returns There are no entries matching your query. continue to go to the next step.

      • If the command returns any other results, collect the AutoSupport data from both controllers and contact NetApp Support for further assistance.

        system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message '<message_name>'

  4. Remove the power cable retainers, then unplug the cables from the power supplies.

  5. Loosen the hook and loop strap on the cable management device. Unplug the system cables and SFP/QSFP modules (if needed) from the controller module. Note each cable's location.

    Leave the cables in the cable management device so that when you reinstall the cable management device, the cables are organized.

  6. Remove the cable management device from the controller module and set it aside.

  7. Press down on both of the locking latches, and then rotate both latches downward at the same time.

    The controller module moves slightly out of the chassis.

    Removing the controller module

    Callout number 1

    Locking latch

    Callout number 2

    Locking pin

  8. Slide the controller module out of the chassis and place it on a stable, flat surface.

    Support the bottom of the controller module while sliding it out of the chassis.

Step 2: Move the power supplies

Move the power supplies to the replacement controller module.

Steps

  1. Rotate the cam handle such that it can be used to pull power supply out of the controller module while pressing the locking tab.

    Caution The power supply is short. Always use two hands to support it when removing it from the controller module so that it does not suddenly swing free from the controller module and injure you.
    Remove or replace a power supply

    Callout number 1

    Blue power supply locking tab

    Callout number 2

    Power supply

  2. Move the power supply to the new controller module, and then install it.

  3. Using both hands, support and align the edges of the power supply with the opening in the controller module, and then gently push the power supply into the controller module until the locking tab clicks into place.

    The power supplies 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 power supply into the system.

Step 3: Move the fans

Move the fan modules to the replacement controller module.

Steps

  1. Remove the fan module by pinching the locking tabs on the side of the fan module, and then lifting the fan module straight out of the controller module.

    Remove the fan

    Callout number 1

    Fan locking tabs

    Callout number 2

    Fan module

  2. Move the fan module to the replacement controller module, and then install the fan module by aligning its edges with the opening in the controller module, and then sliding the fan module into the controller module until the locking latches click into place.

  3. Repeat these steps for the remaining fan modules.

Step 4: Move the NVDIMM battery

Move the NVDIMM battery to the replacement controller module.

Steps

  1. Open the air duct cover and locate the NVDIMM battery in the riser.

    Replace the NVDIMM battery

    Callout number 1

    Air duct riser

    Callout number 2

    NVDIMM battery plug

    Callout number 3

    NVDIMM battery pack

    Attention: The NVDIMM battery control board LED blinks while destaging contents to the flash memory when you halt the system. After the destage is complete, the LED turns off.

  2. Locate the battery plug and squeeze the clip on the face of the battery plug to release the plug from the socket, and then unplug the battery cable from the socket.

  3. Grasp the battery and lift the battery out of the air duct and controller module.

  4. Move the battery pack to the replacement controller module and then install it in the NVDIMM air duct:

    1. Insert the battery pack into the slot and press firmly down on the battery pack to make sure that it is locked into place.

    2. Plug the battery plug into the riser socket and make sure that the plug locks into place.

Step 5: Remove the PCIe risers

Remove the PCIe risers from the impaired controller module.

Steps

  1. Remove the PCIe riser from the controller module:

    1. Remove any SFP or QSFP modules that might be in the PCIe cards.

    2. Rotate the riser locking latch on the left side of the riser up and toward the fan modules.

      The riser raises up slightly from the controller module.

    3. Lift the riser up, shift it toward the fans so that the sheet metal lip on the riser clears the edge of the controller module, lift the riser out of the controller module, and then place it on a stable, flat surface.

      Remove risers 2 and 3

      Callout number 1

      Air duct

      Callout number 2

      Riser 1 (left riser), Riser 2 (middle riser), and 3 (right riser) locking latches

  2. Repeat the preceding step for the remaining risers in the impaired controller module.

  3. Repeat the above steps with the empty risers in the replacement controller and put them away.

Step 6: Move system DIMMs

Move the system DIMMS to the replacement controller module.

Steps

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

  2. 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.

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

  3. Locate the slot where you are installing the DIMM.

  4. 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.

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

  5. 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.

  6. Repeat these steps for the remaining DIMMs.

Step 7: Move the NVDIMMs

Move the NVDIMMS to the replacement controller module.

Steps

  1. Locate the NVDIMMs on your controller module.

    Move NVDIMMs

    Callout number 1

    Air duct

    Callout number 2

    NVDIMMs

  2. Note the orientation of the NVDIMM in the socket so that you can insert the NVDIMM in the replacement controller module in the proper orientation.

  3. Eject the NVDIMM from its slot by slowly pushing apart the two NVDIMM ejector tabs on either side of the NVDIMM, and then slide the NVDIMM out of the socket and set it aside.

    Note Carefully hold the NVDIMM by the edges to avoid pressure on the components on the NVDIMM circuit board.

  4. Locate the slot where you are installing the NVDIMM.

  5. Insert the NVDIMM squarely into the slot.

    The NVDIMM fits tightly in the slot, but should go in easily. If not, realign the NVDIMM with the slot and reinsert it.

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

  6. Push carefully, but firmly, on the top edge of the NVDIMM until the ejector tabs snap into place over the notches at the ends of the NVDIMM.

  7. Repeat the preceding steps to move the other NVDIMM.

Step 8: Move the boot media

Move the boot media to the replacement controller module.

Steps

  1. Locate the boot media under Riser 3.

    Remove the boot media

    Callout number 1

    Air duct

    Callout number 2

    Riser 3

    Callout number 3

    Phillips #1 screwdriver

    Callout number 4

    Boot media screw

    Callout number 5

    Boot media

  2. Remove the boot media from the controller module:

    1. Using a #1 Phillips head screwdriver, remove the screw holding down the boot media and set the screw aside in a safe place.

    2. Grasping the sides of the boot media, gently rotate the boot media up, and then pull the boot media straight out of the socket and set it aside.

  3. Move the boot media to the new controller module and install it:

    1. Align the edges of the boot media with the socket housing, and then gently push it squarely into the socket.

    2. Rotate the boot media down toward the motherboard.

    3. Secure the boot media to the motherboard using the boot media screw.

      Do not over-tighten the screw or you might damage the boot media.

Step 9: Install the PCIe risers

Install the risers in the replacement controller module.

Steps

  1. Install the riser into the replacement controller module:

    1. Align the lip of the riser with the underside of the controller module sheet metal.

    2. Guide the riser along the pins in the controller module, and then lower the riser into the controller module.

    3. Swing the locking latch down and click it into the locked position.

      When locked, the locking latch is flush with the top of the riser and the riser sits squarely in the controller module.

    4. Reinsert any SFP or QSFP modules that were removed from the PCIe cards.

  2. Repeat the preceding step for the remaining PCIe risers.

Step 10: Install the controller module

Reinstall the controller module and reboot it.

Steps

  1. Align the end of the controller module with the opening in the chassis, and then gently push the controller module halfway into the system.

    Note Do not completely insert the controller module in the chassis until instructed to do so.

  2. Recable the system, as needed.

    If you removed the media converters (QSFPs or SFPs), remember to reinstall them if you are using fiber optic cables.

  3. Complete the reinstallation of 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.

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

    2. Rotate the locking latches upward, tilting them so that they clear the locking pins, and then lower them into the locked position.

    3. Plug the power cords into the power supplies, reinstall the power cable locking collar, and then connect the power supplies to the power source.

      The controller module begins to boot as soon as power is restored. Be prepared to interrupt the boot process.

    4. If you have not already done so, reinstall the cable management device.

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

    storage failover giveback -ofnode impaired_node_name.

  5. If automatic giveback was disabled, reenable it:

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

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

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

What's next?

After you've replaced the impaired AFF C800 controller, you need to restore the system configuration