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Install and maintain

Replace the real-time clock battery - AFF C800

Contributors netapp-jsnyder
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You replace the real-time clock (RTC) battery in the controller module so that your system's services and applications that depend on accurate time synchronization continue to function.

  • You can use this procedure with all versions of ONTAP supported by your system

  • All other components in the system must be functioning properly; if not, you must contact technical support.

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 module

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

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

  2. Unplug the controller module power supplies from the source.

  3. Release the power cable retainers, and then unplug the cables from the power supplies.

  4. Loosen the hook and loop strap binding the cables to the cable management device, and then unplug the system cables and SFP and QSFP modules (if needed) from the controller module, keeping track of where the cables were connected.

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

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

  6. 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.

    Release the controller module

Callout number 1

Locking latch

Callout number 2

Locking pin

  1. Slide the controller module out of the chassis.

    Make sure that you support the bottom of the controller module as you slide it out of the chassis.

  2. Place the controller module on a stable, flat surface, and then open the air duct:

    1. Press in the locking tabs on the sides of the air duct toward the middle of the controller module.

    2. Slide the air duct toward the fan modules, and then rotate it upward to its completely open position.

      Open the air duct

      Callout number 1

      Air duct locking tabs

      Callout number 2

      Slide air duct towards fan modules

      Callout number 3

      Rotate air duct towards fan modules

Step 3: Replace the RTC battery

Original controller

  1. Remove PCIe riser 2 (middle 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 riser 2

      Callout number 1

      Air duct

      Callout number 2

      Riser 2 (middle riser) locking latch

  2. Locate the RTC battery under Riser 2.

    Remove and replace the RTC batery

    Callout number 1

    Air duct

    Callout number 2

    Riser 2

    Callout number 3

    RTC battery and housing

  3. Gently push the battery away from the holder, rotate it away from the holder, and then lift it out of the holder.

    Note Note the polarity of the battery as you remove it from the holder. The battery is marked with a plus sign and must be positioned in the holder correctly. A plus sign near the holder tells you how the battery should be positioned.

  4. Remove the replacement battery from the antistatic shipping bag.

  5. Note the polarity of the RTC battery, and then insert it into the holder by tilting the battery at an angle and pushing down.

  6. Visually inspect the battery to make sure that it is completely installed into the holder and that the polarity is correct.

  7. Install the riser into the 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 modules that were removed from the PCIe cards.

VER2 controller

  1. Locate the RTC battery near the DIMMs.

    Remove and replace the RTC battery

    Callout number 1

    Air duct

    Callout number 2

    RTC battery and housing

  2. Gently push the battery away from the holder, rotate it away from the holder, and then lift it out of the holder.

    Note Note the polarity of the battery as you remove it from the holder. The battery is marked with a plus sign and must be positioned in the holder correctly. A plus sign near the holder tells you how the battery should be positioned.

  3. Remove the replacement battery from the antistatic shipping bag.

  4. Note the polarity of the RTC battery, and then insert it into the holder by tilting the battery at an angle and pushing down.

  5. Visually inspect the battery to make sure that it is completely installed into the holder and that the polarity is correct.

Step 4: Reinstall the controller module

After you replace a component within the controller module, you must reinstall the controller module in the system chassis, reset the time and date on the controller, and then boot it.

  1. If you have not already done so, close the air duct or controller module cover.

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

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

  3. 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.

  4. If the power supplies were unplugged, plug them back in and reinstall the power cable retainers.

  5. 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.

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

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

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

    4. Halt the controller at the LOADER prompt.

  6. Reset the time and date on the controller:

    1. Check the date and time on the healthy controller with the show date command.

    2. At the LOADER prompt on the target controller, check the time and date.

    3. If necessary, modify the date with the set date mm/dd/yyyy command.

    4. If necessary, set the time, in GMT, using the set time hh:mm:ss command.

    5. Confirm the date and time on the target controller.

  7. At the LOADER prompt, enter bye to reinitialize the PCIe cards and other components and let the controller reboot.

  8. Return the controller to normal operation by giving back its storage: storage failover giveback -ofnode impaired_node_name

  9. If automatic giveback was disabled, reenable it: storage failover modify -node local -auto-giveback true

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.