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Install and maintain

Replace the real-time clock battery

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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 a component inside the controller module.

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

  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. Insert your forefinger into the latching mechanism on either side of the controller module, press the lever with your thumb, and gently pull the controller a few inches out of the chassis.

    Note If you have difficulty removing the controller module, place your index fingers through the finger holes from the inside (by crossing your arms).
    Opening the latching mechanism

    Callout number 1

    Lever

    Callout number 2

    Latching mechanism

  5. Using both hands, grasp the controller module sides and gently pull it out of the chassis and set it on a flat, stable surface.

  6. Turn the thumbscrew on the front of the controller module anti-clockwise and open the controller module cover.

    Opening the controller module cover

    Callout number 1

    Thumbscrew

    Callout number 2

    Controller module cover.

  7. Lift out the air duct cover.

    Lifting out the air duct cover

Step 3: Replace the RTC battery

To replace the RTC battery, locate it inside the controller and follow the specific sequence of steps.

You can use the following video or the tabulated steps to replace the RTC battery:

Animation - Replace the RTC battery

  1. Locate the RTC battery between the heatsink and the midplane and remove it exactly as shown in the graphic.

    How to remove the RTC battery

    Callout number 1

    Gently pull tab away from the battery housing.

    NOTE: Pulling it away aggressively might displace the tab.

    Callout number 2

    Lift the battery up.

    Note Make a note of the polarity of the battery.

    Callout number 3

    The battery should eject out.

    The battery will be ejected out.

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

  3. Locate the RTC battery holder between the heatsink and the midplane and insert it exactly as shown in the graphic.

    Installing the RTC battery

    Callout number 1

    With positive polarity face up, slide the battery under the tab of the battery housing.

    Callout number 2

    Push the battery gently into place and make sure the tab secures it to the housing.

    Caution Pushing it in aggressively might cause the battery to eject out again.

  4. 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 and set time/date after RTC battery replacement

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.

Steps

  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. Insert the controller module into the chassis:

    1. Ensure the latching mechanism arms are locked in the fully extended position.

    2. Using both hands, align and gently slide the controller module into the latching mechanism arms until it stops.

    3. Place your index fingers through the finger holes from the inside of the latching mechanism.

    4. Press your thumbs down on the orange tabs on top of the latching mechanism and gently push the controller module over the stop.

    5. Release your thumbs from the top of the latching mechanisms and continue pushing until the latching mechanisms snap into place.

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

    6. Halt the controller at the LOADER prompt.

    The controller module should be fully inserted and flush with the edges of the chassis.

  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: Complete the replacement process

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.