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StorageGRID Appliances

Replace E4000 storage controller (SG6160)

Contributors netapp-ivanad netapp-perveilerk
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You might need to replace an E4000 controller if it is not functioning optimally or if it has failed.

Before you begin

  • You have a replacement controller with the same part number as the controller you are replacing.

  • You have labels to identify each cable that is connected to the controller.

  • You have an ESD wristband, or you have taken other antistatic precautions.

  • You have a #1 Phillips screwdriver.

  • You have physically located the storage appliance where you are replacing the controller in the data center.

Note Don't rely on the E-Series instructions to replace a controller in the StorageGRID appliance, because the procedures aren't the same.
About this task

You can determine if you have a failed controller in two ways:

  • A Grid Manager alert indicates a storage controller failure condition, and Grid Manager or the Recovery Guru in SANtricity System Manager direct you to replace the controller.

  • The amber Attention LED on the controller is on, indicating that the controller has a fault.

    Note If both controllers in the shelf have their Attention LEDs on, contact technical support for assistance.

If your appliance contains two storage controllers, you can replace one of the controllers while your appliance is powered on and performing read/write operations, as long as the following conditions are true:

  • The second controller in the shelf has Optimal status.

  • The OK to remove field in the Details area of the Recovery Guru in SANtricity System Manager displays Yes, indicating that it is safe to remove this component.

Note When possible, place the appliance into maintenance mode for this replacement procedure to minimize the potential impact of unforeseen errors or failures.
Note If the second controller in the shelf does not have Optimal status or if the Recovery Guru indicates that it is not OK to remove the controller, contact technical support.

Step 1: Prepare the replacement controller

Prepare the replacement E4000 controller.

Steps

  1. Unpack the new controller, and set it on a flat, static-free surface.

    Save the packing materials to use when shipping the failed controller.

  2. Locate the MAC address and FRU part number labels on the back of the replacement controller.

Step 2: Take the controller offline

Prepare to remove the failed controller and and take it offline. You can use SANtricity System Manager to perform these steps.

Steps

  1. Confirm that the replacement part number for the failed controller is the same as the FRU part number for the replacement controller.

    When a controller has a fault and needs to be replaced, the replacement part number is displayed in the Details area of the Recovery Guru. If you need to find this number manually, you can look on the Base tab for the controller.

    Caution Possible loss of data access — If the two part numbers aren't the same, don't attempt this procedure.

  2. Back up the configuration database.

    If a problem occurs when you remove a controller, you can use the saved file to restore your configuration. The system will save the current state of the RAID configuration database, which includes all data for volume groups and disk pools on the controller.

    1. Select Support › Support Center › Diagnostics.

    2. Select Collect Configuration Data.

    3. Click Collect.

      The file is saved in the Downloads folder for your browser with the name, configurationData-<arrayName>-<dateTime>.7z.

  3. Collect support data for the appliance.

    Note Collecting support data before and after replacing a component ensures you can send a full set of logs to technical support if the replacement does not resolve the problem.

    If a problem occurs when you remove a controller, you can use the saved file to troubleshoot the issue. The system will save inventory, status, and performance data about your storage array in a single file.

    1. Select Support › Support Center › Diagnostics.

    2. Select Collect Support Data.

    3. Click Collect.

  4. Take the controller you plan to replace offline.

Step 3: Remove controller canister

Remove a controller canister.

Steps

  1. Put on an ESD wristband or take other antistatic precautions.

  2. Label each cable that is attached to the controller canister.

  3. Disconnect all the cables from the controller canister.

    Caution To prevent degraded performance, do not twist, fold, pinch, or step on the cables.

  4. Squeeze the latch on the cam handle until it releases, open the cam handle fully to release the controller canister from the midplane, and then, using two hands, pull the controller canister out of the chassis.

  5. Place the controller on a flat, static-free surface with the removable cover facing up.

  6. Open the cover by pressing the blue buttons on the sides of the controller canister to release the cover, and then rotate the cover up and off of the controller canister.

Step 4: Determine parts to transfer to replacement controller

Your replacement controller may come with parts pre-installed. Determine which parts must be transferred to the replacement controller canister.

  1. Place the replacement controller on a flat, static-free surface with the removable cover facing up.

  2. Open the cover by pressing the blue buttons on the sides of the controller canister to release the cover, and then rotate the cover up and off of the controller canister.

  3. Determine if the replacement controller contains a battery and/or DIMMs. If it does, reinstall the controller cover and go to Step 8: Replace controller. Otherwise:

Step 5: Remove the battery

Remove the battery from the impaired controller and install it in the replacement controller if necessary.

Steps

  1. Remove the battery from the controller canister:

    1. Press the blue button on the side of the controller canister.

    2. Slide the battery up until it clears the holding brackets, and then lift the battery out of the controller canister.

    3. Unplug the battery plug by squeezing 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.

      Remove NVMEM battery.
      Callout reference 1

      Battery release tab
      Callout reference 2

      Battery power connector

  2. Move the battery to the replacement controller canister and install it:

    1. Align the battery with the holding brackets on the sheet metal side wall, but do not connect it. You will plug it in once the rest of the components are moved to the replacement controller canister.

  3. If the replacement controller has pre-installed DIMMs, go to Step 7: Install the battery. Otherwise, continue to the next step.

Step 6: Move the DIMMs

Remove the DIMMs from the impaired controller canister and install them into the replacement controller canister.

Steps

  1. Locate the DIMMs on your controller canister.

    Note Note the location of the DIMM in the sockets so that you can insert the DIMM in the same location in the replacement controller canister and in the proper orientation. Remove the DIMMs from the impaired controller canister:

    1. Eject the DIMM from its slot by slowly pushing apart the two DIMM ejector tabs on either side of the DIMM.

      The DIMM will rotate up a little.

    2. Rotate the DIMM as far as it will go, and then slide the DIMM out of the socket.

      Note Carefully hold the DIMM by the edges to avoid pressure on the components on the DIMM circuit board.
      Remove DIMMS.
      Callout reference 1

      DIMM ejector tabs
      Callout reference 2

      DIMMS

  2. Verify that the battery is not plugged into the replacement controller canister.

  3. Install the DIMMs in the replacement controller in the same place they were in the impaired controller:

    1. 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.

      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.

  4. Repeat these steps for the other DIMM.

  5. If the replacement controller has a pre-installed battery, go to Step 8: Replace controller. Otherwise, continue to the next step.

Step 7: Install the battery

Install the battery into the replacement controller canister.

Steps

  1. Plug the battery plug back into the socket on the controller canister.

    Make sure that the plug locks down into the battery socket on the motherboard.

  2. Aligning the battery with the holding brackets on the sheet metal side wall.

  3. Slide the battery pack down until the battery latch engages and clicks into the opening on the side wall.

  4. Reinstall the controller canister cover and lock it into place.

Step 8: Replace controller

Install the replacement controller and verify that the node has rejoined the grid.

Steps

  1. Install the replacement controller into the appliance.

    1. Turn the controller over, so that the removable cover faces down.

    2. With the cam handle in the open position, slide the controller all the way into the appliance.

    3. Move the cam handle to the left to lock the controller in place.

    4. Replace the cables.

    5. If the original controller used DHCP for the IP address, locate the MAC address on the label on the back of the replacement controller. Ask your network administrator to associate the DNS/network and IP address for the controller you removed with the MAC address for the replacement controller.

      Note If the original controller did not use DHCP for the IP address, the new controller will adopt the IP address of the controller you removed.

  2. Bring the controller online using SANtricity System Manager:

    1. Select Hardware.

    2. If the graphic shows the drives, select Controllers & Components.

    3. Select the controller you want to place online.

    4. Select Place Online from the context menu, and confirm that you want to perform the operation.

  3. As the controller boots, check the controller LEDs.

    • The amber Attention LED on the controller turns on and then turns off, unless there is an error.

    • The Host Link LEDs might be on, blinking, or off, depending on the host interface.

  4. When the controller is back online, confirm that its status is Optimal and check the controller shelf's Attention LEDs.

    If the status is not Optimal or if any of the Attention LEDs are on, confirm that all cables are correctly seated and the controller canister is installed correctly. If necessary, remove and reinstall the controller canister.

    Note If you cannot resolve the problem, contact technical support.

  5. If required, redistribute all volumes back to their preferred owner using SANtricity System Manager.

    1. Select Storage › Volumes.

    2. Select More › Redistribute volumes.

  6. Collect support data for your storage array using SANtricity System Manager.

    1. Select Support › Support Center › Diagnostics.

    2. Select Collect Support Data.

    3. Click Collect.

      The file is saved in the Downloads folder for your browser with the name, support-data.7z.

  7. If you placed the appliance in maintenance mode during this procedure, exit maintenace mode and wait for the node to reboot and rejoin the grid. This process can take up to 20 minutes. Then, in the Grid Manager, verify that the Nodes page displays a normal status (green check mark icon green check mark to the left of the node name) for the appliance node, indicating that no alerts are active and the node is connected to the grid.

    Appliance node rejoined grid
What's next?

Your controller replacement is complete. You can resume normal operations.

After replacing the part, return the failed part to NetApp, as described in the RMA instructions shipped with the kit. See the Part Return & Replacements page for further information.