x400 Node Replacement Guide
x400 Node Replacement Guide
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Isilon
994-0015-01 Rev K
Replace a node
Replacing a node
You can replace a failed node using a replacement chassis. This procedure allows you to avoid
smartfailing the node, while maintaining data integrity.
Contact Isilon Technical Support to obtain a replacement chassis before beginning this procedure.
Be aware that there may be down time associated with this procedure. Discuss the timing and duration of
the down time with your field engineer, and schedule accordingly.
This procedure requires a work area large enough to place two Isilon nodes side by side.
CAUTION: Your work area must also have an outlet available to charge the replacement node.
Adequate power must be available to the IB/NVRAM card throughout this procedure. When a node
is unplugged from power, the IB/NVRAM card is relying on the NVRAM batteries for power.
Because of that, it is important to plug the replacement node in to power immediately and allow
the batteries to charge for a minimum of 30 minutes.
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CAUTION: To avoid personal injury or damage to equipment, always use two people to lift and
move nodes.
Procedure
1. [ ] Remove the replacement node from the shipping package and inspect it for any sign of
damage. Notify EMC Isilon Technical Support if the node appears damaged in any way. Do not install
a damaged node.
Do not discard the shipping container and packaging. You will use the container and packaging to
return the failed node to Isilon.
2. [ ] Connect the replacement node to power.
3. [ ] Power on the replacement node.
4. [ ] Before proceeding, allow the node to charge with power on for 30 minutes. Charging the
node in this way will ensure that the batteries have enough charge to provide adequate power to the
IB/NVRAM card.
CAUTION: Before shutting down the replacement node after thirty minutes, look at the
batteries on the back panel. If either battery is showing red after charging, it has failed and
must be removed from the node and set aside. If both batteries are showing red, contact Isilon
Technical Support.
CAUTION: Before powering down the node, look at the back panel and confirm that the LED on
both batteries are showing green. If either battery is showing red, it has failed and must be
removed from the node and set aside. If both batteries are showing red, contact Isilon Product
Support.
Procedure
1. [ ] Using a serial cable, or a network drop provided by the customer, connect to a node in
the cluster that is not the node you are replacing.
2. [ ] From that node, open a secure shell (SSH) connection to the node that you want to shut
down. Run the following command:
ssh <cluster name>-<node number>
3. [ ] Shut down the node. Run the following command:
shutdown -p now
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If the node does not respond to the shutdown command, press the Power button on the failed node
three times, and then wait five minutes. If the node still does not shut down, you are at risk for losing
data. Do not proceed. Contact EMC Isilon Technical support for assistance.
CAUTION: A forced power down should be attempted only if the failed node is unresponsive.
Forcing the power down of a healthy node can result in data loss.
4. [ ] Verify that the failed node has been taken down. Run the following command:
isi status
Confirm that the node has a D (Down) status. See the DASR column for node 3 in the example
below.
ID |IP Address |DASR| In Out Total| Used / Size |Used / Size
---+---------------+----+-----+-----+-----+------------------+-----------------
1|10.53.217.201 | OK | 48M| 0| 48M| 19G/ 6.2T(< 1%)|(No SSDs)
2|10.53.217.202 | OK | 46M| 0| 46M| 23G/ 6.2T(< 1%)|(No SSDs)
3|10.53.217.203 |D---| n/a| n/a| n/a| n/a/ n/a( n/a)|n/a/n/a( n/a)
Do not attempt any hardware operations until the power down process is complete. The process is
complete when the node LEDs are no longer lit.
CAUTION: Once a node has been disconnected from power, the IB/NVRAM card is supplied
power by the NVRAM battery. It is vital that the IB/NVRAM card is attached to a battery while
moved to a replacement node, and the replacement node is plugged back in to power, before
the battery expires (approximately 30 minutes).
Note: If there are transceivers connected to the end of your IB or ethernet cables, make sure to
remove them with the cables. If you are using fibre ethernet cables, you will need to disconnect the
cable from the transceiver, then remove the transceiver from the node.
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Procedure
1. [ ] To access drives at the front of the node, remove the front panel.
There are two release buttons on either side of the front panel. To remove the panel, press in the
panel release buttons while pulling the panel away from the node.
1. Front panel
2. [ ] To remove a drive, pull the locking handle on the drive toward you.
The drive will release from the node.
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3. [ ] Repeat step two until all drives are removed from the front of the node.
4. [ ] To access the drives in the back of the node, remove the rear EMI shield.
There are two vertical handles at either end of the shield. To remove the shield, press those handles
toward the center of the shield while pulling away from the node.
5. [ ] Repeat step two until all drives are removed from the back of the node.
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DANGER: Slide the node out from the rack slowly. Do not extend the rails completely until
you confirm that the node is latched and safely secured to the rails.
3. [ ] Press the release latch on the inner slide rails and slide the node forward to remove the
node from the outer slide rails. The inner slide rails remain attached to the node. Do not remove the
inner slide rails.
CAUTION: To minimize the chance of personal injury, Isilon recommends using two people to
lift and move the node.
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CAUTION: Before you unplug the replacement node, look at the batteries on the back panel. If
either battery is showing red after charging, it has failed and must be removed from the node and
set aside. If both batteries are showing red, contact Isilon Technical Support.
Procedure
1. [ ] If neither battery is showing red, unplug the power cables from the back of the
replacement node.
Task 9: Remove the top panels from the failed and replacement nodes
In order to transfer components to the replacement node, the top panel of both nodes must be removed.
About this task
If either the replacement or failed node is connected to power, disconnect the power cords at this time.
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If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself to prevent electrostatic discharge from
damaging the node components (for example, use an ESD wrist strap, attached to the node chassis for
grounding).
Procedure
1. [ ] Loosen the captive screw securing the top panel of the failed node.
2. [ ] Slide the top panel toward the rear of the failed node, and lift the top panel off to access
the node interior.
3. [ ] Repeat steps one and two to remove the top panel from the replacement node.
Task 10: Remove the cross bracket from the failed and replacement nodes
To provide clear access to the inside of the failed and replacement nodes, remove the cross bracket from
each.
Procedure
1. [ ] Locate the cross bracket within the failed node.
1. Cross bracket
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2. [ ] To remove the cross bracket, press in on the side of the node chassis where the cross
bracket is connected. Unhook the cross bracket from the chassis and lift that end straight up until you
can unhook the other side of the bracket.
3. [ ] Repeat steps one and two to remove the cross bracket from the replacement node.
Task 11: Remove the air baffles from the failed and replacement nodes
In order to gain full access to internal components of both the failed and replacement nodes, remove the
air baffles from each.
Procedure
1. [ ] Locate the air baffle within the failed node.
1. Air baffle
Task 12: Transfer the memory from the failed node to the replacement node
All DIMMS must be removed from the failed node and installed in the replacement node.
Before you begin
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Make note of the slots from which the DIMMs are removed and install them into the same slots in the
replacement node.
CAUTION: Always follow electrostatic discharge (ESD) prevention procedures when removing
and replacing hardware components. Use a wrist strap, attached to the node chassis, for
grounding.
Procedure
1. [ ] Locate a DIMM module to transfer.
Make note of the slot from which the DIMM is removed. Transfer it into the same slot in the
destination node.
2. [ ] Press down on the two DIMM locking arms on either side of the DIMM to release the
DIMM from the slot.
3. [ ] Gently lift the DIMM out of the slot and remove the DIMM from the failed node.
1. DIMM
4. [ ] Locate the corresponding memory slot in the replacement node. Align the notch in the
DIMM with the tab of the open slot and gently press down on both ends of the DIMM until the two
arms lock into place and secure the DIMM to the motherboard.
5. [ ] Repeat this process until all DIMMs are transferred into the replacement node.
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Task 13: Transfer the NIC from the failed node to the replacement node
The Network Interface Card (NIC) must be removed from the failed node and installed in the replacement
node.
About this task
Make note of the PCIe slot from which the NIC is removed and install it into the same slot in the
replacement node.
If the replacement node arrived with PCIe cards installed, remove those cards and install them in the
failed node for return to Isilon.
Procedure
1. [ ] Remove the mounting screw securing the NIC to the node.
2. [ ] Remove the NIC from the node.
3. [ ] If necessary, remove the mounting screw and metal guard from the bay where you will be
placing the card.
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4. [ ] In that bay, gently press the card into the PCIe slot on the motherboard until it is fully
seated in the motherboard connector.
5. [ ] Replace the mounting screw to secure the card to the back panel of the node.
Task 14: Transfer the boot drives from the failed node to the replacement node
Both SSD boot drives must be removed from the failed node and installed in the replacement node.
About this task
CAUTION: The boot drive slots are labeled J3 and J4. Each SSD boot drive must be reinstalled
into its corresponding bay in the replacement chassis. Do not swap drive locations within the
chassis during transfer.
Procedure
1. [ ] Grasp both sides of one of the boot drives and lift the boot drive from its slot in the failed
node.
2. [ ] Insert the boot drive into the corresponding boot drive slot (J3 or J4) in the replacement
node. Gently press down to secure the drive.
3. [ ] Repeat the above steps with the second boot drive.
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The replacement node may arrive from Isilon with an IB/NVRAM card already installed. You'll need to
remove the card to make way for the card being transferred from the failed node.
The IB/NVRAM card you remove from the replacement node must be returned to Isilon with the failed
node.
Procedure
1. [ ] Confirm that there are two healthy batteries in the failed node.
If neither battery assembly has been removed from this node, remove one of those assemblies.
If a failed battery assembly has been removed from the failed node, and both batteries are healthy
in the replacement node, use a battery assembly from the replacement node.
If failed battery assemblies have been removed from both nodes, contact Isilon Product Support
for assistance. Only remove a battery assembly if both batteries are healthy.
2. [ ] To remove a battery assembly, lift up the locking tab at the bottom of the assembly.
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3. [ ] Remove the battery assembly from the node, using the handle.
CAUTION: The IB/NVRAM card must be connected to a power source throughout the transfer.
Never disconnect an IB/NVRAM cable without a battery already attached to the card, and never
disconnect a battery without an IB/NVRAM cable already connected to the card.
Once you connect a transfer battery to an IB/NVRAM card, you must complete the journal transfer
before the transfer battery fully discharges (approximately 30 minutes) or the journal data will be
lost.
Procedure
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3. [ ] With the transfer battery connected and the LED light showing green, disconnect the
IB/NVRAM cable from the card and remove the card from the node.
4. [ ] With the transfer battery connected, install the IB/NVRAM card in the replacement
chassis within 30 minutes.
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CAUTION: The IB/NVRAM card contains journal data and must remain attached to a transfer
battery until it is connected to the replacement node. The card must be installed in the
replacement node before the battery discharges (approximately 30 minutes) or journal data will be
lost.
Procedure
1. [ ] With the transfer battery still attached, connect the IB/NVRAM cable in the replacement
chassis to the cable connector at the back of the IB/NVRAM card.
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Note: If you previously removed an IB/NVRAM card from the replacement node to clear room for the
card you just installed, follow these same steps to install that card in the failed node for return to
Isilon.
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Task 21: Replace the air baffles in the failed and replacement nodes
After all components have been moved from the failed node to the new node, replace the air baffles in
each.
Procedure
1. [ ] Lower the air baffle back into its original position within the node.
Perform this step on both the failed and replacement nodes.
Task 22: Replace the cross bracket in the failed and replacement nodes
After the air baffles have been inserted in the failed and new nodes, replace the cross brackets in each.
Procedure
1. [ ] Replace the cross bracket by hooking it to the bracket holes on the interior of the node,
then snapping the other end in place on the chassis wall.
Perform this step on both the failed and replacement nodes.
Task 23: Replace the top panels on the failed and replacement nodes
After the cross brackets have been inserted in the failed and new nodes, replace the top panels on each.
Procedure
1. [ ] Place the top panel on the node so that the front edge of the top panel is about one inch
behind the drive bays and then slide the top panel forward into place.
CAUTION: Placing the top panel too far back on the node before sliding the top panel forward
can damage the chassis intrusion switch.
2. [ ] Tighten the captive top panel screw to secure the top panel to the node.
Perform these steps on both the failed and replacement nodes.
CAUTION: To minimize the chance of personal injury during node installation, install Isilon
nodes in the rack cabinet without the hard drives installed. Isilon recommends using two
people to lift and move the node.
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3. [ ] Insert the inner rails into the outer rails, and then continue to close the slide rails until the
node is fully retracted into the rack.
4. [ ] Secure the node in the rack cabinet with the chassis retaining screws.
DANGER: Do not continue with this procedure until you have confirmed the following:
Both rails are secured to the rack and all mounting screws are in place and tightened.
The inner slide rails attached to the node are inserted correctly, and firmly secured, in the
intermediate slide rails that are attached to the rack.
If you fail to attach the node to the rails correctly it can lead to severe injury when the node is
pulled for future maintenance.
Procedure
1. [ ] With the locking handle on the drive open, insert a drive into an empty drive bay by sliding
the drive along the bay rails until it stops.
Do not force the drive into the drive bay. Forcing the drive into the drive bay could result in damage to
both the drive and the drive bay.
2. [ ] Hold the drive in place and gently push the drive locking handle down against the end of
the drive to secure the drive in the node.
3. [ ] Repeat the previous steps until the front bays of the node are full.
Note: Drives that are not fully seated will not be recognized when the node is booted and a red light
will appear above the drive. To avoid this error, run your finger across all the installed drives to
ensure that they are all seated evenly.
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Note: If your cluster is running in SmartLock compliance mode with OneFS 7.0.2.10 or later, 7.0.1.4 or
later, or 7.1.1.0 or later you will need to enter the provided compliance mode commands to run the FRU
scripts. If your cluster is running in compliance mode but is not running one of these versions, you will
need to upgrade your OneFS version to support the compliance mode commands. Contact Isilon
Technical Support.
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3. [ ] If the cluster is running in SmartLock compliance mode, verify installation of the updated
hardware by running the following command:
sudo /usr/bin/isi_hwtools/isi_cto_update --abr --filepath .
Note: You must include the period at the end of the command.
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The latest node firmware package and release notes are available for download from EMC online
support.
Follow the instructions in the release notes to update firmware on the replacement node only.
CAUTION: Node firmware updates require a node reboot. To reduce cluster down time, do not
update node firmware on the entire cluster. Only update firmware on the replacement node.
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