Upgrade the Controllers - CS2xx, CS4xx to CS300, CS500, CS700

Before you begin

CAUTION:

This is an offline upgrade. This procedure requires both controllers in the array to be powered down completely before performing the upgrade. Allocate enough time to take the array offline and complete the upgrade.

Before shutting down the array, verify that you have met all upgrade requirements and performed all prerequisites. The array must be running NimbleOS 2.3.4 or later before shutting down. It is required to disconnect all servers that communicate with the array, and shut down or unmount all volumes in use prior to taking the array offline.

Note: The new controllers might take up to 30 minutes to appear in the user interface. If the controllers take longer than 30 minutes to report an Active/Standby state, contact Nimble Storage Support for assistance.

The following upgrade requirements and prerequistes must be completed before you begin:

Update your NimbleOS software version

Software must be updated on the array prior to upgrading the controllers:

• Array must be running NimbleOS 2.3.4 or later. (See Find the NimbleOS Version of an Array to check/confirm OS has been updated.)
• Array must be running NimbleOS 2.3.4 or later. (See Check Array Model Number, OS Version, and Operating State Using the GUI to check/confirm OS has been updated.)
• Both controllers must be running the same software versions, with one in Active mode.
• No software update should be in progress when performing the controller upgrade.

Verify cache meets minimum requirements

Cache on the original array must meet minimum requirements supported on the upgraded controller. If not, four new SSDs must be purchased.

(Example: For a CS220-X2 array, the 3.2TB SAS SSD upgrade option must be purchased if upgrading to a CS700.) If needed, add new cache after successfully completing the controller upgrade. See Upgrade the Cache. (Refer also to the Cache Upgrade Quick Start Guide.)

Check network ports

If the number of network ports on the new controller is fewer than those configured with a subnet on the existing controller, you will need to un-configure the subnet on extra ports before upgrading the controllers. This will ensure your existing network configuration will be applied to the new controllers.

Cluster environments

If the pool in the cluster is not shared, before shutdown, it is recommended to:

1. Upgrade the member array
2. Perform a group leader failover to avoid downtime on group member arrays

Contact Nimble Support for group leader failover. If the pool in the cluster is shared, all members in the group will be affected. It is recommended to shut down all group members first.

Expansion Shelves

You can perform this upgrade with or without expansion shelvesconnected to the array. However, expansion shelves must be powered down.

New SAS cables

The new controllers do not use the same SAS cables.Use the G2 SAS cables shipped with the new controllers.

Array Model

Note the current array model. See Find the Model Number of an Array or Expansion Shelf (using the GUI or CLI).

Preparation for Installation

1. Confirm NimbleOS update. Check that the array is running NimbleOS 2.3.4 or later before shutting down. To check the OS version, see Find the NimbleOS Version of an Array.
2. Shut down the array.
   Important: You must use either the GUI or CLI to shut down the array. Do not use the Power button on the front of the array to perform the shutdown.

   From the GUI:

   1. Go to Administration > Shutdown and select array name.
   2. At the prompts, click Confirm, then Shutdown.
      Note: While the array is shutting down, administrative interfaces for the group are inaccessible.

   From the CLI:

   1. Log in to the array.
   2. At the prompt, type
      halt --arrayarray_name
      .

   Example:

   halt --array array320
3. Verify array shutdown. (Hardware only.)
   Important: Wait five minutes following array shutdown. If the array did not shutdown completely, repeat step 1. If after a few attempts the array still does not shut down, contact Nimble Storage Support.

   Verify that the array has shut down completely using one of the following options:

   • Perform a visual check on the array to verify that the LEDs are no longer lit (indicating hardware-only shutdown). On the front of the array, all drives will be off, indicated by both red and green LEDs being dark. (Only the amber LED on the side of the array will be lit.) On the back of the array, the fans will be off.
   • From the CLI, ping the management IP address of the array to check for no response.
   
4. Power off expansion shelves (if any).
   1. Press the Power button on the front of each expansion shelf (and All Flash shelf, if present) to power off the shelves. Powering off might take several minutes.
   2. After the expansion shelves are powered off, verify that the drive LEDs are dark, and that the fans are turned off.
5. Label and disconnect cables.
   1. Label all cables for easy reconnection later.
   2. Disconnect the power cable, and all management and data network cables, then disconnect the SAS cables, and the NimbleSerial-USB-VGA adapter (dongle) from both controllers. The SAS cables connected from the Head Shelf to one or more expansion shelves will need to be changed out for new G2 SAS cables.

Installation

6. Remove existing controllers.
   1. Loosen the controller keeper screw, press down on the handle, and pull the first controller straight out of the chassis.
      Note: If necessary, gently press down on the controller fans so that the new controllers clear the opening in the chassis.
   2. Repeat step a to remove the other existing controller.
   Important: To avoid a short circuit of the controllers, place them on a non-conductive, flat surface.
   
7. Install new controllers.
   1. Gently slide the new controller into the chassis. (If necessary, use only ESD-safe work gloves.)
   2. Repeat step a to install the other controller.
   3. Latch the handle and tighten the keeper screw on both controllers.
      Note: If necessary, gently press down on the controller fans so that the new controllers clear the opening in the chassis.
8. Reconnect cables and the USB adapter. Reconnect the power cable, and all management and data network cables (as labeled from step 5a), then connect the new G2 SAS cables, and new Nimble Serial-USB-VGA adapters (dongles) that shipped with the upgraded controllers.
   Note: Use the G2 SAS cables to connect from ports P1, P2 to the same expansion shelves (or All Flash shelf), as it was prior to upgrade. See Make Expansion or All Flash Shelf Connections for details on cabling expansion shelves.
   
9. Power on expansion shelves (if any).
   1. Press the Power button () on the front of each expansion shelf (or AFS, if present) to power on the shelves. Powering on might take several minutes.
   2. After the expansion shelves are powered on, verify that the drive LEDs are lit, and that the fans are running.
10. Power on the array. New controllers are shipped in a power-off state. Press the Power button () on the front of the array to power on the controllers. Powering on might take several minutes.
    Important: Do not press the Power button longer than a full second.

After Installation

11. Verify that the new controllers are powered on. The controller LEDs remain dark until the controllers are powered on. If both new controllers do not come online automatically, press the Power button on the front of the chassis for one full second.
    Note: The new controllers might take up to 30 minutes to appear in the user interface. If the controller takes longer than 30 minutes to report an Active/Standby state, contact Nimble Storage Support for assistance.
    Important: Do not proceed unless both new controllers are powered on. If one of the controllers does not power on, then you must revert back to the existing controllers following the same offline procedure after shutdown to remove the new controllers and replace them with the old controllers inserted into their original slots. In this case, contact Nimble Storage Support for further assistance.
12. Verify that the array recognizes the new controllers and they are in an Active/Standby state.
    • In the GUI, go to the Manage > Arrays page and look for the controllers: one labeled STANDBY and the other ACTIVE.
    • In the CLI, enter the ctrlr --list command and look for the controllers: one labeled Standby and the other Active.
13. Verify that the model number of the array has changed. See Find the Model Number of an Array or Expansion Shelf Using the GUI or Find the Model Number of an Array or Expansion Shelf Using the CLI.

    Original model	New model	Original model	New model
    CS220	CS300 or CS500 or CS700	CS420	CS500 or CS700
    CS240		CS440
    CS260		CS460

    
14. Reconnect the hosts. Reconnect all servers that communicate with the array (which were disconnected prior to the array shutdown). If a cache upgrade is required, the GUI indicates an “Unsupported Configuration” until the cache is upgraded.
15. After a successful upgrade, add new cache (if applicable). When controllers report an Active/Standby state, you can upgrade the cache.

    Replacing SSDs can temporarily impact performance. To minimize performance impact, do not replace all SSDs at once. Replacing them over intervals of time, preferably waiting 24 hours after each SSD replaced, is best. See Upgrade the Cache - CS2xx, CS4xx. (Refer also to the Cache Upgrade Quick Start Guide.)

16. Verify that the new controllers are powered on. The controller LEDs remain dark until the controllers are powered on. If both new controllers do not come online automatically, press the Power button on the front of the chassis for one full second.
    Note: The new controllers might take up to 30 minutes to appear in the user interface. If the controller takes longer than 30 minutes to report an Active/Standby state, contact Nimble Storage Support for assistance.
    Important: Do not proceed unless both new controllers are powered on. If one of the controllers does not power on, then you must revert back to the existing controllers following the same offline procedure after shutdown to remove the new controllers and replace them with the old controllers inserted into their original slots. In this case, contact Nimble Storage Support for further assistance.
17. Verify that the array recognizes the new controllers and they are in an Active/Standby state.
    • In the GUI, go to the Manage > Arrays page and look for the controllers: one labeled STANDBY and the other ACTIVE.
    • In the CLI, enter the ctrlr --list command and look for the controllers: one labeled Standby and the other Active.
18. Verify that the model number of the array has changed. (See Find the Model Number of an Array or Expansion Shelf Using the GUI or Find the Model Number of an Array or Expansion Shelf Using the CLI).

    Original model	New model	Original model	New model
    CS220	CS300 or CS500 or CS700	CS420	CS500 or CS700
    CS240		CS440
    CS260		CS460

    
19. Reconnect the hosts. Reconnect all servers that communicate with the array (which were disconnected prior to the array shutdown). If a cache upgrade is required, the GUI indicates an “Unsupported Configuration” until the cache is upgraded.
20. After a successful upgrade, add new cache (if applicable). When controllers report an Active/Standby state, you can upgrade the cache.

    Replacing SSDs can temporarily impact performance. To minimize performance impact, do not replace all SSDs at once. Replacing them over intervals of time, preferably waiting 24 hours after each SSD replaced, is best. See Upgrade the Cache - CS2xx, CS4xx. (Refer also to the Cache Upgrade Quick Start Guide.)