Upgrade the Controller

Time required:	Up to 90 minutes for the new controller to appear in the UI
Parts required:	New controllers ordered from HPE
Information required:	Case number Array name or serial number. (The array serial number can be found on the back of Controller A.)
Tools required:	Phillips screwdriver ESD (electrostatic discharge) strap or appropriate grounding device
Support contact:	See Support.

Refer to the following table to determine what models you can upgrade your array model to.

Original Model	To New Model
CS1000H (min 720GB cache)	CS3000 NOTE: The CS1000H can only be upgraded to a CS3000. No further controller upgrades are supported.
CS1000 (min 720GB cache)	CS3000, CS5000, CS7000
CS3000 (min 720GB cache)	CS5000, CS7000
CS5000 (min 720GB cache)	CS7000
SF100 (min 720GB cache)	SF300

IMPORTANT:

The minimum cache required to support the controller upgrade is 720GB. If your array does not have 720GB of cache capacity, you must upgrade the cache before proceeding with the controller upgrade. Refer to the Cache Upgrade Guide.
If you have a CS1000H model array, you must fully populate the 11 empty hard drive slots before upgrading to CS3000 controllers. Refer to the Drive Upgrade Guide (HDD).

HPE recommends using the Maintenance Window functionality within the HPE InfoSight portal to inform HPE Support of upcoming maintenance windows.

Refer to https://infosight.hpe.com/dashboards/nimble/wellness/maintenance-windows for more information.

You can disable automated support case generation during planned maintenance from the Manage Maintenance Windows page. After a maintenance window is set, no further communication with HPE Support is required.

NOTE:

If one controller fails, the other controller takes over. The array can function with one healthy controller while the new one is installed.
Upgrade controllers are shipped with empty PCIe cages installed. Before installing the new controller, you must move the PCIe cage from the existing controller and install it into the new controller.
Replace the array controller if any of its components, such as the NVDIMM, have failed. If replacing a controller, see Replace a Controller.
If upgrading SSDs, see Upgrade SSDs.
If upgrading NICs or FC HBAs, see Upgrade NICs or Fibre Channel HBAs.

Caution:

Before you attempt to install the controller:

For CS1000, CS3000, and CS5000 models, ensure that the array is updated to NimbleOS 3.7.0.0 or later.
For SF100 models, ensure that the array is updated to NimbleOS 4.2.0.0 or later.
Do not remove the existing controller until you are ready to install the upgrade.
Determine which controller to upgrade before installation.
Determine the model, NimbleOS version running on the array, and the state of the controllers. See Find the Model Number of an Array or Expansion Shelf Using the GUI and Determine the Operating State of the Controllers Using the GUI.

Use this procedure to upgrade the controllers in your HPE storage array.

Prepare the existing controller for the upgrade.
1. Log in to the array using the CLI.
2. Determine whether the existing controller is in Standby mode.
  ctrlr --list --array array_name
3. Halt the standby controller.
  halt --array array_name --controller {A | B}
  Example
```
NimbleOS $ halt --array array123 --controller A
```
Remove the existing controller (in Standby mode).

IMPORTANT:
To avoid electrostatic damage, place array components on a grounded anti-static mat. Use an ESD wrist strap during removal and replacement.

IMPORTANT: When upgrading a controller, make sure you use the USB device that shipped with the upgrade kit.
1. Label all cables to ensure proper recabling (in step 5), then remove the cables from the controller.
2. Loosen the keeper screw to release the controller handle.
  
  IMPORTANT: Use caution while removing the keeper screw to avoid screwdriver tip slipping through the fan grill and hitting the fan blade.
  1. Keeper screw
  2. Handle
  3. Thumbscrew
  NOTE: Do not remove the power cord above the controller. If clips are installed, it is recommended to secure retention clips around the power cord to avoid accidental power cord removal or displacement.
3. Grasp the standby controller by the handle, pull down, and use firm, steady pressure to pull the controller out of the chassis bay. Use two hands to support the controller during removal.
Remove the PCIe cage from the existing controller and install it into the new controller.
1. Loosen the thumbscrew to release the PCIe cage from the controller.
2. Gently pull the PCIe cage up from the controller to unseat the PCIe cage riser card from the motherboard connector, and then remove the cage.
3. In the new controller, carefully align the PCIe cage riser card with the motherboard connector and gently seat the PCIe cage into place.
  1. PCIe cage
  2. Controller panel
  3. Thumbscrew
4. Fasten the thumbscrew to secure the PCIe cage to the controller.
Install and cable the new controller.
1. Loosen the keeper screw on the new controller and lower the handle.
2. Gently slide the controller fully into the chassis bay.
  
  Do not force the controller. If it does not slide in easily, remove it and try again.
  
  NOTE: If necessary, gently press down on the controller fans so that the new controller clears the opening in the chassis.
3. After the controller is in place, return the controller handle to its original closed position and tighten the keeper screw.
4. Reattach the cables (use the labeling from step 2a as a guide).
Verify that the new controller is powered on.

After it is installed, the new controller powers on automatically. The controller LEDs on both the left and right side of the array remain on. If the array does not power on automatically, contact HPE Nimble Storage Support.
Verify that the array recognizes the new controller and that the new controller is in Standby mode.
Do one of the following:
- In the GUI,
  - For version 3.x and earlier, choose Manage → Array, then look for the controller labeled STANDBY.
  - For version 4.x and later, click Hardware, then look for the controller labeled STANDBY.
- In the CLI, enter the command: ctrlr --list --array array_name, then look for the controller labeled standby.
NOTE: The new controller might take up to 90 minutes to appear in the user interface because some or all the firmware components on the new controller must be updated by NimbleOS.

Do not remove the controller during this period because interrupted firmware updates might render the hardware non-functional.

If the controller takes longer than 90 minutes to report an Active/Standby state, contact HPE Support for assistance.
While still logged in to the array, perform a failover to the new controller.

Type the failover command.

failover --array

During the failover, the Standby controller first goes into solo mode and then into Active mode. The previously active controller goes into unknown mode, then into Stale mode, and finally into Standby mode.

NOTE: If you are upgrading a CS1000 or CS3000 model to a CS5000 or CS7000, or an SF100 model to an SF300, the previously active controller will go into stale mode but will not go into Standby mode.
Verify that the new controller is in Active mode.
Repeat steps 2 through 6 to upgrade the other controller, now in Standby mode.

For CS1000 and CS3000 upgrade to CS5000 or CS7000: Shortly after both controllers are upgraded, the active controller automatically fails over a second time to upgrade the NVRAM format.
Verify that the controllers are in Active and Standby modes.
ctrlr --list --array array_name
Verify that the model number of the array has changed.

shelf --array array_name --list

Look for Model in the list of information.

Return both replaced controllers using the instructions that came with the upgrade kit.