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Controller memory insufficient for pool configuration

The current pool configuration requires more memory than the storage array's controllers contain.

This problem occurs for the following reasons:

  • A controller was replaced with a controller that contains less memory.

  • A memory DIMM in one of the storage array's controller was replaced with a DIMM of a smaller capacity.

  • A new Host Interface Card (HIC) was added to the storage array's controllers requiring more internal memory from the controllers.

  • A HIC was replaced with a HIC that requires more internal memory than the original.

CAUTION
Risk of data loss

The NV status LED on the controller will stay lit until all cached data has been written to the storage array's drives. Removing the controller before the NV status LED has turned off will result in data loss.

Recovery Steps​

  1. Was a controller or cache memory DIMM recently replaced?

    • If yes, go to step 4.

    • If no, go to step 2.

  2. Manually collect support data from the storage array.

    1. Go to Support > Support Center. Then, select the Diagnostics tab.

    2. Select the Collect Support Data link to save the support data to a file.

  3. Contact your Technical Support Engineer using the information in the upper right-corner of the Support Center.

  4. You can resolve this problem by either re-inserting the original component back into the storage array, or replacing the current component with a new component that has the same or more memory than the original.

    • If you would like to insert the original component back into the storage array, do so at this time and then go to step 22.

    • If you would like to replace the current component with a new component, go to step 5.

  5. Contact your Technical Support Engineer to obtain a controller or DIMM that has the same or more memory than the original component. Do not go to step 6 until you have received the correct component.

  6. Create a back-up of the storage array's configuration data on your local system using the Command Line Interface.

    From a command prompt run the save storageArray dbmDatabase command using the sourceLocation=onboard and contentType=all options.

    Command Prompt example: (exact syntax will be dependent on your operating system)
    SMcli (hostname or IP address) -c "save storageArray dbmDatabase sourceLocation=onboard contentType=all 
    file= \"dbmDatabase.zip\" ;"

    Help with E-Series CLI commands is available from the online Document Center or by contacting Technical Support.

  7. Does your storage array have one or two controllers?

    • If the storage array has one controller, go to step 8.

    • If the storage array has two controllers, go to step 17.

  8. Stop I/O from all hosts connected to the storage array and wait at least five minutes to ensure that any data in the controller's cache is written to the storage array's drives.

  9. Select the Save icon in the Recovery Guru to save the remaining steps to a file. These steps will no longer be accessible after you complete step 10.

  10. Turn off power to all power-fan canisters in the controller shelf.

  11. Label each cable connected to the controller canister.

  12. Remove the controller.

  13. Are you replacing the controller or a memory DIMM inside the controller?

    • If you are replacing the controller, remove the battery and, if applicable, the host interface card (HIC) from the removed controller and place it into the new controller. Refer to your hardware documentation for the battery and HIC replacement procedure.Then, go to step 14.

    • If you are replacing a memory DIMM, remove the affected DIMM and replace it with the new component. Then, go to step 15.

  14. Did you use a DHCP or SLAAC server to originally assign an IP address for the removed controller's management ports?

    • If yes, update the DHCP or SLAAC server to associate the removed controller's DNS/network and IP address with the ethernet address located on the replacement controller's MAC address label, and then go to step 15.

    • If no, go to step 15.

  15. Insert the new the controller canister or the original controller with the newly replaced memory DIMM firmly into place and reconnect the cables.

  16. Turn on power to all power-fan canisters in the controller shelf. Wait until all drives have completed the spin-up process, and then go to step 22.

  17. Are any hosts connected to this storage array NOT running a host-based, multi-path failover driver?

    • If yes, stop I/O from those hosts to the storage array, and then go to step 18.

    • If no, go to step 18.

  18. Select the Save icon in the Recovery Guru to save the remaining steps to a file. These steps will no longer be accessible after you complete step 19.

  19. Manually place the affected controller offline.

    1. Go to Hardware.

    2. Highlight the controller shown in the Details area. The controller is located on the backside of the controller shelf.

    3. Select Place Offline.

  20. Select Recheck to rerun the Recovery Guru. The original Controller Memory Insufficient for Pool Configuration problem should now be replaced by an Offline Controller problem.

  21. Follow the recovery steps in the Offline Controller procedure to replace the controller or memory DIMM.

  22. Select Recheck to ensure the problem has been resolved.