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Replacing an IP switch

You might need to replace a failed switch, or upgrade or downgrade a switch. The new switch can be the same as the old switch when a switch has failed, or you can change the switch type (upgrade or downgrade the switch).

About this task

If you want to replace a failed switch with the same type of switch, you only need to replace the failed switch. If you want to upgrade or downgrade a switch, you need to adjust two switches that are in the same network. Two switches are in the same network if they are connected with an inter-switch link (ISL) and are not located at the same site. For example, Network 1 includes IP_switch_A_1 and IP_switch_B_1. Network 2 includes IP_switch_A_2 and IP_switch_B_2 as shown in the diagram below:

This procedure is for Cisco or Broadcom switches. If you want to change the switch vendor, further steps are required.



If you upgrade or downgrade the networks, you must repeat this procedure for the second network.

  1. Check the health of the configuration.
    1. Check that the MetroCluster is configured and in normal mode on each cluster: metrocluster show

      Example

      cluster_A::> metrocluster show
      Cluster                   Entry Name          State
      ------------------------- ------------------- -----------
       Local: cluster_A         Configuration state configured
                                Mode                normal
                                AUSO Failure Domain auso-on-cluster-disaster
      Remote: cluster_B         Configuration state configured
                                Mode                normal
                                AUSO Failure Domain auso-on-cluster-disaster
    2. Check that mirroring is enabled on each node: metrocluster node show

      Example

      cluster_A::> metrocluster node show
      DR                           Configuration  DR
      Group Cluster Node           State          Mirroring Mode
      ----- ------- -------------- -------------- --------- --------------------
      1     cluster_A
                    node_A_1       configured     enabled   normal
            cluster_B
                    node_B_1       configured     enabled   normal
      2 entries were displayed.

    3. Check that the MetroCluster components are healthy: metrocluster check run

      Example

      cluster_A::> metrocluster check run

      Last Checked On: 10/1/2014 16:03:37

      Component           Result
      ------------------- ---------
      nodes               ok
      lifs                ok
      config-replication  ok
      aggregates          ok
      4 entries were displayed.

      Command completed. Use the "metrocluster check show -instance" command or sub-commands in "metrocluster check" directory for detailed results.
      To check if the nodes are ready to do a switchover or switchback operation, run "metrocluster switchover -simulate" or "metrocluster switchback -simulate", respectively.

    4. Check that there are no health alerts: system health alert show
  2. Configure the new switch before installation.

    Note
    If you are upgrading or downgrading the switches, you must configure all the switches in the network.

    Follow the steps in the section Configuring the IP switches in the MetroCluster IP Installation and Configuration Guide.

    MetroCluster IP installation and configuration

    Make sure that you apply the correct RCF file for switch _A_1, _A_2, _B_1 or _B_2. If the new switch is the same as the old switch, you need to apply the same RCF file.

    If you upgrade or downgrade a switch, apply the latest supported RCF file for the new switch.

  3. Run the port show command to view information about the network ports: network port show
  4. Disconnect the ISL connections from the remote switch that connect to the old switch.

    Example

    You should disconnect the ISL connections from the ports on the IP_switch_A_1 that connect to IP_switch_B_1.
  5. Power off the switch, remove the cables and physically remove IP_switch_B_1.
  6. Install the new switch.

    Cable the new switch first (including the ISLs) according to the steps in the Cabling the IP switches section in the MetroCluster IP Installation and Configuration Guide.

    MetroCluster IP installation and configuration

    Note
    The used ports might be different from those on the old switch if the switch type is different.

    If you are upgrading or downgrading the switches, do NOT cable the local ISLs. Only cable the local ISLs if you are upgrading or downgrading the switches in the second network and both switches at one site are the same type.

  7. Power up the switch or switches.

    If the new switch is the same, power up the new switch. If you are upgrading or downgrading the switches, then power up both switches. The configuration can operate with two different switches at each site until the second network is updated.
  8. Verify that the MetroCluster configuration is healthy by repeating step 1.

    If you are upgrading or downgrading the switches in the first network, you might see some alerts related to local clustering.

    Note
    If you upgrade or downgrade the networks, then repeat all of the steps for the second network.