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Upgrading to new Brocade FC switches

If you are upgrading to new Brocade FC switches, you must replace the switches in the first fabric, verify that the MetroCluster configuration is fully operational, and then replace the switches in the second fabric.

Before you begin

  • The MetroCluster configuration must be healthy and in normal operation.

  • The MetroCluster switch fabrics consist of four Brocade switches.

    The illustrations in the following steps show current switches.

  • The switches must be running the most recent supported firmware.

About this task

  • This procedure is nondisruptive and takes approximately two hours to complete.

  • You need the admin password and access to an FTP or SCP server.

The switch fabrics are upgraded one at a time.

At the end of this procedure, all four switches will be upgraded to new switches.



  1. Disable the first switch fabric: FC_switch_A_1:admin> switchCfgPersistentDisable

    Example

    FC_switch_A_1:admin> switchCfgPersistentDisable



  2. Replace the old switches at one MetroCluster site.
    1. Uncable and remove the disabled switch.
    2. Install the new switch in the rack.



    3. Disable the new switches: switchCfgPersistentDisable

      The command disables both switches in the switch fabric.
      FC_switch_A_1:admin> switchCfgPersistentDisable

    4. Cable the new switch using the recommended port assignments.

      Port assignments for FC switches

    5. Repeat these substeps at the partner MetroCluster site to replace the second switch in the first switch fabric.

    Result

    Both switches in fabric 1 have been replaced.

  3. Power up the new switches and let them boot up.
  4. Download the RCF files for the new switch.

    Lenovo Data Center Support Site

  5. Apply the RCF files to both new switches in the fabric, following the directions on the download page.
  6. Save the switch configuration: cfgSave
  7. Wait 10 minutes to allow the configuration to stabilize.
  8. Confirm connectivity to the disks by entering the following command on any one of the MetroCluster nodes: run local sysconfig -v

    The output shows the disks attached to the initiator ports on the controller, and identifies the shelves connected to the FC-to-SAS bridges:

    Example

    node_A_1> run local sysconfig -v
    Lenovo Release 9.6P5: Fri Dec 13 13:23:47 EST 2019
    System ID: 4068741258 (node_A_1); partner ID: 4068741260 (node_B_1)
    System Serial Number: 940001025471 (node_A_1)
    System Rev: A4
    System Storage Configuration: Multi-Path HA<=== Configuration should be multi-path HA
    .
    .
    .
    slot 0: FC Host Adapter 0g (QLogic 8324 rev. 2, N-port, <UP>)<=== Initiator port
    Firmware rev:      7.5.0
    Flash rev:         0.0.0
    Host Port Id:      0x60130
    FC Node Name:      5:00a:098201:bae312
    FC Port Name:      5:00a:098201:bae312
    SFP Vendor:        UTILITIES CORP.
    SFP Part Number:   FTLF8529P3BCVAN1
    SFP Serial Number: URQ0Q9R
    SFP Capabilities:  4, 8 or 16 Gbit
    Link Data Rate:    16 Gbit
    Switch Port:       brcd6505-fcs40:1
      <List of disks visible to port>
     ID     Vendor   Model            FW    Size
    brcd6505-fcs29:12.126L1527     : LENOVO   X302_HJUPI01TSSM NA04 847.5GB (1953525168 512B/sect)
    brcd6505-fcs29:12.126L1528     : LENOVO   X302_HJUPI01TSSA NA02 847.5GB (1953525168 512B/sect)
    .
    .
    .
    <List of FC-to-SAS bridges visible to port>
    FC-to-SAS Bridge:
    brcd6505-fcs40:12.126L0        : ATTO     FibreBridge6500N 1.61  FB6500N102980
    brcd6505-fcs42:13.126L0        : ATTO     FibreBridge6500N 1.61  FB6500N102980
    brcd6505-fcs42:6.126L0         : ATTO     FibreBridge6500N 1.61  FB6500N101167
    brcd6505-fcs42:7.126L0         : ATTO     FibreBridge6500N 1.61  FB6500N102974
    .
    .
    .
      <List of storage shelves visible to port>
    brcd6505-fcs40:12.shelf6: DS4243  Firmware rev. IOM3 A: 0200  IOM3 B: 0200
    brcd6505-fcs40:12.shelf8: DS4243  Firmware rev. IOM3 A: 0200  IOM3 B: 0200
    .
    .
    .

  9. Returning to the switch prompt, verify the switch firmware version: firmwareShow

    The switches must be running the most recent supported firmware.

  10. Simulate a switchover operation:
    1. From any node's prompt, change to the advanced privilege level: set -privilege advanced

      You need to respond with y when prompted to continue into advanced mode and see the advanced mode prompt (*>).
    2. Perform the switchover operation with the -simulate parameter: metrocluster switchover -simulate
    3. Return to the admin privilege level: set -privilege admin
  11. Repeat the previous steps on the second switch fabric.

Result

After repeating the steps, all four switches have been upgraded and the MetroCluster configuration is in normal operation.