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Requirements for adding, upgrading or replacing a HIC

If you plan to add, upgrade, or replace a host interface card (HIC), keep the following requirements in mind.

  • You have scheduled a downtime maintenance window for this procedure. The power must be off when you install HICs, so you cannot access data on the storage array until you have successfully completed this procedure. (In a two-controller configuration, this is because both controllers must have the same HIC configuration when they are powered on.)
  • The HICs must be compatible with your controllers. The HICs installed in the two controller canisters must be identical. The presence of mismatched HICs causes the controller with the replacement HIC to lock down when you bring it online.
  • You have all cables, transceivers, switches, and host bus adapters (HBAs) needed to connect the new host ports.

    For information about compatible hardware, refer to the DE Series Product Support Site or the the Lenovo ServerProven website.

  • You have an ESD wristband, or you have taken other antistatic precautions.
  • You have a #1 Phillips screwdriver.
  • You have labels to identify each cable that is connected to the controller canister.

  • You have installed ThinkSystem Storage Manager on a management station, so you can use the storage array's command line interface (CLI). If this software has not yet been installed, follow the instructions in the Windows express configuration, VMware express configuration, or Linux express configuration to download and install it.