You prepare to upgrade host interface cards (HICs) by backing up the storage array's configuration database, collecting support data, and stopping host I/O operations. Then, you can power down the controller shelf.
Before you begin
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.)
You have installed ThinkSystem Storage Manager on a management station, so you can use the storage array's command line interface (CLI).
From the Home of ThinkSystem System Manager, ensure that the storage array has Optimal status.
If the status is not Optimal, use the Recovery Guru or contact technical support to resolve the problem. Do not continue with this procedure.
Back up the storage array's configuration database.
If a problem occurs when you remove a controller, you can use the saved file to restore your configuration.
Download SMcli from ThinkSystem System Manager and setup SMcli command execution environment.
Execute the following SMcli command.
save storageArray dbmDatabase sourceLocation=onboard contentType=all file="filename";
In this command, filename is the file path and file name to which you want to save the database. Enclose the file name in backslash following double quotation marks (\"). For example:
file="C:\Program Files\CLI\logs\dbmdata.zip"
This command does not automatically append a file extension to the saved file. You must specify a file extension when entering the file name.
Note
Under PowerShell, enclose the file name following two quotation marks(""), for example file=\""data.zip\"".
Note
Execution environment requires setting JAVA_HOME environment variable, and JRE8 or later.
Collect support data for your storage array using ThinkSystem System Manager.
Select Support > Support Center > Diagnostics.
Select Collect Support Data.
Click Collect.
The file is saved in the Downloads folder for your browser with the name support-data.7z.
Ensure that no I/O operations are occurring between the storage array and all connected hosts. For example, you can perform these steps:
Stop all processes that involve the LUNs mapped from the storage to the hosts.
Ensure that no applications are writing data to any LUNs mapped from the storage to the hosts.
Unmount all file systems associated with volumes on the array.
Note
The exact steps to stop host I/O operations depend on the host operating system and the configuration, which are beyond the scope of these instructions. If you are not sure how to stop host I/O operations in your environment, consider shutting down the host.
Attention
Possible data loss – If you continue this procedure while I/O operations are occurring, the host application might lose access to the data because the storage is not accessible.
If the storage array participates in a mirroring relationship, stop all host I/O operations on the secondary storage array.
Wait for any data in cache memory to be written to the drives.
The green Cache Active LED on the back of each controller is on when cached data needs to be written to the drives. You must wait for this LED to turn off.
Cache Active LED
From the Home page of ThinkSystem System Manager, select View Operations in Progress. Wait for all operations to complete before continuing with the next step.
Power down the controller shelf.
Turn off both power switches on the controller shelf.
Wait for all LEDs on the controller shelf to turn off.
