Replacing an Interface Module

Impact on the System

• During the replacement of a front-end interface module, the system switches services from the port of the interface module to another redundant port. If available links are unable to bear the current service load, the service I/O response latency increases and the system performance degrades. If there are no other redundant links, services run on a single link and the system reliability degrades.
• During the replacement of a back-end interface module, the system switches services from the port of the interface module to another redundant port. If there are no other redundant links, disks in the loop all run over a single link, causing the system reliability to degrade.
• During the replacement of an interface module used for interconnecting controllers, the controller on which the interface module resides goes offline and all services on the controller are automatically switched to the peer controller. The service switchover duration increases if the service load exceeds the load bearing limit of a single controller. The replacement may fail due to a heavy service load. In addition, the replacement degrades system performance and reliability. You are advised to perform interface module replacement during off-peak hours. After the replacement is complete, the controller on which the interface module resides will restart and services will be automatically switched back to the controller.

  Use SmartKit to replace an interface module used for interconnecting controllers.

Prerequisites

• The spare part is on hand based on the BOM code of the interface module you want to replace and the type of the spare part is the same as that of the interface module you want to replace.
• A label has been attached to the handle of the spare part.

• The interface module that you want to replace has been located.

You can locate a component in either of the following ways:

• Locating a component based on alarms in DeviceManager: On the Alarms and Events page of DeviceManager, view the help information and determine the ID of the component to be replaced. Then locate the component at your site based on its ID.
• Locating a component based on the status of its Running/Alarm indicator: For details about the indicators on different components, see "Indicator Introduction" of each component in the Product Description specific to your product model and version.

• The cable connection positions of the interface module that you want to replace are labeled on the cables.

Precautions

• The type of the spare part must be same as that of the one you want to replace. Otherwise, parts replacement will fail and the configuration of the interface module will be lost. If the configuration of the interface module is lost, collect logs and contact Huawei technical support.

• Note the following if you want to replace an interface module with optical/electrical module:
  • For the new interface module without an optical/electrical module

    Remove the optical/electrical module from the interface module you want to replace and insert the new interface module into the controller enclosure. After the Power indicator of the new interface module is steady green, wait at least one minute and insert the removed optical/electrical module into the new interface module.

  • For the new interface module with an optical/electrical module

    Insert the new interface module into the controller enclosure. If you want to use the optical/electrical module on the replaced interface module, wait at least one minute after the Power indicator of the new interface module is steady green, and then insert the optical/electrical module into the new interface module.

• Remove and insert an interface module with even force. Excessive force may damage the appearance of the interface module or cause faults.
• An interface module must be replaced within five minutes. Otherwise, the system heat dissipation is compromised.
• After removing an interface module, wait at least fifteen seconds before inserting one. Otherwise, the system cannot identify the status change of the interface module.
• If you replace an interface module that uses Ethernet protocol with one that uses Fibre Channel protocol, the Ethernet port configuration information will be deleted, and VLANs, logical ports, and bonded ports on the original interface module will become unavailable. If you replace the interface module again with one that uses Ethernet protocol, the Ethernet port configuration information will not be restored, but the VLANs, logical ports, and bonded ports on the Ethernet interface module will be restored.
• If you replace an interface module that uses Fibre Channel protocol with one that uses Ethernet protocol, the Fibre Channel port configuration information will be deleted. If you replace the interface module again with one that uses Fibre Channel protocol, the Fibre Channel port configuration information will not be restored.
• If you want to use interface modules of different types, contact Huawei technical support.

Tools and Materials

• ESD wrist strap
• ESD bag
• Labels

Procedure

1. Check status before replacement.
   1. Check system status.

      Start SmartKit and choose Home > Storage > Routine Maintenance > Health Check. On the Health Check page, perform inspection as instructed. For details, see Checking System Status.

      If any items fail the inspection, rectify the faults by performing the recommended actions in the inspection reports. Ensure that all other parts except the parts to be replaced are working properly.

   2. Evaluate the replacement.

      Start SmartKit and choose Home > Storage > Parts Replacement > Parts Replacement Evaluation. If any check item fails, rectify the fault as instructed.

      Only IP scale-out interface modules support parts replacement evaluation.

   3. Check the status of the parts to be replaced.

      Start SmartKit and choose Home > Storage > Parts Replacement > Parts Replacement. On the Parts Replacement page, click FRU Replacement. Then complete the check before the replacement as prompted. For details, see Replacing an FRU.

      You can proceed to next steps only when all items pass the pre-replacement check and the replacement page is displayed. If any item fails, rectify the fault as prompted.

2. Wear an ESD wrist strap.
3. Remove the cables from the interface module that you want to replace.
4. Press the latch on the interface module to release the handle and pull out the interface module, as shown in Figure 8-78.
   Figure 8-78 Removing the interface module
   

   This figure uses a 2 U controller enclosure as an example. The method used to replacing an interface module for a 4 U controller enclosure is the same as that for a 2 U controller enclosure.

5. Put the removed interface module into an ESD bag.
6. Take the spare part out of its ESD bag.
7. Insert the interface module into the slot until it clicks into place, as shown in Figure 8-79.
   Figure 8-79 Installing the interface module
   

   This figure uses a 2 U controller enclosure as an example. The method used to replacing an interface module for a 4 U controller enclosure is the same as that for a 2 U controller enclosure.

8. Connect the cables.

   The cable connection positions of the new interface module must be identical to those of the original interface module. Otherwise, service operations will be affected.

   After the interface module is installed, you are advised to wait four minutes before connecting the cables so that the status of the new interface module can be updated.

9. Wait about two minutes and check the status of the Power indicator on the interface module to determine whether the interface module has been successfully installed. Figure 8-80 shows the location of the Power indicator.
   • If the indicator is steady green, the interface module has been successfully installed.
   • If the indicator is steady yellow or off, the newly installed interface module is faulty, the interface module slot is faulty, or the interface module is incorrectly installed.
   Figure 8-80 Power indicator on an interface module
   

10. Confirm the replacement.
    1. Perform a post-replacement inspection.

       After the parts replacement, return to the SmartKit page and click Replaced. Then complete the check after the replacement as prompted.

    2. Check system status.

       On the Parts Replacement page, click Inspection to check the system status again. If any item fails inspection, rectify the fault based on the suggestions in the inspection report.

    3. After the preceding procedure is complete, check services on the host for storage-related errors.

Follow-up Procedure

After the interface module is replaced, label it to facilitate subsequent operations.