Replacing an Interface Module

Impact on the System

• During the replacement of a front-end port module, the system switches services from ports on this module to ports on another module of the peer-end controller. If available links are unable to bear the current service load, host 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 port module, the system switches services from ports on this module to ports on another module of the local controller or the peer-end controller. A back-end port has no other redundant links, and disks in the loop all run with a single path, causing the system reliability to degrade.
• During the replacement of a PCIe interface module or SmartIO interface module that is used for controller interconnection, the controller on which the interface module resides becomes offline and all services on the controller are automatically switched to the peer controller. The service switch over duration increases if the service load is out of 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 a PCIe interface module or SmartIO interface module that is used for controller interconnection.

Prerequisite

• The new interface module is the same type as the one to be replaced. If you want to use a different type of interface module, you must contact Huawei technical support.
• The replacement interface module is ready.
• 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.

• Services running on the interface module that you want to replace have been stopped.
• The cable connection positions of the interface module that you want to replace are labeled on the cables.

Precaution

• Note the following if you want to replace a SmartIO interface module:
  • For the new SmartIO interface module without an optical module

    Remove the optical module from the SmartIO interface module you want to replace and insert the new SmartIO 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 module into the new SmartIO interface module.

  • For the new SmartIO interface module with an optical module

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

• Remove and insert an interface module with even force. Excessive force may damage the appearance or connectors of the interface module.
• 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.

Tools and Materials

• ESD wrist strap
• ESD bag
• Labels

Procedure

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

      Start SmartKit and choose 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 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. Check the status of the Power indicator/Hot Swap button on the interface module to determine whether the interface module has been successfully powered off, as shown in Figure 5-32.
   • If the indicator is off, the interface module has been successfully powered off. Proceed to 4.
   • If the indicator is on, use a paper clip or a similar object to press the Power indicator/Hot Swap button on the interface module to power off the interface module.
   Figure 5-32 Power indicator/Hot Swap button on an interface module
   

4. Remove the cables from the interface module that you want to replace.
5. Press the latch on the interface module and pull out the interface module, as shown in Figure 5-33.
   Figure 5-33 Removing an interface module
   

6. Put the removed interface module into an ESD bag.
7. Take the spare part out of its ESD bag.
8. Insert the replacement interface module into the empty slot until it clicks into place, as shown in Figure 5-34.
   Figure 5-34 Installing an interface module
   

9. Connect the cables.

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

   It is recommended that the cables be connected four minutes after the module installation to prevent any impact on the status update of the interface module.

10. Wait approximately 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 5-35 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 red or off, the newly installed interface module is faulty, the interface module slot is faulty, or the interface module is incorrectly installed.
    Figure 5-35 Power indicator on an interface module
    

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

       After the parts replacement, return to the SmartKit page and click Replaced. Then complete the parts 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.