NetApp AFF A900 User manual

AFF A900 systems
ONTAP Systems
NetApp
January 28, 2022
This PDF was generated from https://docs.netapp.com/us-en/ontap-systems/a900/install_setup.html on
January 28, 2022. Always check docs.netapp.com for the latest.

Table of Contents
AFF A900 systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ê1
Install and setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ê1
Maintain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ê17

AFF A900 systems
Install and setup
Start here: Choose your installation and setup experience
You can choose from different content formats to guide you through installing and setting
up your new storage system.
•Quick steps
A printable PDF of step-by-step instructions with live links to additional content.
•Video steps
Video step-by-step instructions.
•Detailed steps
Online step-by-step instructions with live links to additional content.
Quick steps - AFF A900
This topic gives graphic instructions for a typical installation of your system from racking
and cabling, through initial system bring-up. Use this content if you are familiar with
installing NetApp systems.
Access the Installation and Setup Instructions PDF poster:
AFF A900 Installation and Setup Instructions
Video steps - AFF A900
There are two videos; one showing how to rack and cable your system and one showing
an example of using the System Manager Guided Setup to perform initial system
configuration.
Video one of two: Hardware installation and cabling
The following video shows how to install and cable your new system.
Animation—AFF A900 Installation and setup instructions
Video two of two: Performing end-to-end software configuration
The following video shows end-to-end software configuration for systems running ONTAP 9.2 and later.
NetApp video: Software configuration for vSphere NAS datastores for FAS/AFF systems running ONTAP 9.2
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Detailed steps - AFF 900
This article gives detailed step-by-step instructions for installing a typical NetApp system.
Use this article if you want more detailed installation instructions.
Step 1: Prepare for installation
To install your system, you need to create an account on the NetApp Support Site, register your system, and
get license keys. You also need to inventory the appropriate number and type of cables for your system and
collect specific network information.
Before you begin
You need to have access to the NetApp Hardware Universe for information about site
requirements as well as additional information on your configured system.
You might also want to have access to the ONTAP 9 Release Notes for your version of ONTAP for more
information about this system.
You need to provide the following at your site:
•Rack space for the storage system
•Phillips #2 screwdriver
•Additional networking cables to connect your system to your network switch and laptop or console with a
Web browser
Steps
1. Unpack the contents of all boxes.
2. Record the system serial number from the controllers.
3. Inventory and make a note of the number and types of cables you received.
The following table identifies the types of cables you might receive. If you receive a cable not listed in the
table, see the Hardware Universe to locate the cable and identify its use.
NetApp Hardware Universe
Type of
cable…
Part number and length Connector type For…
25 GbE data
Cable
X66240A-05 (112-00639),
0.5m
X66240A-2 (112-00598), 2m
X66240A-5 (112-00600), 5m
Network cable
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Type of
cable…
Part number and length Connector type For…
32 Gb FC
(SFP+ Op)
X66250-2 (112-00342), 2m
X66250-5 (112-00344), 5m
X66250-15 (112-00346),
15m
FC optical network cable
40 GbE
network cable
X66100-1 (112-00542), 1m
X66100-3 (112-00543), 3m
X66100-5 (112-00544), 5m
Ethernet data, cluster
network
100 GbE
cable
X66211B-1 (112-00573), 1m
X66211B-2 (112-00574), 2m
X66211B-5 (112-00576), 5m
Network,
NVME storage,
Ethernet data,
cluster network
Optical
cables
X66031A (112-00436), 1m
X66032A (112-00437), 2m
X66033A (112-00438), 3m
FC optical network
Cat 6, RJ-45
(order
dependent)
Part numbers X6585-R6
(112-00291), 3m
X6562-R6 (112-00196), 5m
Management network and
Ethernet data
Micro-USB
console cable
Not applicable Console connection during
software setup on non-
Windows or Mac
laptop/console
Power cables Not applicable Powering up the system
4. Review the ONTAP Configuration Guide and collect the required information listed in that guide.
Step 2: Install the hardware
You need to install your system in a 4-post rack or NetApp system cabinet, as applicable.
1. Install the rail kits, as needed.
2. Install and secure your system using the instructions included with the rail kit.
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You need to be aware of the safety concerns associated with the weight of the system.
3. Attach cable management devices (as shown).
4. Place the bezel on the front of the system.
Step 3: Cable controllers to your network
You can cable the controllers to your network by using the two-node switchless cluster
method or by using the cluster interconnect network.
Option 1: Two-node switchless cluster
Management network, data network, and management ports on the controllers are
connected to switches. The cluster interconnect ports are cabled on both controllers.
Before you begin
You must have contacted your network administrator for information about connecting the system to the
switches.
Be sure to check the direction of the cable pull-tabs when inserting the cables in the ports. Cable pull-tabs are
up for all networking module ports.
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As you insert the connector, you should feel it click into place; if you do not feel it click, remove
it, turn it around and try again.
1. Use the animation or illustration to complete the cabling between the controllers and to the switches:
Animation — Cabling a two-node switchless cluster
Step Perform on each controller
Cable cluster interconnect ports:
•Slot A4 and B4 (e4a)
•Slot A8 and B8 (e8a)
Cable controller management (wrench) ports.
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Step Perform on each controller
Cable 25 GbE network switches:
Ports in slot A3 and B3 (e3a and e3c) and slot A9
and B9 (e9a and e9c) to the 25 GbE network
switches.
40GbE host network switches:
Cable host‐side b ports in slot A4 and B4 (e4b) and
slot A8 and B8 (e8b) to the host switch.
Cable 32 Gb FC connections:
Cable ports in slot A5 and B5 (5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d)
and slot A7 and B7 (7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d) to the 32
Gb FC network switches.
2. To cable your storage, see Step 4: Cable controllers to drive shelves.
Option 2: Switched cluster
Management network, data network, and management ports on the controllers are
connected to switches. The cluster interconnect and HA ports are cabled on to the
cluster/HA switch.
Before you begin
You must have contacted your network administrator for information about connecting the system to the
switches.
Be sure to check the direction of the cable pull-tabs when inserting the cables in the ports. Cable pull-tabs are
up for all networking module ports.
As you insert the connector, you should feel it click into place; if you do not feel it click, remove
it, turn it around and try again.
1. Use the animation or illustration to complete the cabling between the controllers and to the switches:
Animation—Cabling a switched cluster
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Step Perform on each controller
Cable cluster interconnect a ports:
•Slot A4 and B4 (e4a) to the cluster network
switch.
•Slot A8 and B8 (e8a) to the cluster network
switch.
Cable controller management (wrench) ports.
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Step Perform on each controller
Cable 25GbE network switches:
Ports in slot A3 and B3 (e3a and e3c) and slot A9
and B9 (e9a and e9c) to the 25 GbE network
switches.
40GbE host network switches:
Cable host‐side b ports in slot A4 and B4 (e4b) and
slot A8 and B8 (e8b) to the host switch.
Cable 32 Gb FC connecions:
Cable ports in slot A5 and B5 (5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d)
and slot A7 and B7 (7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d) to the 32
Gb FC network switches.
2. To cable your storage, see Step 4: Cable controllers to drive shelves.
Step 4: Cable controllers to drive shelves
Option 1: Cable the controllers to a single NS224 drive shelf in AFF A900
You must cable each controller to the NSM modules on the NS224 drive shelf on an AFF
A900 system.
Before you begin
•Be sure to check the illustration arrow for the proper cable connector pull-tab orientation. The cable pull-tab
for the storage modules are up, while the pull tabs on the shelves are down.
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As you insert the connector, you should feel it click into place; if you do not feel it click,
remove it, turn it around and try again.
1. Use the following animation or drawings to cable your controllers to a single NS224 drive shelf.
Animation—Cabling a single NS224 shelf
Step Perform on each controller
•Connect controller A port e2a to port e0a on
NSM A on the shelf.
•Connect controller A port e10b to port e0b on
NSM B on the shelf.
100 GbE cable
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Step Perform on each controller
•Connect controller B port e2a to port e0a on
NSM B on the shelf.
•Connect controller B port e10b to port e0b on
NSM A on the shelf.
100 GbE cable
2. To complete setting up your system, see Step 5: Complete system setup and configuration.
Option 2: Cable the controllers to two NS224 drive shelves in AFF A900
You must cable each controller to the NSM modules on the NS224 drive shelves.
Before you begin
•Be sure to check the illustration arrow for the proper cable connector pull-tab orientation. The cable pull-tab
for the storage modules are up, while the pull tabs on the shelves are down.
As you insert the connector, you should feel it click into place; if you do not feel it click, remove
it, turn it around and try again.
1. Use the following animation or diagram to cable your controllers to two NS224 drive shelves.
Animation—Cabling two NS224 shelves
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Step Perform on each controller
•Connect controller A port e2a to NSM A e0a on
shelf 1.
•Connect controller A port e10b to NSM B e0b
on shelf 1.
•Connect controller A port e2b to NSM B e0b on
shelf 2.
•Connect controller A port e10a to NSM A e0a
on shelf 2.
100 GbE cable
•Connect controller B port e2a to NSM B e0a on
shelf 1.
•Connect controller B port e10b to NSM A e0b
on shelf 1.
•Connect controller B port e2b to NSM A e0b on
shelf 2.
•Connect controller B port e10a to NSM B e0a
on shelf 2.
100 GbE cable
2. To complete setting up your system, see Step 5: Complete system setup and configuration.
Step 5: Complete system setup and configuration
You can complete the system setup and configuration using cluster discovery with only a
connection to the switch and laptop, or by connecting directly to a controller in the system
and then connecting to the management switch.
Option 1: If network discovery is enabled
If you have network discovery enabled on your laptop, you can complete system setup
and configuration using automatic cluster discovery.
1. Use the following animation or drawing to set one or more drive shelf IDs:
The NS224 shelves are pre-set to shelf ID 00 and 01. If you want to change the shelf IDs, you must create
a tool to insert into the hole where button is located.
Animation—Setting SAS or NVMe drive shelf IDs
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Remove the end cap.
Press and hold shelf ID button until first digit blinks, then push to advance to 0-
9.
Note: The first digit continues to blink
Press and hold shelf ID button until second digit blinks, then push to advance
to 0-9. Note: The first digit stops blinking, and the second digit continues to
blink.
Replace the end cap.
Wait 10 seconds for the Amber LED (!) to appear, then power-cycle the drive
shelf to set shelf ID.
2. Plug the power cords into the controller power supplies, and then connect them to power sources on
different circuits.
3. Turn on the power switches to both nodes.
Animation—Turn on the power to the controllers
Initial booting may take up to eight minutes.
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4. Make sure that your laptop has network discovery enabled.
See your laptop’s online help for more information.
5. Use the following animation to connect your laptop to the Management switch.
Animation—Connecting your laptop to the Management switch
6. Select an ONTAP icon listed to discover:
a. Open File Explorer.
b. Click network in the left pane.
c. Right click and select refresh.
d. Double-click either ONTAP icon and accept any certificates displayed on your screen.
XXXXX is the system serial number for the target node.
System Manager opens.
7. Use System Manager guided setup to configure your system using the data you collected in the ONTAP
Configuration Guide.
8. Set up your account and download Active IQ Config Advisor:
a. Log in to your existing account or create an account.
NetApp Support Registration
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b. Register your system.
NetApp Product Registration
c. Download Active IQ Config Advisor.
NetApp Downloads: Config Advisor
9. Verify the health of your system by running Config Advisor.
10. After you have completed the initial configuration, go to the ONTAP & ONTAP System Manager
Documentation Resources page for information about configuring additional features in ONTAP.
Option 2: If network discovery is not enabled
If you are not using a Windows or Mac-based laptop or console or if auto discovery is not
enabled, you must complete the configuration and setup using this task.
1. Cable and configure your laptop or console:
a. Set the console port on the laptop or console to 115,200 baud with N-8-1.
See your laptop or console’s online help for how to configure the console port.
b. Connect the console cable to the laptop or console using the console cable that came with your
system, and then connect the laptop to the management switch on the management subnet.
c. Assign a TCP/IP address to the laptop or console, using one that is on the management subnet.
2. Use the following animation to set one or more drive shelf IDs:
The NS224 shelves are pre-set to shelf ID 00 and 01. If you want to change the shelf IDs, you must create
a tool to insert into the hole where button is located.
Animation—Setting SAS or NVMe drive shelf IDs
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Remove the end cap.
Press and hold shelf ID button until first digit blinks, then push to advance to 0-
9.
Note: The first digit continues to blink
Press and hold shelf ID button until second digit blinks, then push to advance
to 0-9. Note: The first digit stops blinking, and the second digit continues to
blink.
Replace the end cap.
Wait 10 seconds for the Amber LED (!) to appear, then power-cycle the drive
shelf to set shelf ID.
3. Plug the power cords into the controller power supplies, and then connect them to power sources on
different circuits.
4. Turn on the power switches to both nodes.
Animation—Turn on the power to the controllers
Initial booting may take up to eight minutes.
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1. Assign an initial node management IP address to one of the nodes.
If the management network has DHCP… Then…
Configured Record the IP address assigned to the new
controllers.
Not configured a. Open a console session using PuTTY, a
terminal server, or the equivalent for your
environment.
Check your laptop or console’s
online help if you do not know
how to configure PuTTY.
b. Enter the management IP address when
prompted by the script.
2. Using System Manager on your laptop or console, configure your cluster:
a. Point your browser to the node management IP address.
The format for the address is https://x.x.x.x.
b. Configure the system using the data you collected in the NetApp ONTAP Configuration guide.
ONTAP Configuration Guide
3. Set up your account and download Active IQ Config Advisor:
a. Log in to your existing account or create an account.
NetApp Support Registration
b. Register your system.
NetApp Product Registration
c. Download Active IQ Config Advisor.
NetApp Downloads: Config Advisor
4. Verify the health of your system by running Config Advisor.
5. After you have completed the initial configuration, go to the ONTAP & ONTAP System Manager
Documentation Resources page for information about configuring additional features in ONTAP.
Maintain
Add an I/O module - AFF A900
You can add an I/O module to your system by either replacing a NIC or storage adapter with a new one in a
fully-populated system, or by adding a new NIC or storage adapter into an empty chassis slot in your system.
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Before you begin
•Check the NetApp Hardware Universe to make sure that the new I/O module is compatible with your
system and version of ONTAP you’re running.
•If multiple slots are available, check the slot priorities in NetApp Hardware Universe and use the best one
available for your I/O module.
•To non-disruptively add an I/O module, you must take over the target controller, remove the slot blanking
cover in the target slot or remove an existing I/O module, add the new or replacement I/O module, and then
giveback the target controller.
•Make sure that all other components are functioning properly.
Option 1: Add the I/O module to a system with open slots
You can add an I/O module into an empty module slot in your system as either a NIC or a
storage module for the NS224 storage shelves.
1. Shutdown controller A:
a. Disable automatic giveback: storage failover modify -node local -auto-giveback
false
b. Take over the target node: storage failover takeover -ofnode target_node_name
The console connection shows that the node drops to the LOADER prompt when the take over is
complete.
2. If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.
3. Remove the target slot blanking cover:
a. Depress the lettered and numbered cam button.
b. Rotate the cam latch down until it is the open position.
c. Remove the blanking cover.
4. Install the I/O module:
a. Align the I/O module with the edges of the slot.
b. Slide the I/O module into the slot until the lettered and numbered I/O cam latch begins to engage with
the I/O cam pin.
c. Push the I/O cam latch all the way up to lock the module in place.
5. If the replacement I/O module is a NIC, cable the module to the data switches.
Make sure that any unused I/O slots have blanks installed to prevent possible thermal
issues.
6. Reboot the node from the LOADER prompt: bye
7. Give back the node from the partner node. storage failover giveback -ofnode
target_node_name
8. Enable automatic giveback if it was disabled: storage failover modify -node local -auto
-giveback true
9. If you are using slots 3 and/or 7 for networking, use the storage port modify -node <node name>
-port <port name> -mode network command to convert the slot for networking use.
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