Administrator Guide

Managing I/O Card Changes
The Configure I/O Card Changes wizard simplifies the task of moving, replacing, upgrading, or repurposing I/O cards in Storage
Center controllers. The wizard is used to configure I/O card hardware changes on a per-port basis after physical I/O card
changes have been made. The wizard is typically used when upgrading I/O cards or controllers.
About this task
For each local port, you can specify:
● Whether to link an I/O card to an existing configuration
● Whether the I/O card is new hardware
● Whether to delete the configuration for a removed I/O card
The wizard guides you through the following actions:
● Associating I/O cards with existing port configurations
● Indicating which I/O cards are new hardware
● Deleting configurations for I/O cards that have been removed
Before using the wizard, you should be aware of the following:
● Changes should be performed by a certified installer or with the assistance of technical support.
● At least one back-end port must remain in its original location.
● A controller restart is required to implement changes.
● Do not rebalance any ports until controllershave been replaced and all hardware configuration changes are complete.
Plan a Hardware Change
Upon boot, the Storage Center searches back-end targets for the configuration. Because a controller cannot boot without
configuration information, back-end access must be maintained during the controller replacement procedure. This can be done
in two ways:
About this task
● Keep at least one common back-end slot/port defined and connected in the same manner on the new hardware
configuration as it was on the old hardware configuration.
● Connect the back-end to a port that is undefined on the new hardware configuration. Storage Center is able to detect iSCSI
targets and acquire the boot configuration from the drives even though the slot/port is marked as undefined.
When the appropriate back-end slot/port is identified, record this information on the Port Usage Work Sheet and continue the
upgrade process.
Change the Hardware
Changing hardware follows these general tasks. Refer to upgrade documentation for the specific change for more detailed
instructions.
Steps
1. Power down and unplug the controller. This reduces downtime by facilitating re-cabling. In a dual-controller Storage Center,
the second controller takes on all functions of the Storage Center, preventing a system outage.
2. Record/tag the cabling for the affected card.
3. Disconnect the cables on the I/O card.
4. Replace, move, or remove the I/O cards and reconnect as recorded on the Port Usage Work Sheet.
5. Plug in and power on the controller.
Manage I/O Card Changes
After a change to an I/O card in a Storage Center controller, the Configure I/O Card Changes wizard applies old port
configurations to the new or modified ports. Changes can include replacing an I/O card, moving the I/O card to a different
Storage Center Maintenance
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