Removing and replacing a boot drive

Use this procedure to remove and replace a faulty boot drive from a node canister.

About this task

A node canister has one boot drive. A boot drive failure causes the node to go offline. Figure 1 shows the location of the boot drive.

Notes:
  • Do not operate the control enclosure with one removed node canister for longer than 16 minutes. Operating for longer than this period might cause the control enclosure to shut down due to overheating.
  • If all boot drives in a node canister are replaced with new drives, then some Ethernet configuration of the node will be lost, such as the service IP and node IP. Use the Service Assistant Tool to reset the service IP and node IP if needed. (A node IP is only needed if the node must communicate with other nodes by using RDMA over Ethernet.)
  • No tools are required to complete this task. Do not remove or loosen any screws while you are completing this procedure.

Procedure

  1. Review the Event Log to identify the faulty boot drive and the node canister in which it resides.
  2. Use the management GUI to determine the status of the node canister.
    Then, continue to step 3.
  3. Record which cables are plugged into the specific ports on the rear of the node canister. The cables must be inserted back into the same ports after the replacement is complete; otherwise, the system cannot function properly.
  4. Disconnect the data and power cables that are connected to the node canister.

Removing the boot drive

  1. Remove the node canister, as described in Reseating a node canister in the control enclosure.
  2. Remove the cover, as described in Removing and replacing the cover of a node canister.
  3. Locate the boot drive on the system board.
    Figure 1. Location of the boot drive on the system board
    Location of the boot drive on the system board
  4. Gently open the blue friction latch, as shown in Figure 2. Apply gentle pressure; do not force the latch open.
    Figure 2. Removing the boot drive
    Removing the boot drive
    As shown in Figure 3, the boot drive pops up approximately 30 degrees. You can then carefully slide it out of connector.
    Figure 3. Released boot drive
    Removing the boot drive

Replacing the boot drive

  1. Hold the new boot drive at a 25 degree angle, as shown in Figure 4. Then, gently slide the drive into the connector until it stops.
    Figure 4. Replacing the boot drive
    Replacing the boot drive

    The contacts on the end of the boot drive will be fully covered. The boot drive is then hinged at the connector at one end and pressed down behind a friction clip at the other end.

  2. Replace the node canister cover, as described in Removing and replacing the cover of a node canister.
  3. Reinsert the node canister, as described in Reseating a node canister in the control enclosure.
  4. Reconnect the power and connection cables to the node canister, ensuring that each cable goes into the same port from which it was removed.
  5. Use the management GUI or service assistant to check the status of the node canister.
    The node then recovers automatically.