Chapter 1

Cluster Conversion of Filers

Converting filers to a cluster

What do you need to know about clusters?

Before proceeding with the conversion process, you need to know about the cluster concept. Refer to Start Here for a description of the type and sources of information about clusters. For a description about clusters, refer to the Data ONTAP System Administrator's Guide (5.2 or later).

About cluster conversion

This section describes the software, firmware, and hardware requirements that you must meet for a successful convertion to a cluster.

Description Minimum requirements
Software
  • Data ONTAPTM 5.2 software or later for F630s
  • Data ONTAP 5.2.1software or later for F700s
Firmware Filer firmware
  • 2.1_a1 for F630s
  • 2.1_a2 for F700s Disk firmware
  • FB37 for Fibre Channel StorageShelf FC7
  • FD81 for Fibre Channel StorageShelf FC8
Hardware Upgrades to the F630, F740, or F760 filer pairs and the disk shelves. Refer to Chapter 2 "Hardware Upgrade Process", Appendix A "Optional Hardware Procedures", and the Fibre Channel StorageShelf Hardware Guide for more information.

Note: Before proceeding with the conversion process, use the "Checklist" to make sure that you have gathered everything that you need.

Overview of the conversion process

The following table lists the order of the procedures you must follow for a successful cluster conversion.

Caution: You must follow the order of the procedures listed below. If you fail to follow the specific order described, you can cause permanent damage to your file systems.

Stage Process Purpose
1 Enter sysconfig -r at the consoles of each filer. Use the resulting output with the "Checklist" to determine the hardware configuration of your filers.
2 Enter sysconfig -v at the consoles of each filer. Verify the filer and disk firmware versions.
3 Enter ifconfig -a at the consoles of each filer. Determine the IP addresses of each filer.
4 Back up all your data. This is an advisable precaution in any conversion process.
5 Verify that both filers have network connections. The software is on a CD-ROM. You need access to a UNIX or PC system to download the software to the filers.
6 Update each filer to Data ONTAP 5.2.1 software. Refer to the Software and Firmware Upgrade Guide for more information.
7 At the consoles of each filer, enter halt to shut them down. You need to do this to upgrade the filer firmware.
8 Update the firmware on your filer. The F630 requires 2.1_a1 and the F700 filers require 2.1_a2. Refer to the Software and Firmware Upgrade Guide for more information.
9 Reboot the filers and verify the software and filer firmware upgrades. You need to verify software and firmware upgrades before proceeding to Stage 11.
10 Verify that the disk firmware fulfils the minimum requirements for a cluster. If not, update the disk firmware by entering disk_fw_update from the console of the filer that owns the disk shelf. Then, shut down each filer by entering halt at the consoles of each filer.

Note: The disk_fw_update command only upgrades the firmware on disks. It does not affect the contents of the disks.

 You need to verify firmware upgrades before proceeding to converting the hardware configuration of the filers.
11 Update the hardware on the filers and disk shelves.
  • You need to add the following adapters to each of your filers:
    • one or up to three FC-AL adapters

      Note: If you have a differential wide SCSI adapter in expansion slot 6 of an F630, you must move it to expansion slot 2 or 4 if you are adding three FC-AL adapters.

    • one cluster interconnect adapter

      Note: Before adding the cluster interconnect adapter, you must change a cable connecting the system backplane to the daughter card

  • You might need to add additional NVRAM SIMMs or main memory DIMMs
  • You need to add a second LRC card to each disk shelf. Refer to the Fibre Channel Storage Shelf Hardware Guide for more information about this procedure.

Refer to Chapter 2 "Hardware Upgrade Process" for more information about the required procedures.
the following table details the slot assignments for adapters in filers that are used in clusters.

Note: You need Data ONTAP 5.3 software or later if you intend to install a tape adapter in expansion slot 5 or if you intend to use four Gigabit (GB) Ethernet adapters in each of your filers.

Filer Slot
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
F630 Network Interface Adapter (NIA) 64-bit FC-AL NVRAM CI
SCSI Tape SCSI Tape
F740 32-bit FC-AL/
NIA 		NIA GBEthernet Cluster Interconnect
(CI)
F760 32-bit
FC-AL/
NIA 		NIA 32-bit
FC-AL 		GB Ethernet 32-bit
FC-AL
32-bit FC-AL NIA SCSI Tape GB Ethernet
GB Ethernet
12 If you have multiple FC-AL adapters labeled Channel A, cable them as Channel A loops. Refer to "How to cable the Channel A loops between your filer and disk shelves in a maximum configuration." You need to cable the Channel A loops to perform a cf status on each filer.
13 Cable the Channel B loops on the disk shelves but do not complete the loop to the filer. Refer to "How to terminate the Channel B loop in a minimum configuration" and "How to cable the Channel B loop between your disk shelves in a maximum configuration." Cabling the Channel B loop cards on the disk shelves is a convenience in the clustering process.
14 Turn the filers on and boot them. The filers are turned on so that you can perform a cf status on each filer.
15 Cable the X ports on the cluster interconnect adapter in each filer and perform a cf status on each filer. You perform a cf status on each filer to verify the connection between the X ports.
16 Cable the Y ports on the cluster interconnect adapter in each filer and perform a cf status on each filer. You perform a cf status on each filer to verify the connection between the X and Y ports.
17 Enter halt at the consoles of each filer to shut down the system. Enter halt at the consoles of each filer to shut down the system.
18 Complete the Channel B loops by using the filer-to-shelf cables to connect the disk shelves to each partner filer and booting the filers. Refer to "How to connect the filers in a minimum configuration" and "How to connect the filers in a maximum configuration." When you boot both filers, you should be able to see the disks `owned' by the local filer and those `owned' by its partner.
19 Enter boot at the consoles of each filer.
20 You can now license the cluster. Refer to "How to license clusters" for more information. You need to license the cluster to enable takeover.

Checklist

The following checklist provides a list of cluster conversion requirements. If your answer to the second column is No, write your requirements in the third column. Before proceeding with the conversion process, make sure that you have gathered everything that you need.

Requirements Yes/ No What do you need?
Do the filers have a network connection?
Do you have Data ONTAP 5.3?
Do you have Firmware 2.1_a1 for an F630 or 2.1_a2 for an F700?
Do you have the Software and Firmware Upgrade Guide?
Do you have the recommended amount of main memory?
  • at least 256 MB for each filer that has two FC-AL adapters
  • at least 512 MB for each filer that has three or four FC-AL adapters
Do you have 32 MB of NVRAM?
Does your F630 have an FC-AL adapter in expansion slot 8?
Do you have a differential wide SCSI adapter for external tape devices in expansion slot 6 of your filers? Refer to "Moving or replacing an adapter" for what you need to do.
Do you have the following hardware components for the conversion? Refer to "Account for and assemble the additional required hardware" for exact requirements.
  • Main memory DIMMs, if necessary
  • NVRAM SIMMs, if necessary
  • Cluster interconnect adapters
  • Cluster interconnect cables
  • Miscellaneous interface ribbon cables
  • Additional FC-AL adapters
  • Filer-to-shelf cables
    • 1m HSSDC-to-DB-9 cables for FC-AL adapters in filers
    • DB-9-to-DB-9 cables for onboard FC-AL interface on F700s
  • Shelf-to-shelf (DB-9-to-DB-9) cables
  • Terminators
  • LRC cards
  • Fibre Channel StorageShelf FC7
    or
    Fibre Channel StorageShelf FC8

    Note: The total storage capacity supported by a cluster of two filers is 1.5 terabytes (TB).
Do you have the Fibre Channel StorageShelf Hardware Guide?
Do you have the following equipment and tools?
  • #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers
  • Antistatic wrist strap and grounding strap
Do you have the following labels that were provided for converting your cluster?
  • Solid-colored labels that you use to label cables for all Channel A loops
  • Striped labels matching the solid-colored labels that you use to label cables for all Channel B loops

Copyright © 1999, Network Appliance, Inc. All rights reserved.

Part No. 210-02327
File: overview.htm
Last updated: 02/22/99 13:18:51