Installing or replacing expansion adapters

About expansion adapters

The following list specifies the expansion adapters that the filer can use:

NVRAM 4 adapter
Ultra-160 SCSI tape backup adapter
NICs
- GbE network adapter
- 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T GbE network adapter
- Quad port 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet adapter

The System Configuration Guide at http://now.netapp.com lists current configurations for your filer. The Web site lists the following information:

Expansion slots that are available on your filer
Supported adapters
Expansion slot assignments
Caution
Do not use an expansion adapter that is not listed in the System Configuration Guide, or install it in an expansion slot not listed in this guide. Installing an expansion adapter incorrectly or using an unsupported adapter can adversely affect your filer performance. Purchase your adapters only through Network Appliance or an authorized reseller.

Replacing a expansion adapters consists of the following procedures:

About the NVRAM 4 adapter

The NVRAM adapter has an attached, sealed, lithium-ion battery that is recharged whenever the system is turned on and operating normally. The NVRAM also contains the CompactFlash card, which is used during system boot. This card contains the most recently downloaded versions of Data ONTAP, system diagnostics, and the files the filer requires to boot.

When replacing the NVRAM 4 adapter, you need to reinitialize the CompactFlash card. See Updating NVRAM 4 software and firmware and the Software Setup Guide for instructions about how to perform this task.

When to replace the NVRAM 4 adapter

Replace the NVRAM adapter only if the following situations occur:

The battery continues to read low after 24 hours of normal system operation.
The system does not boot, or you receive warning messages during boot that the CompactFlash card is invalid or damaged.
Diagnostic tests indicate a problem with the NVRAM adapter, which requires replacing it.

Removing an expansion adapter

To remove an expansion adapter, complete the following steps, using the figure for reference.

Step	Action
1	Open your filer, as described in Opening the filer. Make sure both power cords are unplugged from the filer.
2	Release the fan carrier and swing it up out of the way.
3	Locate the adapter you want to remove and unplug any cables that are attached to it. You should mark the cables so that you know what they are and where they came from.
4	Flip the retaining latch at the back of the adapter to the open position, then grasp the front and back of the adapter and gently rock it back and forth until it is free of the PCI slot.

Installing an expansion adapter

To install a replacement expansion adapter, complete the following steps.

Step	Action
1	Insert the replacement adapter into the PCI slot, and firmly seat it back into the slot.
2	Flip the retaining latch into the closed position, then swing the mid-point fan assembly back into position and snap it into place.
3	Close the filer cover, as described in Closing the filer.
4	If you replaced...	Then...
	The NVRAM 4 adapter	Go to Updating NVRAM 4 software and firmware.
	Any other adapter	Complete the booting process and test the new adapter by running the online diagnostics for the new adapter.

Updating NVRAM 4 software and firmware

After replacing the NVRAM 4 adapter, you must update the software and firmware on the CompactFlash that is part of the NVRAM 4 adapter.

To update the NVRAM 4 software and firmware, complete the following steps.

Step	Action
1	Replace the NVRAM 4 adapter, as described in Installing or replacing expansion adapters.
2	Power on the system. Result The filer console displays the POST messages. After POST completes, the filer console displays the following menu: Netboot Disk boot menu
3	Select `Disk Boot menu> Boot from the first disk`.
4	If...	Then...
	The filer can boot from the selected disk	The filer displays the following menu: 1) Normal Boot 2) Boot without /etc/rc 3) Change Password 4) Initialize all disks 5) Maintenance mode boot Selection (1-5)?
	The filer cannot boot from the selected disk	The filer displays an error message stating that it cannot boot from the selected disk. Press any key to return to the `Disk boot` menu and select one of the following boot options: Boot from the second disk, if possible. Boot from the third disk, if possible.
5	Select `1) Normal Boot` at the filer console to boot the filer from the selected disk.
6	Enter the `download` command from the console to download the disk image to the CompactFlash card. Result The filer copies the contents of the filer's /etc/boot directory to the CompactFlash card.
7	Reboot the system by entering `reboot` at the prompt.
8	Repeat Steps 6 and 7 to complete the software and firmware update procedure.