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PowerScale Implementation - Participant Guide PDF

The PowerScale Implementation-SSP participant guide outlines the training and skills required for successful PowerScale implementation, including initial configurations, node operations, and upgrades. It details the certification journey, prerequisite skills, and course objectives, emphasizing the importance of planning, implementation, and documentation phases. The guide also covers connectivity tests, node management tasks, and the processes for adding, removing, and reformatting nodes within a PowerScale cluster.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
78 views41 pages

PowerScale Implementation - Participant Guide PDF

The PowerScale Implementation-SSP participant guide outlines the training and skills required for successful PowerScale implementation, including initial configurations, node operations, and upgrades. It details the certification journey, prerequisite skills, and course objectives, emphasizing the importance of planning, implementation, and documentation phases. The guide also covers connectivity tests, node management tasks, and the processes for adding, removing, and reformatting nodes within a PowerScale cluster.

Uploaded by

andjey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 41

POWERSCALE

IMPLEMENTATION-SSP

PARTICIPANT GUIDE

PARTICIPANT GUIDE
PowerScale Implementation-SSP

© Copyright 2023 Dell Inc Page 2


Table of Contents

PowerScale Implementation 4
PowerScale Solutions Certification Journey Map 4
Prerequisite Skills 5
Course Objectives 5

PowerScale Implementation 6
Initial Configurations 6
Node Operations 14
Upgrades and Updates 22

Glossary 39

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PowerScale Implementation

PowerScale Implementation

PowerScale Solutions Certification Journey Map

The graphic shows the PowerScale Solutions Expert certification track.


You can leverage the Dell Technologies Proven Professional program to
realize your full potential. A combination of technology-focused and role-
based training and exams to cover concepts and principles as well as the
full range of Dell Technologies' hardware, software, and solutions. You
can accelerate your career and your organization’s capabilities.

For more information, go to: Certification Overview

PowerScale Implementation-SSP

© Copyright 2023 Dell Inc Page 4


PowerScale Implementation

Prerequisite Skills

To understand the content and successfully complete this course, a


student must have a suitable knowledge base or skill set. The student
must have an understanding of:
 Current PowerScale hardware portfolio and the OneFS operating
system
 PowerScale Concepts
 PowerScale InfiniBand to Ethernet Backend Conversion

Course Objectives

After completion of this course, you will be able to:


 Perform the initial configurations of PowerScale.
 Identify the node operations.
 Identify the PowerScale upgrades and updates.

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PowerScale Implementation

PowerScale Implementation

Initial Configurations

Initial Configurations

Implementation Phases

The typical PowerScale installation consists of three phases:


Planning, Implementation, and Documentation, functional overview, and
acceptance. Each phase is divided into multiple tasks that the various
members of the project team handle.

1: During the planning phase, gather all required information for the
installation. A Pre-Engagement Questionnaire (PEQ) document outlines
all the information. The customer completes the PEQ document and
returns it to Dell technology before the installation date. The PEQ
document ensures that the project team has the required information for
the design, installation, and configuration of the PowerScale cluster.

2: During the implementation phase, the physical installation and initial


configuration of the PowerScale are carried out, and remote support
configuration is done. Now, the testing and verification of the cluster are
performed to ensure that the cluster is ready for use. In addition, the
cluster is ready for advanced software installation and configuration.

3: Phase three of the project consists of documenting the installation,


providing a functional overview of the cluster to the customer, and closing
out the implementation.

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PowerScale Implementation

Connecting Using Serial Port

To configure a PowerScale cluster for the first time, access the CLI by
establishing a serial connection to the node designated as node 1. The
serial console gives serial access1 when you cannot use the network. The
serial port is usually a male DB9 connector. This port is called the service
port.2

1
Other reasons for accessing using a serial connection may be for
troubleshooting, site rules, a network outage, and so on.
2
Connect a serial null modem cable between a local system, such as a
laptop, and the service port on the node designated as node 1. As most
laptops today no longer have serial ports, you must use a USB-to-serial
converter. On the local system, launch a serial terminal emulator such as
mRemoteNG.

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PowerScale Implementation

Terminal Emulator Utility Configuration

Click the image to enlarge.

Management Interfaces Overview

The OneFS management interface performs various administrative and


management tasks on the PowerScale cluster and nodes. Management
capabilities vary based on the interface. The different OneFS
management interfaces include:

 Serial Console
 Web Administration Interface (WebUI)
 Command Line Interface (CLI).
 OneFS Application Programming Interface (API)
 Front Panel Display

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Creating a Cluster

Movie:

The web version of this content contains a movie.

This video demonstrates creating a new cluster.

Creating a Cluster - Compliance and Non-Compliance Modes

Creating SmartLock compliance cluster and adding a node to the cluster

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Configure a New Cluster Network - Simulation

Let us configure the secondary internal interface network in this activity.


The internal network b provides redundancy with the internal a network. It
is also configured using IPV4.

Let us get started.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Update Install Database

 After completing the installation, update the install database. Browse to


the Dell Technologies Product Registration and Install Base
Maintenance service portal at the URL shown in the browser.
 Select the Product Registration and Install Base Maintenance option.
 Select the IB Status Change option to open the form.
 Next complete the form and then submit.

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PowerScale Implementation

Click the images to


enlarge

The graphic shows sources for PowerScale technical support.

Tip: You can also visit the previous Dell Technologies


Product Registration and Install Base Maintenance service
portal at the URL shown in the browser.

Connectivity Tests

The final step of the initial configuration process is to perform connectivity


tests. The four tests - WebUI, HTTP, DNS, and client are performed from
a client that is connected over Ethernet to the cluster.

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 The first test, PowerScale WebUI test is done by launching the


browser3 to the cluster from the client.
 The other two tests, DNS and client, are performed post
implementation4.

iDRAC Configuration

The integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is embedded in


every F200 and F6005 node and provides a secure means to automate

3
Depending on the browser, you may be prompted with security
information. Log in over the administration interface to complete the test.
4
Once the cluster is configured for DNS, you can test by pinging the
cluster by name. This is also true for the HTTP test. Use a browser and
the URL of the Fully Qualified Domain Name and path, for example,
https://clustername.company.com/IFS. The client test checks access and
authorization. From a Windows client, map a drive to a share on the
cluster, and then drag and drop a file from the client to the mapped drive.
Ensure that the transfer completes successfully. From an NFS client,
mount the export directory that is presented from the cluster. Then copy a
file from the client to the NFS mount point and ensure that the transfer
completes successfully.

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specific node management tasks. The node management tasks include


remote reboot or shutdown by using IPMI commands.

Step 1

After connecting the network cables, and powering on the node, iDRAC is
available for use. For iDRAC, the RJ45 (1 GbE) connects to the external
network switch

Step 2

Log in to iDRAC by using the following default username and password:

 root
 calvin

Step 3

In the iDRAC user interface, select Configuration > BIOS Settings > Serial
Communication.

5
Although iDRAC is preinstalled in F200 and F600 nodes, caution is
recommended when using iDRAC. Some iDRAC features and functionality
are accessible with the iDRAC interface, but are not supported. OneFS
only supports the following IPMI commands with the iDRAC interface.

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Step 4

In the Serial Port Address field, change Serial Device1=COM1, Serial


Device2=COM2 to Serial Device1=COM2, Serial Device2=COM1.

Click the image to enlarge.

Step 5

Click Apply. If the device change is successful, a message indicating


success is displayed.

Note: F200 and F600 nodes can be ordered with both


default username and password (root, calvin), or with a
random password option. If the nodes were ordered with the
random password option, the username and password
differ.

Knowledge Check

1. The legal department of ABStorage has successfully created a new


cluster to store its critical data. They are performing the connectivity

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test through their Windows server. The administrator wants to perform


the client connectivity test, which they have done by pinging the
cluster name on their local Windows system. The test has failed. What
is the right method to perform the connectivity test from the client
side?
a. Map the drive to the legal departments' share on the cluster.
b. Use a browser and the URL of the Fully Qualified Domain Name
and path.
c. Mount the export directory that is presented by the cluster.
d. Log in to PowerScale WebUI through the browser of the client.

Node Operations

Node Operations

Verifying Version and Adding a Node

 Before adding a node to a cluster, verify that an internal IP address6 is


available.
 If a new node is running a different version of OneFS than the cluster,
the system changes the node version of OneFS to match the cluster.
 Run the following commands to identify the serial number and to join a
node to a cluster.

1. To identify the serial number of the node to be added: isi


devices node list

6
Add IP addresses as necessary before you add a new node.

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2. To join the node to the cluster: isi devices node add

Movie:

The web version of this content contains a movie.

Verifying version and adding a node

SmartFail: Remove a Node from Cluster

 SmartFail manually removes7 one node at a time from the cluster.


 The nodes are removed from the cluster node list when the process
completes8.

7
Before smart failing multiple nodes, consider whether the cluster has
enough free space to maintain protection on the data in the cluster.
Removing too many nodes causes the cluster to lose quorum. Data is
restriped to other nodes in the cluster as part of the process.
8
If the node is still connected to the back-end network when the process
completes, it automatically initiates a reformat - otherwise, it can be
reformatted manually.

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 Once the node has been reformatted, it can be added back9 into the
cluster or into another cluster.
 You can use these commands10 to stop Smartfail.

Movie:

The web version of this content contains a movie.

The video shows how to remove a node from the cluster using the WebUI.

Caution: Reimaging includes a node requiring a new


installation of OneFS or a node that has run SmartFail
completely over it and was removed from an active cluster.
Like when reformatting, reimaging a node erases all data.

Node Operations - Simulation

Consider a scenario where a node has suffered multiple failures. What


would be the solution to this problem? So, when asked the same question
by a senior advisor, it was suggested to perform a few node operations to

9
The use cases are to remove older nodes during a life-cycle technology
refresh. First, to move a node from one cluster to another cluster. Second,
if PowerScale Support has identified a critical hardware failure.
10
1) 'isi devices node stopfail' command is used to discontinue the
smartfail process on a node.2) 'isi config' followed by the command
'Innset' is used to modify the logical node number (LNN) of a node.

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add a new node, remove the defective node safely, and modify the LNN of
the node.

This activity demonstrates how to remove or smartfail a node from a


cluster.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Reformat a Node

 Reformatting a node is the quickest way to return a node to an


unconfigured state. Reformatting does not remove the node from the
cluster completely unless SmartFail has run over the node.
Reformatting retains the current OneFS version that is installed on the
node.
 All data and configuration information is destroyed when reformatting. 11
 Reformatting a node - Use case12

11
Do not reformat unless you are certain it should be run, the node
contains no data, or the data can be destroyed without issues. For
example, because the node has been successfully smart failed.
12
The use case for reformatting a node is when resetting or repurposing
nodes, for example, the case of testing cluster nodes. This performs the
reset quickly so the nodes can be used for other testing. Another use case
example is when destroying a cluster to reset it to prepare a SyncIQ
failback for SmartLock or WORM directories. WORM directories cannot be
overwritten, they can only be removed by reformatting the cluster. This
also applies to enterprise SmartLock directories and compliance

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Movie:

The web version of this content contains a movie.

The video shows the reboot option.

Caution: Reimaging includes a node requiring a new


installation of OneFS or a node that has run SmartFail
completely over it and was removed from an active cluster.
Like when reformatting, reimaging a node erases all data.

Reformat a Node - Simulation

This activity demonstrates how to reformat a node.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Reimage a Node

Reimaging a node can

SmartLock directories. If SyncIQ has not been configured, these


considerations do not apply.

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 Perform the same node reset functionality as reformatting the node.13


 Use a USB flash14 drive or by copying the OneFS15 install file locally on
the node.

13
The difference between reformatting and reimaging a node is that the
OneFS operating system is reinstalled during the reimaging process.
Connect to the reimaging node over the console port or an SSH session.
14
If reimaging using a USB flash drive containing the OneFS image, a
limited number of USB flash drives are supported.
15
Copy the OneFS install file to the node and run the isi_reimage
command to reimage a node without using a flash drive.

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SolVe Online is used to view the latest procedures.

Caution: Only perform this procedure on a node that is not


a member of a cluster. Reimaging includes a node requiring
a new installation of OneFS or a node that has run
SmartFail completely over it and was removed from an
active cluster. Like when reformatting, reimaging a node
erases all data.

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Cluster Configurations Import and Export

The import cluster configuration feature supports restore and automatic


cluster setup scenarios, and the export cluster configuration supports
backup and auditing scenarios. The import or export features enable you
to create a definition of what a cluster should be16 (from a backup or
template).

The configuration backup and restore feature provides two major


functions:
 Full OneFS cluster-wide configuration backup
 Full OneFS cluster-wide configuration restore

Consider a scenario where you are required to set up a new cluster. But it
happens to be so that the cluster's hardware configuration settings are the
same as those of an existing cluster. So, now we can easily export the
cluster configuration and import it to set up the new cluster.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

16
It applies the definition to a cluster (for restoration purposes) where the
backup was generated or to other clusters with the same hardware
configuration. The definition of the cluster is indicated with specific
variables, such as the cluster name, node names, and IP addresses. The
variables are modified on a per-cluster basis.

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Cluster Restart and Shutdown

You can restart or shut down the PowerScale cluster using the CLI or
WebUI interface.

 Run the isi config command. The command-line prompt changes


to indicate that you are in the isi config subsystem.
 To restart a single node or all nodes on the cluster, run the reboot
command. For example, the reboot 7 command restarts a single
node by specifying the LNN (logical node number).
 To shut down a single node or all nodes on the cluster, run the
shutdown command. The shutdown all command shuts down all
nodes on the cluster.

Knowledge Check

2. The sales department of ABStorage has come across a defective


node in the cluster. The administrator of the department has
performed a few node operations but still faces issues with the
defective node. Help the administrator perform the operations in the
correct order.

1 Addition of nodes to the cluster.


4 Verifying the modifications.
3 Modifying the LNN of nodes in the cluster.
2 Smartfailing the defective node.

Upgrades and Updates

Upgrades and Updates

Upgrades and Updates

The terms upgrade and update are often used interchangeably. They
describe the process of changing to a newer version of the OneFS

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operating system (operating system) or changing to newer node or disk


firmware17 versions.

However, the terms upgrade and “update” do not mean the same thing.

Upgrade Types

Depending on the version of OneFS installed on your cluster, there are


different types of upgrades available.

Parallel upgrade

A parallel upgrade

 Installs the new operating system on a subset of nodes18

 Provides continuous service19 to clients.

17
Often when receiving a new node or a new drive, the firmware that is
shipped on the new hardware is a different version than the firmware
running on the production cluster. Newer firmware versions add or change
cluster functionality, sometimes they are used to apply code fixes and add
support for new hardware.
18
1) Restarts the subset of nodes at the same time.
2) Each subset of nodes attempts to make a reservation for their turn to
upgrade until all nodes are upgraded.
3) Node subsets and reservations are based on diskpool and node
availability.
19
1) Node subsets that are not being upgraded remain online and can
continue serving clients.

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 Require a smaller maintenance window.20


 Available versions.21

Rolling upgrade

A rolling upgrade

 Is a per-node22 operation.
 Rolling upgrades are nondisruptive23 to clients.
 It has stateful protocols.24

2) However, clients that are connected to a restarting node are


disconnected and reconnected.
20
Parallel upgrades are recommended as they require a smaller
maintenance window than rolling upgrades, and do not require the
interruption of service like simultaneous upgrades.
21
The parallel upgrade feature is available in OneFS version 8.2.2 and
later.
22
1) Upgrades and reboots cluster nodes one at a time.
2) Only one node is offline at a time.
3) Node subsets that are not being upgraded remain online and can
continue serving clients.
4) Clients that are connected to a restarting node are disconnected and
reconnected.
23
Rolling upgrades seamlessly failover their connections between nodes
such as NFSv3, and SMB 3.0’s continuous availability clients.
24
Protocols such as SMB 2.0, do not support transparent failover of their
connections and have a brief disruption when a node is rebooted into new
code.

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Simultaneous upgrade

A simultaneous upgrade

 Is faster25 than rolling upgrades.


 Terminates26 the cluster from all client connections.

Important: See the OneFS Upgrades - Go to OneFS


Upgrades Info Hub and Powerscale OneFS Upgrade
Planning Process guide to get documents and information
regarding upgrades.

Upgrade Phases

To successfully plan and perform your upgrade, you must follow the steps
that are detailed in the Upgrade Planning and Process guide. There are
four phases to an upgrade. The OneFS upgrade process consists of
downloading the OneFS installation image, starting the upgrade, and
verifying that the upgrade is complete.

Phase 1

Planning for an Upgrade - Summary

1. Review required documentation.

25
Reboots all nodes in the OneFS cluster at the same time, thus incurring
an interruption in data access.
26
Data is inaccessible until the installation of the new OneFS operating
system is complete and the cluster is back online.

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2. Determine the type of upgrade.


3. Verify the upgrade path.
4. Check supportability and compatibility.
5. Assess upgrade impact.
6. Schedule the upgrade.
7. (Optional) Upgrade a test cluster

Phase 2

Pre-upgrade tasks - Summary

1. Collect cluster information.


A. Collect cluster status.
B. Gather cluster logs
C. Check cluster hardware health.
D. Check cluster available space.
2. Resolve events and errors.
3. Verify cluster configuration.
A. Preserve the Kerberos keytab file.
B. Install DataIQ or InsightIQ.
4. Download the OneFS installation file.
5. Run the upgrade compatibility check utility.
A. Reconfigure unsupported SMB settings.
6. Run the On-Cluster Analysis tool.
7. Run the HealthCheck tool.
8. Back up data
9. Complete system jobs
10. Update Node Firmware Package
11. Update Drive Support Package

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12. Configure IPMI ports.


13. Enable Secure Remote Support.

Phase 3

Performing the upgrade process - Summary

1. Perform the upgrade..


2. Commit the upgrade.
3. Verify the upgrade.

Phase 4

Post-upgrade tasks - Summary

1. Allow upgrade jobs to run.


2. Verify operational status.
3. Re-establish user privileges.
4. Restore client connections and workflows.
5. Verify Kerberos migration.
6. Restore custom settings.
7. Test custom scripts
8. (Optional) Install latest patch

Resource: PowerScale OneFS Upgrade Planning and


Process Guide

Pre-Upgrade Tasks

Completing pre-upgrade tasks such as checking the health of the


hardware components on the cluster, ensuring that storage space

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requirements are met, and managing outstanding cluster events and


errors are recommended for a successful upgrade.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Planning

Customers may ask about the OneFS version and an understanding of the
version identifiers. OneFS versions are broken down in the significance of
the changes that are made to the release. A change to the first and
second code identifies the release of the major upgrades.

 First digit changes indicate major changes and potential core


modifications to the underlying operating system and data structures.
 The second digit indicates significant changes or enhancements, but
usually do not involve the core structure. Typically, significant features
changes or additions are in these releases.
 The last two numbers indicate minor releases.

 The third digit indicates smaller or less impactful feature


enhancements. The support of new nodes can be in the third digit
release.
 The fourth digit denotes minor functionality and is used for issue
fixes.

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Click the image to enlarge.

Performing OneFS Parallel Upgrade

If you perform a parallel upgrade, subsets of nodes within the OneFS


cluster are restarted in an undetermined order. During a parallel upgrade,
client connections to the restarting subset of nodes are disconnected, but
other subsets of nodes remain available for client connection.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Post-Upgrade Tasks

After an upgrade, you should perform restoration and change


management tasks to ensure that your cluster performs and behaves as
expected. It is recommended that you build time into your upgrade plan to
re-establish custom settings and privileges, and re-enable connections
and features. You should also make time to modify settings for new and
changed features.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Upgrade Pause and Resume

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In OneFS 8.2.0 and newer, you have the ability to pause and resume the
upgrade process in order to resolve blocking issues. Pause and resume
are useful when the maintenance window ends. The upgrade can be
paused, and then resumed in a later window. The commands are isi
upgrade pause and isi upgrade resume.

Pausing is not immediate. Upgrade is in a pausing state until the current


upgrading node completes. Other nodes do not upgrade until the upgrade
is resumed. Pausing state can be viewed with isi upgrade view, or
isi_upgrade_status, or viewing the pause file data.

Click the image to enlarge.

Support upgrade paths to OneFS 9.4.0.0

Below are the supported upgrade paths to OneFS 9.4.0.0. Upgrades from
versions earlier than OneFS 8.0 are simultaneous. Upgrading from OneFS
8.0.0 to OneFS 8.2.1 can be a rolling or simultaneous upgrade. Upgrades
from version 8.2.2 to 9.4.0.0 can be parallel, rolling, or simultaneous.

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Click the image to enlarge.

Resource: PowerScale OneFS Upgrade Planning and


Process Guide

isi_upgrade_helper

The isi_upgrade_helper has two functions. First, it analyzes cluster


configuration and recommends a set of nodes for a simultaneous firmware
upgrade. Second, it gathers cluster configuration to assist with the
identification of features that are affected by upgrading firmware on a
subset of nodes.

The isi_upgrade_helper command accepts three display options,


default, --summary, and --verbose. The --include and --

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exclude options serve an identical purpose to the upgrade framework


arguments of the same name.

isi_upgrade_helper Default

The graphic shows the output of the isi_upgrade_helper command


with no options. The output shows three types of upgrades. Gen 6 nodes
without redundant power are not part of the recommendation.

 Use option 1 for clusters that must have minimum or no downtime.


 Use option 2 for clusters with customer data.
 Use option 3 for clusters without customer data.

The isi_upgrade_helper --summary command extends the default


helper output by adding a cluster configuration table that is associated
with each node. Using isi_upgrade_helper --verbose extends the
--summary option, displaying several categories of cluster configuration
that may affect node selection for simultaneous firmware upgrade.

If a node fails after the initial isi_upgrade_helper, rerun


isi_upgrade_helper to get a revised recommended upgrade list.
Failed nodes are not in the upgrade list.

Click the image to enlarge.

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Knowledge Check

3.
a.
b.

4. What are the four phases of an upgrade? (Rearrange in the right


order)

4 Post upgrade tasks


2 Pre-upgrade tasks
3 Performing the upgrade process
1 Planning for an Upgrade

Patches and Firmware

A standard part of each node installation or change activity is to bring the


node up to a minimum level. If required or requested to correct any
significant issues, you can apply OneFS patches. For the nodes, it
includes bringing the node firmware and drive firmware up to the latest
version.

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Patches

A patch is a software update that addresses known issues before those


updates are incorporated into a maintenance release (MR)27.

The isi upgrade patches command syntax.

There are two types of patches, standard patch and rollup patch.

 Standard patch28
 Rollup patches29

27
To emphasize the importance, let us take an environment running many
NFSv2 clients. If you failed to read the release notes stating NFSv2 was
no longer supported in OneFS 7.2, after upgrading to the new version,
many NFSv2 clients would no longer function. You must immediately
determine and implement a resolution to get those clients up and running
again. The information in the release notes will help you prepare for this
change in advance.
28
A standard patch addresses one or more known issues for a major,
minor, or MR release of OneFS. Some patches contain minor
enhancements or additional logging functionality that can help Dell
Technologies Technical Support troubleshoot issues with the cluster.

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Firmware

Firmware is the software code that makes hardware components30 that


are contained within the node work. Updates are used to manage the
code versions that are applied31 to each of the hardware components.
Firmware updates are performed across the cluster to standardize all
node components on the same version to eliminate potential
incompatibility issues and simplify support.

The isi devices drive firmware command to view and update firmware.

29
Rollup patches address multiple issues that are related to one
component of OneFS functionality, such as SMB. It might also contain
fixes from previous, standard patches that addressed issues that are
related to that component.
30
Included are components such as the drives, the motherboard bios, the
disk controller, the InfiniBand adapter, and the network adapters. The
firmware is stored on and runs inside the individual hardware components.
31
Code versions are updated to reflect code fixes or code enhancements
for additional stability.

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PowerScale Implementation

Firmware updates32 should be performed as part of a regular cluster


maintenance process. This applies equally to the node firmware and to the
firmware of the various node components.

Updating Firmware

You can update the drive firmware to the latest revision. OneFS updates
the drives sequentially. Updating the drive firmware of a single drive takes
approximately 90 seconds, depending on the drive model.

The web version of this content contains an interactive activity.

Automatic Replacement Recognition

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Firmware updates are recommended as part of the process for new
cluster installations. The commands and processes that are used to
perform firmware updates are different from the commands and processes
that are used for upgrades. When upgrading firmware, each node is
updated individually and is automatically restarted if needed when the
update is complete. Node firmware updates require a reboot, but drive
firmware packages do not require a reboot.

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The graphic shows the WebUI Cluster management, Automatic Replacement


Recognition page.

When replacing a drive in a node, OneFS automatically formats the drive,


adds it to the cluster, and updates the drive firmware.

The new drive firmware matches the current drive support package that is
installed on the cluster. The drive firmware is not updated for the entire
cluster, only for the new drive.

Release Notes

Release notes33 contain installation instructions for drive and node


firmware upgrades and patches. Reading them carefully is an essential

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The release notes help you determine if the upgrade has an impact and
if so, provide a solution if needed. The contents of the release notes are
similar across releases. They provide release and upgrade information,
new features, modifications and enhancements, resolved issues, known
issues and installation instructions.

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PowerScale Implementation

step in determining whether your business benefits from the new features
and functionality of a new OneFS version.

Resource: OneFS 9.4.0.0 PowerScale Info Hub

Knowledge Check

5. An administrator wants to perform a cluster update for their


PowerScale cluster using a software update. They have an
environment that runs many NFSv2 clients. The administrator has
faced multiple issues that are related to NFSv2f functionality. Which of
the following options is recommended to address the known issues
before the updates are incorporated into a maintenance release?
a. Rollup patch
b. Standard patch
c. Firmware update
d. Firmware upgrade

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Glossary
Front Panel Display
The Front Panel Display is located on the physical node or chassis. It is
used to perform basic administrative tasks onsite.

OneFS CLI
The command-line interface runs "isi" commands to configure, monitor,
and manage the cluster. Access to the command-line interface is through
a secure shell (SSH) connection to any node in the cluster.

PAPI
The customer uses OneFS application programming interface (API) to
automate the retrieval of the most detailed network traffic statistics. It is
divided into two functional areas: One area enables cluster configuration,
management, and monitoring functionality, and the other area enables
operations on files and directories on the cluster.

Serial Console
The serial console is used for initial cluster configurations by establishing
serial access to the node designated as node 1.

Update
Update is used when new firmware versions are installed on the nodes or
on the disk drives. Firmware updates are applied to fix (patch) firmware
code issues and to standardize all the nodes or disks onto the same
firmware code level.

Upgrade
Upgrade is used when the OneFS operating system version changes.
Upgrades apply code fixes, new operating system features, and
functionality. Often times an upgrade changes the underlying structure or
operations of the OneFS file system. It marks a strategic step forward for
the product and for the functionality that it offers to production clusters.

WebUI

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The browser-based OneFS web administration interface provides secure
access with OneFS-supported browsers. This interface is used to view
robust graphical monitoring displays and to perform cluster-management
tasks.

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