Oracle Virtual Compute Appliance X4-2 Hardware
 

PLA-Support>Sun Systems>Sun_Other>Sun Collections>SN-OTH: x64-CAP VCAP
 

Applies to:

Goal

How to Replace a memory dimm in an OVCA compute node (Sun Server X4-2)

Solution

CAP PROBLEM OVERVIEW:Memory DIMM Replacement

DISPATCH INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT SKILLS DOES THE ENGINEER NEED:
Sun Server X4-2 Server Training.
OVCA Training.

TIME ESTIMATE: 45 minutes

TASK COMPLEXITY: 2

FIELD ENGINEER INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT STATE SHOULD THE SYSTEM BE IN TO BE READY TO PERFORM THE RESOLUTION ACTIVITY? :

If the system is still up and functioning, customer should perform an orderly and graceful shutdown of applications and OS.  Then power off the server and remove the AC power cords from the system.

A data backup is not a prerequisite but is a wise precaution.

Animation videos are available to demonstrate the memory DIMM replacement process for these servers. please refer to the following links:

    Sun Server X4-2 Service Animations MP4 and HTML versions

WHAT ACTION DOES THE ENGINEER NEED TO TAKE:

1. The server should be placed in maintenance mode via OVM manager.

   An Oracle VM Server can be placed into maintenance mode to perform hardware or software maintenance.
   When an Oracle VM Server is placed in maintenance mode, any virtual machines running on the Oracle VM Server are automatically migrated to other Oracle VM Servers in the server pool, if they are available.
   If the Oracle VM Server is the master Oracle VM Server in the server pool, this role is moved to another Oracle VM Server in the server pool, if available, after the server is shutdown.
   If any of these automatic processes fail, check the Oracle VM Server event log for reasons why the failure occurred.

  a. To place an Oracle VM Server into maintenance mode using GUI :

     Logging into the Oracle VM Manager Web UI
     To open the Login page of the Oracle VM Manager Web UI, enter the following address in a Web browser:

      https://manager-vip:7002/ovm/console

     Where, manager-vip refers to the virtual IP address, or corresponding host name, that you have configured for your management nodes during installation.
     By using the virtual IP address, you ensure that you always access the Oracle VM Manager Web UI on the active management

   b. In the Servers and VMs tab, select the Oracle VM Server in the navigation pane.
   c. Click Edit Server in the management pane toolbar.

2. The Edit Server dialog box is displayed. Select the Maintenance Modecheck box to place the Oracle VM Server into maintenance mode.

   a. Click OK

3. Prepare the server for service.

1. Power off the server and disconnect the power cords from the power supplies.
2. Extend the server to the maintenance position in the rack.
3. Attach an anti-static wrist strap.
4. Remove the top cover.

4. Identify and replace the DIMM, confirm population rules (for complete DIMM population rules reference the Service Manual).

1. Do not populate any DIMM sockets next to an empty processor socket. Each processor contains a separate memory controller.
2. For best performance DIMMs should be evenly distributed between the installed processors (if both are installed)
3. For each processor DIMMs should populate the slots in the following order:  D0 D2 D5 D7 D1 D3 D4 D6  (blue sockets first, then white sockets)
4. If a mix of DIMM sizes (for example, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB) is being installed, then install all of the largest DIMMs first, followed next by all of the next largest, and so on until all DIMMs are installed.
5. To confirm and/or identify the location of the failed DIMM press the Fault Remind button on the motherboard. This will light the amber fault LED for the failed DIMM.
6. To remove the DIMM rotate both DIMM socket ejectors outward as far as they will go.
7. Carefully lift the DIMM straight up to remove it from the socket and set it aside on an antistatic mat.
8. Unpack the replacement DDR3 DIMM and place it on an antistatic mat.
9. Ensure that the replacement DDR3 DIMM matches the size it is replacing.
10. Install the DIMM into the motherboard by ensuring that the ejector tabs of the DIMM slots are in the open position.
11. Then align the notch in the DIMM with the key in the connector.
12. Push the DDR3 DIMM into the connector until the ejector tabs lock the DIMM in place.

5. Return the Server to operation

1. Replace the top cover
2. Remove any anti-static measures that were used.
3. Return the server to it's normal operating position within the rack.
4. Re-install the AC power cords and any data cables that were removed.
5. Power on server.

6. Check the ILOM to ensure that the fault has been cleared automatically and if not clear it manually.

1. login to the ILOM CLI and launch a Fault Management Shell session 
   -> start /SP/faultmgmt/shell
   Are you sure you want to start /SP/faultmgmt/shell (y/n)? y
   
   faultmgmtsp>
    
2. use the "fmadm faulty -a" command to list out all active faulty components
   faultmgmtsp> fmadm faulty -a
    
3. If the DIMM that was just replaced is still listed as a fault then indicate that the DIMM has been replaced by using the command "fmadm replaced <fru|cru|uuid>" for example: 
   faultmgmtsp> fmadm replaced DIMM_0
    
4. confirm that the faults are cleared and then exit out of the fault management shell
   faultmgmtsp> fmadm faulty -a
   No faults found
   faultmgmtsp> exit
   ->

OBTAIN CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE

WHAT ACTION DOES THE CUSTOMER NEED TO TAKE TO RETURN THE SYSTEM TO AN OPERATIONAL STATE:

7.  Boot up system and verify full functionality

8.  Take server out of maintenance mode in the OVM GUI:

     a. When you have finished performing maintenance on the Oracle VM Server and you are ready for it to rejoin the server pool, perform the same procedure and uncheck the Maintenance Mode check box

REFERENCE INFORMATION:
Sun Server X4-2 Documentation
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E36975_01/index.html

Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) 3.1 Documentation
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E24707_01/html/E24528/index.html

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