subscribe iconSubscribe to this information
POWER7 information

Removing and replacing the cache battery card

To service the cache battery card, complete the following procedure:

Attention: To maintain system availability and prevent possible data loss, it is important to understand that these features have implications on the serial-attached SCSI (SAS) configuration and data accessibility of the system. Review the SAS subsystem topic to understand the various SAS configuration and service considerations.
Before servicing or installing any features, review the I/O configurations for each logical partition on your system. It is important to understand the differences between the various configurations and the resulting service considerations. In addition, consider possible impacts to the following areas:

To remove and install the cache battery card, complete the following steps:

  1. Begin with the system power turned on.

    To prevent data loss, the cache battery card must be in an error state before it is removed from the system.

    If you have powered the system off, power it on before you continue.

  2. Select your operating system:
    • AIX®: Go to step 3.
    • Linux: Go to step 5.
    • IBM® i: Go to step 7.
  3. Force the cache battery card into an error state in AIX (to prevent possible data loss), as follows:
    1. Navigate to the IBM SAS Disk Array Manager by using the following steps:
      1. At the command prompt, type smit, and press Enter.
      2. Select Devices.
      3. Select Disk Array.
      4. Select IBM SAS Disk Array.
      5. Select IBM SAS Disk Array Manager from the menu with options for configuring and managing the IBM SAS RAID Controller.
    2. Select Diagnostics and Recovery Options.
    3. Select Controller Rechargeable Battery Maintenance.
    4. Select Force Controller Rechargeable Battery Error.
    5. Select the IBM SAS RAID Controller for the battery you want to replace.

      This option places the battery into the error state, which requires it to be replaced.

    6. Determine whether it is safe to replace the cache battery card. See the Displaying rechargeable battery information procedure. It is safe to replace the cache battery card when Yes is displayed next to Battery pack can be safely replaced. You might need to reselect the option Display Controller Rechargeable Battery Information multiple times as it might take several minutes before it is safe to replace the cache battery card.
    7. Verify that the Cache Present LED is not flashing.
    Displaying rechargeable battery information
    1. Navigate to the IBM SAS Disk Array Manager by using the previous procedure.
    2. Select Diagnostics and Recovery Options.
    3. Select Controller Rechargeable Battery Maintenance.
    4. Select Display Controller Rechargeable Battery Information.
    5. Select IBM SAS RAID Controller.
  4. Go to step 8.
  5. Force the cache battery card into an error state in the Linux operating system (to prevent possible data loss), as follows:
    1. Run the iprconfig utility by typing iprconfig.
    2. Select Work with disk unit recovery.
    3. Select Work with resources containing cache battery packs.
    4. Select your adapter and type 2. Then press Enter to force the battery error.
      Note: This option places the battery into the error state, which requires it to be replaced.
    5. If you are sure you want to force a battery error, type c to confirm. If you do not want to force a battery error, type q to cancel.
    6. Determine whether it is safe to replace the cache battery card. See Displaying rechargeable battery information.

      It is safe to replace the cache battery card when Yes is displayed next to Battery pack can be safely replaced. You might need to reselect the option Display Controller Rechargeable Battery Information multiple times, because it might take several minutes before it is safe to replace the cache battery card.

  6. Go to step 8.
  7. Force the cache battery card into an error state in IBM i (to prevent possible data loss), on the system or partition that contains the adapter as follows:
    1. Be sure that you are signed on to the system with at least service level authority.
    2. Type strsst on the command line and press Enter.
    3. Type your service tools user ID and service tools password on the System Service Tools (SST) Sign On display. Press Enter.
    4. Select Start a Service Tool from the System Service Tools (SST) display and press Enter.
    5. Select Hardware Service Manager from the Start a Service Tool display and press Enter.
    6. Select Work with resources containing cache battery packs from the Hardware Service Manager display and press Enter.
    7. Select Force battery pack into error state for the I/O card that you are working with from the Work with Resources containing cache battery packs display and press Enter.
    8. On the Force Battery Packs Into Error State display, verify that the correct I/O adapter has been selected and press the function key that confirms your choice.
    9. Return to the Work with Resources containing cache battery packs display and select Display battery information. Ensure that the field Safe to replace cache battery is set to Yes. This might take several minutes and you might need to press the refresh key to see the field update.
  8. Stop the system. For instructions, see Stopping the system or logical partition.
    Attention: Do not disconnect the power to the system. That will be done in a later step.
  9. Place a rack-mounted system into the service position. See Placing a rack-mounted model into the service position.
  10. Remove the service access cover:
  11. Check cache data present LED (A) by examining the LED on the cache battery card.
    • If the LED (A) is flashing, go to next step.
    • If the LED (A) is not flashing, go to step 13.
    Figure 1. Cache data present LED
    Cache data present LED location
  12. Do not remove the cache battery card if the LED (A) is flashing.

    The flashing LED indicates that there is cached data on the battery that has not been saved. This data will be lost if the battery is removed at this time. Complete this service procedure without replacing the battery, and then retry it to ensure all cache data is saved before the battery is replaced.

    Go to step 16.
  13. Disconnect the power to the system. For instructions, see Disconnecting the power cords from the 8202-E4B, 8202-E4C, 8202-E4D, 8205-E6B, 8205-E6C, or 8205-E6D system.
  14. Remove the cache battery card as follows:
    Attention: Do not remove the cache battery card if the cache data present LED is flashing because this indicates cache data exists.
    1. Disengage the cache battery card (B) from the connector (A).
    2. Slide the cache battery card out of the mounting guides and remove it from the system.
    3. After the card has been removed from the system, remove the battery pack from the battery card.

      If you are replacing the cache battery pack, go to the Removing and Replacing a cache battery pack, and then return here and continue with the next step.

    Figure 2. Removing the cache battery card
    Removing the cache battery card
  15. Replace the cache battery card as follows:
    Attention:

    Ensure that the cache battery card is disconnected for at least 60 seconds before you connect the new battery. This is the minimum amount of time needed for the adapter to recognize that the battery has been replaced.

    1. Slide the cache battery card into the mounting guides on the controller until it is seated in the battery connector.
    Figure 3. Installing the cache battery card
    Installing the cache battery card
  16. Install the service access cover.
  17. Place into operating position. See Placing a rack-mounted model into the operating position.
  18. Connect the power cords to the system. For instructions, see Connecting the power cords to the 8202-E4B, 8202-E4C, 8202-E4D, 8205-E6B, 8205-E6C, or 8205-E6D system.
  19. Close the back door on the unit you are servicing.
  20. Start the system. For instructions, see Starting the system or logical partition.
  21. Restart the adapter's write cache by doing the following steps:

    Select your operating system:

    • AIX: Go to step 22.
    • Linux: Go to step 23.
    • IBM i: Go to step 24.
  22. Complete the following steps:
    1. Navigate to the IBM SAS Disk Array Manager by using the information in step 3a.
    2. Select Diagnostics and Recovery Options.
    3. Select Controller Rechargeable Battery Maintenance.
    4. Select Start Adapter Cache.
    5. Select the controller with the battery you just replaced and press Enter.
    6. Go to step 25.
  23. Complete the following steps:
    1. Run the iprconfig utility by typing iprconfig.
    2. Select Work with disk unit recovery.
    3. Select Work with resources containing cache battery packs.
    4. Start the I/O adapter cache on the adapter for the battery that you just replaced by typing 3 and press Enter.
    5. Go to step 25.
  24. Complete the following steps:
    1. Return to the Work with Resources containing Cache Battery Packs display using the information in step 7a - 7f and select the Start IOA cache. Press Enter.
    2. Ensure that you get the message Cache was started.
    3. Go to step 25.
  25. Verify that the new resource is working correctly, as described in Verifying the installed part.
Parent topic: Removing and replacing SAS RAID adapters and batteries

Send feedback Rate this page

Last updated: Mon, December 15, 2014