Replacing Ports and Adapter Cards

In this topic:

About port replacement

Replacing HBAs

Replacing NICs

Replacing ports without a hardware change

About Port Replacement

In one operation, all paths configured using one port can be moved to a different port using the Replace Port feature. This feature is also useful when adapter cards (host bus adapters (HBAs) and network interface cards (NICs)) need to be replaced.

This topic provides instructions for replacing a port with and without replacing the hardware.

  • The feature can be used even if the adapter is used by virtual disks. For mirrored virtual disks, I/O operations do not need to be stopped on the host before replacing the adapter on the DataCore Server; I/O operations will simply failover to the other DataCore Server in the server group. For single virtual disks, host access will have to be stopped before replacing the adapter.
  • If using soft WWNs, see Using Soft WWNs for Fibre Channel Ports for instructions on replacing HBAs that use soft WWNs.
  • Special notes are included for replacing hardware on hosts. Read these instructions BEFORE replacing any hardware.

Replacing HBAs

This section provides instructions for replacing an HBA on a DataCore Server. Some instructions are also provided for when an HBA is replaced on a host.

To replace an HBA on a DataCore Server:

  1. Shutdown the DataCore Server, replace the HBA, and power on the DataCore Server.
  2. In Device Manager, expand DataCore Fibre Channel Adapters and verify that the new adapter appears in the list. Verify that the DataCore driver is installed. (For assistance see the DataCore Technical Support Portal for the FAQ about managing Fibre Channel drivers.)
  3. If using a switch, add the replacement port to the same switch zones that contains the port being replaced and the initiator ports. The initiators will login to the replacement port.
  4. Open the DataCore Management Console and ensure the DataCore Server is started and running.
  5. Ensure that the host initiators which were connected to the old port are logged in to the new port.
  6. In DataCore Servers panel, right-click the removed port and select Replace Port.

    The adapter that was physically removed will still be listed in the configuration and display an error in the DataCore Servers panel.

  7. In the Replace Port dialog box, select the new port to use from the list.

    To ensure that the replacement port is included in the list, the correct port roles must be assigned. For example, if replacing a mirror port, the port role of the new port must include the MR role or it will not be listed.

  8. Click Replace. All paths assigned to the original port will be moved to the new port.
  9. If the card is a multi-port adapter, repeat the steps above for all ports.
  10. In DataCore Servers panel, right-click on the port that was physically removed and select Delete Port to remove it from the configuration. Repeat this step for multi-port adapters.

When replacing an HBA on a host:

  1. In the Hosts panel, double-click on the port of the HBA to be replaced to open the details page for the port. Note the WWN of the port at the top of the details page.
  2. Shut down the host, replace the adapter and power on the host.
  3. If using a switch, add the replacement port to the same switch zones that contains the port being replaced and the initiator ports. The initiators will login to the replacement port.
  4. Assign the new port to the host. See Registering Hosts and Assigning Ports.

    (The new port must be assigned to the host in order to replace the ports in subsequent steps.)

  5. If virtual disks were being served using the port of the HBA that was replaced, in Hosts panel, right-click on the port that was replaced and select Replace Port.

    The adapter that was physically removed will still be listed in the configuration and display an error in the Hosts panel.

  6. In the Replace Port dialog box, select the new port to use from the list.
  7. Click Replace. All paths assigned to the original port will be moved to the new port.
  8. If you are replacing a multi-port adapter, repeat the steps above for all ports.
  9. In Hosts panel, right-click on the port that was physically removed and select Unassign Port to remove it from the configuration. Repeat this step for multi-port adapters.

Replacing NICs

This section provides instructions for replacing a NIC on a DataCore Server. Some instructions are also provided for when a NIC is replaced on a host.

To replace a NIC on a DataCore Server:

  1. Shut down the DataCore Server, replace the NIC, and power on the DataCore Server.
  2. In Device Manager, expand DataCore Fibre Channel Adapters and verify that the new adapter appears in the list.
  3. Open the DataCore Management Console and ensure the DataCore Server is started and running.
  4. The target port using the old IP address may have to be updated with the new IP address:
    1. Check the iSCSI Initiator Details page>Remote Ports tab of the partner server in the server group, if the port is displayed with a state of Not connected, then right-click the port and select Logout.
    2. Click Add Target Port and add a port using the new IP address.
    3. After the port is added, right-click the new port and select Login.
    4. Repeat for multi-port adapters.
  5. In DataCore Servers panel, right-click the removed port and select Replace Port.

    The adapter that was physically removed will still be listed in the configuration and display an error in the DataCore Servers panel.

  6. In the Replace Port dialog box, select the new port to use from the list.
  7. Click Replace. All paths assigned to the original port will be moved to the new port.
  8. If the card is a multi-port adapter, repeat the steps above for all ports.
  9. In DataCore Servers panel, right-click on the port that was physically removed and select Delete Port to remove it from the configuration. Repeat this step for multi-port adapters.

When replacing a NIC on a host:

  1. In the Hosts panel, double-click on the port of the NIC to be replaced to open the details page for the port. Note the IQN of the port at the top of the details page.
  2. Shut down the host, replace the adapter and power on the host.
  3. On the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator on the host, ensure that the targets are discovered and logged in.
  4. Open the DataCore Management Console.
  5. Assign the new port to the host. See Registering Hosts and Assigning Ports.

    (The new port must be assigned to the host in order to replace the ports in subsequent steps.)

  6. If virtual disks were being served using the port of the NIC that was replaced, in Hosts panel, right-click on the port that was replaced and select Replace Port.

    The adapter that was physically removed will still be listed in the configuration and display an error in the Hosts panel.

  7. In the Replace Port dialog box, select the new port to use from the list.
  8. Click Replace. All paths assigned to the original port will be moved to the new port.
  9. If you are replacing a multi-port adapter, repeat the steps above for all ports.
  10. In Hosts panel, right-click on the port that was physically removed and select Unassign Port to remove it from the configuration. Repeat this step for multi-port adapters.

Replacing Ports Without a Hardware Change

When a port is replaced, all paths using the original port will be changed to use the new port. When replacing ports use matching protocols, FC to FC and iSCSI/NIC to iSCSI/NIC. The new paths will be adjusted accordingly. New port candidates must be present and have the correct port role assignment.

Use these instructions to replace ports without replacing the adapter card.

To replace the port used in paths:

  1. In DataCore Servers panel or Hosts panel, right-click on the port to replace and select Replace Port.
  2. In the Replace Port dialog box, select the new port to use from the list.
  3. Click Replace. All paths assigned to the original port will be moved to the new port.

Depending on the port replaced, the other end-point (port) of the path may also be changed to accommodate your selection.