Replacing a Base or Expansion controller card


ESD label
CAUTION:
  • Parts can be damaged by electrostatic discharge. Keep parts in electrostatic containers until needed. Ensure that you are properly grounded when static sensitive components are touched.
  • You must power off the library to install or replace this part or damage can occur.
Important: Do not replace both the base chassis and the Base Module controller card with repair components in the same procedure. The firmware does not allow the library to operate if both components are replaced at the same time. Critical library information is saved in the controller card and within the chassis. When one is replaced, the data from the original component is transferred to the repair component. If both the base chassis and Base Module controller are replaced, you must power cycle the library between component replacements.

Saving the configuration

See Locating Management functions for instructions on saving configuration settings to a file with the Management GUI or with the Operator Panel. This procedure is done when a Base Module controller card is replaced, or as an extra precaution when both the controller card and the module are replaced.
Note: Do not do a Save Configuration on a library that is in a failed state. Save the configuration on a working library only.

Powering off the library

Verify that all host processes are idle, then power off the library from the front panel. Depress Power and hold it for 5 seconds. If the library does not complete a soft shutdown, depress and hold Power for 10 seconds.
Important: Under normal circumstances, when the library is powered off by using the front Power, the robot automatically parks and locks into the Base Module behind the Operator Panel. If you are given a choice during the power down procedure, choose the default park position. To protect the spooling cable or other sensitive parts, the accessor must be in the Base Module before any modules or drives are removed from the library. If it is not, follow the procedure for returning the accessor to the base module. See Returning the accessor to the Base Module.

Removing the controller card

Figure 1. Controller card components

Controller card components

Note: The base controller card is on the left, and the expansion controller card is on the right.
Table 1. Controller card components
1 Blue captive thumbscrews
2 Upper Expansion Module connection port
3 USB Port
4 Ethernet Port A
5 Ethernet Port B
6 Lower Expansion Module connection port
7 Controller card LEDs, top to bottom
  • Green Controller Health Status. The flashing LED indicates that the controller is in good health status and properly working.
  • Yellow Controller Error. This LED turns on if the controller has a hardware issue. In this case, the green LED stops flashing.
  • Blue Unit Identifier. This LED is a beacon that can be turned on or off through the Management GUI. The LED gives the user an indication that the controller needs attention. See Locating faulty Components and Resolving Issues.
  1. Unplug the AC power cables from the module that contains the failed controller card.
  2. On the module that contains the failed controller card, remove the expansion interconnect cables (2 and 6) that connect to other modules, if present.
  3. Remove the Ethernet cables (4 and 5) and the USB cable (3), if present. (An Expansion Module does not have Ethernet or USB ports. See Figure 1).
  4. Loosen the two blue captive thumbscrews (1) on the controller.
  5. Using the thumbscrews, slowly remove the controller from the module.

Installing the Base or Expansion controller card

Figure 2. Installing a Controller card

Installing a Controller card

Important: Base and Expansion Module controller cards are keyed to fit in their respective modules only. A Base Module controller card does not fit into an Expansion Module, and vice versa. If you encounter resistance when the controller card is installed, make sure that you are installing the controller card into the appropriate module.
  1. Position the new controller card on the alignment rails.
  2. Slide the controller card slowly into the module until it is flush with the back panel of the module.
  3. Tighten the blue captive thumbscrews (1) with your fingers to secure it to the module.
  4. Replace the expansion interconnect cables (2 and 6), the Ethernet cable or cables (4 and 5), and the USB cable (3) that were removed previously. (An Expansion Module does not have Ethernet or USB ports. See Figure 1).
  5. Plug in the AC power cables.

Powering on the library

Power on the library by pressing Power on the Base Module just below the Operator Panel. The green light illuminates. When the library is powered on, it inventories the tape cartridges in the magazines, checks the firmware version on all modules, and configures the tape drives. Then, the library confirms the presence of the existing modules, and searches for any new modules.

Verifying the Base or Expansion controller card

  1. Verify that the library has the most up-to-date firmware revision. To find the version of firmware that is installed on the library, check the Library Properties page of the Management GUI or the Status > Library page of the Operator Panel.
  2. If the Base Module controller is replaced, upgrade the firmware if necessary. Update the firmware from the Management GUI at Library > Actions > Update Library Firmware.
    Important: If you are asked whether to retain the serial number, always select Yes.
  3. Check the Attention light on the front panel and login to web interface and check the dashboard for any alerts.
  4. With the Operator Panel or the Management GUI, check for any events. The event that indicated that the controller was faulty is cleared.
  5. If the base module controller is replaced, the library configuration is automatically restored. Validate the library configuration, and complete a Restore if the library configuration was not restored.
  6. If the UID LEDs are still illuminated, deactivate them by using the Operator Panel or Management GUI.
  7. Resume the host applications.