Adding, Replacing, or Upgrading a Controller Card
Servicing the Hardware
6-11
4. Remove the current card; see the generic procedure in the “Extract a Card” section on page 6-4.
5. Install the card; see the generic procedure in the “Insert a Card” section on page 6-3.
6. If a CF card was installed in the previous controller card, remove the device from its slot and install it
in the new controller card; perform the procedure in the “Installing and Removing a CF Card” section
on page 6-12.
7. Verify the operational status: the FAIL LED must not be lit.
8. Reconnect the cables you previously disconnected.
If you have replaced one of a pair of controller cards, the system ensures that both controller cards are
running the same release of the system software and downloads the release on the active controller to the
new standby controller, if necessary.
Upgrade a Controller Card
Later versions of the controller card (XCRP3, XCRP4) provide more processing power and more memory.
Caution
Risk of ESD damage. A controller card contains electrostatic-sensitive devices. To reduce the
risk of ESD damage, always use an ESD wrist or ankle strap when handling any card. Avoid
touching its printed circuit board, components, or any connector pins.
Note
Do not attach the wrist strap to a painted surface; an ESD convenience jack is located on the
front of the fan tray.
Note
If you are replacing one of a pair of controller cards, the replacement controller card must be
the same type (XCRP, XCRP3, XCRP4) and have the same memory size as the current
controller card; you can check the CLEI codes to ensure that they are identical.
Caution
Risk of data loss. If the controller cards are not the same type with same main memory
configuration, the system might need to shut down one or more traffic cards to free up enough
available power for the standby controller card. The SmartEdge OS always reserves enough
power during system configuration so that if the system has only a single controller card
installed, a standby controller card of the same type can be installed at a later time.
If the controller cards are mismatched, the system issues an alarm for mismatched controllers,
allocates power for the second controller card, and recalculates available power. If the
available power is not sufficient to power all the installed traffic cards, the SmartEdge OS
begins putting installed traffic cards into low-power mode, starting with the
highest-numbered slot, until enough power is available to initialize the standby controller
card.
To reduce the risk of traffic card shutdown, always ensure that the controller cards are
identical before you install a second controller card.
Note
In a dual-controller system, you must upgrade both controller cards. You cannot mix
controller types in the same chassis.
