Host interface cards
A host interface card (HIC) can optionally be installed within a controller canister. The HB5000 controller
includes built-in host ports on the controller card itself, as well as host ports on the optional HIC. Host ports
that are built into the controller are called baseboard host ports. Host ports that are built into the HIC are
called HIC ports.
Overview and requirements
This topic provides an overview of the host interface card and describes the requirements you need to know
about before adding, upgrading or replacing a HIC.
Host interface card overview
You can add, upgrade, or replace a HIC in the HB5100 controller shelf and the HB5200 controller shelf:
The following is an overview of the steps to replace a HIC in an HB5000 controllers (HB5100 or HB5200):
1.
Take the controller offline
2.
Remove the controller canister
3.
Replace the battery
4.
Replace the controller canister
5.
Bring the controller online
Requirements for adding, upgrading or replacing a HIC
If you plan to add, upgrade, or replace a host interface card (HIC), you must keep in mind certain
requirements.
• You have scheduled a downtime maintenance window for this procedure. The power must be off when
you install HICs, so you cannot access data on the storage array until you have successfully completed
this procedure. (In a duplex configuration, this is because both controllers must have the same HIC
configuration when they are powered on.)
• You have two HICs must be compatible with your controllers.
For duplex configurations (two controllers), the HICs installed in the two controller canisters must be
identical. The presence of mismatched HICs causes the controller with the replacement HIC to lock down
when you bring it online.
• You have all cables, transceivers, switches, and host bus adapters (HBAs) needed to connect the new host
ports.
• You have an ESD wristband, or you have taken other antistatic precautions.
• You have a #1 Phillips screwdriver.
• You have labels to identify each cable that is connected to the controller canister.
• You have installed SANtricity System Manager on a management station, so you can use the storage
array's command line interface (CLI).
If SANtricity System Manager has not yet been installed, follow the instructions in the
,
to download and install
the software.
Add host interface cards
You add host interface cards (HICs) to increase the number of host ports in your storage array and to provide
additional host protocols. When you add HICs, you must power off the storage array, install the HIC, and
reapply power. You can add HICs to HB5000 controller canisters that only have baseboard host ports.
Related concepts
on page 65
Requirements for adding, upgrading or replacing a HIC
on page 65
65
