Cisco VFrame Data Center 1.1 Administration Guide - Maintaining Devices [Cisco VFrame Data Center]

Table Of Contents

Maintaining Devices

Understanding Device Maintenance

Understanding the Difference Between Managed and Unmanaged Resources

Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources

Understanding Maintenance Modes

Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources

Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources

Maintaining Devices

Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources

Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources

Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode

Upgrading the Operating System on High-Availability Service Modules

Replacing a Failing High-Availability Service Module

Moving a High-Available Service Module to Another Switch

Moving a High-Availability Service Module to Another Slot in the Same Switch

Maintaining LOM Managers

Replacing a Failing LOM Manager

Upgrading Third-Party Software on a LOM Manager

Maintaining Devices

During normal network operation, you might need to perform maintenance tasks on the physical devices in your network. For example, you might need to upgrade (or downgrade) the OS version of a switch or server or replace defective service modules (FWSM, CSM). However before beginning, it is important that you understand how maintenance tasks can affect the physical devices in your network now that VFrame manages them.

The following topics provide detailed information to help you understand and perform maintenance tasks on devices that VFrame manages:

•Understanding Device Maintenance

•Maintaining Devices

Understanding Device Maintenance

Before performing maintenance on devices that VFrame manages, it is important to understand the following topics:

•Understanding the Difference Between Managed and Unmanaged Resources

•Understanding Maintenance Modes

Understanding the Difference Between Managed and Unmanaged Resources

Maintenance procedures depend on several factors, including whether the resource is managed or unmanaged:

•Managed resources—Managed resources are those that have been discovered by VFrame and manually selected to be managed. After a resource has been discovered and managed, it is available to be used by service networks, as needed.

You can perform maintenance on managed resources; however, the manner in which you proceed depends on whether the resource has been acquired or not. See Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources.

•Unmanaged resources—Unmanaged resources are those that have been discovered by VFrame, but have not been manually selected to be managed. These resources are in the VFrame database; however, they are not available to be used by service networks.

You can perform maintenance on unmanaged resources without affecting any running service network. After you are done performing maintenance, you need to rediscover the resource. Doing so, updates the VFrame inventory with any new information about the resource.

Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources

The way you go about performing maintenance on managed acquired and managed unacquired resources is different. So, you need to understand what defines these types of resources before performing maintenance on them:

•Managed unacquired resources are not in use by a service network. To perform maintenance, you can either unmanage the resource or place it in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab.

Unmanaging the resource removes it from any resource pool to which it belongs. So after performing maintenance and rediscovering the resource, if the resource belongs to a static resource pool, you need to manually readd it to the pool.

Alternatively, you can place the resource in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab, perform maintenance on it, and then take the resource out of Maintenance mode. Among other things, placing a managed unacquired resource in Maintenance mode does not remove it from any resource pool to which it belongs. So, this is typically the preferred method. For more details, see Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources.

•Managed acquired resources are those that are in use by a service network. After a managed resource is acquired, you cannot unmanage that resource to perform maintenance on it. The alternative is to place the resource in Maintenance mode from the Service Network Operations tab. For details, see Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources.

Note Managed resources can also be in a state where they are assigned to a service network, but not yet acquired. This happens when you select a specific resource (as opposed a resource pool) for a service network during network design, but the service network has not yet been deployed so the resource is not yet acquired. These resources cannot be unmanaged either, but they can be placed in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab.

Understanding Maintenance Modes

You can place only managed resources in Maintenance mode. The behavior of Maintenance mode and how you place a managed resource in Maintenance mode depends on whether the resource has been acquired or not. For details see Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources.

The following topics describe these two Maintenance modes:

•Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources

•Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources

Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources

Use this form of Maintenance mode when you need to change or repair a physical device that is managed but has not been acquired by a service network.

You place a managed unacquired resource in maintenance mode the Resources tab. For details, see Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources.

When you place a managed unacquired resource in Maintenance mode:

•VFrame stops monitoring the resource.

•VFrame does not log any faults against the resource.

•The resource is not removed from any resource pools to which it belongs.

•The resource cannot be acquired by a service network.

Note You can also place an acquired resource in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab. However, VFrame does not immediately place the resource in Maintenance mode. VFrame places the resource in the Marked for Maintenance state, waits until the service network releases the resource, and then places it in Maintenance mode. If needed, you can cancel the Marked for Maintenance state, and the resource will not be placed in Maintenance mode after the service network releases it.

While the resource is in Maintenance mode, you can perform any maintenance task (reboot the resource, change hardware, upgrade OS, and so on), as necessary. If you rediscover a resource while it is in Maintenance mode, VFrame discovers the device but does not log faults if they are detected.

After you remove a resource from Maintenance mode, you must rediscover it. Doing so causes VFrame to detect any hardware or configuration changes and update its database with the new information.

After a resource exits Maintenance mode:

•VFrame resumes monitoring the resource.

•VFrame logs faults against the resource, if detected.

•The resource is available to be acquired by a service network.

Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources

The Maintenance mode used for managed acquired resources is more complex than the one used for managed unacquired resources, because the resource is being used in a running service network. The following topics help you understand this form of Maintenance mode:

•When to Use Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources

•Restrictions for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources

•State Flow for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources

•What Happens to Resources and Service Networks in Maintenance Mode

•Exceptions to Standard Maintenance Mode Procedures

When to Use Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources

Use this form of Maintenance mode when you need to do one of the following on a resource that is managed and has been acquired by a service network:

•Update device configurations by executing macros attached to the Maintenance event.

•Change or repair physical devices without having to stop your service network.

When you stop your service network, all resources are released. After you make the necessary changes or repairs to the physical devices, you will need to restart the service network and acquire resources. This process can take much longer than placing the resource (and service network) in and out of Maintenance mode. Also, when you restart your service network, you might acquire different resources, if they are part of a resource pool, and this might or might not be desirable.

Restrictions for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources

To place a resource in Maintenance mode from the Network Operations tab, the resource must be in the Running state. Placing a resource in Maintenance mode places any of its parent elements, including the service network, in Maintenance mode as well.

You cannot place specific endpoints in Maintenance mode. However, placing a resource in maintenance mode, places its endpoints in Maintenance mode. The exception to this rule is any resource in high-availability mode. When a resource in high-availability mode is placed in Maintenance mode, its subelements are not placed in Maintenance mode.

Currently, you can place only one resource per service network in Maintenance mode at a time, except for servers. You can place multiple servers for a particular server group in maintenance mode.

State Flow for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources

The following topics explain the state flow of managed acquired resources when entering and exiting maintenance mode. For detailed descriptions of these and other states, see Service Network and Logical Element States, page 14-3.

Entering Maintenance Mode

There are several states that a resource can pass through when entering Maintenance mode, as shown in Figure 17-1.

Some logical elements require configuration changes to be made on them and/or other logical elements in order to enter Maintenance mode. The logical element that initiates the configuration changes is referred to as the source. The other logical elements are referred to as target logical elements.

When you place a logical element in Maintenance mode, a Maintenance event occurs on the service network. VFrame checks if there are macros attached to the Maintenance event. If there are no macros, VFrame places the logical element and service network in Maintenance mode.

If there are macros, VFrame executes the macros on the source logical element (the one you selected for Maintenance mode). If the configuration fails, VFrame places the logical element in the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed state. Because the service network always assumes the state of the source logical element, it enters this state also. Because of this failure, VFrame does not execute any additional macros on other logical elements attached to the Maintenance event.

Figure 17-1 Enter Maintenance State Flow Diagram

If the configuration is successful on the source logical element (or if there are no configuration changes required on the source logical element), VFrame checks if there are other macros that need to be executed on other logical elements. If there are no additional macros that need to be executed, VFrame places the source logical element and service network in Maintenance mode.

If there are other macros that need to be executed, VFrame executes them. If the configuration on the other logical elements is successful, VFrame places the source and target logical elements and the service network in Maintenance mode.

If the configuration on the other logical elements fails, VFrame places these logical elements in the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed on Element state. In addition, VFrame places the source logical element and the service network in the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed on Other state.

To clear this state, do one of the following:

•Clear the status of the error: Select the logical element, the Configuration tab, and then the error. Then click Clear Status. The logical element and service network go back to their previous states.

•Stop the network.

Exiting Maintenance Mode

There are several states that a resource can pass through when exiting Maintenance mode, as shown in Figure 17-2.

Some logical elements require configuration changes to be made on them and/or other logical elements in order to exit Maintenance mode. The logical element that initiates the configuration changes is referred to as the source logical element. The other logical elements are referred to as target logical elements.

Figure 17-2 Exit Maintenance State Flow Diagram

When you exit Maintenance mode, an Exit Maintenance event occurs on the service network. VFrame checks if there are macros attached to the Exit Maintenance event. If there are no macros, VFrame places the logical element and service network in the Running state.

If there are macros, VFrame executes the macros on the source logical element (the one you selected for exiting Maintenance mode). If the configuration fails, VFrame places the logical element in the Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed state. Because the service network always assumes the state of the source logical element, it enters this state also. Because of this failure, VFrame does not execute any additional macros on other logical elements attached to the Exit Maintenance event.

If the configuration is successful on the source logical element (or if there are no configuration changes required on the source logical element), VFrame checks if there are other macros that need to be executed on other logical elements. If there are no additional macros that need to be executed, VFrame places the source logical element and service network in the Running state.

If there are other macros that need to be executed, VFrame executes them. If the configuration on the other logical elements is successful, VFrame places the source and target logical elements and the service network in the Running state.

If the configuration on the other logical elements fails, VFrame places these logical elements in the Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed on Element state. In addition, VFrame places the source logical element and the service network in the Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed on Other state.

To clear this state, do one of the following:

•Clear the status of the error: Select the logical element, the Configuration tab, and then the error. Then click Clear Status. The logical element and service network go back to their previous states.

•Stop the network.

What Happens to Resources and Service Networks in Maintenance Mode

Once in maintenance mode, the service network stops receiving events and faults. The service network cannot be stopped and no server can be added to the service network. Basically, all the functions of the service network stop while in Maintenance mode.

Exceptions to Standard Maintenance Mode Procedures

In most cases, you can use the standard procedure for placing place a managed acquired resource in and out Maintenance mode (see Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources).

However, in some cases, placing a managed acquired resource in Maintenance mode is unavailable. In addition, there are resources (such as high-availability resources) that require additional steps to be performed when placing the resource in and out of Maintenance mode. For these cases, the following specific maintenance procedures are provided:

•Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode

•Maintaining LOM Managers

Maintaining Devices

These topics provide procedures for maintaining devices:

•Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources

•Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources

•Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode

•Maintaining LOM Managers

Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources

Regardless of the type of device, the procedure for performing maintenance on managed unacquired resources is the same.

Procedure

Step 1 Place the resource in Maintenance mode:

a. Select View > Resources.

b. Right-click the desired resource and select Maintenance > Move to Maintenance.

Step 2 Perform maintenance on the device according to the manufacturer's guidelines (upgrade OS, replace hardware, move hardware to a different slot, and so on).

Step 3 Remove the resource from Maintenance mode:

a. Select View > Resources.

b. Right-click the desired resource and select Maintenance > Move to Maintenance.

Step 4 Rediscover the resource (see Discovering Devices, page 6-6).

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources

In most cases, you can use the following procedure for placing place a managed acquired resource in and out Maintenance mode.

However, in some cases, placing a managed acquired resource in Maintenance mode is unavailable. In addition, there are resources (such as high-availability resources) that require additional steps to be performed when placing the resource in and out of Maintenance mode. For these cases, the following specific maintenance procedures are provided:

•Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode

•Maintaining LOM Managers

Procedure

Step 1 Place the resource you want to upgrade in Maintenance mode:

a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens.

b. Open the desired service network.

c. Right-click the desired logical element and select Enter Maintenance.

If the service network template has macros attached to the Maintenance event, these macros are executed, and then the logical element or service network enters Maintenance mode. If not, the logical element and service network enter Maintenance mode immediately.

Step 2 If desired, perform maintenance on the device according to the manufacturer's guidelines (upgrade OS, replace hardware, move hardware to a different slot, and so on).

Note After upgrading the OS on any device, you also need to update any macros associated with the device that specify a specific OS version. Check the OS Versions field in the Edit Macro dialog box. For details, see Edit Macro Dialog Box, page 11-106.

Step 3 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box.

Step 4 Resume normal operation on the logical element that you placed in Maintenance mode. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the logical element and select Exit Maintenance.

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode

Sometimes you might need to perform maintenance tasks on service modules that are in high-availability mode. These devices require additional steps to be performed. The following sections provide detailed steps for performing these tasks on high-availability service modules that are managed and have been acquired by a service network:

•Upgrading the Operating System on High-Availability Service Modules

•Replacing a Failing High-Availability Service Module

•Moving a High-Available Service Module to Another Switch

•Moving a High-Availability Service Module to Another Slot in the Same Switch

Upgrading the Operating System on High-Availability Service Modules

If necessary, you can upgrade the operating systems on service modules running in HA mode with another service module.

Procedure

Step 1 Place the service module element you want to upgrade in Maintenance mode:

a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens.

b. Open the desired service network.

c. Right-click the desired service module element and select Enter Maintenance.

Step 2 Upgrade the operating system on the service module. Follow the upgrade procedures in the appropriate service module document.

Step 3 Turn preempt off on both service modules, if it is configured.

Step 4 Rediscover both service modules.

This process is actually a reinventory process where VFrame compares the information in its database with what is present on the physical device and updates its database, if necessary. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6.

VFrame updates its database with the latest operating system versions of both service modules and logs a DeviceOSVersionChange fault on both the active and standby service module elements. You need to clear these faults manually.

Step 5 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box.

VFrame verifies the configurations on both service modules and corrects any discrepancies.

Step 6 Turn preempt back on, if necessary.

Step 7 Resume normal operation on the service module element that you placed in Maintenance mode. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired service module element and select Exit Maintenance.

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

Replacing a Failing High-Availability Service Module

If necessary, you can replace a failing service module that is part of an HA pair in your service network.

Before You Begin

•VFrame monitoring might have detected the service module is failure. However, you should log onto the switch and verify the hardware failure.

•Obtain a new service module. Make sure it meets the following criteria:

–The new service module must be the same type as the failing service module. For example, if the failing service module is a CSM, you need to replace it with a CSM. If the failing service module is a CSM-S, you need to replace it with a CSM-S.

–The new service module must be configured with the same operating system version as the failing service module.

Procedure

Step 1 Place the failing HA service module element in Maintenance mode:

a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens.

b. Open the desired service network.

c. Right-click the desired service module HA element and select Enter Maintenance.

Step 2 Turn off preempt on the active service module, if it is configured.

Step 3 Remove the failed service module and install the new service module in the same slot on the switch. Follow the installation procedures in the appropriate service module document.

Note Make sure it is the same type of service module and that it is configured with the same operating system version as the failing service module.

Step 4 Rediscover the new service module. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6.

Step 5 Verify the service network containing the new service module. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box.

VFrame verifies the configurations on both service modules in the HA pair and corrects any discrepancies.

Step 6 Turn preempt back on, if necessary.

Step 7 Resume normal operation on the service module element. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired service module element and select Exit Maintenance.

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

Moving a High-Available Service Module to Another Switch

If a switch fails or you want to reconfigure your high-availability service module in a different switch, you can move the service module from one switch to another.

Procedure

Step 1 Place the service module HA element in Maintenance mode:

a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens.

b. Open the desired service network.

c. Right-click the desired element and select Enter Maintenance.

Step 2 Turn off preempt on the active service module, if it is configured.

Step 3 If necessary, install a new switch in your network. Follow the installation procedures in the appropriate switch document.

Step 4 Remove the service module from the failing switch and install it in the new switch. Follow the installation procedures in the appropriate service module document.

Step 5 If you are using a CSM service module in HA mode, configure the service module to be the HA peer of the active service module. Follow the procedures in the appropriate service module configuration guide.

Step 6 Rediscover the new switch and the service module. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6.

Step 7 Manage the new switch and the service module. For details, see Managing and Unmanaging Ethernet Switches, page 7-11 and Managing Service Modules, page 7-17.

Step 8 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box.

VFrame verifies the configurations on the new switch and on the service module and corrects any discrepancies.

Step 9 Turn on preempt on the active service module, if it is configured.

Step 10 Resume normal operation on the service module HA element. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired element and select Exit Maintenance.

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

Moving a High-Availability Service Module to Another Slot in the Same Switch

If necessary, you can move your high-availability service module to a different slot within the same switch.

Procedure

Step 1 Place the service module HA element in Maintenance mode:

a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens.

b. Open the desired service network.

c. Right-click the desired element and select Enter Maintenance.

Step 2 Turn off preempt on both service modules, if it is configured.

Step 3 Move the service module to the desired slot, and leave the old slot empty.

Step 4 Rediscover both service modules. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6.

Step 5 Manage the new switch and the service module. For details, see Managing and Unmanaging Ethernet Switches, page 7-11 and Managing Service Modules, page 7-17.

Step 6 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box.

VFrame verifies the configurations on the new switch and on the service module and corrects any discrepancies.

Step 7 Turn on preempt on the active service module, if it is configured.

Step 8 If desired, install a new service module in the empty slot. Follow the installation and configuration procedures in the appropriate service module document.

Step 9 Resume normal operation on the service module HA element. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired element and select Exit Maintenance.

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

Maintaining LOM Managers

Use the following procedures to maintain LOM managers and servers:

•Replacing a Failing LOM Manager

•Upgrading Third-Party Software on a LOM Manager

Replacing a Failing LOM Manager

A LOM manager can fail at any time when VFrame needs to perform a power on, power off, or power status operation. These operations occur whenever VFrame attempts to connect to a LOM manager to perform an operation, such as an inventory, snapshot, or deployment operation.

If VFrame cannot reach the LOM manager due to the device or network being down or other network issues, the operation fails.

If the primary LOM manager is not reachable and you do not have a secondary LOM manager configured, the operation fails. If you have a secondary LOM manager configured, VFrame attempts to connect with the secondary LOM manager. If successful, the operation proceeds.

In either case, a warning message is recorded in the log file that triggered the operation. For example, if you are attempting to create a snapshot of a server and VFrame fails to connect to the designated LOM manager, a warning message is recorded in the job log for snapshot status. In addition, a warning is recorded in the global jobs log (View > Jobs).

If necessary, you must replace the failing LOM manager with a new LOM manager. This procedure assumes that you are using an independent LOM manager, not VFrame as the LOM manager.

Before You Begin

•Make sure that the failure is not due to a misconfiguration by checking that the LOM manager has been set up properly. For details, see Creating the LOM Interface and Application Server Inventory File, page 3-24 and Setting Up Independent LOM Managers, page 3-28.

Procedure

Step 1 Replace the LOM manager server according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

Step 2 Verify or set up SSH connectivity between VFrame and the LOM manager (see Setting Up Independent LOM Managers, page 3-28).

Step 3 Create or update the LOM interface and server inventory file that VFrame requires on the LOM manager (see Creating the LOM Interface and Application Server Inventory File, page 3-24).

Step 4 Define or update IP address and port settings for the LOM manager (see Defining LOM Managers, page 11-87).

Step 5 Configure or update the LOM manager credentials in VFrame (see Configuring Server Credentials, page 4-14).

Step 6 Run discovery to discover the LOM interfaces through the new LOM manager (see Discovering LOM Interfaces and the Server Inventory Through LOM Managers, page 6-13).

Step 7 Verify that the LOM manager is working by performing a LOM manager operation, for example, an Update Power Status operation.

a. Select View > Resources.

b. Right-click the LOM manager and select Show Details Table.

c. Right-click a LOM interface and select Update Power Status.

The Last Status column shows an hour glass icon as the power status is being obtained. Then, the power status changes to either red dot icon (power off) or a yellow light bulb icon (power on). This behavior indicates that the LOM manager is able to communicate to the selected LOM interface.

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

Upgrading Third-Party Software on a LOM Manager

If necessary, you can upgrade the third-party software on your LOM manager.

Procedure

Step 1 If you have only a primary LOM manager designated for use, temporarily change the IP address to a different LOM manager's IP address, if possible. Doing so avoids unnecessary failures due to the LOM manager not being able to process operation requests that might occur during the upgrade process. For details, see Defining LOM Managers, page 11-87.

If you have a primary and a secondary LOM manager designated for use, you can upgrade them without making any changes. No failures should occur because any LOM manager operation requests are automatically forwarded to the alternate LOM manager.

Step 2 Upgrade the third-party software on the LOM manager according to the manufacturers guidelines.

Step 3 Edit macros to be compatible with the new software, if necessary. For details, see Creating and Modifying LOM Manager Templates, page 11-84.

Step 4 If you changed the primary LOM manager IP address to a different LOM manager's IP address, change the IP address back to the original LOM manager IP address.

Step 5 Verify that the LOM manager is working by performing a LOM manager operation, for example, an Update Power Status operation:

a. Select View > Resources.

b. Right-click the LOM manager and select Show Details Table.

c. Right-click a LOM interface and select Update Power Status.

The Last Status column shows an hour glass icon as the power status is being obtained. Then, the power status changes to either a red dot icon (power off) or a yellow light bulb icon (power on). This behavior indicates that the LOM manager is able to communicate to the selected LOM interface.

Related Topics

•Understanding Device Maintenance

	Cisco VFrame Data Center 1.1 Administration Guide
	Maintaining Devices
Cisco VFrame Data Center 1.1 Administration Guide Preface Getting Started with VFrame Data Center Managing Roles and Local Users Setting Up the Physical Network Managing Device Credentials Configuring DHCP for VFrame Discovering Devices Managing Devices Managing Server Images Managing Resource Pools Managing Virtual Contexts Designing Templates Managing Macros and Variable Group Types from the Library Manager Designing Service Networks Operating Service Networks Managing Faults Viewing Reports Maintaining Devices Managing the VFrame System System Actions and Default Variables Index	Download this chapter Maintaining Devices Download the complete book Cisco VFrame Data Center 1.1 Administration Guide (PDF - 7 MB) Table Of Contents Maintaining Devices Understanding Device Maintenance Understanding the Difference Between Managed and Unmanaged Resources Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources Understanding Maintenance Modes Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources Maintaining Devices Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode Upgrading the Operating System on High-Availability Service Modules Replacing a Failing High-Availability Service Module Moving a High-Available Service Module to Another Switch Moving a High-Availability Service Module to Another Slot in the Same Switch Maintaining LOM Managers Replacing a Failing LOM Manager Upgrading Third-Party Software on a LOM Manager Maintaining Devices During normal network operation, you might need to perform maintenance tasks on the physical devices in your network. For example, you might need to upgrade (or downgrade) the OS version of a switch or server or replace defective service modules (FWSM, CSM). However before beginning, it is important that you understand how maintenance tasks can affect the physical devices in your network now that VFrame manages them. The following topics provide detailed information to help you understand and perform maintenance tasks on devices that VFrame manages: •Understanding Device Maintenance •Maintaining Devices Understanding Device Maintenance Before performing maintenance on devices that VFrame manages, it is important to understand the following topics: •Understanding the Difference Between Managed and Unmanaged Resources •Understanding Maintenance Modes Understanding the Difference Between Managed and Unmanaged Resources Maintenance procedures depend on several factors, including whether the resource is managed or unmanaged: •Managed resources—Managed resources are those that have been discovered by VFrame and manually selected to be managed. After a resource has been discovered and managed, it is available to be used by service networks, as needed. You can perform maintenance on managed resources; however, the manner in which you proceed depends on whether the resource has been acquired or not. See Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources. •Unmanaged resources—Unmanaged resources are those that have been discovered by VFrame, but have not been manually selected to be managed. These resources are in the VFrame database; however, they are not available to be used by service networks. You can perform maintenance on unmanaged resources without affecting any running service network. After you are done performing maintenance, you need to rediscover the resource. Doing so, updates the VFrame inventory with any new information about the resource. Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources The way you go about performing maintenance on managed acquired and managed unacquired resources is different. So, you need to understand what defines these types of resources before performing maintenance on them: •Managed unacquired resources are not in use by a service network. To perform maintenance, you can either unmanage the resource or place it in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab. Unmanaging the resource removes it from any resource pool to which it belongs. So after performing maintenance and rediscovering the resource, if the resource belongs to a static resource pool, you need to manually readd it to the pool. Alternatively, you can place the resource in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab, perform maintenance on it, and then take the resource out of Maintenance mode. Among other things, placing a managed unacquired resource in Maintenance mode does not remove it from any resource pool to which it belongs. So, this is typically the preferred method. For more details, see Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources. •Managed acquired resources are those that are in use by a service network. After a managed resource is acquired, you cannot unmanage that resource to perform maintenance on it. The alternative is to place the resource in Maintenance mode from the Service Network Operations tab. For details, see Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources. Note Managed resources can also be in a state where they are assigned to a service network, but not yet acquired. This happens when you select a specific resource (as opposed a resource pool) for a service network during network design, but the service network has not yet been deployed so the resource is not yet acquired. These resources cannot be unmanaged either, but they can be placed in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab. Understanding Maintenance Modes You can place only managed resources in Maintenance mode. The behavior of Maintenance mode and how you place a managed resource in Maintenance mode depends on whether the resource has been acquired or not. For details see Understanding the Difference Between Managed Acquired and Managed Unacquired Resources. The following topics describe these two Maintenance modes: •Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources •Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources Maintenance Mode for Managed Unacquired Resources Use this form of Maintenance mode when you need to change or repair a physical device that is managed but has not been acquired by a service network. You place a managed unacquired resource in maintenance mode the Resources tab. For details, see Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources. When you place a managed unacquired resource in Maintenance mode: •VFrame stops monitoring the resource. •VFrame does not log any faults against the resource. •The resource is not removed from any resource pools to which it belongs. •The resource cannot be acquired by a service network. Note You can also place an acquired resource in Maintenance mode from the Resources tab. However, VFrame does not immediately place the resource in Maintenance mode. VFrame places the resource in the Marked for Maintenance state, waits until the service network releases the resource, and then places it in Maintenance mode. If needed, you can cancel the Marked for Maintenance state, and the resource will not be placed in Maintenance mode after the service network releases it. While the resource is in Maintenance mode, you can perform any maintenance task (reboot the resource, change hardware, upgrade OS, and so on), as necessary. If you rediscover a resource while it is in Maintenance mode, VFrame discovers the device but does not log faults if they are detected. After you remove a resource from Maintenance mode, you must rediscover it. Doing so causes VFrame to detect any hardware or configuration changes and update its database with the new information. After a resource exits Maintenance mode: •VFrame resumes monitoring the resource. •VFrame logs faults against the resource, if detected. •The resource is available to be acquired by a service network. Maintenance Mode for Managed Acquired Resources The Maintenance mode used for managed acquired resources is more complex than the one used for managed unacquired resources, because the resource is being used in a running service network. The following topics help you understand this form of Maintenance mode: •When to Use Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources •Restrictions for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources •State Flow for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources •What Happens to Resources and Service Networks in Maintenance Mode •Exceptions to Standard Maintenance Mode Procedures When to Use Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources Use this form of Maintenance mode when you need to do one of the following on a resource that is managed and has been acquired by a service network: •Update device configurations by executing macros attached to the Maintenance event. •Change or repair physical devices without having to stop your service network. When you stop your service network, all resources are released. After you make the necessary changes or repairs to the physical devices, you will need to restart the service network and acquire resources. This process can take much longer than placing the resource (and service network) in and out of Maintenance mode. Also, when you restart your service network, you might acquire different resources, if they are part of a resource pool, and this might or might not be desirable. Restrictions for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources To place a resource in Maintenance mode from the Network Operations tab, the resource must be in the Running state. Placing a resource in Maintenance mode places any of its parent elements, including the service network, in Maintenance mode as well. You cannot place specific endpoints in Maintenance mode. However, placing a resource in maintenance mode, places its endpoints in Maintenance mode. The exception to this rule is any resource in high-availability mode. When a resource in high-availability mode is placed in Maintenance mode, its subelements are not placed in Maintenance mode. Currently, you can place only one resource per service network in Maintenance mode at a time, except for servers. You can place multiple servers for a particular server group in maintenance mode. State Flow for Maintenance Mode on Managed Acquired Resources The following topics explain the state flow of managed acquired resources when entering and exiting maintenance mode. For detailed descriptions of these and other states, see Service Network and Logical Element States, page 14-3. Entering Maintenance Mode There are several states that a resource can pass through when entering Maintenance mode, as shown in Figure 17-1. Some logical elements require configuration changes to be made on them and/or other logical elements in order to enter Maintenance mode. The logical element that initiates the configuration changes is referred to as the source. The other logical elements are referred to as target logical elements. When you place a logical element in Maintenance mode, a Maintenance event occurs on the service network. VFrame checks if there are macros attached to the Maintenance event. If there are no macros, VFrame places the logical element and service network in Maintenance mode. If there are macros, VFrame executes the macros on the source logical element (the one you selected for Maintenance mode). If the configuration fails, VFrame places the logical element in the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed state. Because the service network always assumes the state of the source logical element, it enters this state also. Because of this failure, VFrame does not execute any additional macros on other logical elements attached to the Maintenance event. Figure 17-1 Enter Maintenance State Flow Diagram If the configuration is successful on the source logical element (or if there are no configuration changes required on the source logical element), VFrame checks if there are other macros that need to be executed on other logical elements. If there are no additional macros that need to be executed, VFrame places the source logical element and service network in Maintenance mode. If there are other macros that need to be executed, VFrame executes them. If the configuration on the other logical elements is successful, VFrame places the source and target logical elements and the service network in Maintenance mode. If the configuration on the other logical elements fails, VFrame places these logical elements in the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed on Element state. In addition, VFrame places the source logical element and the service network in the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed on Other state. To clear this state, do one of the following: •Clear the status of the error: Select the logical element, the Configuration tab, and then the error. Then click Clear Status. The logical element and service network go back to their previous states. •Stop the network. Exiting Maintenance Mode There are several states that a resource can pass through when exiting Maintenance mode, as shown in Figure 17-2. Some logical elements require configuration changes to be made on them and/or other logical elements in order to exit Maintenance mode. The logical element that initiates the configuration changes is referred to as the source logical element. The other logical elements are referred to as target logical elements. Figure 17-2 Exit Maintenance State Flow Diagram When you exit Maintenance mode, an Exit Maintenance event occurs on the service network. VFrame checks if there are macros attached to the Exit Maintenance event. If there are no macros, VFrame places the logical element and service network in the Running state. If there are macros, VFrame executes the macros on the source logical element (the one you selected for exiting Maintenance mode). If the configuration fails, VFrame places the logical element in the Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed state. Because the service network always assumes the state of the source logical element, it enters this state also. Because of this failure, VFrame does not execute any additional macros on other logical elements attached to the Exit Maintenance event. If the configuration is successful on the source logical element (or if there are no configuration changes required on the source logical element), VFrame checks if there are other macros that need to be executed on other logical elements. If there are no additional macros that need to be executed, VFrame places the source logical element and service network in the Running state. If there are other macros that need to be executed, VFrame executes them. If the configuration on the other logical elements is successful, VFrame places the source and target logical elements and the service network in the Running state. If the configuration on the other logical elements fails, VFrame places these logical elements in the Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed on Element state. In addition, VFrame places the source logical element and the service network in the Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed on Other state. To clear this state, do one of the following: •Clear the status of the error: Select the logical element, the Configuration tab, and then the error. Then click Clear Status. The logical element and service network go back to their previous states. •Stop the network. What Happens to Resources and Service Networks in Maintenance Mode Once in maintenance mode, the service network stops receiving events and faults. The service network cannot be stopped and no server can be added to the service network. Basically, all the functions of the service network stop while in Maintenance mode. Exceptions to Standard Maintenance Mode Procedures In most cases, you can use the standard procedure for placing place a managed acquired resource in and out Maintenance mode (see Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources). However, in some cases, placing a managed acquired resource in Maintenance mode is unavailable. In addition, there are resources (such as high-availability resources) that require additional steps to be performed when placing the resource in and out of Maintenance mode. For these cases, the following specific maintenance procedures are provided: •Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode •Maintaining LOM Managers Maintaining Devices These topics provide procedures for maintaining devices: •Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources •Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources •Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode •Maintaining LOM Managers Maintaining Managed Unacquired Resources Regardless of the type of device, the procedure for performing maintenance on managed unacquired resources is the same. Procedure Step 1 Place the resource in Maintenance mode: a. Select View > Resources. b. Right-click the desired resource and select Maintenance > Move to Maintenance. Step 2 Perform maintenance on the device according to the manufacturer's guidelines (upgrade OS, replace hardware, move hardware to a different slot, and so on). Step 3 Remove the resource from Maintenance mode: a. Select View > Resources. b. Right-click the desired resource and select Maintenance > Move to Maintenance. Step 4 Rediscover the resource (see Discovering Devices, page 6-6). Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance Maintaining Managed Acquired Resources In most cases, you can use the following procedure for placing place a managed acquired resource in and out Maintenance mode. However, in some cases, placing a managed acquired resource in Maintenance mode is unavailable. In addition, there are resources (such as high-availability resources) that require additional steps to be performed when placing the resource in and out of Maintenance mode. For these cases, the following specific maintenance procedures are provided: •Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode •Maintaining LOM Managers Procedure Step 1 Place the resource you want to upgrade in Maintenance mode: a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens. b. Open the desired service network. c. Right-click the desired logical element and select Enter Maintenance. If the service network template has macros attached to the Maintenance event, these macros are executed, and then the logical element or service network enters Maintenance mode. If not, the logical element and service network enter Maintenance mode immediately. Step 2 If desired, perform maintenance on the device according to the manufacturer's guidelines (upgrade OS, replace hardware, move hardware to a different slot, and so on). Note After upgrading the OS on any device, you also need to update any macros associated with the device that specify a specific OS version. Check the OS Versions field in the Edit Macro dialog box. For details, see Edit Macro Dialog Box, page 11-106. Step 3 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box. Step 4 Resume normal operation on the logical element that you placed in Maintenance mode. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the logical element and select Exit Maintenance. Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance Maintaining Managed Acquired Service Modules Running in High-Availability Mode Sometimes you might need to perform maintenance tasks on service modules that are in high-availability mode. These devices require additional steps to be performed. The following sections provide detailed steps for performing these tasks on high-availability service modules that are managed and have been acquired by a service network: •Upgrading the Operating System on High-Availability Service Modules •Replacing a Failing High-Availability Service Module •Moving a High-Available Service Module to Another Switch •Moving a High-Availability Service Module to Another Slot in the Same Switch Upgrading the Operating System on High-Availability Service Modules If necessary, you can upgrade the operating systems on service modules running in HA mode with another service module. Procedure Step 1 Place the service module element you want to upgrade in Maintenance mode: a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens. b. Open the desired service network. c. Right-click the desired service module element and select Enter Maintenance. Step 2 Upgrade the operating system on the service module. Follow the upgrade procedures in the appropriate service module document. Step 3 Turn preempt off on both service modules, if it is configured. Step 4 Rediscover both service modules. This process is actually a reinventory process where VFrame compares the information in its database with what is present on the physical device and updates its database, if necessary. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6. VFrame updates its database with the latest operating system versions of both service modules and logs a DeviceOSVersionChange fault on both the active and standby service module elements. You need to clear these faults manually. Step 5 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box. VFrame verifies the configurations on both service modules and corrects any discrepancies. Step 6 Turn preempt back on, if necessary. Step 7 Resume normal operation on the service module element that you placed in Maintenance mode. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired service module element and select Exit Maintenance. Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance Replacing a Failing High-Availability Service Module If necessary, you can replace a failing service module that is part of an HA pair in your service network. Before You Begin •VFrame monitoring might have detected the service module is failure. However, you should log onto the switch and verify the hardware failure. •Obtain a new service module. Make sure it meets the following criteria: –The new service module must be the same type as the failing service module. For example, if the failing service module is a CSM, you need to replace it with a CSM. If the failing service module is a CSM-S, you need to replace it with a CSM-S. –The new service module must be configured with the same operating system version as the failing service module. Procedure Step 1 Place the failing HA service module element in Maintenance mode: a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens. b. Open the desired service network. c. Right-click the desired service module HA element and select Enter Maintenance. Step 2 Turn off preempt on the active service module, if it is configured. Step 3 Remove the failed service module and install the new service module in the same slot on the switch. Follow the installation procedures in the appropriate service module document. Note Make sure it is the same type of service module and that it is configured with the same operating system version as the failing service module. Step 4 Rediscover the new service module. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6. Step 5 Verify the service network containing the new service module. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box. VFrame verifies the configurations on both service modules in the HA pair and corrects any discrepancies. Step 6 Turn preempt back on, if necessary. Step 7 Resume normal operation on the service module element. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired service module element and select Exit Maintenance. Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance Moving a High-Available Service Module to Another Switch If a switch fails or you want to reconfigure your high-availability service module in a different switch, you can move the service module from one switch to another. Procedure Step 1 Place the service module HA element in Maintenance mode: a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens. b. Open the desired service network. c. Right-click the desired element and select Enter Maintenance. Step 2 Turn off preempt on the active service module, if it is configured. Step 3 If necessary, install a new switch in your network. Follow the installation procedures in the appropriate switch document. Step 4 Remove the service module from the failing switch and install it in the new switch. Follow the installation procedures in the appropriate service module document. Step 5 If you are using a CSM service module in HA mode, configure the service module to be the HA peer of the active service module. Follow the procedures in the appropriate service module configuration guide. Step 6 Rediscover the new switch and the service module. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6. Step 7 Manage the new switch and the service module. For details, see Managing and Unmanaging Ethernet Switches, page 7-11 and Managing Service Modules, page 7-17. Step 8 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box. VFrame verifies the configurations on the new switch and on the service module and corrects any discrepancies. Step 9 Turn on preempt on the active service module, if it is configured. Step 10 Resume normal operation on the service module HA element. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired element and select Exit Maintenance. Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance Moving a High-Availability Service Module to Another Slot in the Same Switch If necessary, you can move your high-availability service module to a different slot within the same switch. Procedure Step 1 Place the service module HA element in Maintenance mode: a. Select Operations > Service Network Operations. The Service Network Operations tab opens. b. Open the desired service network. c. Right-click the desired element and select Enter Maintenance. Step 2 Turn off preempt on both service modules, if it is configured. Step 3 Move the service module to the desired slot, and leave the old slot empty. Step 4 Rediscover both service modules. For details, see Discovering Ethernet Switches and Service Modules, page 6-6. Step 5 Manage the new switch and the service module. For details, see Managing and Unmanaging Ethernet Switches, page 7-11 and Managing Service Modules, page 7-17. Step 6 Verify the service network. From the Service Network Operations tab, click Verify and select the Auto Correct Detected Changes check box. VFrame verifies the configurations on the new switch and on the service module and corrects any discrepancies. Step 7 Turn on preempt on the active service module, if it is configured. Step 8 If desired, install a new service module in the empty slot. Follow the installation and configuration procedures in the appropriate service module document. Step 9 Resume normal operation on the service module HA element. From the Service Network Operations tab, right-click the desired element and select Exit Maintenance. Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance Maintaining LOM Managers Use the following procedures to maintain LOM managers and servers: •Replacing a Failing LOM Manager •Upgrading Third-Party Software on a LOM Manager Replacing a Failing LOM Manager A LOM manager can fail at any time when VFrame needs to perform a power on, power off, or power status operation. These operations occur whenever VFrame attempts to connect to a LOM manager to perform an operation, such as an inventory, snapshot, or deployment operation. If VFrame cannot reach the LOM manager due to the device or network being down or other network issues, the operation fails. If the primary LOM manager is not reachable and you do not have a secondary LOM manager configured, the operation fails. If you have a secondary LOM manager configured, VFrame attempts to connect with the secondary LOM manager. If successful, the operation proceeds. In either case, a warning message is recorded in the log file that triggered the operation. For example, if you are attempting to create a snapshot of a server and VFrame fails to connect to the designated LOM manager, a warning message is recorded in the job log for snapshot status. In addition, a warning is recorded in the global jobs log (View > Jobs). If necessary, you must replace the failing LOM manager with a new LOM manager. This procedure assumes that you are using an independent LOM manager, not VFrame as the LOM manager. Before You Begin •Make sure that the failure is not due to a misconfiguration by checking that the LOM manager has been set up properly. For details, see Creating the LOM Interface and Application Server Inventory File, page 3-24 and Setting Up Independent LOM Managers, page 3-28. Procedure Step 1 Replace the LOM manager server according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Step 2 Verify or set up SSH connectivity between VFrame and the LOM manager (see Setting Up Independent LOM Managers, page 3-28). Step 3 Create or update the LOM interface and server inventory file that VFrame requires on the LOM manager (see Creating the LOM Interface and Application Server Inventory File, page 3-24). Step 4 Define or update IP address and port settings for the LOM manager (see Defining LOM Managers, page 11-87). Step 5 Configure or update the LOM manager credentials in VFrame (see Configuring Server Credentials, page 4-14). Step 6 Run discovery to discover the LOM interfaces through the new LOM manager (see Discovering LOM Interfaces and the Server Inventory Through LOM Managers, page 6-13). Step 7 Verify that the LOM manager is working by performing a LOM manager operation, for example, an Update Power Status operation. a. Select View > Resources. b. Right-click the LOM manager and select Show Details Table. c. Right-click a LOM interface and select Update Power Status. The Last Status column shows an hour glass icon as the power status is being obtained. Then, the power status changes to either red dot icon (power off) or a yellow light bulb icon (power on). This behavior indicates that the LOM manager is able to communicate to the selected LOM interface. Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance Upgrading Third-Party Software on a LOM Manager If necessary, you can upgrade the third-party software on your LOM manager. Procedure Step 1 If you have only a primary LOM manager designated for use, temporarily change the IP address to a different LOM manager's IP address, if possible. Doing so avoids unnecessary failures due to the LOM manager not being able to process operation requests that might occur during the upgrade process. For details, see Defining LOM Managers, page 11-87. If you have a primary and a secondary LOM manager designated for use, you can upgrade them without making any changes. No failures should occur because any LOM manager operation requests are automatically forwarded to the alternate LOM manager. Step 2 Upgrade the third-party software on the LOM manager according to the manufacturers guidelines. Step 3 Edit macros to be compatible with the new software, if necessary. For details, see Creating and Modifying LOM Manager Templates, page 11-84. Step 4 If you changed the primary LOM manager IP address to a different LOM manager's IP address, change the IP address back to the original LOM manager IP address. Step 5 Verify that the LOM manager is working by performing a LOM manager operation, for example, an Update Power Status operation: a. Select View > Resources. b. Right-click the LOM manager and select Show Details Table. c. Right-click a LOM interface and select Update Power Status. The Last Status column shows an hour glass icon as the power status is being obtained. Then, the power status changes to either a red dot icon (power off) or a yellow light bulb icon (power on). This behavior indicates that the LOM manager is able to communicate to the selected LOM interface. Related Topics •Understanding Device Maintenance
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