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  5. Platform Maintenance
Manual Chapter : Platform Maintenance

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BIG-IP AAM

  • 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

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BIG-IP DNS

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BIG-IP ASM

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Manual Chapter
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Platform Maintenance

About platform maintenance

The 6900 platform contains several components that can be replaced individually without exchanging the entire system. This platform contains the following replaceable components:

  • AC power supply
  • DC power supply
  • Fan tray
  • Hard drive

About AC power supplies

BIG-IP® platforms can support up to two AC power supplies. Some platforms come with only one power supply by default. You can hot swap power supplies if there are two installed in your system.

Partially-removed power supply

A power supply partially removed from the platform

The platform supports power redundancy, which ensures that the system is unaffected if a single power supply fails in a system containing more than one power supply.

CAUTION:
Running without power supplies installed in all available bays in the platform can affect cooling and electromagnetic interference (EMI). If you need to run the unit with fewer power supplies, you must install a blank supply bracket into any empty power supply bays. The blank supply bracket is required to maintain proper airflow in the system. If you do not have a blank supply bracket, leave all supplies installed and unplug any unused power supplies.
CAUTION:
As a safety precaution, the socket outlet must be installed near the equipment and be easily accessible.
Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5 Networks recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.
Important: F5 Networks strongly recommends that you use only one power supply type (AC or DC) in a platform.
Note: Depending on the model and revision of the power supply, you might need either a Phillips or a slotted screwdriver to replace the power supply.

Installing an AC power supply

In the event of a power supply failure, you can replace an AC power supply without powering down the system, provided that there is at least one power supply operating during the replacement process.
  1. Disconnect the AC power cord or DC terminal block from the power supply.
  2. Loosen the power supply screw by turning it counterclockwise with an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
    Note: The screw that holds the ejector handle in place is captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
    Loosening power supply screws
  3. Grasp the ejector handle and rotate it downward to eject the power supply from the system.
    Loosening power supply screws
  4. Remove the power supply from the system by pulling straight toward you.
  5. Ensure that the latch on the new power supply is in the down position and slide the power supply into the power supply slot until the latch engages.
  6. Rotate the latch upward to fully seat the power supply.
  7. Tighten the screw into place.
    The power supply is connected to the system when you tighten the screw completely.
  8. Attach the power cord to the new power supply.
  9. Ensure that the power switch, located on the power supply next to the screw, is in the ON position.

About DC power supplies

The BIG-IP® platforms support DC power supplies. You can hot swap power supplies if there are two installed in your system. The DC power supply does not have an on/off switch. You can control the power from the rack switch or the DC power source.

The DC power supply includes a DC terminal block that connects the power supply to the DC power source.

The platform supports power redundancy, which ensures that the system is unaffected if a single power supply fails in a system containing more than one power supply.

DC power supply and terminal block

The 6900 platform DC power supply and terminal block

DC terminal block components

DC terminal block components

CAUTION:
Before installing a DC power supply, be sure that the DC power source for the rack is powered off.
CAUTION:
Running without power supplies installed in all available bays in the platform can affect cooling and electromagnetic interference (EMI). If you need to run the unit with fewer power supplies, you must install a blank supply bracket into any empty power supply bays. The blank supply bracket is required to maintain proper airflow in the system. If you do not have a blank supply bracket, leave all supplies installed and unplug any unused power supplies.
CAUTION:
Before you begin to work with one of these platforms, refer to the DC-powered equipment environmental warnings for this platform and review any safety requirements for the facilities where the DC-powered platforms will be installed.
Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5 Networks recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.
Important: The platform must be installed in a RESTRICTED ACCESS LOCATION, such as a central office or customer premises environment.
Note: All copper grounding cable used for grounding must meet all appropriate UL standards.
Note: You should coat bare conductors with an appropriate antioxidant compound before you make crimp connections. You should bring all unplated connectors, braided strap, and bus bars to a bright finish and then coat them with an antioxidant before you connect them.
Note: The platform must be grounded to a common bonding network (CBN).
Note: The battery return terminals on the platform are in an isolated DC return (DC-I) configuration.

Wiring the DC power supply terminal block

You will need the following tools to assemble and wire the DC terminal block:
  • Wire stripping tool
  • Small Phillips screwdriver
  • Small flat head screwdriver
The DC power supply for the 6900 platform includes a DC terminal block. You connect the wires to the terminal block and then insert the terminal block into the DC power supply.
  1. Review the DC power supply label and determine the correct wire size for your installation.
  2. Use the wire stripping tool to remove 3/8 inch (9.56 mm) of insulation.
    Important: Be sure to remove the appropriate amount of insulation from each wire. If you remove too much insulation, exposed wire protruding from the terminal block can create an electrical hazard. If you do not remove enough insulation, the wire might not make proper contact with the terminal.
  3. Thread the wires through the bottom of the terminal block, with the positive DC wire (typically red) on the left, the chassis ground wire in the middle, and the negative DC wire (typically black) on the right.
    Note the orientation of the keying notch on the terminal block. When the keying notch is up, the positive terminal is on the left.
    Example of wired terminal block and location of the keying notch
  4. Insert each exposed wire into the appropriate connector on the terminal block.
    If necessary, use a small flat head screwdriver to loosen the screws above the openings in the terminal block to open the terminal connectors.
  5. Attach the wired half of the terminal block to the other half of the terminal block, and then connect the top of the terminal block until the two halves click into place.
  6. Tighten the wire clamp screws on the bottom of the terminal block using a small flat head screwdriver.
  7. Insert the two gold screws that are provided with the DC power supply kit into the top and bottom of the terminal block, and then use a Phillips screwdriver to secure the two halves.
    Fully-assembled and wired terminal block

Installing a DC power supply

After you have assembled and wired the terminal block, you can install the DC power supply into the platform and connect the platform to the DC power source. The DC power supply does not have an on/off switch. You can control the power from the rack switch or the DC power source.
Important: When you connect the DC power source, F5 Networks recommends that you follow the safety requirements defined for the facilities where the DC-powered platforms will be installed.
  1. Make sure that the power from the DC power source is off.
  2. Ensure that the terminal block is not connected to the power supply before adding it to the unit.
  3. Remove the existing AC or DC power supply, if one is installed.
    1. Disconnect the AC power cord or DC terminal block from the power supply.
    2. Loosen the power supply screw by turning it counterclockwise with an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
      Note: The screw that holds the ejector handle in place is captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
      Loosening power supply screws
    3. Grasp the ejector handle and rotate it downward to eject the power supply from the system.
      Ejecting the power supply
    4. Remove the power supply from the system by pulling straight toward you.
    5. Ensure that the latch on the new power supply is in the down position, and then slide the power supply into the power supply slot until the latch engages.
    6. Rotate the latch upward to fully seat the power supply.
    7. Tighten the screw into place.
      Use 4 to 5 inch-pounds (0.45 to 0.56 Newton-meters) of torque on the screw. The power supply is connected to the system when you tighten the screw completely.
  4. Loosen the power supply screw on the DC power supply by using an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
  5. Slide the DC power supply into the power supply slot.
  6. Connect the terminal block that you assembled earlier to the DC power source and be sure to connect the ground wire to a common bonding network (CBN).
  7. Power on the DC power source.
    If the system does not boot after you power on the DC power source, press the Check button on the LCD panel to begin booting the system.

About the fan tray

The 6900 platform has a removable fan tray that is designed to maintain airflow throughout the chassis. You can change or replace the fan tray as part of the routine maintenance of the unit, or in the event of a fan failure. The fans in the fan tray run constantly while the unit is on. Over time, the fans can wear out, requiring you to replace the fan tray.

Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5 Networks recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.
An example of a fan tray in a platform

An example of a fan tray in a platform

Replacing the fan tray

You do not need special tools to replace the fan tray. You do not need to power down the unit when replacing the fan tray; however, F5 Networks highly recommends that you do not leave the unit operating without a fan tray for longer than 30 seconds.
CAUTION:
Operating the unit without a fan tray for more than 30 seconds might cause permanent damage.
  1. Stand at the back of the platform and locate the ejector handle on the fan tray.
  2. Loosen the fan tray screws by turning them counterclockwise with a Phillips screwdriver, if necessary.
    Note: The screws that hold the ejector handle in place are captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
  3. Grasp the ejector handle and rotate it downward to eject the fan tray from the system.
  4. Remove the fan tray from the system by pulling straight toward you.
  5. Ensure that the handle on the new fan tray is in the down position and slide the fan tray into the fan tray slot until the latch engages.
  6. Rotate the handle upward to fully seat the fan tray.
  7. Tighten the screws into place.
    The fan tray is connected to the system when you tighten the screws completely. Once seated, the fan tray automatically powers up and begins circulating air through the chassis.

About the hard disk drives

The BIG-IP® 6900 platform has two hot swappable hard disk drives (HDDs). You can change or replace the drives as part of routine maintenance of the unit or in the event of a drive failure.

Troubleshooting a failed hard disk drive

The tasks you perform if you experience a hard disk drive failure vary, depending on the BIG-IP® software version installed on your system.

BIG-IP Version Recovery Procedure
10.1 and later If your system is running a manufacturing installation of 10.1 or later, it supports hard disk drive mirroring using RAID (redundant array of independent disks) by default. For more information, see About hard disk drive replacement on a 10.1 and later system.
10.0.0 If your system is running version 10.0.0, and your primary hard disk drive (the disk located in the right-hand bay) fails, you have two options. For more information, see About hard disk drive replacement on a 10.0 or 9.x system.
9.x If your system is running version 9.x, and your primary hard disk drive (the disk located in the right-hand bay) fails, you have two options. For more information, see About hard disk drive replacement on a 10.0 or 9.x system.

About hard disk drive replacement on a 10.1 and later system

If you are running a manufacturing installation of BIG-IP® software version 10.1 or later, your system supports hard disk drive mirroring using RAID. You can install the replacement drive that you received from F5 Networks into the system.

Drive bay orientation

The front of a platform with front bezel removed and the orientation of the drive bays

  1. Drive bay 1
  2. Drive bay 2
Partially-removed hard disk drive

An example of a hard disk drive shown partially removed from the system

Identifying the faulty hard disk drive

To access the hard disk drives (HDDs), you must first remove the bezel from the unit.
Before you remove the hard disk drive from the system, you should first identify the faulty drive.
  1. Open the Traffic Management Shell (tmsh).
  2. View the status of the drives:
    tmsh show sys raid
    A disk summary similar to the following displays: 
    Sys::Raid::Array: MD1
---------------------
Size (MB)  305245

Sys::Raid::ArrayMembers
Bay ID  Serial Number    Name  Array Member  Array Status
---------------------------------------------------------
1       WD-WCAT1E477614  HD2   yes           failed
2       WD-WCAT1E420107  HD1   yes           ok

Sys::Raid::Bay: 1
---------------------------------------------------------
  Name    Serial Number      Array Member    Array Status
  HD2     WD-WCAT1E477614    yes             failed

Sys::Raid::Bay: 2
---------------------------------------------------------
  Name    Serial Number      Array Member    Array Status
  HD1     WD-WCAT1E420107    yes             ok

Sys::Raid::Disk
Name  Serial Number         Array Member  Array Status
------------------------------------------------------
CF1   C932427402720909XX02  no            undefined
HD1   WD-WCAT1E420107       yes           ok
HD2   WD-WCAT1E477614       yes           failed
  3. Make note of the bay number and serial number for the faulty hard disk drive.
    Note: You can also locate the last seven digits of the serial number on the front of the drive. The serial number is printed in its entirety on the labels, on top of the drive.
  4. Before you physically remove the hard disk drive from the system, type the following command to remove the faulty hard disk drive (HD2 in the example) from the array:
    tmsh modify sys raid array MD1 remove HD2
  5. Optional: To ensure that you remove the correct drive, you can make the LED blink for that bay (bay 1 in the example.
    tmsh modify sys raid bay 1 flash-led
    The LED continues to blink until the new hard drive begins the replication process.
    Note: If the drive is no longer responsive, the LED might not blink.
Next, you can physically remove the hard disk drive and replace it with the new one that you received from F5 Networks. You do not have to power down the system before you remove the hard disk drive.

Replacing a hard disk drive

After you have identified and removed the faulty hard disk drive (HDD) from the platform, you can install the replacement drive that you received from F5®.
  1. Remove the front bezel from the unit.
  2. Verify the location of the faulty hard disk drive by comparing the serial number and drive bay that you noted earlier.
    Note: The last seven digits of the serial number are printed on the front of the hard disk drive, behind the metal grille.
    Note: The STAT LED for the failed hard disk drive will be lit solid amber.
  3. Remove the faulty hard disk drive:
    1. Loosen the hard disk drive screw by turning it counterclockwise with an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
      Note: The screw that holds the ejector handle in place is captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
    2. Grasp the ejector handle and pull straight toward you to eject the hard disk drive from the system.
  4. Slide the new hard disk drive into the empty hard drive bay.
  5. Tighten the screw into place.
    Use 4 to 5 inch-pounds (0.45 to 0.56 Newton-meters) of torque on the screw. The hard disk drive is connected to the system when you tighten the screw completely.
  6. Type the following command to see the status of the hard disk drives:
    tmsh show sys raid disk
    A disk summary similar to the following displays: 
    Sys::Raid::Disk
Name  Serial Number         Array Member  Array Status
------------------------------------------------------
CF1   C932427402720909XX02  no            undefined
HD1   WD-WCAT1E420107       yes           ok
HD2   WD-WCAT10944438        yes           undefined
    The status of the replacement hard disk drive is undefined, and the serial number should match that of the replacement drive.
    Note: If after a few seconds, you do not see the recently-added hard disk drive in the disk summary, the drive might not be seated properly. If this occurs, remove and reinsert the hard disk drive.
  7. Add the replacement drive (HD2 in the example) to the array by typing the following command:
    tmsh modify sys raid array MD1 add HD2
    The status of the replacement drive should change to replicating, and the STAT LED should change to solid green. The replication process typically takes between 15 and 45 minutes.
  8. Attach the front bezel to the unit by grasping the bezel on either side using the indentations provided.
    Note: Failure to use the indentations could result in pinched fingers.

About hard disk drive replacement on a 10.0 or 9.x system

After you receive a replacement hard disk drive (HDD) from F5®, you can add it to the system; however, you can get the system up and running while you wait.

Hard drive bay orientation

The front of a platform with front bezel removed and the orientation of the primary and secondary hard disk drives

  1. Primary hard disk drive
  2. Secondary hard disk drive

Replacing a hard disk drive on a BIG-IP 10.0 or 9.x system

You can get the system up and running while you wait for a replacement hard drive from F5®.
  1. Physically swap the hard disk drives.
    1. Loosen the hard disk drive screw for the primary drive (located in the right-hand bay) by turning it counterclockwise with an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
      Note: The screw that holds the ejector handle in place is captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
    2. Grasp the ejector handle and pull straight toward you to eject the hard disk drive from the system.
    3. Move the primary hard drive from drive bay 1 to drive bay 2.
    4. Tighten the screw into place.
      The hard disk drive is connected to the system when you tighten the screw completely.
  2. Reinstall the BIG-IP® software.
  3. Copy a backup configuration file to the system.
  4. Replace the failed hard disk drive (the one you moved to the left-hand bay) with the new hard disk drive that you receive from F5.
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