Replace Controller HPE MSA G3 P2000- Use both AP836A and AP836B on the same MSA G3 P2000

[hoangnguyen]

My Controller AP836A, store code version T230P03 is failure. I want to replace it with AP836B store code ver: T240P01-001. Please let us know what to pay attention to during the replacement process to avoid data loss. now, Firmware Update is disabled (not tick)? Is there any problem using 2 controllers AP836A and AP836B on the same HP G3 P2000 MSA?

[hoangnguyen]

Any expert can help me?

My MSA P2000 G3 has two controller A and B (AP836A P/N: 592261-001).

Now A failed, only B working.  I intend to replace controller A with spare part AP836B, P/N: 592261-002

=> Should it work with the AP836A and AP836B in the same MSA P2000 G3?

=> Any special note when we perform replacement?

Hope to hear from you soon.

[ArunKKR]

Hi, Both the controllers with product number AP836B and AP836A should work together without any issues in P2000 MSA. The only difference between the parts that I could see is ROHS versions. Please note that P2000 G3 is an End of support life product. TS252P005 was the last version of controller firmware released. T230 and T240 firmware are several versions old. You might face issues while replacing controller. Please have a data back up  and schedule a downtime.  I believe that you have already tried removing and reseating old controller to check whether it comes up. Replace the controller with new controller (leave PFU disabled), allow 5-7 minutes for new controller to initialize. Verify the vdisk status once new controller initialization gets completed. Enable PFU and allow around 30 minutes for the firmware synchronization to get completed.

[hoangnguyen]

Hi ArunKKR 

Thanks for your information.

What will happen if we don't enable PFU and leave both controllers working with different frimware?

Is this PFU enabling mandatory or option?

Because I'm thinking about firmware synchronization may affect to working controller (B controller)

Hope to hear from you soon.

[hoangnguyen]

Hi ArunKKR,

Do you have any comment about my questions?

Thanks,

Hoang.

[ArunKKR]

Hi Hoang,

Its not recommended to have controllers at 2 different firmware versions.

We cannot predict the behaviour of the array when controllers are at 2 different firmware versions.

As you mentioned we can expect issues if partner firmware update option is enabled due to older version firmware.

[hoangnguyen]

Hi ArunKKR,

Thanks for your reply.

We have ever replaced AP836A P/N: 592261-001 REV:K with spare AP836A, P/N: 592261-001 REV: G in Jan 2023 , then we did not tick the PFU option until now. 

In short, in this case we can replace AP836A P/N: 592261-001 with AP836B, P/N: 592261-002 and they can work with MSA, right?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Hoàng

[ArunKKR]

Hi Hoang,

Controller with product number: AP836B could be used to replace controller with product number: AP836A

[fonzis369]

Hello, I have a similar problem. I wanted to ask if the HP P2000 G3 AP836B controller can be replaced with the AP837B controller? And can they work together?

[ArunKKR]

Hi,

AP837B - HPE P2000 G3 MSA FC/ISCSI COMBO MODULAR SMART ARRAY CONTROLLER

AP836B - HPE P2000 G3 MSA FIBRE CHANNEL CONTROLLER

AP836B controller cannot be replaced with AP837B controller as they will not work together.

[venkat_y]

Hello@fonzis369,

The HPE MSA G3 P2000 AP837B controller offers both FC and ISCSI connectivity (two 8Gb FC ports and two 1GbE iSCSI ports per controller), but the AP836B provides only FC connectivity(two 8Gb FC ports per controller).

Hope this helps!
Regards,
Venkat