Exadata - Replace Failed Internal USB Drive on Exadata Storage Cell

While working on Exadata Storage cell patching, the patching failed due to failed internal USB drive on a storage cell.

Oracle uses internal USB drive to backup Exadata Storage cell automatically. We don't have to backup Storage cell manually.

In this article I will demonstrate how to replace a failed USB drive an Exadata Storage cell

• You will receive an automated smtp alert (if configured) similar to below.

• You can also use the following command to check for USB drive failure

[root@dm01cel01 ~]# cellcli -e list alerthistory

         1_1     2018-04-10T18:25:42-05:00       warning         "Internal USB status is not present.  Affected USB Slots : 0"

• You can also use the following ILOM command to check for USB drive failure

[root@dm01cel01 ~]# ssh dm01cel01-ilom

Password: *******

Oracle(R) Integrated Lights Out Manager

Version 3.2.10.22.a r121524

Copyright (c) 2017, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Warning: HTTPS certificate is set to factory default.

Hostname: dm01cel01-ilom

-> show /SYS/MB/USB0

• Open an SR with Oracle if an ASR is already generated
• Upload sundgia.sh and ILOM Snapshot to the SR for investigation
• Oracle confirms the that USB drive is faulted
• Oracle opens a Field task
• Oracle dispatch team contacts the SR owner with the hardware dispatch details
• Confirm the Hardware replacement schedule over email and/or SR
• Schedule the Hardware replacement
• Oracle FE arrives at the data center with the new USB drive
• Shutdown the storage cell by following the steps from the MOS below

Steps to shut down or reboot an Exadata storage cell without affecting ASM (Doc ID 1188080.1)

• Oracle FE replaces the faulty USB drive and power up the storage cell
• Confirm that the USB drive is good

-> show /SYS/MB/USB0

 /SYS/MB/USB0

    Targets:

    Properties:

        type = USB Port

        fault_state = OK

        clear_fault_action = (none)

    Commands:

        cd

        set

        show

->

[root@dm01cel01 ~]# cellcli -e list alerthistory

         1_2     2018-04-11T02:45:49-05:00       clear           "Internal USB status is back to normal.  Affected USB Slots : 0"

• You will receive an automated smtp alert (if configured) similar to below that the USB status is back to normal

Conclusion

In this article we have learned how to replace a faulty USB drive in Exadata Storage cell. Oracle uses USB drive to backup Exadata Storage cell automatically. We don't have to backup Storage cell manually.