2.3.2 Performing a Hot-Pluggable Replacement of a Flash Disk

For Oracle Exadata X7-8 and X8-8 models, the database server uses hot-pluggable flash disks instead of hard disk drives.

1. Determine if the flash disk is ready to be replaced.
   When performing a hot-pluggable replacement of a flash device on Oracle Exadata X7-8 and X8-8 database servers, the disk status should be Dropped for replacement, which indicates the flash disk is ready for online replacement.

   DBMCLI> LIST PHYSICALDISK WHERE DISKTYPE=flashdisk AND STATUS LIKE '.*dropped 
   for replacement.*' DETAIL
   
            name:               FLASH_1_1
            deviceName:         /dev/nvme0n1
            diskType:           FlashDisk
            luns:               1_1
            makeModel:          "Oracle Flash Accelerator F640 PCIe Card"
            physicalFirmware:   QDV1RD09
            physicalInsertTime: 2017-08-11T12:25:00-07:00
            physicalSerial:     PHLE6514003R6P4BGN-1
            physicalSize:       2.910957656800747T
            slotNumber:         "PCI Slot: 1; FDOM: 1"
            status:             failed - dropped for replacement
   

2. Locate the failed flash disk based on the PCI number and FDOM number.
   A white Locator LED is lit to help locate the affected database server. An amber Fault-Service Required LED is lit to identify the affected flash card.
3. Make sure the DPCC OK LED is off on the card.

   Caution:

   Removing a card with the DPCC OK LED on could result in a system crash. If a failed disk has a status of Failed – dropped for replacement but the DPCC OK LED is still on, contact Oracle Support.
4. Remove and replace the failed flash disk.
   1. Slide out the DPCC and replace the flash card inside.
   2. Slide the DPCC carrier back to the slot.
5. Use a stylus to press both ATTN buttons on the front of the DPCC.
   • If only a single PCIe card is present, press only the corresponding ATTN button.
   • If you are not performing a hot-pluggable replacement, then this step is not necessary.

   The buttons alert the system to a request to bring the devices online. When the system acknowledges the request, it lights the DPCC OK LED indicators on the DPCC. If you do not press the ATTN buttons, then the flash disk will not be detected by the operating system.