Replace Hard Drives on ESA/SMA/WSA

Introduction

This document describes how to replace hard drives on 1U and 2U appliances.

Replace a Hard Drive on a 2U Appliance

Email Security Appliance (ESA): C3x0, C6x0, X10x0

Security Management Appliance (SMA): M6x0, M10x0

Web Security Appliance (WSA): S3x0, S6x0

The Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) on the 2U appliances is hardware based. The hard drives are hot removable and hot swappable.

1. During normal operation, unlatch the original hard drive and remove it.
2. Insert the RMA hard drive, assure proper seating and the drive is latched..

After a short time, the lights begin to blink which indicates the RAID container is being rebuilt. While the rebuild occurs, you might receive more RAID alerts - this is normal. The rebuild might slow mail throughput on busier systems, but otherwise has no effect on normal operations. This process can take a few hours. After it is completed, the RAID alerts should no longer occur.

Note: If two or more hard drives have failed, replace only one hard drive at a time. Do not replace the second hard drive until the RAID rebuild is complete from the first hard drive replaced. You can monitor the RAID status from the CLI with the version command.

Example of the drive layouts:

*X1070 shown

Note: X1070 as shown is a fully populated appliance. Not all appliance models will have a fully populated drive bay configuration. There are drive tray inserts for unused bays.  Do not remove or insert hard drives into these bays as they will not be utilized by the appliance.

Replace a Hard Drive on a 1U Appliance

ESA: C170

SMA: M170

WSA: S170

Note: The hard drives on ESA C160, SMA M160, or WSA S160 are not eligible for a Return Material Authorization (RMA). If the appliance is still covered under a valid support contract, the appliance must be replaced.

The RAID on the C170, M170, and S170 is software based.  The HDDs are not hot-swappable, they are hot-replaceable.

Caution: Make sure that you replace the failed hard disk drive as soon as possible; otherwise, if the remaining hard disk drive fails, all your data is lost.

To remove and install (replace) hard disk drives in the Cisco 170 series appliance, follow these steps:

1. Ensure the appliance is online.
2. From the front panel of the Cisco 170 series appliance, remove the hard disk drive by pressing the button on the right side of the bay until the lever is released. Pull out the hard disk drive. - An alert will be generated.
3. Log into the appliance after removal of the failed drive and shut the appliance down.
4. After the appliance is powered off, on the front panel of the Cisco 170 series appliance, line up the hard disk drive carrier with the hard disk drive bay and push it in until it is seated. Push the lever into place.
5. After installation of the new hard disk, turn the power back on the appliance.
6. On the front panel of the Cisco 170 series appliance, make sure the HDD1 and HDD0 indicators are flashing green to indicate that the hard disk drives are now active. 

After a short time, the lights begin to blink which indicates the RAID container is being rebuilt. While the rebuild occurs, you might receive more RAID alerts - this is normal. The rebuild might slow mail throughput on busier systems, but otherwise has no effect on normal operations. This process can take a few hours. After it is completed, the RAID alerts should no longer occur.

Example of the drive layouts:

*C170 shown

Related Information

• Cisco Email Security Appliance - End-User Guides
• Technical Support & Documentation - Cisco Systems