topic Re: clarify netapp basics in ONTAP Discussions

clarify netapp basics

DHAKSHINAMOORTHY_B — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:47:58 GMT

Hi All,

Please clarify the below things,

1. NetApp Boot device holds what? can we find boot device related parameters in sysconfig -a output?

2. root volume holds what?

3. what is loader prompt? when it will be used and what purpose?

4. We are planning to upgrade ONTAP from 8.0.2 P5 7-Mode to 8.1.3 7-Mode in one of our FAS3170. After upgrade to newer version is it possible to revert to old one? old version is still stored in "alternate boot bank"?

Re: clarify netapp basics

HARI_KRISHNA981 — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 08:11:22 GMT

Hi Balasubramanian,

1. NetApp Boot device holds what? can we find boot device related parameters in sysconfig -a output?

The boot device stores a primary and secondary set of system files on it (also called the boot image) that the system uses when it boots.

No, it doesn't lists the complete information of boot device

2. root volume holds what?

The root volume contains system files, log files, and core files. If a system problem occurs, these files are needed to provide technical support.

3. what is loader prompt? when it will be used and what purpose?

If the filer system has been halted, or has panicked before boot, then it will be sat at the CFE or Loader prompt (depending on the hardware version).

This prompt displayed by the NetApp bootloader. Ordinarily this will only show up if autoboot is turned off, or the system is unable to boot ONTAP. This is where you do things like setting environment variables, netbooting, etc. It looks like "LOADER-A>" or "LOADER-B>" depending on whether you're on controller A or B in a chassis, or just "LOADER>" on a single-controller chassis. some of the commands that can be run on this prompt are

update_flash        Updates the boot flash with the firmware image on the PC-Card.
netboot             Boots the supplied URL off the network.
boot_diags          Boots the diagnostic image off of the PC-Card.
boot_backup         Boots the backup image of Data ONTAP off of the PC-Card.
boot_primary        Boots the primary image of Data ONTAP off of the PC-Card.
boot_ontap          Boots the correct image of Data ONTAP

Refer the guide which i have attached..

Hope this may help you .

Regards,

Hari

Re: clarify netapp basics

Bala — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 05:10:51 GMT

I want to know how the filer resolves the snapmirror replication interface IP.

Example

/etc/rc

ifgrp is created with DATA using interface e1a,e2a

ifgrp is created for REPN using interface e3a, e5a

IPs also assigned by making entries in RC file, also hosts file has IP resolution for DATA and REPN

/etc/hosts

-----------------

10.20.30.1 Filer1-DATA Filer-1

10.20.30.5 Filer-REPN

in snapmirror.conf, we have updated as

Filer1:vol1 Filer2:vol1 - 20 * * *

Please let me know the replication how happens via REPN.