topic Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do? in VMware Solutions Discussions

F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

sadcomusa — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:04:07 GMT

Hello.

Yes, I am a newbie when it comes to NetApp appliances. Recently, I have aquired this nice used F87-RK36 filer. Needless to say, I have no information on its current configuration. I tried to use Putty via a serial port connection and received no response. I have no idea what its current IP address... Is there any way left to connect to it?

So, if I fail to use the existing install, how do I reinstall F87 OS? Do I need to purchase ONTAP software for that? How do I install ONTAP software on it?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Slava

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

ekashpureff — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:44:02 GMT

Welcome to the community !

You can connect a serial cable to it and reboot.

Press ctrl-c when prompted to get a boot menu.

Option #3 on the menuy will let you reset the root password.

Continue with a normal boot.

Hope there's an OS on it as you won't be able to get a fresh copy of Data ONTAP without a support contract.

Enjoy !

I hope this response has been helpful to you.

At your service,

Eugene E. Kashpureff
ekashp@kashpureff.org
Fastlane NetApp Instructor and Independent Consultant
http://www.fastlaneus.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekashpureff

(P.S. I appreciate points for helpful or correct answers.)

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

scottgelb — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:50:43 GMT

These were Dell PowerEdge servers...actually worked well (they replaced the F85 back in the day). The key thing is your terminal settings... 8, N, 1, NO flow control (don't leave the usual default hardware flow control)... if it doesn't respond off the console then it probably is bad hardware...you should at least see post messages when it tries to boot.

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

ekashpureff — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:54:36 GMT

... at 9600 baud.

Did I mention I've got an old F87 down in our basement ?

I hope this response has been helpful to you.

At your service,

Eugene E. Kashpureff
ekashp@kashpureff.org
Fastlane NetApp Instructor and Independent Consultant
http://www.fastlaneus.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekashpureff

(P.S. I appreciate points for helpful or correct answers.)

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

scottgelb — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:56:44 GMT

Yes! You complete my sentence J If you are ever in SoCal give me a shout and first beer is on me J

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

ekashpureff — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 02:07:21 GMT

Scott -

I'll take you up on that offer !

Beer you say ? It is Data ONTAP after all !

WAFL Stout ? Aggregate Ale ?

Will being doing standby at LAX later this month, trying to catch an early flight home to Hong Kong.

Will email you with details ...

I hope this response has been helpful to you.

At your service,

Eugene E. Kashpureff
ekashp@kashpureff.org
Fastlane NetApp Instructor and Independent Consultant
http://www.fastlaneus.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekashpureff

(P.S. I appreciate points for helpful or correct answers.)

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

sadcomusa — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:58:16 GMT

Gentlemen.

Thank you for your suggestions.

I have tried to use 2 computers via serial cable connection (one newer via USB-serial adapter - I used Putty; the other old laptop with a serial port - I used Hyper Terminal) ... with zero activity. Yet, I could hear the system boot, initialize the drives, etc.

Did anyone add a PCI video card and PS2 or USB ports for a mouse and keyboard to F87 appliance? Will I be, at least, able to convert the appliance to a server? Since itis based on Dell hardware, I assume, there are drivers available for many types of PCI-X cards and I will be able to turn it into VMWARE or Citrix Xenserver host.

Thank you.

Slava

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

scottgelb — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:06:18 GMT

I wouldn't use it as a server... it is a Pentium IV 1.2 GHz with 256MB RAM... probalby better as a coffee table or keg stand.

Re: F87-RK36 filer - don't know what to do?

ivissupport — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:18:18 GMT

Hi,

If you use putty check your options for local serial lines

Select a serial line to connect to as: COM1-COM10

Configure the serial line with the following settings

Speed (baud) 9600

Data bits 8

Stop bits 1

Parity None

Flow control None

Please let me know if this is a helpfull answer

Thanks and best

Aggelos