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
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"?
Refer the guide which i have attached..
Hope this may help you .
Regards,
Hari