FAS2552 failed controller replacement

[ITLuke]

Hi everyone,

    a client has a failed controller on their FAS2552 (running 8.2.4P6 in 7Mode): this failed a couple of months ago and unfortunately their extended 5 year support contract expired 3 months prior to that apparently. We have tried to contact a couple of partners (the original reseller and another) but neither have provided a way to transfer the various service licenses to a possible replacement controller saying that this is impossible(?!). I find this very difficult to believe but I'd like to have some feedback on the matter from you. I think it should be viable with a service fee for a Netapp partner to request a license transfer/regeneration for a replacement controller - but maybe I'm mistaken.

Any pointers are appreciated, thanks.

[GM · Accepted solution]

The only two relevant points I can state (I’m not affiliated with NetApp or a partner).:
•  Licenses are locked to the controller S/N, if you can find the old keys supplied with this controller, they should work.
•  Technically, NetApp and some partners can issue evaluation licenses, perhaps if you for example you buy a new system, they will give you grace on the old one (not saying they will, not sure if they can even do it under the EULA or if it been done before).

[ITLuke]

Hi GM,

    thanks for the feedback. From what I have gathered (correct me if I'm wrong). there are 2 kinds of license styles for these controllers: the old "universal" type (7 digits) and the new alpha numeric kind (more digits). The older style can be transferred easily just by entering them in the replaced controller. However the newer 20 or so alpha numeric style lettering is generated and locked to the controller serial number as you say (it is generated "with" the controller serial). This means that the replacement controller will not accept the same licenses as the serial of the replacement controller is different and this is why I suppose the partners all backed off in trying to resolve the situation. This customer is in a foreclosing situation so they are not going to invest in any new system and they need the current one to "resist" for another year or so at max (they had already invested in this FAS2552 with an extended 5 year support contract after their old 3240 Metrocluster). It's a bit of a conundrum but I'm sure that there ought to be a way to resolve it with some contract extension or something similar (which alas no partner offered). I refuse to believe that there is no solution to this situation - it's also incredible that the "interlink" between the 2 controllers failed not long after the support contract expired! I have also tried filing a support request directly from the Netapp system account but never got a reply.

[GM]

Hi.

The “universal” type was on an OS version this controller doesn’t support. You need the license assigned to the controller S/N, or an evaluation license.

The scenario you described is a bit problematic, especially with the cards you have at hand. Note that even if they want to help, they may see you already in breach of the EULA.
https://www.netapp.com/pdf.html?item=/media/14114-enduserlicenseagreementworldwide.pdf
https://library.netapp.com/ecm/ecm_get_file/ECMP1394453

As so, it’s also hard to give you advice on this forum, I would have try contracting NetApp and a few partners sales rep and see what they suggest.