[Question] The difference between "bye, bye -g" and "boot_ontap" in NetApp ONTAP.

[hojun]

Hello, everyone.

I am curious about the differences between the commands "bye", "bye -g", and "boot_ontap" in the LOADER state.

For example, after replacing an NVDIMM on an AFF-A700s, we execute boot_ontap, but after replacing an NVDIMM on an AFF-A700, we use bye. I would like to understand the reason behind this difference.

Additionally, I would appreciate your advice on the differences between bye and bye -g.

Finally, a 1TB disk is installed in the Flash Cache Card Slot on the AFF-A700.

However, it is identified as a core dump device rather than serving as a Flash Cache.

Is the disk installed in this slot used exclusively for core dump purposes?

::> sysconfig -a output

slot 6-1: NVMe Coredump Device

Additional Info:    0X917011900207B0SAM00PM17330001T00015000

Serial Number:      S5MTNA0T300108

Firmware Version:   NA00

Capacity:           894 GB

Sector Size:        512B/sect

Thank you!

have a good day.

[andris · Accepted solution]

boot_ontap boots the ONTAP operating system from the LOADER.  You use this any time you want to bring up the system from LOADER.

bye performs a warm reset of the controller (CPU complex). You use "bye" any time you have any hardware (additions, removals, replacements) or system firmware (BIOS/LOADER) changes in the system.

bye -g performs a global reset of the controller (including CPU complex and internal CPU firmware, such as the management engine). It's somewhat vestigial, in that the "bye" command will automatically invoke "bye -g" in situations where it is necessary.

In your NVDIMM example, it doesn't really matter if you use boot_ontap or bye, since the controller was pulled out for the NVDIMM replacement. So, you have already "power-cycled" the PCM/controller post-replacement, in effect.

In platforms such as the AFF-A700 where I/O and NVRAM modules can be independently added/removed/replaced while the PCM/motherboard is still sitting at the LOADER prompt, bye is required to re-enumerate all of the PCIe devices now in the system.

X9170A "Core Dump Device":
See: How to configure A700 systems with X9170A core dump device

[hojun]

You explained it in detail, so I was able to understand it.
Thank you very much.