HA Software Update process for VMware deployments

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Last updated: Apr 13, 2023 by Sean HastertVersion comment
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  • For major SoftNAS StorageCenter upgrades that require downtime, Buurst has provided a way to protect replications and SNAP HA pairings while also keeping storage connectivity and data access uninterrupted.

  • To check whether an upgrade is required, click Settings > Software Updates in the main menu on the left.

Sync & Deactivate Pair

Sync SNAP HA in StorageCenter

  • Ensure that both nodes are in sync by checking the Replication Control Panel through SoftNAS StorageCenter. Sign in to each node of the HA pair to be upgraded in separate browsers to more easily switch between nodes.

Ensure that target and source nodes have been established.

  • For the purposes of this document, the following terminology will be used:

    Original Status

    Document Reference

    Source Node

    Node A

    Target Node

    Node B

    Witness (Controller) Node

    --------

  • In the SoftNAS StorageCenter interface for Node A, navigate to the SnapReplicate / SNAP HA menu.

  • Click Action and then Replicate Now.

  • To verify sync completion, watch the Event Log at the bottom of the UI. Click Refresh to ensure current status visibility if necessary.

Deactivate

  • In the SoftNAS StorageCenter interface for Node A, navigate to the SnapReplicate / SNAP HA menu.

  • Click Action and then Deactivate.

Upgrade Nodes & Transfer Workload

  • This critical section ensures that storage and compute capacities remain at expected levels during a disruptive update.

Upgrade Witness (Controller) Node

This step may be performed either before or after upgrading the two nodes storing data and constituting the HA pair.
  • Navigate to the SoftNAS StorageCenter for the Witness Node.

  • Then to Settings > Software Updates.

  • Click Apply Update.

  • Click Yes to confirm.


Wait for the confirmation that the update has been successful and allow the browser to refresh itself.

In some cases, the update may include a reboot of the server, which will be performed automatically at the end of the update process. 

Upgrade Node B

At this point Node A is still serving the workload for the HA pair, and Node B remains the target, or secondary node.
  • Navigate to the SoftNAS StorageCenter for Node B, then to Settings > Software Updates.

  • Click Apply Update.

  • Click Yes to confirm.

Wait for the confirmation that the update has been successful and allow the browser to refresh itself.

In some cases, the update may include a reboot of the server, which will be performed automatically at the end of the update process. 

Perform Takeover

  • In the SoftNAS StorageCenter interface for Node B, navigate to the SnapReplicate / SNAP HA menu.

  • Click Action and then Takeover.

  • Click Yes to confirm.

Ensure that all synchronization operations have been completed prior to performing the takeover operation. Here we see the current state of pairing, and the status reads as "DELTASYNC_UNDERWAY".  Until the status shows as complete, do not perform the takeover. 

Upgrade Node A

Node B is now the source, or primary node and is serving the workload for the HA pair. Node A is the target, or secondary node, and may be updated.
  • Navigate to the SoftNAS StorageCenter for Node A, then to Settings > Software Updates.

  • Click Apply Update.

Wait for the confirmation that the update has been successful and allow the browser to refresh itself.

In some cases, the update may include a reboot of the server, which will be performed automatically at the end of the update process. 

Restore HA and Reactivate Replication

  • In the SoftNAS StorageCenter interface for Node B, navigate to the SnapReplicate / SNAP HA menu.

  • Click Action and then Activate.

  • Click Yes to confirm.
The system will then resume normal replication, which may include an initial DeltaSync operation to resolve any data that had not been synchronized at the moment that replication was deactivated.