For a DE6000H storage array, you can convert baseboard host ports as follows:
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Fibre Channel (FC) to iSCSI (not applicable to controllers without two base-board ports on the rear)
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iSCSI to FC (not applicable to controllers without two base-board ports on the rear)
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NVMe to RoCE/ NVMe to FC
Step 1: Determine whether you have dual-protocol SFPs
Use ThinkSystem System Manager to determine what type of SFP transceivers you have. Because these SFPs can be used with both FC and iSCSI protocols, they are referred to as dual-protocol or unified SFPs.
If your current SFPs support data rates of 16 Gbps and 10 Gbps, you can continue to use them after converting the host port protocol.
Steps
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From ThinkSystem System Manager, select Support.
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Select the Support Center tile.
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On the Support Resources tab, locate and select the Storage Array Profile link.
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Type SFP in the text box, and click Find.
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For each SFP listed in the Storage Array Profile, locate the entry for Supported data rate(s).
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Refer to the table to determine whether you can reuse the SFPs, as follows:
Supported data rate(s) SFP type Supported protocol 16 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 8 Gbps, 4 Gbps
Dual-protocol
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FC: 16 Gbps, 8 Gbps, 4 Gbps
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iSCSI:10 Gbps
10 Gbps
10 Gbps
iSCSI only
16 Gbps, 8 Gbps, 4 Gbps
16 Gbps
FC only
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If you have dual-protocol SFPs, you can continue using them after you convert the protocol.
The dual-protocol SFPs do not support 1 Gb iSCSI. If you are converting host ports to iSCSI, be aware that the dual-protocol SFPs support only a 10 Gb link to the connected port. -
If you have 16 Gbps SFPs, and you are converting host ports to iSCSI, you must remove the SFPs and replace them with dual-protocol or 10 Gbps SFPs after converting the protocol. As needed, you can also use 10 Gbps iSCSI copper by using a special Twin-Ax cable with SFPs.
8Gbps FC SFPs are NOT supported in the DE Series controllers. ONLY 16Gbps and 32 Gbps FC SFPs are supported. -
If you have 10 Gbps SFPs, and you are converting host ports to FC, you must remove the SFPs from these ports and replace them with dual-protocol or 16 Gbps SFPs after converting the protocol.
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Step 2: Obtain the feature pack
To obtain the feature pack, you need the serial number from the controller shelf, a Feature Code, and the Feature Enable Identifier for the storage array.
Steps
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Locate the serial number.
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From ThinkSystem System Manager, select .
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With the Support Resources tab selected, scroll to the View top storage array properties section.
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Locate the Chassis Serial Number, and copy this value to a text file.
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Locate the feature pack submodel ID.
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From the ThinkSystem System Manager, select Support.
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Select the Support Center tile.
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On the Support Resources tab, locate and select the Storage Array Profile link.
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Type feature pack submodel ID in the text box, and click Find.
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Locate the feature pack submodel ID for the starting configuration.
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Using the feature pack submodel ID, locate the corresponding Controller submodel ID for the starting configuration and find the Feature Code for the desired ending configuration within the table below. Then, copy that Feature Code to a text file.
Baseboard ports are disabled when running an NVMe protocol on the HIC. -
For the controller that has two base-board ports on the rear:
DE6000H
Starting configuration Ending configuration Feature Code Controller submodel ID
Baseboard ports
HIC ports
Controller submodel ID
Baseboard ports
HIC ports
432
FC
per HIC
433
iSCSI
per HIC
B4JM
433
iSCSI
per HIC
432
FC
per HIC
B4XD
441
Disabled
NVMe-oF
433
iSCSI
per HIC
B6Z0
433
iSCSI
per HIC
441
Disabled
NVMe-oF
B6Z1
441
Disabled
NVMe-oF
432
FC
per HIC
B6Z2
432
FC
per HIC
441
Disabled
NVMe-oF
B6Z3
DE6000F
Starting configuration Ending configuration Feature Code Controller submodel ID
Baseboard ports
HIC ports
Controller submodel ID
Baseboard ports
HIC ports
434
FC
per HIC
435
iSCSI
per HIC
B4JK
435
iSCSI
per HIC
434
FC
per HIC
B4XE
442
Disabled
NVMe-oF
435
iSCSI
per HIC
B6Z4
435
iSCSI
per HIC
442
Disabled
NVMe-oF
B6Z5
442
Disabled
NVMe-oF
434
FC
per HIC
B6Z6
434
FC
per HIC
442
Disabled
NVMe-oF
B6Z7
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For the controller that does not have two base-board ports on the rear:
DE6000H
Starting configuration Ending configuration Feature Code Controller submodel ID
HIC ports
Controller submodel ID
HIC ports
441
NVMe-oF
432
per HIC
BQH3
432
per HIC
441
NVMe-oF
BQH2
DE6000F
Starting configuration Ending configuration Feature Code Controller submodel ID
HIC ports
Controller submodel ID
HIC ports
442
NVMe-oF
434
per HIC
BQH5
434
per HIC
442
NVMe-oF
BQH4
Notes:
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If your controller submodel ID is not listed, contact Lenovo Data Center Support.
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NVMe-oF includes NVMe over RoCE and NVMe over Fibre Channel, based on the installed HIC.
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In System Manager, locate the Feature Enable Identifier.
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Go to .
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Scroll down to Add-ons.
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Under Change Feature Pack, locate the Feature Enable Identifier.
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Copy and paste this 32-digit number to a text file.
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Go to Lenovo Feature on Demand, click Storage Host Protocol Change, and enter the information required to obtain the feature pack.
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Feature code
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Machine Type
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Chassis serial number
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Feature Enable Identifier (UID)
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Choose whether to receive the key file for the feature pack in an email or download it directly from the site.
Step 3: Stop host I/O
Stop all I/O operations from the host before converting the protocol of the host ports. You cannot access data on the storage array until you successfully complete the conversion.
This task applies only if you are converting a storage array that has already been in use.
Steps
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Ensure that no I/O operations are occurring between the storage array and all connected hosts. For example, you can perform these steps:
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Stop all processes that involve the LUNs mapped from the storage to the hosts.
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Ensure that no applications are writing data to any LUNs mapped from the storage to the hosts.
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Unmount all file systems associated with volumes on the array.
The exact steps to stop host I/O operations depend on the host operating system and the configuration, which are beyond the scope of these instructions. If you are not sure how to stop host I/O operations in your environment, consider shutting down the host. Possible data loss — If you continue this procedure while I/O operations are occurring, the host application might lose data because the storage array will not be accessible.
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If the storage array participates in a mirroring relationship, stop all host I/O operations on the secondary storage array.
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Wait for any data in cache memory to be written to the drives.
The green Cache Active LED (1) on the back of each controller is on when cached data needs to be written to the drives. You must wait for this LED to turn off.
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From the Home page of ThinkSystem System Manager, select View Operations in Progress.
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Wait for all operations to complete before continuing with the next step.
Step 4: Change the feature pack
Change the feature pack to convert the host protocol of the baseboard host ports, the IB HIC ports, or both types of ports.
Steps
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From ThinkSystem System Manager, select .
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Under Add-ons, select Change Feature Pack.
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Click Browse, and then select the feature pack you want to apply.
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Type CHANGE in the field.
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Click Change.
The feature pack migration begins. Both controllers automatically reboot twice to allow the new feature pack to take effect. The storage array returns to a responsive state after the reboot is complete.
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Confirm the host ports have the protocol you expect.
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From ThinkSystem System Manager, select Hardware.
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Click Show back of shelf.
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Select the graphic for either Controller A or Controller B.
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Select View settings from the context menu.
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Select the Host Interfaces tab.
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Click Show more settings.
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Review the details shown for the baseboard ports and the HIC ports (labeled “slot 1”), and confirm that each type of port has the protocol you expect.
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