Replacing a Compact Flash Card in a NetScaler Appliance - Citrix ...

Replacing a NetScaler Compact Flash CardThe compact flash drive contains the boot loader configuration file, the operating system, theconfiguration file (ns.conf), licenses, and other files.Customers may purchase compact flash cards from Citrix® Systems for backup in the event of a compactflash failure. Under the Return Materials Authorization (RMA) warranty, compact flash cards are coveredfor one year from the purchase date of the Citrix® NetScaler® appliance. To extend support for compactflash cards beyond the one-year warranty, the NetScaler Hardware Maintenance Agreement can bepurchased.Replacement compact flash cards contain a pre-installed version of the NetScaler operation system anda generic configuration file (ns.conf), but they do not contain SSL-related certificates and keys, orcustom boot settings. Configuration files and customized settings must be restored from a backupstorage location at the customer site, if available. The files to be restored may include: /flash/nsconfig/ns.conf :: Contains the current configuration file. /flash/nsconfig/ssl :: Contains relevant SSL certificates and keys required for encrypting data toclients or to backend servers. /nsconfig/rc.netscaler :: Contains customer-specific boot operations (optional).The compact flash card specifications vary by the NetScaler hardware platform. A compact flash cardfrom one platform will not necessarily work on a different platform. Check that the card you receive isthe correct type for your NetScaler appliance.Table 1: Compact Flash Card Specifications by NetScaler PlatformPlatform Mfg. Part Number Flash Card Space7000, 9010, 10010, 12000 853-00021-01 or 853-00028-01 a 256 megabytes (MB)MPX 15000, MPX 17000, MPX 5500,MPX 7500/9500,MPX 9700/10500/12500/15000853-00008-01 or 853-00026-01 bor 853-00027-01 c4 gigabytes (GB)a) References a combination kit containing the 80GB hard disk drive and 256MB compact flash card.b) References a combination kit containing the MPX 15000 and 17000 250GB hard disk drive and 4GB compactflash card.c) References a combination kit containing the MPX 5500, 7500/9500, and 9700/10500/12500/15500 320GBhard disk drive and 4GB compact flash card.To replace the compact flash on a NetScaler appliance1. Shut down the NetScaler. At the NetScaler command prompt on MPX appliances, type:shutdown –p nowORAt the NetScaler command prompt on non-MPX appliances, type:shutdownCitrix Systems, Inc.4988 Great America ParkwaySanta Clara, CA 95054

For information about using the NetScaler command line, see the Citrix NetScaler CommandReference Guide at http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX121817.1. After you see the following message, you can power off the appliance: “The operating system hashalted. Press any key to reboot.” Push the power switch down until the unit powers off.2. Locate the compact flash drive on the back panel of the appliance. For instructions on identifyingthe compact flash drive, see the NetScaler Hardware Installation and Setup Guide (for release 9.1) athttp://support.citrix.com/article/CTX121820.3. Verify that the replacement compact flash card is the correct type for the NetScaler platform. SeeTable 1 describing the compact flash SKUs for the various platforms. The Citrix label will be on thetop of the compact flash card and the compact flash card will be pre-populated with a recent buildof the required software.4. To disengage the compact flash, push the drive lever to the right of the flash drive. You might haveto use a pen or small screwdriver to push the lever in fully. Pull the old flash card out of the driveand insert the new Citrix flash card.Important: The orientation of the flash card is important. When you insert the card, make sure thatthe arrow on the top of card is pointing towards the compact flash slot. The connector grid on theedge of the compact flash card should be inserted to meet the matching connector pins inside thecompact flash slot.5. Connect a serial cable to the console port. If you are using a hyperterminal program to connect tothe console, make sure that logging is enabled. The logging will capture the console output to a filefor reference and debugging. For instructions on gaining console access, see the Citrix NetScalerHardware Installation and Setup Guide (for release 9.1) athttp://support.citrix.com/article/CTX121820.6. Turn on the NetScaler appliance by pressing the power switch to the opposite position. When theappliance starts, it will no longer have the working configuration that was on the appliancepreviously. Therefore, the appliance will be reachable only through the default IP address of192.168.100.1/16 or through the console port.Citrix Systems, Inc.4988 Great America ParkwaySanta Clara, CA 95054

7. When prompted, login to the CLI. Use the default credentials of username = nsroot / password =nsroot. To run the NetScaler configuration script for reconfiguring the network parameters, at theNetScaler command prompt, type:config ns8. A platform license and any optional feature licenses, including universal licenses, will need to beuploaded to the NetScaler appliance. To view the supported features list, at the NetScalercommand prompt, type:show licenseIf a license file is not present, all features will indicate NO. To load the licenses, a previous copy ofthe .xml license files will need to be copied to the /nsconfig/license directory using an SCP utility. Or,in the configuration utility navigation pane, expand System, click Licenses, and then click ManageLicenses.9. To display the current version of software running on the appliance, at the NetScaler commandprompt, type:show ns ver10. If you wish to install a different version of the operating system, download the required versionfrom MyCitrix.com and follow the upgrade/downgrade procedures in the Citrix NetScaler MigrationGuide (for release 9.1) at http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX121822.11. Once the desired OS version is loaded, you can restore the working configuration. Copy a previousversion of the ns.conf file to the /nsconfig directory by using an SCP utility or by pasting the previousconfiguration into the /nsconfig/ns.conf file through the command utility. To load the new ns.conffile, the NetScaler appliance will need to be restarted by entering reboot at the command line.Installation instructions for all NetScaler accessories are available in the Citrix Knowledge Center athttp://support.citrix.com. If you have questions, please contact Citrix Technical Support at 1-800-4-CITRIX (800-424-8749). For additional contact information, see Citrix Technical Support Contacts athttp://www.citrix.com/English/ss/supportContacts.asp.Citrix Systems, Inc.4988 Great America ParkwaySanta Clara, CA 95054