This article describes how to replace a NetScaler Solid-State Drive.

Background

The solid-state drive contains the boot loader configuration file, the operating system, the configuration file (ns.conf), licenses, and other files.

Customers might purchase solid-state drives from Citrix Systems for backup in the event of a solid-state drive failure. Under the Return Materials Authorization (RMA) warranty, solid-state drives are covered for one year from the purchase date of the Citrix NetScaler appliance. To extend support for solid-state drives beyond the one-year warranty, the NetScaler Hardware Maintenance Agreement can be purchased.

Replacement solid-state drives contain a pre-installed version of the NetScaler operation system and a generic configuration file (ns.conf), but they do not contain SSL-related certificates and keys, or custom boot settings. Configuration files and customized settings must be restored from a backup storage location at the customer site, if available. The files to be restored can include:

Instructions

To install a NetScaler Solid-State Drive, complete the following procedure:

1. Run the following command from the command line interface of the NetScaler appliance to shut down the NetScaler appliance:
   shutdown
   After you see the following message, you can power down the appliance: “The operating system has halted. Press any key to reboot.”
   For information about using the NetScaler command line, see CTX121817 - Citrix NetScaler Command Reference Guide - Release 9.1.

2. Locate the solid-state drive on the back panel of the appliance. For instructions to identify the compact flash drive, see CTX121820 - Citrix Hardware Installation and Setup Guide - Release 9.1.

   

3. Verify if the replacement solid-state drive is the correct type for the NetScaler platform. See Table 1 describing the solid-state drive SKUs for the MPX 17500/19500/21500. The Citrix label is on the top of the solid-state drive and the solid-state drive is pre-populated with a recent build of the required software.

4. To disengage the drive, push the safety latch of the drive cover to the right while pulling out on the drive handle. Pull out the old drive.

5. On the new drive, open the drive handle fully to the left. Insert the new drive into the slot as far as possible. To seat the drive, close the handle flush with the rear of the appliance so that the solid-state drive locks securely into the slot.
   Important: The orientation of the solid-state drive is important. When you insert the drive, make sure that the product label from Citrix is on the top of the drive.

   

6. Connect a serial cable to the console port. Use the default credentials of username = nsroot / password = nsroot. If you are using a hyperterminal program to connect to the console, make sure that logging is enabled. Logging captures the console output to a file for reference and debugging. For instructions on gaining console access, see CTX121820 - Citrix Hardware Installation and Setup Guide - Release 9.1.

7. Switch on the NetScaler appliance. When the appliance starts, it no longer has the working configuration that was on the appliance previously. Therefore, the appliance is only reachable through the default IP address of 192.168.100.1/16 or through the console port.

8. To run the NetScaler configuration script for reconfiguring the network parameters, at the NetScaler command prompt, type:
   config ns

9. A platform license and any optional feature licenses, including universal licenses, must be uploaded to the NetScaler appliance. To view the supported features list, at the NetScaler command prompt, type: 
   show license

   If a license file is not present, all features indicate NO. To load the licenses, a previous copy of the .lic license file(s) must 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 Manage Licenses.

10. To display the current version of software running on the appliance, at the NetScaler command prompt, type:
    show ns version

11. If you want to install a different version of the operating system, download the required version from MyCitrix.com and follow the upgrade/downgrade procedures in CTX121822 - Citrix NetScaler Migration Guide - Release 9.1.

12. After the desired operating system version is loaded, you can restore the working configuration. Copy a previous version of the ns.conf file to the /nsconfig directory by using an SCP utility or by pasting the previous configuration into the /nsconfig/ns.conf file through the command utility. To load the new ns.conf file, the NetScaler appliance must be restarted by entering reboot at the command line.

Installation instructions for all NetScaler accessories are available in the Citrix Knowledge Center at http://support.citrix.com. If you have questions, contact Citrix Technical Support at 1-800-4-CITRIX (800-424-8749). For additional contact information, see Citrix Technical Support Contacts at http://www.citrix.com/English/ss/supportContacts.asp.