White Papers

Data-in-Place Upgrade for Dell Storage SC4020
© 2018 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Choose the best-value solution
The data-in-place upgrade is typically more cost effective if
you have a significant investment in SSDs. For example, the
SC4020 array is configured with twenty-four 3.84 TB SSDs,
with or without disk enclosures.
The standard upgrade is typically more cost effective if the
SC4020 array has a small number of less-expensive, low-
capacity spinning disks. For example, the array is configured
with twelve 600 GB 15K HDDs with no disk enclosures.
Speak with your Dell EMC sales representative to determine
the cost effectiveness of a data-in-place upgrade for your
SC4020 disk configuration.
Complete your upgrade
Prior to the performing the data-in-place upgrade, your Dell EMC representative will help you complete the following:
A pre-sales representative will verify that your SC4020 array is eligible using the Quote Center sales tool.
IDS or a channel partner will review your new arrays power requirements (voltage, PSU, and PDU), availability of
key management certificates with SED-only SC4020 systems, and cable/port requirements if consolidating SFP+
and RJ45 ports.
IDS or a channel partner will run data-in-place system checks on the SC4020 array and help resolve any errors or
warnings. Replication or Live Volume errors do not need to be resolved until prior to the upgrade.
The representative will quote and order a new SC5020 or SC7020 array that is configured with an appropriate
Fibre Channel or iSCSI configuration. IDS or a channel partner will later install the SC5020 or SC7020 array.
The representative will establish a maintenance window to perform the upgrade. Before the start of the
maintenance window, they will help you ensure that critical data on the SC4020 is protected. This includes using
SC Series volume replications to an existing SC Series array, or traditional backup methods.
During the maintenance window, IDS or a channel partner will help you perform the following:
Verify all SC Series volume replications from SC4020 array are temporarily stopped (restore points are saved).
If using Live Volume, verify all primary Live Volume roles are swapped to another SC Series array.
Verify the hosts and workloads on the SC4020 are taken offline.
Run final health and eligibility checks on the SC4020 array.
Verify the SC4020 array and the SC5020 or SC7020 array are running the same version of SCOS 7.3.
Ensure the hardware serial numbers of the SC5020 or SC7020 array are changed to match the SC4020 array
being retired. These steps are performed from the SCOS CLI.
Execute the upgrade and power off the SC4020 array.
Remove the disks from the SC4020 chassis and install them in the SC5020 or SC7020 chassis.
Re-cable the disk enclosures from the SC4020 array to the SC5020 or SC7020 array.
Power on the SC5020 or SC7020 array, which comes online with the same configuration as the SC4020 array.
Assist you with bringing your hosts and workloads online to verify system health.
Perform cleanup steps, which includes retiring the SC4020 array from service.
Optional: If the scope and duration of the maintenance window permits additional work, IDS or a channel partner
will assist with adding new I/O cards, disks or expansion drawers to your new SC Series array if needed.
Cost comparison between standard and data-in-place
upgrade options.