Data Domain: How to shut down, power-on, or reboot systems

🛠️ Pre-Checks Before Shutdown or Reboot

Before proceeding, ensure that the system is idle and safe to stop:

✅ Verify I/O Activity is Stopped

Run: iostat 5  

Confirm:

• • • No active read/write activity
    • System is idle

✅ Verify No Active Replication

Run: ddboost file-replication show active

Confirm: No file replication jobs are in progress.

✅ HA Systems Only

Check HA status: ha status

• • • If both nodes are online and healthy: 

      Run: ha offline on the standby node
    • If HA is degraded, skip this step

🛠️ How to Shut Down the System (CLI Method)

To power off the DD head unit (Controller), run: system poweroff

• • Confirm the prompt: 

    • Are you sure? (yes|no) [no]: yes\

  • Wait for the head unit to power down completely:

    • Attached storage enclosures remain powered ON. Power can be safely removed from the attached storage (if needed) after the head unit is powered OFF. 

✅ This performs a clean shutdown and powers off the system safely.

🛠️ How to Power-On the DD system

Follow the correct startup sequence: 

1. 1. Power on all expansion shelves first
   2. Wait approximately 3 minutes
   3. Power on the Data Domain head unit: 
      1. Press the Power button on the DD unit | OR |
      2. Select the 'Power-on' option within iDRAC

HA Systems

• 1. Power on the active node first, then the standby node

  2. Verify status: ha status

  3. If a node is offline: ha online

🛠️ How to Reboot Using the UI

1. Navigate to: Maintenance → System

2. Select Reboot System

3. Confirm the action

Important Notes

⚠️ Always use the Data Domain CLI or UI for power operations (do not use the power button to power-off the system)

• • Avoid using out-of-band management tools (such as iDRAC) for shutdown or reboot.
  • These methods may not perform a clean shutdown.
  • Improper shutdown can lead to data integrity issues.

✅ Best Practices Summary

• Always stop I/O and replication before shutdown
• Verify system and HA health
• Use the CLI or UI for all power operations
• Follow correct power-on sequencing

• Do not use the chassis power switch to power off the system. Doing so prevents remote power control using Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI). Use the 'system poweroff' command instead. This command shuts the system down and turns off the power.
• The IPMI Remote System Power Down feature does not perform an orderly DD OS shutdown. Use this feature only if the 'system poweroff' command is unsuccessful.
• The complete reboot process used for any system generally takes 30 minutes to one hour depending on the amount of attached storage.
• If the system takes more than one hour to come back up, contact your support team.