New setup ASA r2 system cluster create/join fails due to VLDB errors

Applies to

• 9.16.1 and above
• ASA r2  systems
  • ASA A1K
  • ASA A90
  • ASA A70
  • ASA A50
  • ASA A30
  • ASA A20
• New Setup/Install

Issue

• When trying to set up an ASA r2 storage system, the "cluster create" operation might fail with the following error:

Step 1 of 5: Create a Cluster                                               
You can type "back", "exit", or "help" at any question.

Creating cluster 

System start up .....
Updating volume location database ...............
Updating volume location database .......

Error: Create flex aggregates for storage pod failed

Resolve the issue, then try the command again.

• The following error may also occur:

**** Entering boot_from_disk2 process ****
D-Blade Boot: bootarg.local.storage.pod.uuid is set: b504d371-8ca2-11f0-90fe-d039ead8fcb4
Clearing safe boot
Waiting for VLDB online, count 1 (max 15)
Waiting for VLDB online, count 2 (max 15)
...
Warning: Timed out waiting for VLDB online, count 15
Waiting for pod rescan to mount root...
Waiting for pod rescan to mount root...

• The "cluster create" operation might fail due to one of the following conditions:

1. Cluster networking misconfiguration or associated network ports are not properly connected, as per NetApp HWU.
2. Remnants of manufacturing test environment variables are still present.