Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays

Updating Drive Firmware

Version 4.0
© Copyright 2011-2013 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Dell™ and EqualLogic® are trademarks of Dell Inc.

All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without written permission is strictly forbidden.

Published: December 2013

Part Number: 110-6044-R8

Preface
This document describes how to update disk drive firmware on Dell™ EqualLogic® PS Series Storage
Arrays.

Contacting Dell
Dell support service is available to answer your questions about PS Series storage arrays. If you are a
customer in the United States or Canada in need of technical support, call 1-800-945-3355. If you are outside
of the United States or Canada, you can obtain a listing of international Dell EqualLogic support telephone
numbers by visiting support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/enterprise support/en/equal logic.
If you have an Express Service Code, have it ready. The code helps the Dell automated support telephone
system direct your call more efficiently.
Error Handling Routine Enhancements
Dell has made recent improvements to Hard Disk Drive (HDD) error-handling routines in the PS Series
firmware. Dell has also worked closely with HDD manufacturers to improve error-handling routines of the
physical HDD. Combined with recent improvements to PS Series firmware, this HDD firmware update
reduces drive errors. This software utility, now a single kit, handles putting the correct firmware on the
correct drives. It replaces the two previous individual hard drive firmware update kits, and incorporates
additional new drive firmware.

Planning the Update

Each group member containing drives being updated must be running the correct PS Series firmware
version. The minimum required PS Series firmware version is 5.2.5. The
kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz drive update kit will update the drive firmware to the indicated
version in the appendix table.
Note: The existing drive firmware version must match what is in that table.

Backing Up Data
Regular backups are a vital part of maintaining a storage environment. In addition, because upgrading
infrastructure is a critical service procedure, it should be carefully planned and implemented at off-peak
hours (if possible) and after a backup has occurred.

Uploading the Drive Firmware Update Kit to the Array

Use FTP to upload the drive firmware kit to the array in binary mode. For detailed information, see
Uploading the Kit to the Array Using FTP on page 5. Repeat this upload step for each additional array that
meets the criteria in the table above.

Updating the Drive Firmware

1. Update the drive firmware by entering the following command at the CLI prompt:
Cli> update

2. Repeat the procedure on every group member containing the drive type that requires the update.

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 The following is an example of running the kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz drive firmware update
script.

spice24-grp> update
14:31:51 Updating from kit file "kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz"

This command will update the firmware on the array's flash card memory
using the update kit file that was copied to the array.

If you choose to proceed, you will be shown the current firmware version
and the version to which you will update. You will then be given the
choice to proceed again.

Do you want to proceed (y/n) [y]: y

14:31:53 Verifying kit integrity.

Starting Disk Firmware update... V4.0
...Initializing support libraries...

Identifying drives that qualify for firmware upgrades... Please wait.

39 drive(s) in this array qualify for a firmware upgrade.

-----------------------------------------------
The process will now update the 39 drives that qualify for a firmware upgrade.

If you proceed, please do not power off or restart the array, or remove
any drives until the update process completes.
-----------------------------------------------
Do you want to continue at this time (Y/N)? y
SKIPPING DriveID 0 No firmware is available for Model: ST2000NM0011

Checking health status of Array

UPGRADING DriveID 1 firmware from KD03 to KD0A using ./fwbin/KD0A.lod
Drive firmware successfully updated : on drive 1

Checking health status of Array

UPGRADING DriveID 2 firmware from KD03 to KD0A using ./fwbin/KD0A.lod
Drive firmware successfully updated : on drive 2
……
……
……
Checking health status of Array
UPGRADING DriveID 23 firmware from KD03 to KD0A using ./fwbin/KD0A.lod
Drive firmware successfully updated : on drive 23

Logging post run disk information

===================================================
Entering cleanup phase... Please Wait...
The update was successful.
Would you like to email the results to Dell (Y/N)? y
Done cleanup ... quitting with an exit status of 0
spice24-grp>

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If the script detects that either all drives are running the correct firmware version, or that the update is not
applicable to any drives on the array, the following is displayed:

spice-grp> update

15:03:56 Updating from kit file "kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz"

This command will update the firmware on the array's flash card memory
using the update kit file that was copied to the array.

If you choose to proceed, you will be shown the current firmware version
and the version to which you will update. You will then be given the
choice to proceed again.

Do you want to proceed (y/n) [y]:

15:03:56 Verifying kit integrity.
Starting Disk Firmware update... V4.0
...Initializing support libraries...

Identifying drives that qualify for firmware upgrades... Please wait.

0 drive(s) in this array qualify for a firmware upgrade.
Logging post run disk information
===================================================
Entering cleanup phase... Please Wait...
The update was successful. No drives in this array qualify for a firmware
upgrade.
Done cleanup ... quitting with an exit status of 0
spice24-grp>

Troubleshooting
This section describes possible alternate outcomes of the drive firmware update.

Update Failed
If the script cannot update the firmware on one or more drives, the following is displayed:

UPGRADING firmware on diskID 3 from EC03 to EC04 using ./fwbin/EC04.fwh

ERROR: Drive firmware update failed: on drive 3
Disk 3: microcode download FAILED.
Returned status: 0x23

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Array Firmware Too Old
If the firmware running on the member is not at the minimum required version, the following is displayed:

# spice-grp> update

15:03:56 Updating from kit file "kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz

Starting Disk Firmware update... V4.0
...Initializing support libraries...

ERROR: The minimum supported version for this procedure is 5.2.5. You are running
V4.3.5
Entering cleanup phase... Please Wait... Please
contact technical support.

Problems That Prohibit Drive Firmware Updates

If the script detects any problems, for example, the array could have a degraded RAID set, a RAID rebuild, or a
failed drive that prevents the drive firmware from proceeding, the following might be displayed:
# spice-grp> update

15:03:56 Updating from kit file "kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz

Starting Disk Firmware update... V4.0
...Initializing support libraries...

Checking the raidset status on all Lun's

WARNING: RAID is Degraded
Exiting with a status of 1
Entering cleanup phase... Please Wait... Please
contact technical support.

Done cleanup ... quitting with an exit status of 1

If this occurs, fix the problem indicated by the RAID status field and retry the drive firmware update
procedure.

Incorrect Version Number Displayed

After successfully updating drive firmware, the CLI and Group Manager GUI might incorrectly display
some drives as running the previous firmware version. Despite this, the firmware has been updated, and the
correct information will be displayed the next time the array is restarted.

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Uploading the Kit to the Array Using FTP
The computer must have network access to each group member whose drives you are updating. You can
use the ping command to test network connectivity between computers and group members.
Follow these steps to put the drive firmware update kit and associated documentation on the array:
1. Use FTP to copy the kit from the host to the array being updated.
a. To start an ftp session, type: ftp.
b. To connect to an array, type: open <IP address of the array>.
(For example: open 192.168.10.20)
c. When prompted for an account and password, specify the grpadmin account and password.
d. To enable a binary mode transfer, type: binary.
e. To transfer a file, type: put <file name that you want to transfer>.
(For example: put kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz)
f. To close the session, type: close.
g. To end the ftp session, type: bye.
The following example uses FTP to copy a firmware update kit named
kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz from a host to an array with the IP address 192.168.1.53.
Note: Because some versions of FTP convert file names to uppercase, specify the file name twice with
the put command, as shown in the example below.
$ ftp
ftp> open 192.168.1.53
Connected to psa1.site.com.
220 192.168.1.53 FTP server ready.
Name: grpadmin
331 Password required for grpadmin.
Password: xxxxxxx
230 User grpadmin logged in.
Remote system type is UNIX.
Using binary mode to transfer files.
ftp> binary
200 Type set to I
ftp> put kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz  Note the file name
is entered twice.
local: kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz remote: kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz
229 Entering Extended Passive Mode (|||65534|)
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for kit_V4.0_DriveFw_1948401162.tgz
100%|***********************| 13191 KB 81.26 KB/s 00:00 ETA
226 Transfer complete.
441803 bytes sent in 02:42 (81.06 KB/s)
ftp> close
221- Data traffic for this session was 441803 bytes in 1 file.
Total traffic for this session was 441803 bytes in 1 transfer.
221 Thank you for using the FTP service on 192.168.1.53.
ftp> bye

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2. Connect to the array.
You can use a serial connection that is right for your control module model or use telnet or SSH to
connect to an array. Connect through an IP address assigned to a network interface on the array (for
example, Ethernet Port 0). Do not connect to the group IP address.
If you are using a serial connection, the following characteristics are required for CLI access:
• 9600 baud
• 1 STOP bit
• No parity
• 8 data bits
• No flow control
Once connected, press the Enter key and log in to an administration account that has read-write
permission (for example, the grpadmin account).

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Appendix
This document applies to the following drive and array models:

Existing Drive New Drive

Drive
Drive Model Firmware Update Script Firmware
Type
Version Version

KD03
ST31000524NS SATA KD08 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz KD0A

KD03
ST32000644NS SATA KD08 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz KD0A

KD03
KD0A
ST3500514NS SATA KD08 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz

Existing Drive New Drive

Drive
Drive Model Firmware Update Script Firmware
Type
Version Version
ST2000NM0011 SATA PD04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz PD0A

ST1000NM0011 SATA PD04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz PD0A

ST500NM0011 SATA PD04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz PD0A

Existing Drive New Drive

Drive
Drive Model Firmware Update Script Firmware
Type
Version Version

EC03
MK1001TRKB SAS kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz EC04
EC02

EC03
MK2001TRKB SAS kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz EC04
EC02

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 Drive Drive Existing Drive New Drive
Model Type Firmware Update Script Firmware
Version Version
XQH6
ST3146356SS SAS XRH7 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz ERHB
XRHA
XQH6
ST3300656SS SAS XRH7 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz ERHB
XRHA
XQH6
ST3450856SS SAS XRH7 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz ERHB
XRHA

Drive Drive Existing Drive New Drive

Model Type Firmware Update Script Firmware
Version Version

ST9900805SS SAS CN04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz CE0B

ST9300605SS SAS CN04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz CE0B

ST9600205SS SAS CN04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz CEOB

Drive Drive Existing Drive New Drive

Model Type Firmware Update Script Firmware
Version Version
ST91000640SS SAS AE0A kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz AE0D

ST9500620SS SAS AE0A kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz AE0D

Drive Drive Existing Drive New Drive

Model Type Firmware Update Script Firmware
Version Version
PE08
ST500NM0001 SAS PN04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz PE0E
PN03
PE08
ST1000NM0001 SAS PN04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz PE0E
PN03
PE08
ST2000NM0001 SAS PN04 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz PE0E
PN03

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 Drive Drive Existing Drive New Drive
Model Type Firmware Update Script Firmware
Version Version
RE0C
ST32000645SS SAS RN09 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz RE11
RN08

RE0C
ST33000650SS SAS RN09 kit_V4.0_DriveFw_xxxxxxxxx.tgz RE11
RN08

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