EqualLogic PSSeries Firmware Updates - Disk Firmware Storage

Question

Good afternoon,

My environment has quite a number of different EqualLogic SANs in it that are all behind on their firmware, about 3 or 4 versions behind. We know they need to be updated as we are getting alerts letting us know that our Disk Drive Firmware also needs to be updated.

Dell Storage Update Manager does not let you know what version of Disk firmware is needed until you have updated the EqualLogic firmware. At least one of the EqualLogics is at version 7.0.10, the rest are at 8.1.1, the current version of Disk firmware we have is TE0A.

Is anyone able to tell me what version disk firmware is needed for all the EqualLogic updates, 8.1.13, 9.0.9, 9.1.4, and 10.0.1, or if my disk firmware does not need to be updated at all? Also, if the disk firmware will need to be updated, how much storage capacity is needed on each EqualLogic to enable the Disk Drive firmware upgrade?

Thanks,

Tiarna

dwilliam62 · Accepted Answer

Hello,

The disk firmware upgrade process does not use ANY space on the individual disks. It's programming the firmware on the drive itself. So it is like updating the BIOS on your computer. Whomever told you otherwise is incorrect.

There is a minimum firmware to do drive firmware updates. I believe that's 6.x, but there is no drive firmware to EQL firmware requirement. These are updates from the drive vendor to address issues in their code, not EqualLogic. So you can do the drive firmware updates at anytime.

Regards,

Don

dwilliam62 · Answer

Hello Tiarna,

The disk firmware is separate from the EQL controller firmware. There is a drive firmware kit on the eqlsupport.dell.com website. That single kit has all the applicable firmware for all EQL drives.

No additional space is required to install the drive firmware kits.

You can install the drive firmware kits manually at any time assuming the array is not in a building or rebuilding state.

The update process only takes a few minutes per member to do.

Regards,

Don

TiarnaRyan · Answer

Thank you for getting back to me, Don.

I have heard that some disk firmwares, whilst doing the update, copies the information in the disk so you end up using disk space while updating, and then deletes the copies at the end so you don't have double. One of my questions was whether updating the firmware from TE0A to TE0C would do that process, hence using disk space while updating, or will cut and paste the information during the update, and won't require any storage? One of our SANs is at max capacity, about 97% full, and I do not want to do a firmware update of any kind if it is going to require using disk space.

Are you able to answer the other question? Can you tell me what version of EQL firmware is compatible with the disk firmware version TE0A before I need to upgrade to TE0C? I learnt, after I asked yesterday, that version 10.0.1 needs version TE0C, but I was wondering if I could update to say version 9.1.4 before I need to update the disk firmware? I know the SAN will start sending more notifications, and have conniptions, if the disk firmware is not compatible with the EQL firmware.

TiarnaRyan · Answer

Thank you for all of your help, Don.

dwilliam62 · Answer

Hello,  You are very welcome.  Glad I could be of assistance.  Don

TiarnaRyan · Answer

Hi Don,

Are you able to help me with something else in regards to this?

I did the EqualLogic Firmware update after I got all this information from you, however, it did not come up with the check box in Dell Storage Update Manager to allow me to upgrade the Disk Firmware. There is definitely an upgrade as these disks have version TE0A, but I do not know where to go to actually do the update without the update manager. Are you able to help me with this as well?

Thanks,

Tiarna

dwilliam62 · Answer

Hello,

The drive updated process instructions are included with the firmware. The short version is FTP the .tgz file to the member to be updated. Use the physical port IP address of each member, not the Group IP address.

At the CLI of each member, type "update"

Follow the instructions and it will update any drives that need them.

That's all there is to it.

Regards,

Don

StanDMann · Answer

So I have a customer that has 12 of his 48 drives that have been running "for years".

And it's STILL running. All of a sudden after swapping out a POWER SUPPLY (of all things) the SAN started giving us the message: "One or More drives are 'not approved'..."

All of the drives have the same SEAGATE MODEL NUMBER

12 of the drives have FW version "0003" 22 of the drives are FW "XRR2" and the remaning 14 drives are running FW version "XRR6".

I still have access to the DELL website... so I brought down version 12 of the DISK FIRMWARE and ran the dell storage manager against the group and it updated a half dozen disks on the other SAN BOXES - but said about this one: "No Update is required". SO finally my question... Is 0003 FW the wrong flavor or too old to be considered a candidate for upgrade? or is perhaps there another disk drive or drives that are the issue and I'm chasing my tail. The Error message isn't specific about WHICH DRIVES it has a problem with.

dwilliam62 · Answer

Hello, When you have a new questions it's helpful to create a new topic. That way others searching for the same issue an benefit from any solutions. It is not about disk firmware or model info. The MFR of the drive modifies the drive so that it can be recognized by the EQL ( or Compellent) as a valid drive, and not an OEM drive. Firmware upgrades can't correct that. It was how the drive was made. If they still have warranty they can open a case to investigate this. Are they running current firmware? Regards, Don

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EqualLogic PSSeries Firmware Updates - Disk Firmware Storage

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