PS Firmware Update

Question

I am planning to update the firmware on a Dell Equallogic PS 6100. It is currently running firmware version 7.1.5. I went onto eqlsupport.dell.com to get the .zip file to upload the firmware update. I see the have three versions listed as recommended ps series firmware: 10.0.3, 9.1.9, and 8.1.15. I also see there is a section called Legacy version. Do I need to go to the legacy versions and start with version 7.1.7 or can I do one of the recommended ones such as 10.0.3, 9.1.9, and 8.1.15?

I did verify there is no replication on the SANs and the available storage space is good. I just want to make sure I am well planned for updating the firmware.

dwilliam62 · Accepted Answer

Hello,

No, you don't need the legacy versions at all. That would only be needed if you were using much older firmware.

The firmware update instructions on the version you want to end up at (10.0.3) has the exact steps.

So you are at 7.1.x, you go to 8.1.X where X is most current version. Reboot. Then 8.1.x to 9.1.9 reboot, then 9.1.0 to 10.0.3.

Also check to see if there are any drives that need their firmware updated.

With the Firmware downloads is a document "OS considerations..." That will show you how to set or verify your disk timeouts are set correctly. That also applies to any VMs you might be running, and the hypervisor host. For VMware there is a separate best practices guide as well. TR1091

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/common/ps-series-vmware-vsphere-bp-tr1091_en-us.pdf

Also best to do firmware updates during a quiet IO time to reduce the failover time.

Regards,

Don

dwilliam62 · Answer

Hello,

There are a few ways. Download the drive firmware update kit and review the doc for your drives. You can also run the drive firmware update kit and it will apply automatically the updates or just exit. You can also download the Dell Storage Manager Update utility, (DSUM). DSUM will scan your members for both array and drive firmware and help you update them both. Or you can install SANHQ which also alerts on drive firmware.

Regards,

Don

fogmaster21 · Answer

Thank you for the information! Also where would I go to look at the my current firmware version of the drives? @dwilliam62

dwilliam62 · Answer

Hello,

Re: Drive firmware. No. It must be run from the CLI. You have to FTP the drive firmware kit to the array.

It's not setup to be run from the Update EQL firmware feature in the GUI.

Regards,

Don

fogmaster21 · Answer

@dwilliam62 I was looking at the instructions for the drive firmware updates and it was saying to either being done by the CLI prompt or FTP. Is it possible to do it from the GUI just like updating the SAN firmware by browsing for the file?

fogmaster21 · Answer

@dwilliam62  ok, I am assuming that can be done anytime after the firmware update?

dwilliam62 · Answer

Helo,   re: Update.  Yes, absolutely.  You can do the drive firmware before or after updating the array firmware.  There is a minimum EQL firmware it's either 7.x or 8.x.    Regards,  Don

EqualLogic

PS Firmware Update

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