Trying to setup used MD3220 SAS Storage Unit and Can't update Firmware

If you click on the hardware tab and look at the controller info. does it say the controllers are MD3220?

Also if the array has errors or not enough disks it probably wont update.

I'm not sure what "Hardware Tab" you are talking about.  Because the array is unknown when I try to double click it to open it up I only see the images I posted in my original post.  There is no way for me to look at the appliance until I upgrade the firmware I think.  But the unit is clearly labeled MD3220.

I have half the bays filled with drives so that's not an issue...  And I'm not trying to recover...  Just trying to get everything updated and start a RAID 6 array from scratch.

ah i see ok.

i have had this issue before, im not 100% sure what i did to fix it though.

having access to the serial port will help as im sure its going to be giving you an error.

also are you connected using both ethernet management ports?

one controller may be ok

I tried to connect to each RAID Controller Module in the back one at a time to see if it shows up in the auto discover.  It seems only the top one will show up (RAID Controller Module 0).  When using the bottom module (RAID Controller Module 1), no matter how long I wait it will not show in auto discovery.

I don't have one of the PS2/Serial cables so I can't do anything with that.

I think I need to somehow set it back to factory defaults or something...  Any other ideas?

I did just realize that the back of RAID Controller Module #0, only has two lights on (locations 1 and 4).  This tells me it's in working condition.

However, RAID Controller Module #1, has all the lights on (locations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6).  This tells me it might be a bad control module.

1 Power Green
OFF = No power applied
ON = Power is applied

2 Controller Fault Amber
OFF = The controller is operating normally
ON = The controller has defaulted

3 Controller Identifier Blue
Indicates the location of the enclosure within
the system.

4 Cache Active Green
OFF = No data is in cache
ON = Data is in cache

5 Battery Fault Amber
OFF = The battery is operating normally
ON = The battery has defaulted or is missing

6 Password Reset Switch N/A A button which allows the user to reset the
default MD Storage Manager password

Hello Arvo,

I'm sorry to see the MD3220 is not taking the firmware update. 

What is your OS?

What is the current firmware on the MD3220?

Try start out with the MD Series Resource DVD:

Dell PowerVault MD32/MD34/MD36/MD38 Series Resource DVD

https://dell.to/3bSsVlc

Check the   Installation instructions at the bottom of the page:

On a server running Microsoft Windows Server 2016, the Microsoft MPIO driver needs to be installed prior to installing the Module Disk Storage Manager (MDSM)….

Current OS: Windows Server 2019

Current F/W On MD3220: PkgInfo 07.84.53.60

I don't remember installing any "Microsoft MPIO drivers".  How do I find these drivers?  How can I tell if they are already installed?

The firmware 07.84.53.60 is beyond the minimum version 07.75.28.60 so you can update to current. The MPIO is an option during install.  Make sure the install files are local, if installing to a VM, they must be IN the VM

There is Install instructions at the bottom of this page. Also when you mount the ISO there is a readme.txt with instructions

Dell PowerVault MD32/MD34/MD36/MD38 Series Resource DVD

https://dell.to/3fNPvN6

This may also be a good overview if you would like to view : MD Storage Manager Intro

https://dell.to/3hZHlUu

OK so...

- The MDSM ISO is located on the server.
- Can't currently update firmware.
- MPIO Windows feature is installed, not sure if the MDSM install did that or not.
- In the MPIO control panel module should I click the checkbox that says "Add support for SAS devices" under the Discover Multi-Paths tab?
- I'm not sure what you are telling me I should do really...  I have MDSM installed, I have the MPIO feature installed in Windows, I have a firmware version on the unit that should not need a bridge firmware etc..

What else can I try?

Have you tried reseating the controller? You may also want to try to disconnect the controller battery for about an hour and see if that allows the controller to boot.

I did pull the RAID Controller Module 1 and see what the inside looks like.  I noticed there was basically a small PC in there.  I reseeded the memory, unplugged the battery and then reseeded that too.  I didn't let it sit for 1 hour though...

To be honest, I'm not 100% zoned in on that because the RAID Controller Module 0 seems to be working I think.  The issue is with the MD3220 unit itself right?

I just found the Modular Disk Configuration Utility.  I have never used this in the past.  What's it's purpose?  Usually I just use the MDSM to auto discover and config the unit.  MDCU says it can not auto discover anything though.

Is it still not seen in MDSM if you do a manual discovery? Page 57 https://dell.to/3bW4pjr

I went ahead and opened the two modules up and disconnected the battery for 1+ hours.  I then put them both back in.  One is still defective with all lights coming on.  The other lets me see it across the network but when I try to add it I get the same exact results that I originally posted.

It's like MDSM does not like the firmware files (dlp) that is provided on the dell support site.  Not sure what else I can try.  Is there some way to set them back to factory defaults?

Good morning Arvo,

The system can be reset to defaults following a 'syswipe' process. This is something that is generally done over the phone through warranty support. However, if the unit is out of warranty, you can do a search for the MD3220 syswipe process and I suspect you should find a walkthrough on how to do it. I believe we also have fee-based one-time support call options, if you do want Dell to run the syswipe.