Downloading RAID Controller Module Firmware or NVSRAM

The storage management software enables you to download or packages from the to all . Depending on the version of storage management software and model of RAID controller module that you are using, there are different interfaces you might see when downloading package files:

RAID Controller Module firmware download only with immediate activation
NVSRAM download only with immediate activation
RAID Controller Module firmware download and, optionally, NVSRAM download with the option to activate both later

Caution: Risk of application errors - If you do not have a on your application , stop I/O activity to the storage array before the download to prevent application errors.

Important:

Use this option only under the guidance of a Customer and Technical Support representative.
If a network problem occurs while the storage management software is polling a RAID controller module during a download, an error message might appear, indicating that the download could not complete. Although the download might have successfully completed, the storage management software was unable to verify the operation success, resulting in the error message. Turn the RAID controller module enclosure power off, and then turn it back on. Wait until the storage array has finished initializing (this might take several minutes). To obtain the current firmware version, select Storage Array >> View Profile, and select the RAID Controller Modules tab. If the firmware listed does not match the version you tried to download, retry the download.
When you download new firmware or NVSRAM, the storage management software checks the operating status of the storage array RAID controller modules. If any RAID controller modules are not in the state, an error message dialog is displayed. You are given the opportunity to stop or continue the download. Before continuing, correct any non-Optimal condition. If you choose to proceed with the download, the code on the non-optimal RAID controller module might not be synchronized after the non-optimal condition has been corrected. If the firmware is not synchronized, you might need to download the firmware again.

For quick access to information about a particular procedure, click one of the links below:

Downloading Firmware
Downloading NVSRAM
Downloading Firmware and NVSRAM (Activate Now or Later)

Downloading Firmware

Use the following procedure to download firmware only. Firmware is activated immediately.

1	Select Advanced >> Maintenance >> Download >> RAID Controller Module Firmware.
2	In the Select File area, click Browse to locate the directory in which the file to download resides.
3	Select the package file to download from the File Selection area by double-clicking on the file. Notes: By default, only downloadable packages that are compatible with the current storage array configuration are displayed. When you select a file in the File Selection area of the dialog, applicable attributes (if any) of the file are displayed in the Firmware File Information area.
4	Click OK. Note: If the file selected was not valid or compatible with the current storage array configuration, the File Selection Error dialog is displayed. Click OK to close it, and choose a compatible firmware file.
5	Click Yes on the Confirm Download dialog. The download begins, and the Download Progress dialog is displayed. For more information about download progress, see Monitoring the Status of the Download.

Downloading NVSRAM

Use the following procedure to download NVSRAM only. NVSRAM is activated immediately.

1	Select Advanced >> Maintenance >> Download >> RAID Controller Module NVSRAM.
2	In the Select File area, click Browse to locate the directory in which the file to download resides.
3	Select the package file to download from the File Selection area by double-clicking on the file. Notes: Only downloadable packages that are compatible with the current storage array configuration are displayed. When you select a file in the File Selection area of the dialog, applicable attributes (if any) of the file are displayed in the NVSRAM File Information area.
4	Click OK. Note: If the file selected was not valid or compatible with the current storage array configuration, the File Selection Error dialog is displayed. Click OK to close it, and choose a compatible NVSRAM file.
5	Click Yes on the Confirm Download dialog. The download begins, and the Download Progress dialog is displayed. For more information about download progress, see Monitoring the Status of the Download.

Downloading Firmware and NVSRAM (Activate Now or Later)

Use the following procedure to download RAID controller module firmware and, optionally, NVSRAM. You might choose to activate the packages immediately or wait until a more convenient time. Some reasons for activating firmware or NVSRAM files at a later time include the following:

Time of day - Activating can take a long time, so you might want to wait until I/O loads are lighter because the RAID controller modules will go offline briefly to load the new firmware.
Type of package - You might want to test the new firmware packages on one storage array before loading the files onto other storage arrays.

Notes:

The ability to download both packages and activate them later depends on the version of storage management software and type of RAID controller module in the storage array.
Users can use the command line interface (CLI) to download and activate firmware packages to several storage arrays using a script. For more information, see "Using the Command Line Interface" in the Enterprise Management Window online help.

1	Select Advanced >> Maintenance >> Download >> RAID Controller Module Firmware. Note: The Current versions area lists the current firmware and NVSRAM versions in use by the storage array RAID controller modules.
2	In the Select Files area, click Browse next to Selected firmware file to locate the directory in which the file to download resides, and then select the package file to download from the File Selection area by double-clicking on the file. Notes: By default, only downloadable packages that are compatible with the current storage array configuration are displayed. When you select a file in the File Selection area of the dialog, applicable attributes (if any) of the file are displayed in the File Information area.
3	If you want to download an NVSRAM file with the firmware, ensure the Download NVSRAM file with firmware check box is selected, and click Browse next to Selected NVSRAM file to add the file as described in step 2.
4	To upload the files to the RAID controller module without activating them, click Transfer files but don't activate them (activate later).
5	Click OK. Notes: If the OK button is inactive, ensure that you have either specified an NVSRAM file or unchecked the Download NVSRAM file with firmware check box. If the file selected was not valid or compatible with the current storage array configuration, the File Selection Error dialog is displayed. Click OK to close it, and then choose a compatible firmware or NVSRAM file.
6	Click Yes on the Confirm Download dialog. The download begins. For more information about download progress, see Monitoring the Status of the Download.

Monitoring the Status of the Download

Important: When the firmware download successfully completes, a dialog might appear stating that the current version of the (AMW) is not compatible with the new firmware just downloaded. If you see this message, close the AMW for this storage array and then open it again by selecting the storage array in the Enterprise Management Window (EMW) and selecting Tools >> Manage Storage Array. This action launches a new version of the AMW that is compatible with the new firmware.

Monitor the progress and completion status of the download to the RAID controller modules in case there are any errors. After the Confirm dialog is closed, the file is transferred to the storage array. Each RAID controller module is sent the new file one at a time. If the file transfer to the first RAID controller module succeeds, then the file is transferred to the second RAID controller module. The status of the file transfer and the update to each participating RAID controller module is displayed on the dialog, as follows.

Important: When the firmware download successfully completes, a dialog might appear, stating that the current version of the AMW is not compatible with the new firmware just downloaded. If you see this message, close the AMW for this storage array, and then open it again by selecting the storage array in the EMW and selecting Tools >> Manage Device. This action launches a new version of the AMW that is compatible with the new firmware.

Note: The progress and status of optimal RAID controller modules participating in the download is displayed. RAID Controller Modules with statuses other than Optimal are not represented on the dialog.

If the file transfer:	Then the following icon and text are shown:
Is in progress	Transferring firmware (or NVSRAM) and file size information
Successfully completes	Firmware (or NVSRAM) transferred
Successfully completes but is not activated	Firmware (or NVSRAM) transfer succeeded, not activated
If the update to a RAID controller module:	Then the following icon and text are shown:
Is pending	RAID Controller Module update pending
Is activating	Activating firmware (or NVSRAM) and elapsed time
Successfully activates	RAID Controller Module firmware (or NVSRAM) activated

If the download:	Then the result is:
Succeeded	The Download Progress dialog is closed. The RAID controller modules are now operating with the new firmware or NVSRAM. Verify the new versions of these files by selecting Storage Array >> View >> Profile .
Failed	The Download Failure Information dialog is displayed. Read the information displayed on this dialog. Run the Recovery Guru, and follow any recommended recovery procedures.

During firmware downloads, the storage management software periodically polls the RAID controller module to see if the download has completed successfully. Sometimes, RAID controller module problems occur that keep the download from happening. The following scenarios show the results of firmware downloads if a RAID controller module is failed.

Task	Result
Download new firmware to a storage array with a failed RAID controller module, and then replace the failed RAID controller module with a new one.	After the new RAID controller module is installed, the storage array detects the RAID controller module replacement and synchronizes the firmware on both RAID controller modules.
Download new firmware to a storage array with a failed RAID controller module, but then place the RAID controller module back online (assuming the problem was with something other than the RAID controller module).	The firmware synchronization does not happen.