Firmware Updates; Troubleshooting The Storage Subsystem - IBM DS3500 Installation, User's, And Maintenance Manual

Firmware updates

Attention: Save the storage subsystem profile before you perform any controller or ESM firmware
upgrades. Save the profile and all configuration (.cfg) files to a server disk that will remain accessible in
the event of a DS3500 storage configuration failure. Do not save these files only to a LUN in the storage
subsystem.
To ensure the optimal operation of the storage subsystem and its attached storage enclosures, the ESM
firmware, controller firmware, drive firmware, and the NVSRAM firmware must be up-to-date. Go to
http://www.ibm.com/servers/storage/support/disk/ to get the latest updates.
Always see the readme files that are included with the firmware packages for the most up-to-date
information about firmware prerequisites, firmware update instructions, download-sequence information,
and host I/O restrictions, if any. Apply the necessary updates before you configure the storage subsystem
arrays and logical drives. Subscribe to My Support for automatic notifications of firmware or Storage
Manager software updates or any important information about the DS3500 storage subsystems (see
"Product updates" on page 1-6).
Attention: Failure to observe the limitations, prerequisites, sequences, and dependencies in the readme
file might result in a loss of data access.
Unless the readme file contains special requirements for the sequence in which you upgrade firmware,
perform firmware upgrades in the following sequence:
1. ESM firmware for the storage enclosures
2. Controller firmware
3. Controller NVSRAM
4. Drive firmware

Troubleshooting the storage subsystem

The Storage Manager software is the best way to monitor the storage subsystem, diagnose a problem,
and recover from a hardware failure. Run the Storage Manager software continuously, and frequently
check the configuration status.
To check the status of and identify a problem with the storage subsystem, complete the following steps. If
a problem has occurred, use the Storage Manager software and the LEDs on the storage subsystem to
help locate a failed component.
1. Open the Subsystem Management window.
2. Click the Summary tab, and view the status of the storage subsystem.
3. Does any storage subsystem have a Needs Attention status?
v Yes: Go to step 4.
v No: All components are Optimal. Go to step 5.
4. Click Recovery Guru on the toolbar. Perform the procedure in the Recovery Guru to correct the
problem. The Recovery Guru might direct you to replace the failed component. If so, go to step 5.
Attention: If the fault requires you to power-off an attached storage enclosure, you might have to
cycle the power on the DS3500 storage subsystem and all remaining storage enclosures that are
connected to the storage subsystem. Contact your IBM technical-support representative before you
power-off any attached storage enclosures.
5. Check the LEDs on the front and the rear of the storage enclosure. A green LED indicates a normal
status; an amber LED indicates a hardware fault.
6. Is an amber LED lit?
v Yes: Locate and troubleshoot the failed components. See "Checking the LEDs" on page 4-7.
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System Storage DS3500 and EXP3500: Installation, User's, and Maintenance Guide