Updating Msa Controller Firmware; Prerequisites - HP StorageWorks 1510i - Modular Smart Array User Manual

Updating MSA controller firmware
CAUTION:
The following methods are available for updating MSA array or storage enclosure firmware; select
the method that best matches your environment:
• Updating MSA firmware using the SMU
• Updating MSA firmware using the MSA-CLI (most environments)

Prerequisites

Before updating system firmware, make note of the following:
• When determining which MSA controller firmware version to use, review the requirements and
information in the Compatibility Matrix(es), release notes, and other MSA announcements.
• Because firmware updates require least one restart of the MSA array and its attached storage
enclosures, update system firmware only during a scheduled maintenance window.
• Before updating system firmware, stop all host traffic to the array controller.
• Before updating system firmware, make sure that a recent, known good backup of all data on
the MSA array is available.
• Before updating system firmware, make sure that a copy of the configuration, including the iSCSI
IP addressing and portal information, along with the hard drive, LUN, and target information is
available.
• If it has been more than six months since you restarted your MSA storage system, HP recommends
that you power-cycle the MSA (power off, and then power on) before updating the firmware to
ensure that you are working with a fresh system.
• For newly installed MSA, do not perform a firmware update until controller batteries are fully
charged.
• For an existing MSA, do not perform a firmware update until you have confirmed that the "host
mode" or "profile" for each connection is correctly set. The host mode identifies the operating
system of each connection to the storage. Do not use the "default" setting. If the host mode is
not properly set, hosts may lose access to the storage or experience other difficulties after the
update. Depending on your operating system environment or user preference, the host mode is
set through the "connection" commands of the CLI or through the "ACL" settings of the SMU. For
more information, see the CLI or SMU user documents.
• In dual-controller MSA1510i configurations, you MUST log off all redundant paths to the MSA
array prior to beginning a firmware update. The update will not succeed if redundant paths are
detected by the MPIO/DSM and may require multiple reboots to recover back to the original
firmware version. There could also be potential loss of connection of the Internet Explorer to the
management port if there are redundant paths during the flash update cycle.
• In dual-controller MSA1510i configurations, only one of the two MSA controllers is updated
directly. The second MSA controller is updated (cloned) when the MSA is power-cycled after
completing the update of the first controller.
• Depending on the storage enclosure model attached to the MSA array (SATA or SCSI), you may
be able to update enclosure firmware or hard drive firmware through the MSA utility.
• After the update is complete, be sure to check the status of the MSA for unexpected issues.
After power-cycling the MSA array, verify the status of the connections, defined profile types,
redundancy settings, and storage configuration.
• After the update is complete, power cycle the MSA and all of its attached hard drive storage
enclosures to activate the new firmware.
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