Appendix D Using The Adaptec Flash Utility; System Requirements; Compatibility Notes; Before You Begin - Adaptec CDP-00277-01-A Installation And User Manual

D Using the Adaptec Flash Utility
This chapter describes how to use the Adaptec Flash Utility (AFU), a text-based DOS utility that you can
use to update, save, or verify the RAID controller's firmware.
Caution: Although the AFU contains safeguards to prevent you from accidentally
damaging your RAID controller's flash contents, it is still important to use the AFU
carefully and correctly to avoid rendering your RAID controller inoperable. We
recommend that only advanced users familiar with working in DOS use the AFU. For
more information, see

System Requirements

• DOS version 5.0 or later.
Note: You can't run the AFU from a DOS command prompt window under any
version of Windows.
• At least 8 MB of extended memory.

Compatibility Notes

• Supports HIMEM.SYS; compatible with other DOS drivers running under HIMEM.SYS (for example,
SMARTDRV.SYS and SETVER.SYS).
• Does not support DOS extenders installed in memory, such as EMM386.SYS and DOS4GW.

Before You Begin

1. Obtain the firmware (see the following section).
2. Create firmware disks (see
There are two ways to run the AFU:
1. Using the AFU menus (see
2. From the command line (see

Obtaining the Firmware

To obtain RAID controller firmware, go to:
• Adaptec Installation DVD—Includes the AFU executable (AFU.exe) and a separate flash image. The
flash image may comprise multiple User Flash Image (UFI) files.
• Adaptec Web site—Download a new firmware file to get the most recent version of firmware/BIOS
and AFU.
See www.adaptec.com

Creating the Firmware Update Disks

To create the firmware update disks:
1. Copy these files to empty, formatted floppy disks, a USB flash drive, or a writable CD:
• AFU.exe
• Axxxx01.ufi
where xxx is the model number of your controller.
Note: Most controller model numbers have a suffix (for example Adaptec RAID
6405). Check that the .ufi file is the correct file for your controller before copying.
2. If using floppy disks, copy each additional Axxxx0x.ufi file to a separate floppy disk. (Some RAID
controllers have four UFI files; some have more. Each goes onto its own floppy disk.)
3. To use a menu-based AFU, see the following section.
To run the AFU from the command line, see
Proprietary and Confidential to PMC-Sierra, Inc.
Document No.: CDP-00277-01-A Rev. A, Issue:
Managing Your Storage Space
Creating the Firmware Update Disks
Running the Menu-based AFU
Running the AFU from the Command Line
for more information.
Running the AFU from the Command Line
Serial Attached SCSI RAID Controllers Installation and User's Guide
on page 54.
on page 79).
on page 80)
on page 80)
on page 80.
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