Table of Contents
Advertisement
Updating Library and Tape Drive Firmware
Using a FUP Tape to Upgrade Tape Drive Firmware
You can upgrade tape drive firmware using a FUP tape. A FUP tape contains a specific version of tape drive firmware and is
used to transfer the firmware to one or more tape drives within the library. For information on creating FUP tapes, see
Creating a FUP
Tape.
Make sure to upgrade the library with the appropriate level of tape drive firmware, compatible with the tape drive type. To
determine the appropriate drive firmware, see the library's release notes or contact Dell Technical Support. The Dell Support
website, http://support.dell.com, provides information that can help you to verify that the library is running the
appropriate level of tape drive firmware, compatible with the tape drive type.
The entire process of updating tape drive firmware with a FUP tape can be performed using the operator panel. If you choose
to perform the operation using the Web client, be aware that part of the process must be performed on the operator panel
and that you will need access to the physical library.
Details on using a FUP tape to upgrade tape drive firmware include:
•
Upgrade firmware on all of the drives in the library at the same time to make sure that all of the drives are at the
same firmware level. Having different levels of drive firmware in the library is not recommended.
•
Each tape drive interface type requires a unique firmware image. FUP tapes must contain the appropriate SCSI, FC, or
SAS firmware image for the corresponding SCSI, FC, or SAS drive type.
•
You cannot use an LTO-1 tape in LTO-3 tape drives, or LTO-1 or LTO-2 tapes in LTO-4 tape drives, or LTO-1, LTO-2,
or LTO-3 tapes in LTO-5 tape drives, to create FUP tapes. See
•
The tape drive and associated partition are automatically taken offline during the operation and brought back online
when the operation completes. You will be asked to confirm that you want to take the tape drive and partition offline.
You can find step-by-step instructions for FUP tape operations in your library's online Help. To access the online Help system,
click the Help icon at the top right of the Web client.
Caution:
Before you upgrade tape drive firmware, make sure that cartridges are not loaded in any tape drives. If
cartridges are loaded in tape drives during the upgrade process, the library loses knowledge of the cartridges' storage
slot location, resulting in library and host application inventory issues.
Caution:
Do not turn off power to the library during the upgrade process. Turning off power to the library during the
upgrade can cause problems with the library.
Note:
This operation should not be performed concurrently by multiple administrators. You can access the appropriate
screens, but you cannot apply changes while another administrator is performing the same operation.
The paths to open the appropriate screens are as follows:
•
From the operator panel, select Tools > Drive Mgmt.
From the Web client, select Tools > Drive Operations.
•
Downloading Tape Drive Firmware From the Dell Support Website
Dell provides tape drive firmware upgrades that allow you to upgrade your tape drive firmware over the SCSI, FC, FC I/O
blade, or SAS connection from the host. You can upgrade all of your tape drives through the host connection. Alternatively,
once you have upgraded at least one tape drive through the host connection, you can create a FUP tape to upgrade other
tape drives to the same level.
You can download tape drive firmware from the Dell Support Web site: http://support.dell.com. The firmware upgrade
package contains an image file, a drive vendor tool, and instructions for using the tool to upgrade the tape drive firmware
over the SCSI, FC, FC I/O blade, or SAS connection from the host. This is the Dell-recommended method for updating tape
drive firmware.
Downgrading IBM LTO-4 Tape Drive Firmware
IBM LTO-4 drive brick firmware PGA3 (82FB) and newer contain special security restrictions that prevent downgrading this
firmware to previous versions that are not FIPS-compliant [for example, PGA1 (77BE)].
If you need to downgrade LTO-4 tape drive firmware from level 82FB or higher to level 77BE or lower, contact Dell Technical
file:///T|/htdocs/stor-sys/ML6000/en/html/ch07.htm[9/17/2012 1:49:59 PM]
Creating a FUP Tape
for more information.
Hide quick links:
Advertisement
Table of Contents
