How to upgrade firmware on Dell MD3860f storage arrays
search cancel

How to upgrade firmware on Dell MD3860f storage arrays

book

Article ID: 223249

calendar_today

Updated On:

Products

Security Analytics

Issue/Introduction

If you need to upgrade the firmware on either the storage array controllers or the hard drives themselves, follow the steps outlined below.

Resolution

NOTE:  These steps are strictly for the Dell MD3860f storage arrays used by Security Analytics.  This also requires the SANtricity or the Dell MDSM management utility running on a Windows workstation.  The steps below are taken from SANtricity although the steps in MDSM should be very similar.

The controller upgrade can take up to 30 minutes and the drive firmware upgrade can take up to 15 minutes depending on the number of drives in the storage array that need to be updated. 

For the drive firmware upgrade, pay attention to the drive model and use the file that pertains to your specific hard drive.  In some situations, there may be multiple hard drive models in a single storage array.

The firmware file that includes both the controller and the hard drive firmware can be downloaded here: https://license.soleranetworks.com/upgrades/firmware/md3860.zip

The Storage Array must be completely healthy (everything Optimal) for the firmware upgrade to work.  If there are any issues (such as failed drives), they will need to be resolved BEFORE you can upgrade the firmware on the storage arrays.

IMPORTANT:  The Security Analytics services on the appliance connected to the storage arrays will need to be temporarily shut down while the firmware upgrade happens.  Plan on at least 1 hour of maintenance per storage array.

 

Controller Firmware Upgrade Steps

  1. On the appliance connected to the storage array, issue a scotus stop command
  2. Launch SANtricity and select the storage array you would like to upgrade
  3. Go to the Upgrade menu and click View Firmware Inventory
  4. Take note of all the current firmware version running on the controllers
  5. Under the Upgrade menu go to Controller Firmware and then click Upgrade
  6. Run the Pre-Upgrade Check, which can take several minutes to complete (if you get an error about the Event log has "Too many destination driver events", it is recommended to clear the event log and then try again)
  7. Once the Download Controller Firmware dialog opens, browse to the correct .dlp file for the controller firmware
  8. Under the NVSRAM section, check the box for 'Transfer NVSRAM file with controller firmware' and browse to the correct .dlp file for the NVSRAM firmware
  9. Click the Transfer button
  10. In the 'Confirm Download' dialog box, click Yes to begin the transfer.
  11. Wait a few minutes for the firmware files to transfer to the storage array.  This can take several minutes.
  12. Once the firmware upgrade is complete, you should see green checkmarks next to all three items in the dialog window (Transferred, Controller Activated, Controller Activated)
  13. Click Close.
  14. Go to the Upgrade menu and click View Firmware Inventory and confirm that you are running the newer version.
  15. If you are not planning to upgrade the drive firmware, on the appliance connected to storage, run scotus start from the command line.  If you are planning to upgrade hard drive firmware, continue to the next section before starting services on the appliance.

 

Drive Firmware Upgrade

NOTE:  Hard Drive firmware is unique to the model of the hard drive.  In the MD3860 storage array, there are several different models you will encounter.  Using the View Firmware Inventory report to confirm the drive model number under "Product ID".  The firmware bundle includes various firmware files for drives that ship in the MD3860's.  The drive model number is included in the name of the .dlp firmware file.  

  1. On the appliance connected to the storage array, issue a scotus stop command (if it has not already been done above)
  2. Launch SANtricity and select the storage array you would like to upgrade
  3. Go to the Upgrade menu and click View Firmware Inventory
  4. Take note of all the current firmware version running on the hard drives.  
  5. Go to the Upgrade menu and click Drive Firmware.
  6. You will see various firmware packages listed in the "Current firmware packages" section.  You can also click on View Associated Drives to see the specific drives.
  7. Click Add and browse to all of the required .dlp firmware file. 
  8. Click Next.
  9. Select all drives that match the firmware file selected.
  10. Once all drives have been confirmed, click Finish to begin the upgrade process.
  11. Enter 'yes' in the confirmation window and click OK.
  12. Monitor the upgrade process.  The Progress window will display progress in real time.
  13. Once all upgrades are Successful, click Close.
  14. Go to the Upgrade menu and click View Firmware Inventory and confirm the drives have all been upgraded to the desired firmware level.
  15. On the appliance connected to the storage array, issue a scotus start command.

Additional Information

As of the writing of this article (September 7, 2021), these are the latest firmware revisions included in the download bundle:

Controller:  08.25.14.60
Seagate ST4000NM0135:  DSF3
Seagate ST4000NM015A:  CSD7
Seagate ST4000NM0063:  GSFB
Toshiba MG04SCA40ENY:  EG03

Powered by Wolken Software