SCSI NIKE (Disk Array) Firmware Update Tool (xstm Online Help)

This Firmware Update Tool allows you to update firmware, both controller and disk, on Cxx00 Array devices (example: HPA3231A, HPA3232A).

To update firmware on the device, make sure the firmware update file is on the Unit Under Test (UUT). Select the device at the main STM window, select the firmware update file (at the main STM window or in the firmware update tool), then start the desired update process.

CAUTION:

• Make sure you select the correct firmware file for the update! Attempting to update a device with incorrect firmware can make the device permanently unusable and data could be lost.

NOTE:

• Help Catalog version is: A.02.01

SEE ALSO:

• Introduction
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems
• Interface Method
• Commands

Introduction

Many devices, such as tapes and disks, contain firmware (software built in to the device). The firmware contains instructions and/or data critical to the operation of the device, for example, low-level routines and ID information.

At times, you may want to update the firmware on the device. For example, the manufacturer of the device may release a new version of firmware with enhanced routines or bug fixes.

The firmware update tool checks to see that the selected firmware update file exists. If possible, it verifies that the file is correct for the selected device. However, this is not always possible. Therefore, you should always make sure that you select the correct firmware file.

Serious problems may result if you specify an incorrect file. If the firmware update tool, or the device, does not detect that the file is incorrect, the device could rendered unusable, and all data on the device lost.

If you experience problems, consult the Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems help topic.

SEE ALSO:

• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems
• InterfaceMethod
• Commands

Step-by-Step Instructions

To update the firmware on a device:

1. Make sure that the firmware update file is on the Unit Under Test (UUT).

   NOTE: The firmware file MUST be on the Unit Under Test (UUT), that is, on the computer attached to the device.

2. At the main STM window, select the device whose firmware you wish to update.
3. If desired, change default options for the firmware update tool at the main STM window.
4. Start the firmware update tool.
5. Select a firmware update file using the SelectFile command.

   CAUTION: Make sure you select the correct firmware file for the device! Updating a device with incorrect firmware can make the device permanently unusable and data could be lost.

6. List current information (example: device firmware revision, file selection) by using one of the List commands.
7. Start the update using one of the Update commands.

   CAUTION: If absolutely necessary, you can attempt to halt the execution of an update command by use of the Abort and Interrupt commands. However, using these commands for this purpose is NOT ADVISED. for reasons outlined in the command descriptions.

8. When the process is complete, you can exit with the Exit command.

If you run into problems, see the Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems help topic.

For more explicit instructions refer to the help for the main STM interface; see the topic "Update the Firmware on a Specific Device" under "On Tasks".

SEE ALSO:

• Introduction
• Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems
• Interface Method
• Commands

Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems

Problems may occur with the device being updated, the firmware update file, or the actual update process.

• Problem with the device:

  Make sure the device is turned on, is in a valid state, and that no users or processes are accessing the device.

• Problem with the firmware update file:

  Make sure the file is correct for the device being updated!

  Make sure the file is on the Unit Under Test (UUT). For example, if you are running the user interface on a computer in New York and the device to be updated is attached to a computer in Paris, the file should be on the computer in Paris.

• Problem with the update process.

  Check the device and the firmware update file, then try to run the update process again.

For detailed information on the problem, consult the Failure Log (if any) and the Test Activity Log, accessible from the STM main window.

SEE ALSO:

• Introduction
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Interface Method
• Commands

Menu Bar

Cxx00 Array Firmware Update Tool commands are grouped by category according to functionality. The commands within these categories are accessible through the Menu Bar, and include:

• File:
  • SelectFile: Select firmware file to be used by download.
  • SaveAs: Save tool's main window to a file.
  • Print: Print tool's main window.
  • Exit: Exit the tool.
• List
  • List >Current Revisions: List current firmware revisions.
  • List>File Selection: List current firmware file selection.
  • List >Instructions: List tool's instructions.
• Update
  • Controller Firmware
    • Update >Download, update prom and restart controller(s): Download controller firmware, burn prom and restart controller(s).
    • Update> Download and restart controller(s): Download controller firmware and restart controller(s).
    • Update> Download only: Download controller firmware only.
    • Update> Disk Firmware: Download disk firmware.
• Help
  • Help> Version >General: Display tool help information.
  • Help> Version >Version: Display tool version and copyright information.

SEE ALSO:

• Introduction
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems
• Commands

Commands

The Cxx00 Array Firmware Update Tool supports the following commands:

Abort

Abort tool.

List> Current Revisions

List current firmware revisions.

Update> Download, update prom and restart controller(s)

Download controller firmware, burn prom and restart controller(s).

Update >Download and restart controller(s)

Download controller firmware and restart controller(s).

Update >Download only

Download controller firmware only.

Update >Disk Firmware

Download disk firmware.

Exit

Exit tool.

List >File Selection

List current firmware file selection.

Help >General

Display tool help information.

List>Instructions

List tool's instructions.

Interrupt

Interrupt command execution.

Print

Print tool's main window.

Update >Restart controller(s) only

Restart controller(s) only.

SaveAs

Save tool's main window to a file.

SelectFile

Select firmware file to be used by download.

Help >Version

Display tool version and copyright information.

SEE ALSO:

• Introduction
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Troubleshooting Tool-Related Problems
• Interface Method

Abort

DESCRIPTION:

The Abort command allows you to abort the SCSI NIKE (Disk Array) Firmware Update Tool, halting its execution and returning to the STM main window.

The tool will be requested to abort and the state of the tool execution in the system map will be set to ABORT_PENDING. When the tool actually exits, its state will be set to ABORTED.

NOTE:

• The tool may not immediately respond to the Abort command, as it could be performing an operation that should not, or cannot, be aborted. In such instances, the Abort command will be processed when appropriate to do so.

WARNING:

• Use of this command is NOT ADVISED, as the interruption of operations in progress may leave the device in an invalid state. possibly rendering the device, and data on it, inaccessible.

SEE ALSO:

• Exit
• Interrupt

Exit

DESCRIPTION:

The Exit command allows you to exit the Cxx00 Array Firmware Update Tool.

SEE ALSO:

• Abort
• Interrupt

Help

DESCRIPTION:

The Help commands are used to display help information:

General

Displays help for the Cxx00 Array Firmware Update Tool (the help system you are currently viewing).

Version

Displays version and copyright information for the Cxx00 Array Firmware Update Tool.

NOTE:

• For information on STM and/or using the help system, use the STM Help command at the main STM user interface.

Interrupt

DESCRIPTION:

The Interrupt command allows you to request the tool to abort execution of the current command.

NOTE:

• The tool may not immediately respond to the Interrupt command, as it could be performing an operation that should not, or cannot, be interrupted. In such instances, the Interrupt command will be processed when appropriate to do so.

WARNING:

• Use of this command is NOT ADVISED, as the interruption of operations in progress may leave the device in an invalid state. possibly rendering the device, and data on it, inaccessible.

SEE ALSO:

• Abort
• Exit

List

DESCRIPTION:

The List commands are used to display current revision information, file selection and brief update instructions:

Current Revisions

Lists current Firmware Revision, and selected additional, information for devices on the array.

File Selection

Lists current firmware file selection.

Instructions

Lists brief instructions for performing a firmware update.

SEE ALSO:

• SelectFile
• Update >Download, update prom and restart controller(s)
• Update >Download and restart controller(s)
• Update >Download only
• Update >Disk Firmware

Print

DESCRIPTION:

The Print command is used to print the contents of the main STM window

SEE ALSO:

• SaveAs

Save As

DESCRIPTION:

The Save As command is used to save contents of the main STM window to a file.

SEE ALSO:

• Print

Select File

DESCRIPTION:

The Select File command is used to select the file to be used for a (subsequently selected) firmware update (see "WARNING:" below!!).

Use the appropriate Update command to perform the firmware update.

WARNING:

• Make sure you select the correct firmware file for the device! Updating a device with incorrect firmware can make the device permanently unusable and data could be lost.

SEE ALSO:

• List >File Selection
• List >Current Revisions
• Update >Download, update prom and restart controller(s)
• Update >Download and restart controller(s)
• Update >Download only
• Update >Disk Firmware

Update

DESCRIPTION:

Firmware updates are initiated through the use of Update commands (see "NOTE:" and "WARNING:" below!!!):

Download, update prom and restart controller(s)

Downloads controller firmware to the array's database drives, 'burns' new prom code, then restarts the array's controller(s) using firmware from the database drives.

Download and restart controller(s)

Downloads controller firmware to the array's database drives, then restarts the array's controller(s) using firmware from the database drives. Note that controller prom code is NOT 'burned'.

Download only

Downloads controller firmware to the array's database drives (only). The controller(s) are NOT restarted, thus not affecting the controller firmware (or prom code) currently running on the array.

Restart controller(s) only

Restarts controller firmware using firmware currently residing on the array's database drives [no firmware file need be previously selected to use this functionality, nor is a previously selected file (if any) used].

Disk Firmware

Downloads disk firmware to ALL compatible drives in the array.

If the command requires a firmware file and a firmware file has not yet been selected, the command will prompt you to select a file in the same manner as if you had (previously) used the SelectFile command.

Before the tool performs the actual update, you will be prompted for confirmation of your request. As the update process is performed, the tool will periodically display a progress message.

NOTE:

• Controller firmware downloads require a minimum of 2 database drives in the array. If there is less than 2 such drives, the download attempt will fail.
• Disk firmware updates require that there be only 1 active controller (SP) in the array during a disk firmware update process. You will be prompted to disable the peer controller (SP) if one is detected as enabled (see "WARNING:" below!!).

WARNING:

• If a command is issued which causes the SP(s) to restart ("Download, update prom and restart controller(s)", "Download and restart controller(s)", "Restart controller(s) only"), the restart action will interrupt device access AND CAUSE THE LOSS OF ALL CURRENTLY BINDING LUNS!!
• If a command is issued which requires an enabled SP to be disabled ("Disk Firmware"), the disable action will interrupt device access through the disabled SP AND CAUSE THE LOSS OF ALL CURRENTLY BINDING LUNS THAT ARE BEING BOUND BY THE DISABLED SP!!
• Enabling a peer controller (SP) while a disk firmware update is in progress can cause PERMANENT LOSS of disk drives and, thus, access to data on them!!

SEE ALSO:

• List >Current Revisions
• List >File Selection
• SelectFile

/ Diagnostics HOME