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Transformer (Disk Array) Firmware Update Tool (xstm Online Help)

The Firmware Update Tool allows you to update firmware on the Link Controller Card in the Fibre Channel High Availability Storage Enclosure.

To update the firmware on a 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 update process.

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.

Introduction

Many devices such as tapes and disks contain firmware (software built in to the device). The firmware usually has instructions and 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 appropriate for the selected device. However, this is not always possible, especially for older or non-HP devices. Therefore you should always make sure that the file is correct, as supplied by the manufacturer.

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

Once you have started the update process, you may press either the Abort Button or Interrupt Button. In general, you should avoid using these buttons unless absolutely necessary since there is a small chance that firmware on the device could be corrupted. You may choose to click on the Abort or Interrupt buttons if you suddenly realize that you selected an incorrect firmware update file.

To avoid an "Abort" or "Interrupt" leaving the device in a corrupted state, the firmware update tool does not respond to these during critical phases (for example, when the device is active).

If you experience problems, consult the Troubleshooting help topic.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To update the firmware on a device:

  1. Make sure that the desired 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. Only one device should be selected.
  3. If desired, change the options for the firmware update tool at the main STM window. Options include the default update file and the logging level.
  4. Call up the firmware update tool.
  5. You can select a different firmware update file with the Select File command in the File menu.

    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. Start the update with the Start Update command in the Update menu.

    CAUTION: If absolutely necessary, you can click on the Abort Button or Interrupt Button during the update process; however, it is not advisable.

  7. When the process is complete, you can exit with the Exit command in the File menu.

If you run into problems, see the Troubleshooting help topic.

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

Troubleshooting

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

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

Commands and Buttons

The Firmware Update Tool offers the following commands and buttons:

Select File

The Select File command is used to select the file to use to perform the firmware update. This command can be used to scan several files to determine the correct file to use for the firmware update.

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.

Once a firmware file is selected, the tool displays information about the file:

Use the Start Update command to perform the firmware update.

Exit

Use the Exit command to leave the firmware update tool and return to the main STM window.

Start Update

Use the Start Update command to start the firmware update process using the selected file.

If a file has not yet been selected using the Select File command, this command asks you to select a file in the same manner as if you had selected the "Select File" command.

Before the tool performs the update, it prompts you to confirm continuation of the firmware update.

CAUTION: If absolutely necessary, you can click on the Abort Button or Interrupt Button during the update process; however, it is not advisable.

As the update process continues, the tool displays progress messages in its window. After the firmware update is complete, the device is reset. You can leave the firmware update tool with the Exit command.

General Help

Use the General Help command to start online help for the firmware update tool. For information on using the help system, select the "Using Help..." command in the Help menu in the Help window.

For online help on STM as a whole, use the Help menu in the STM main window.

Version

Use the Version command to display version and copyright information for the firmware update tool.

Abort Button

The Abort button allows you to abort the tool, halting its execution. 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.

It is possible but not advisable to click on the Abort button during the update process. In general, you should avoid using this button unless absolutely necessary since there is a small chance that firmware on the device could be corrupted. You may choose to click on the Abort button if you suddenly realize that you selected an incorrect firmware update file.

To avoid an "Abort" leaving the device in a corrupted state, the firmware update tool does not respond to Abort during critical phases (for example, when the device is active).

Interrupt Button

The Interrupt button allows you to interrupt the tool.

When the tool receives the interrupt, it stops whatever it is doing and asks you if you want to continue with the operation. If the reply is "Continue", the tool resumes what it was doing at the time of the interrupt. If the reply is "Abort", it terminates the operation and returns to the tool window.

The tool may not immediately receive the interrupt as it could be in the middle of an operation that should not or cannot be interrupted. The interrupt will be received as soon as the tool completes the operation.

It is possible but not advisable to click on the Interrupt button during the update process. In general, you should avoid using this button unless absolutely necessary since there is a small chance that firmware on the device could be corrupted. You may choose to click on the Interrupt button if you suddenly realize that you selected an incorrect firmware update file.

To avoid an "Interrupt" leaving the device in a corrupted state, the firmware update tool does not respond to Interrupt during critical phases (for example, when the device is active).

When the tool is already in the process of returning to the main window, it ignores user interrupts.


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URL: http://docs.hp.com/hpux/onlinedocs/diag/stm/help/fw_update/sesenclx.htm
Last updated: Wed May 23 14:24:50 PDT 2001