Dell PowerVault MD3000 - Manual (Page 54)

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Using Your RAID Enclosure
Updating Enclosure Firmware
You can use MD Storage Manager to upgrade the firmware for the RAID controller module, the
controller NVSRAM, and the physical disks. In a redundant configuration, the RAID controller module
firmware can be upgraded with no interruption to data access.
RAID Controller Module Firmware
The RAID controller module firmware and NVSRAM files are needed to properly use MD Storage
Manager and all of its features.
Before you download the RAID controller module firmware or NVSRAM files, ensure that the multi-path
driver (for example, MPP for Linux or MPIO for Windows) is running on the host. In a redundant
configuration, the multi-path driver maintains data access through one RAID controller module while
the other RAID controller module's firmware is upgraded. Also check the MD Storage Manager to see if
it lists both RAID controller modules as optimal. Downloading firmware when either or both controllers
are non-optimal may result in unsynchronized firmware and cause you to have to run the download again
after restoring the RAID controller module(s) to optimal condition.
If a RAID controller is replaced and its firmware does not match the version on the non-replaced RAID
controller, the non-replaced controller will automatically flash the replacement controller with its
firmware version to ensure that both controllers have the same firmware version.
NVSRAM Update
NVSRAM packages specify the internal settings for the storage array RAID controller modules. These
internal settings cannot be modified except by an NVSRAM update. You can download RAID controller
module firmware and NVSRAM packages separately or together using MD Storage Manager.
Physical Disk Firmware
NOTE:
Dell recommends stopping all I/O to the array when downloading physical disk firmware.
You can also download physical disk packages containing the latest firmware files. Ensure that the
firmware files you select are compatible with the physical disks.
Before downloading firmware, you should back up all your data. In addition, do not make any
configuration changes to the storage array, such as creating virtual disks or defining hosts, during the
download. Doing so could cause the firmware download to fail and prevent access to the physical disks.
Expansion Enclosure Firmware
You can download firmware updates for your MD1000 expansion enclosures using the MD Storage
Manager.