CISCO Firmware Upgrade

Fabric and Device Manager 3.2(1a) is available for download from Powerlink.

Go to support > Software downloads & licensing > Downloads C > Connectrix Directors & Switches. Scroll down to Cisco Fabric Manager. All the latest EMC supported versions are there including the one you seek.

Regards,

Mark

But that's just FM and DM, not the SAN-OS itself. Am I right ?

Hi Samman,

You should be able to find this on powerlink:
Home > Support > Interoperability and Product Lifecycle Information > Product Release, End of Life Dates, Support Policy

goto:
EMC Firmware Release and End of Service Dates

there you see that:
SAN-OS (Cisco) Version GA Date EOSL Date
3.2(1a) 12/2007

regards,
ed

3.2 (2c) is the currect by EMC supported version and 3.2 (1a) was the previously latest one that EMC supported.

Yep, as an end user I have to use my CCO account and download it from Cisco directly.

It is the SANOS that I am concerned with. It is to fix a bug in 3.1.2, CSCsh70152

Right, we still have to download the SAN-OS from Cisco.

Partners and CE people can download it from Powerlink as well.

Hello,

EMC sold switches are currently maintained as part of the service cost by EMC. That means that EMC will coordinate and do all upgrades on the MDS switches for customers. Customer have no access to SAN-OS code on any EMC sites and should NOT be downloading SAN-OS from Cisco directly. Customers can download FM from Powerlink though for new versions that aren't kept on the switch.

Any customer not wishing for EMC to handle upgrades for them on EMC sold switches and wanting to do the upgrades themselves should contact their EMC Service Manager. The Service Manager will provide them with a letter to sign stating that they wish to perform their own upgrades and accept responsibility for anything that happens on the upgrades.

Please keep in mind that EMC strongly recommends against customers doing their own upgrades. EMC has a Change Control System that protects customers against various configuration issues and upgrade related problems when EMC does the upgrades. Customers do not have access to EMC's Change Control and may not be aware of issues that may not publicly documented.

Cisco's web site also lists all the various code versions of SAN-OS they have qualified. Cisco does not provide a list of what is EMC qualified and using any code that is not EMC qualified is extremely risky. Cisco's code goes through multiple labs and months of testing before we approve it to ensure it is the best code possible. Using any non EMC approved code could also prevent you from receiving EMC support if you call in on an issue.

I strongly recommend you discuss doing your own code upgrades with your EMC support representatives before doing them.

Thank you.

CiscoKid, RRR,

These are all items that I am aware of and have always worked with EMC to coordinate the upgrades of my switches. I understand the official stance, but local support is not always very knowledgeable about Cisco FC switches and I usually have more experience than the local CEs that work with me in regards to my MDS switches (5 total) in my infrastructure. For that matter they have never mentioned a "letter" to sign to let me upgrade my switches.

I only use EMC qualified SAN-OS revisions and have to coordinate with RecoverPoint support as the RP revision, SANTap SSM code, and SAN-OS need to be all at supported revisions. So each upgrade has been coordinated with EMC support.

I am not advocating this for any one else, my situation is unique, and am just answering questions on the forum for those that are curious.

I think it depends on where you bought the switches. I've been in a situation where we ugraded EMC Brocade switches with true Brocade firmware and EMC wasn't happy with that. I'd check with your CE to make sure you're doing the right thing.

Hello,

While I can appreciate there are situations where customers know more than the local CEs about MDS switches, the Change Controls are actually done by people who specialize in the MDS switches and who have the latest information from EMC and Cisco. CE's are generalist who have to work on a variety of products and may not be as knowledgable on certain product lines. Updates on MDS issues on a daily basis are provided to the people who do the change control approvals. The CE's are provided with any issues that the Change Control approvers think is relevant to the upgrade. By not going through the Change Control process, one doesn't receive all the checks on the upgrades that are available.

It is a company decision that each customer has to make. We understand that there are some customers who wish to do their own upgrades. We only ask that the EMC Service Manager is updated on this request. There have been issues with customers doing their own upgrades and requiring on site EMC assitance to resolve large SAN issues caused by the upgrades. In some cases the customers were charged for the on site support as the customer created the issue by doing the upgrade. I'm just trying to provide reasons why we strongly recommend against it and the possible results of doing it yourself. Most customers upgrades work fine with no issues but there is always the risk.

Thank you.