MD3200i RAID Controller failed

Question

Hi,

During a maintenance window this morning I was upgrading the FW/NVSRAM on my dual controller md3200i to the latest version.

The first controller appeared to activate fine, but the second controller took 15 minutes and then timed out giving an error that the controller had failed/degraded. I checked the SAA and then reseated the controller, which appeared to come back up ok and the attention LED went off, but now MDSM does not see the first controller anymore. The only problem I can see visually is there is an amber light on the battery of controller 0, the controller responds to a ping, so has not lost it's configuration and is responding, but MDSM just sees it as removed.

The second controller appears to have taken the FW/NVSRAM fine and is reporting as the latest version in MDSM.

I am contemplating power cycling the SAN completely to see if that causes it to come back up, is this a good idea?

DELL-Sam L · Answer

Hello ogradyc,

What has happened is that there is a firmware mismatch between both controllers. The MD3200i powered down controller 0 as it was running an older firmware than controller 1. What is going to need to be done is that you are going to need to upgrade the firmware on the controller again. Here are the steps that need to be done when upgrading the firmware if you need them.

Gather support bundle in MDSM
WARNING: If you have a single controller PowerVault MD3200/MD3600 series storage array you must stop all I/O operations before starting the firmware upgrade.
Extract the firmware to folders and remember location.
Burn or mount the ISO for the resource cd.
Uninstall the MDSM from hosts (reboot)
Install MDSM from resource DVD (reboot)
Save, then clear the Event Log.
Update to 07.75.28.60 if not already there, then update to latest firmware.
Verify connection and data.

10. Update the hard drive firmware.

11. Reboot stack and verify all is optimal.

Power off server, then MD32xxi, then any attached MD12xx units
Power on any attached MD12xx units
Wait at least two minutes then power on the MD32xxi
Wait at least 3 minutes then power on the server

Please allow for at least 60-85 minutes for the updates. Time may vary depending on how long each reboot takes.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

ogradyc · Answer

This is the error I am receiving when following your instructions and attempting to perform a firmware upgrade.

PowerVault

MD3200i RAID Controller failed

Was this post helpful?