Powervault Modular Disk Storage Manager: Almost all menu items grayed out

Question

We have a MD3200i connected using iSCSI with 2 controllers. On occasion we will get a warning stating the Virtual Disk is not on the preferred path. Over the years this happens 2 or 3 times a year and we simply go in via Powervault Modular Disk Storage Manager and through menu Storage \ Virtual Disk \ Change \ Ownership-Preferred Path \... BUT almost all menu options are grayed out by the time you drill down. So in this case once you get down to the Change menu option all items below it are grayed out.

For some reason I feel like this has happened several years ago, but can't remember what caused it.

Perhaps I will need to completely shutdown everything on this device and then powercycle the device, but would like to avoid this.

Does anyone know why I am seeing this?

Storage Management Version is 10.84.G6.44 and has been this for years.

Firmware Info:

Storage Array

    Storage Array Name: MD3200i
    Current Package Version: 07.84.44.60
    Current NVSRAM Version: N26X0-784890-00

RAID Controller Modules

    Location: Enclosure 0, Slot 0
    Current Package Version: 07.84.44.60
    Current NVSRAM Version: N26X0-784890-004
    Board ID: 2660
    Sub-Model ID: 143

    Location: Enclosure 0, Slot 1
    Current Package Version: 07.84.44.60
    Current NVSRAM Version: N26X0-784890-004
    Board ID: 2660
    Sub-Model ID: 143

Again none of the firmware or software versions have changed in years.

Any advice would be appreciated as I need to move the controller back to preferred path, but can't get to menu option to change it due to many of them being grayed out.

Thanks,

Greg

DELL-Sam L · Answer

Hello Greg,

What I would do first is to try & uninstall MDSM from the computer that it is running on & reinstall it again. If that doesn’t allow you to see all options and be able to access them then I would also upgrade the firmware on the controllers as well as your MDSM version to match.

Virtual disk issues are most of the time due to one disk being access more than the rest on the controller so it will move to the alt controller. You can try changing the controller owner & see if the issue keeps happening more often or not. Other than that would have to view a support Bundle for the system to see what else could be causing the issue.

Here are the instructions if you need them to do you firmware upgrade.

If your current firmware is not 7.75.28.60 A06 8/3/11 – you MUST step to 7.75.28.60 before going to 07.80.62.60. This firmware is included with the 07.80.62.60 download.

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 required)
Install MDSM from resource DVD (reboot required)
Clear the Major Event Log.
Update to 07.75.28.60 if not already there, then update to latest firmware.

If you receive an error while checking the SPM database, ensure that you have an out of band management connection to both RAID controllers.

Verify connection and data.

10. Update the hard drive firmware.

11. Reboot stack and verify all is optimal.

Power down the server(s)
Power down the MD32x0(i)
Power down any attached storage (MD12xx)
Leave the power off for 2-3 minutes

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.

gsaunders2 · Answer

Thanks for the reply.

I have uninstalled and re-installed MDSM with no changes.

I have installed MDSM on another computer and no change.

<< You can try changing the controller owner & see if the issue keeps happening more often or not. >>

That is the issue... I can't change it as most of the menu structure is grayed out that would allow changes.

I will attempt to do the firmware upgrade following steps 8 and on. I will not be able to do this until one night this weekend though.

In the meantime I have provided a link to the support file if you wish to examine it for any issues: (I put spaces in the link as it was acting funny in post)
https: //1drv.ms/u/s!AgBLaUihqbGbgUlSyuPnvaQyWxWd

If you are able to look at those files maybe you will find something.

Thanks for your time.

PowerVault

Powervault Modular Disk Storage Manager: Almost all menu items grayed out

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