Data Domain: CLI Command: system firmware show all | Fails After Upgrade

Summary: This article explains why the 'system firmware show all' command fails after a DDOS upgrade and how to confirm if the failure is caused by an ongoing iDRAC firmware update.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

Applies to:

  • Platforms: D6400, DD6900, DD9400, DD9900, DD9410, DD9910, DD9910F, DD6410
  • Software: DDOS 7.4 and later

When running the command:

sysadmin@DD# system firmware show all

The output displays:

  • This command may take up to a minute to complete. Please wait...
    
    Error retrieving information (Error for system firmware show: Fail to wait host smf inventory ready, ret: 0, output: {
    "MessageId": "PTA_SMF_3004",
    "Message": "Unable to complete the following operation /api/PT/v1/host/SMF/inventory. Agent is busy - SMF UPDATING",
    "Error": "Unable to complete the following operation /api/PT/v1/host/SMF/inventory. Agent is busy - SMF UPDATING"
    }. Fail to prepare the environment. Fail to get current firmware versions.)
 

Cause

During DDOS upgrade, if an iDRAC firmware update is included, it is initiated following the completion of the DDOS upgrade. Therefore, once the DDOS upgrade is finished, the iDRAC update will start. Although the DDOS is accessible during this period, the iDRAC becomes unresponsive or unavailable which may affect certain CLI commands such as firmware show all.

Resolution

To confirm if the failure is due to an ongoing iDRAC update:

  1. Check timing: Was the command run shortly after the DDOS upgrade finished?
  2. Verify iDRAC accessibility: Attempt to log in to the iDRAC web interface.
    • If unresponsive, the update is still in progress.
  3. Check update status: If the iDRAC UI is accessible, verify whether an iDRAC firmware update job is running.

If all conditions indicate that an update is in progress:

  • Wait until the iDRAC update completes.
  • Re-run the CLI command.

If the command still fails after the update, escalate for further investigation.

Affected Products

Data Domain
Article Properties
Article Number: 000374607
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 24 Nov 2025
Version:  1
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.