MD Series: MD32/36xx How to update the hard disk firmware

Summary: This article covers the steps to upgrade the firmware of your physical hard drives on MD32xx and MD36xx storage.

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.
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Symptoms

Warning: This tutorial is intended to the PowerVault MD32XX or the PowerVault MD36XX. This procedure requires a production shutdown to be implemented. The array has to be in an "Optimal" state. If any help is needed, contact technical support.

 

Prerequisites:

  • No I/O should be written on the disks during the update
  • The virtual disks should have access turned off or the servers accessing to it have to be turned off
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended to have a complete backup of the present data on the array
  • Download the latest package from the Dell Support Site
    • It is in the Download section called "Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage HDD/SSD Firmware"
  • The package contains the versions of hard disk firmware for all MD3xxx storage
  • It also contains a file for release notes inside the compressed file
  • Extract the file to explore the content
     

Steps:

  1. Launch Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM)
  2. Open management of the wanted array
  3. Click Support, and then select Download Firmware
    1. MDSM Upgrade physical disk option 
    2. Figure 1: MDSM Upgrade hard drive option
  4. On the next screen, click Add to select the packages according to your needs
    1. Download physical disk firmware screen
    2. Figure 2: Download hard drive firmware screen
  5. For example:
    1. \MD32x0_MD32x0i_MD36x0i_HDD_FW_A2_R304271\Seagate_ST3500414SS_KS69.df
    2. \MD32x0_MD32x0i_MD36x0i_HDD_FW_A2_R304271\Hitachi
    3. Hitachi_HUS156045VLS600_E516.df
  6. Once the packages are selected, click Next and validate
  7. Verify all disks to update are selected in the table
  8. Choose parallel to update as fast as possible
  9. If attempting to update while I/O is progressing, it is required to use Online to avoid data loss
  10. A message appears to inform on the success of the update
    1. The process of update can last up to 20 minutes

     


     
     

    Cause

      

    Resolution

      

    Affected Products

    MD Series, PowerVault MD3200, PowerVault MD3200i, PowerVault MD3220, PowerVault MD3220i, PowerVault MD3260, PowerVault MD3260i, PowerVault MD3600F, PowerVault MD3600i, PowerVault MD3620F, PowerVault MD3620i, PowerVault MD3660f, PowerVault MD3660i
    Article Properties
    Article Number: 000137237
    Article Type: Solution
    Last Modified: 21 Mar 2025
    Version:  6
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