PowerVault Tape Drive or Library - ML6000 Tape Library: How-to update the Tape Library Firmware

 

Article Summary:

This article provides information on the "PowerVault Tape Drive or Library - ML6000 Tape Library: How-to update the Tape Library Firmware".

Table of Contents:

1. How to Check the Firmware Revision
2. Preparation
3. Updating through the Web Interface

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Issue 1.

How-to Check the Firmware Revision

The ML6000 Tape Library firmware can be checked in the
following ways:

1. Web Interface or RMU (Remote Management Unit):
   1. Reports > System Information
   2. Reports > About
2. Operator Panel > About

Use the following link for more information:
PowerVault Tape Drive or Library - ML6000 Tape Library: How-to find the Library Firmware Revision

 

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Issue 2.

Preparation

The following should be considered before updating
the ML6000 Tape Library's firmware:

1. It is recommended that the host(s) or server(s) that "see"
   the ML6000 Tape Library will need to be restarted after the
   library firmware is updated.
2. Typically, if the tape drive firmware has not been updated,
   consider updating tape drive firmware after the library's
   firmware has been completed.
3. Saving the current library configuration before you upgrade library firmware
   is recommended in case the upgrade fails.
   
   After you have upgraded the firmware, save the library configuration again.
   Web Interface / RMU > Tools > Save / Restore Configuration
4. It is also a good idea to capture a snapshot of current logged information before
   making any significant change to your system such as upgrading library firmware.
   
   Technical support personnel can, if necessary, use the snapshot file to troubleshoot the library.
5. Additionally, consider capturing a snapshot of current logged information before
   making any significant change to your system such as upgrading library firmware.
   
   Technical support personnel can, if necessary, use the snapshot file to troubleshoot the library.
   
   The paths to open the appropriate screens are as follows:
   
   From the Web Interface, select Tools > Capture Snapshot.
   From the Operator Panel, select Tools > Capture Snapshot.
   
   See the following link for more information:
   PowerVault Tape Drive or Library - ML6000 Tape Library: How-to Gather a Snapshot

 

Issue 3.

Updating through the Web Interface

 

	Note:
	The following can also be referenced at the following link: Dell PowerVault ML6000 Tape Library User's Guide

There are two types of firmware that can be upgraded on the library:
library firmware (including drive sled firmware) and tape drive firmware.

There may be times when you will need to upgrade your library and tape drive
firmware as directed by Dell Technical Support.

The library firmware upgrade operation allows you to upgrade library firmware
using the Web client. Upgrading library firmware can take up to an hour for large
configurations. You can download library firmware upgrades from the Dell Support
website: Support for PowerVault ML6000 | Documentation | Dell US

 

Notice:

If you are currently running library firmware version 320G.GS004 or 400G.GS006, you must first install and run the Library Service Utility before upgrading firmware. If you do not first run the Library Service Utility, then the firmware upgrade may not complete successfully.  The Library Service Utility and installation instructions are located in the ".zip" file that contains the firmware download files.

If you are currently running library firmware prior to version 320G.GS004, do not upgrade to
version 320G.GS004 or 400G.GS006, but instead upgrade to the latest version.
You will not need to run the Library Service Utility.
 

	Note:
	If you downgrade from one major firmware version to an earlier major version, library configuration settings will be reset to the factory defaults. You can restore the other configurable items using a configuration file that was saved when the earlier version of library firmware was installed on the library, or you can reconfigure your library's settings.

 

	Note:
	If you purchased your library after October 15, 2008, you cannot downgrade library firmware to below version 520G.

 

	Note:
	This operation should not be performed concurrently by multiple administrators. You can access the screen, but you cannot apply changes while another administrator is performing the same operation.

The library automatically restarts after the firmware upgrade is complete. Before logging into the library, clear
the web browser cache. See your Web browser's documentation for instructions on how to clear the cache.

You cannot upgrade library firmware from the operator panel. The path to open the appropriate screen is as follows:

• From the Web Interface (or RMU), select Tools > Update Library Firmware.

See the following images below for the same process:



Figure 1 - ML6000 Login Screen (using default or other username and password)



Figure 2 - ML6000 Tools Menu > Update Library Firmware



Figure 3 - ML6000 Update Library Firmware (select Browse)



Figure 4 - ML6000 Update Library Firmware File (typically a .tgz file)