XtremIO X2: Advisory to upgrade to version 6.4.0

This Customer Advisory is to inform you of issues that are corrected and delivered with current XtremIO code levels 6.3.3 and 6.4. An overview of these corrections is described below. Dell Technologies recommends immediate upgrade to the latest XtremIO 6.4 code level with XtremIO Management Server (XMS) 6.4 to maintain optimal system performance and to avoid experiencing any of the issues described later. XtremIO 6.4 is available and is the target code. 

Details regarding the 6.3.3 and 6.4 versions:


XIOS 6.4 delivers:

1. Enhancements to address several potential Emulex kernel driver issues.
2. Corrects service disruptions when attempting to map a volume that is not a multiple of 16KB in size.
3. Changes to Secure Remote Services (SRS) configurations have been implemented.  

6.3.3 delivers the following improvements, which are integrated into 6.4 code as well:

1. 6.3.3-8 delivers a correction to a condition that can result with an unexpected reboot of Storage Controllers. The issue is due to an internal driver counter that is reset once its maximum value is reached. When the counter is reset, it can result in multiple simultaneous Storage Controller reboots. Reference the following Knowledge Base Article (000062631) for more detailed information:  XtremIO X2: Storage Controller Unexpectedly Reboots with XIOS S/W version 6.3.0-62
2. Several known Emulex issues that can cause service interruptions are corrected with 6.3.3-8.
3. XMS Management Software 6.3.3-8 addresses known Security Vulnerabilities documented in DSA-2021-91: DSA-2021-091: Dell EMC XtremIO Security Update for Multiple Vulnerabilities
4. Additional improvements that are delivered with 6.3.3-8 include, but are not limited to:

• Improved management-related mapping and unmapping of Initiator Groups
• Improves the handling of SCSI commands
• Improved upgrade flow correcting issues that are caused by an Emulex chip error including improvement of the upgrade flow when under high I/O rates

The following versions and hardware are affected:

Hardware
XtremIO X2 arrays, including all variations of these models:
X2-R
X2-S
X2-T


Software
All builds and hotfixes of the following versions:
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.0.0
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.0.1
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.0.2
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.1.0
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.2.0
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.2.1
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.2.2
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.3.0
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.3.1
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.3.2
XtremIO XIOS Cluster version 6.3.3 (where applicable)
 

Although you may not have encountered the issues that are described in this Customer Advisory, Dell Technologies strongly recommends that you perform the nondisruptive upgrade to 6.4 as recommended, which is the current target code, as soon as possible. Version 6.4 also contains the version 6.3.3 fixes.

For more information about target code, latest versions, and other upgrade guidelines, see the following Knowledge Article:  XtremIO Installation, Software Upgrade & Online Cluster Expansion Guidelines

Dell Technologies runs this upgrade activity at no charge to you. To initiate an upgrade Service Request (SR), contact Technical Support, and request that an Upgrade SR be opened. Once opened, a Dell Technologies representative contacts you to schedule a convenient time to allow for this upgrade. If you have an SR opened for upgrade and have not acted upon it, schedule the upgrade at your earliest convenience. Dell Technologies requests your cooperation to allow for this nondisruptive upgrade.