PowerFlex SDC: How to determine if a kernel version is supported

• Background
  • Support Matrix
  • Release Notes
  • Release Versions
• How to check if a Kernel version is on a supported OS version
  • RHEL
  • SLES
• How to find the KO files inside the SDC RPM
  • Is a new KO file needed?
  • Where is the KO file?

Instructions

Background

Support Matrix
The current PowerFlex support matrix is managed in the E-Lab ESSM. See the following link: PowerFlex Support Matrix

The E-Lab link does not always include all the Kernel versions that are released by RHEL and RHEL-like distros, such as:

• Oracle Linux
• Alma Linux
• Rocky Linux
• The same is true for the SLES OS

Release Notes
The current and new supported OSs are mentioned in the PowerFlex release notes, for example:

• PowerFlex 3.6.5 Release Notes
• PowerFlex 4.5 Release Notes
• PowerFlex 4.6 Release Notes

Check the release notes for each PowerFlex version on the main Software offering page. See the following link: PowerFlex Software Documentation

Release Versions
The Minor Kernel versions are released usually every three to four weeks to address security and issues by the OS vendors.

• Usually, such kernel versions are supported by the drivers, and if not, customers have two options for getting the kernel driver on their own:
  • HTTPS\SFTP repository See the following link: PowerFlex: Recommended FTP User Used For Automated SDC Driver Delivery For New Kernel (A Dell Support account is required to view this article).
  • SDC self-compile. See the following link: PowerFlex: On-Demand Compilation Of The PowerFlex SDC Driver.
• Not all customers may use the options above, and sometimes, require an RPM. There are two ways to get such a file:
  • GA - Generally Available release of a new version package, which contains the SDC RPM.
  • RPQ - Filing a Request Product Qualification, a special certification process

How to check if a Kernel version is on a supported OS version.

RHEL
Official website: https://access.redhat.com/articles/3078

SLES
Official website: https://www.suse.com/support/kb/doc/?id=000019587

If the prefix of a Kernel version is, for example, on RHEL 8.10 "18.0-553," it is supported by PowerFlex even if the Minor numbers change, for example, 4.18.0-553.51.1.el8_10.x86_64.

If there is an issue with loading the driver, they should check if the KO file from the MFTP repo works; if not, it might be a driver issue, and an SR ticket is needed for further investigation.

How to find the KO files inside the SDC RPM.

Is a new KO file needed?
To determine if a new KO file is needed, check if it exists on the MFT SFTP site:

• https://mft.dell.com/
• Username: PowerFlexRepo
• Password: V3Die83$BK

Look up the relevant OS folder > PowerFlex version > sort by Name to see the latest Kernel:

Where is the KO file?

1. Log in to the Dell Support website (required for download) and download the SDC package. See the following link: PowerFlex Software Downloads

   Note: The SDC package might be part of the Complete Software Download package.

   Recommended: Search for the string "sdc" in the keyword search box.
   

2. After downloading the .zip file locally, right-click the file and extract the relevant OS RPM from it.

3. Next, in the RPM file, search for the KO folder.
   Example of PowerFlex version 4.5.2.1, the RHEL9 SDC RPM path to the Kernel folders:

   <local folder>\Downloads\EMC-ScaleIO-sdc-4.5-2100.105.el9.x86_64.rpm\EMC-ScaleIO-sdc-4.5-2100.105.el9.x86_64.cpio\.\bin\emc\scaleio\scini_sync\driver_cache\RHEL9\4.5.2100.105\