Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s Guide

Update controller module firmware

Perform the following steps to update the controller module firmware:

1. Obtain the appropriate firmware file, and download it to your computer or network.
2. In the PowerVault Manager, prepare to use FTP/SFTP:
   1. Determine the network-port IP addresses of the system controllers. See Configuring controller network ports.
   2. Verify that the FTP/SFTP service is enabled on the system. See Enable or disable system-management settings.
   3. Verify that the user you plan to use has manage role permissions and FTP/SFTP interface permissions. See Adding, modifying, and deleting users.
3. If the storage system has a single controller, stop I/O to disk groups before starting the firmware update.
4. Open a Command Prompt (Windows) or a terminal window (UNIX) and go to the directory containing the firmware file to load.
5. Type:
   sftp -P port controller-network-address or

   ftp controller-network-address

   For example:

   sftp -P 1022 10.235.216.152 or

   ftp 10.1.0.9

6. Log in as a user with manage role permissions and FTP/SFTP interface permissions.
7. Type:
   put firmware-file flash

   CAUTION:Do not perform a power cycle or controller restart during a firmware update. If the update is interrupted or there is a power failure, the module might become inoperative. If this issue occurs, contact technical support. The module might need to be returned to the factory for reprogramming.

   NOTE:If you attempt to load an incompatible firmware version, the message *** Code Load Fail. Bad format image. *** is displayed and after a few seconds the FTP/SFTP prompt is redisplayed. The code is not loaded.

   Firmware update typically takes 10 minutes for a controller having current CPLD firmware, or 20 minutes for a controller with downlevel CPLD firmware. If the controller enclosure has attached enclosures, allow additional time for each enclosure management processor (EMP) to be updated in the expansion module. It typically takes 2.5 minutes for each EMP in a drive enclosure.

   NOTE:If you are using a Windows FTP/SFTP client, during firmware update a client-side FTP/SFTP application issue or timeout setting can cause the FTP/SFTP session to be aborted. If this issue persists, try using the PowerVault Manager to perform the update, use another client, or use another FTP/SFTP application.

   If the Storage Controller cannot be updated, the update operation is canceled. If the FTP/SFTP prompt does not return, quit the FTP/SFTP session and log in again. Verify that you specified the correct firmware file and repeat the update. If this problem persists, contact technical support.

   When firmware update on the local controller is complete, the FTP session returns to the sftp> prompt, and the FTP/SFTP session to the local MC is closed. Use a management interface to monitor the system and determine when the update is complete.

   If the Partner Firmware Update (PFU) feature is enabled, allow an extra 5 minutes to 20 minutes for both controllers to be updated.

8. Quit the FTP/SFTP session.
9. Clear your web browser cache, and then sign in to the PowerVault Manager.

   If PFU is running on the controller you sign in to, a dialog box shows PFU progress and prevents you from performing other tasks until PFU is complete.

   NOTE:If PFU is enabled for the system, after firmware update has completed on both controllers, check the system health. If the system health is Degraded and the health reason indicates that the firmware version is incorrect, verify that you specified the correct firmware file. If this problem persists, contact technical support.