Dell PowerVault ME5 Series Administrator's Guide

Updating system firmware

Before performing a firmware update, see Best practices for updating firmware. Both controllers must run the same firmware version. Storage systems with peer connections should run the same or compatible firmware versions.

Partner firmware update (PFU) is enabled on the system by default. With PFU enabled, when you update firmware on one controller or replace a controller, the system automatically updates the partner controller. Disable PFU only if requested by a service technician. Use the PowerVault Manager or CLI to change the PFU setting.

For a dual-controller system, the partner firmware update (PFU) setting (Settings > System > Properties > Firmware Properties) controls how updates impact the partner controller:

• Automatic—PFU is enabled (the default). When you update firmware, the firmware is automatically copied to and activated on the partner controller first, and then activated on the current controller. PFU provides for updating expansion module firmware in similar fashion.
  NOTE Dell recommends enabling the PFU option for controller firmware updates. PFU is enabled by default and should remain enabled. Disable this option only if instructed to do so by a qualified service technician.
• Manual—PFU is disabled. When you update controller module or enclosure IOM firmware on one controller, you must log in to the partner controller and manually perform the same updates.

When a controller module is installed into an enclosure at the factory, the enclosure midplane serial number and firmware-update timestamp are recorded for each firmware component in controller flash memory. This information is not erased when the configuration is changed or is reset to defaults. These two pieces of data are not present in controller modules that are not factory-installed and are used as replacements.

Updating controller firmware with the PFU option enabled ensures that the same firmware version is installed in both controller modules. PFU uses the following algorithm to determine which controller module updates its partner:

• If both controllers are running the same firmware version, no change is made.
• The controller that is installed first sends its configuration and settings to the partner controller. Similarly, if a controller is replaced, it receives configuration information from the partner controller. In both cases, the PFU setting determines subsequent firmware update behavior for both controllers.
• If both controllers were already installed in the system, the controller with firmware installed first sends its configuration and settings to the partner controller.
• If both controllers are newly installed, controller A is transferred to controller B.

To install a firmware bundle:

1. Download the firmware from Dell.com.
2. Go to Maintenance > Firmware > System.
3. Click, Browse For File and browse to the downloaded firmware bundle.
4. Follow the on-screen directions to install the firmware.

To activate a firmware bundle:

1. Go to Maintenance > Firmware > System and click its Activate this Version link to display the Activate Firmware dialog.
2. Follow the on-screen directions to start the activation.

As part of the activation process the system performs these steps: check bundle integrity, check system health, update firmware on the partner controller module, restart the partner controller module, update firmware on the local controller module, and restart the local controller module.

After the local controller module has restarted, the PowerVault Manager login screen is displayed. Log back in and go to the Maintenance > Firmware panel and verify that the new firmware is active on the system. An alert is also generated to inform you that the firmware has been upgraded.

If firmware activation fails, go to Maintenance > Support > Collect Logs and enter the necessary fields and collect the logs. The logs are needed for any support request that is generated by this failure.