Administrator Guide

• If any unwritten cache data is present, the firmware update will not proceed. Before you can update the firmware, unwritten data
must be removed from cache. For more information about the clear cache command, see the Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series
Storage System CLI Guide.
• If a disk group is quarantined, contact technical support for help resolving the problem that is causing the component to be
quarantined before updating the firmware.
• To ensure success of an online update, select a period of low I/O activity. This helps the update complete as quickly as possible and
avoids disruption to host and applications due to timeouts. Attempting to update a storage system that is processing a large, I/O-
intensive batch job may cause hosts to lose connectivity with the storage system.
Updating controller module firmware
In a dual-controller system, both controller modules should run the same firmware version. Storage systems in a replication set should run
the same or compatible firmware versions. You can update the firmware in each controller module by loading a firmware file obtained from
the enclosure vendor.
Prepare to update controller module firmware
Perform the following steps to prepare to update the firmware on a controller module:
1. Follow the best practices described in Best practices for firmware update.
2. Download the appropriate firmware .zip file to your computer or network.
3. Extract the firmware .bin file from the .zip file.
NOTE: Some extraction tools automatically extract the contents of .bin file. However, the contents of the .bin file
cannot be used to perform the firmware update.
4. If the storage system has a single controller, stop I/O to the storage system before you start the firmware update.
Update controller module firmware
Perform the following steps to update the firmware on a controller module:
1. Perform one of the following as a user with the manage role:
• In the banner, click the system panel and select Update Firmware.
• In the System topic, select Action > Update Firmware.
The Update Firmware panel opens. The Update Controller Modules tab displays versions of firmware that are currently
installed for the components in each controller.
2. Click Browse and select the firmware file to install.
3. Optionally, select or clear the Partner Firmware Update (PFU) check box to enable or disable PFU, and confirm the action.
NOTE:
For information about which controller module updates the other when a controller module is replaced, see
About firmware update.
4. Click OK.
A Progress of Firmware Update panel displays the firmware-update progress.
The process starts by validating the firmware file:
• If the file is invalid, verify that you specified the correct firmware file. If you did, try downloading it again from the source location.
• If the file is valid, the process continues.
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.
Firmware update typically takes 10 minutes for a controller with current CPLD firmware, or 20 minutes for a controller with
downlevel CPLD firmware. If the controller enclosure has connected enclosures, allow additional time for each expansion module
enclosure management processor (EMP) to be updated. This task typically takes 2.5 minutes for each EMP in a drive enclosure.
If the Storage Controller cannot be updated, the update operation is canceled. 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, users are automatically signed out and the MC restarts. Until the restart
is complete, sign-in pages say that the system is currently unavailable. When this message is cleared, you may sign in again.
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Working in the System topic