upgrading MSA1000 Firmware 5.10A/P to 5.20 A/P

[Fenny_1]

Hi,
I have a MSA1000 with 2 disk shelves, the controllers are in Active/Passive mode. I want to upgrade my MSA controller firmware from 5.10 to 5.20.
I want to know in case of any issue; can i downgrade the controller firmware to previous version and also tell me which risks are involved in this upgrade.

Am taking the backup of all the applications.

Waiting for reply.

[IBaltay]

Hi,
Modular Smart Array 1000 - MSA Firmware v 5.20 or Later and v 7.00 or Later Does Not Allow Firmware Downgrade to MSA1000 Firmware v 4.48

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&objectID=c00873499&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=377751

but maybe you could wait for the new firmware 5.30:
see this threads last post:
http://forums13.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1281378

[Fenny_1]

Hi Baitley,

Thanks for the quick response.

Currently i have this firmware 5.10....please confirm me that version 5.20 cannot be downgraded to 5.10.

Also suggest me how can i minimize the risks for this firmware upgrade as it involves all my production applications.

[IBaltay]

Hi,
it is stated in the document in my first post that the 5.20 is not downgradable to the previous versions (only restore form the tapes):
the MUST is to do the full backup before any upgrade of the firmware...
Then you are prepared for the worst possible scenario...

[Fenny_1]

Hi Baitley,
I have an emvironment which involves Microsoft cluster and all my cluster information is on SAN disk's. In case of any issue it would be very hard to rebuild even from backup.

Is there any utility through which i can backup the LAN's information to reconstruct later on in case of failure.

[IBaltay]

here is the firmware updating guide:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01183956/c01183956.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

and the CLI doc (firmware upgrade section, p.37)
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01183955/c01183955.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

controller configuration saving is best described by John in this thread (last post)
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=762862

[Fenny_1]

Hi,

I have found this in v5.20 release notes:

Critical: FW 5.20 is currently NOT supported with Windows Clustering AND Multipath software (SecurePath or MPIO). New versions of MPIO and SecurePath are needed to work properly with the new MSA1500cs 5.20 firmware

It dont get what exactly it means.....did he want to say that dont upgrade to v5.20 if u have windows cluster in your environment OR he means that it will work after upgrading MPIO.

OTHER THAN THAT


Critical: On the MSA1000, downgrading from active/standby firmware version 5.20 to active/standby firmware 4.x is not supported and will result in the loss of the array configuration. If migration back to active/standby firmware is necessary, a full data backup and recording of the array configuration on the MSA1000 is required. (Note: Downgrading from active/standby firmware version 5.20 to active/standby 5.10 does not affect the MSA1500.)

WHAT DOES THE NOTE: in the last 3 lines mean?

[IBaltay]

to resume it:
you always need the:
1. full backup of your MSA data
2. albeit the config is on each drive you should save the config as well for the worst possible scenario

3. you should use the latest SecurePath/MPIO basic versions of multipathing

NOTE;
the RN distinguishes between the firmwares 4.x and 5.10, so if you have 5.10, then the 5.20 should be downgradable without loosing the metadata and thus the data...

[Fenny_1]

Batlay,

Thanks alot for all the information.

Right now i dont have any Multipathing(securepath/MPIO) software installed in my environment.

Am more concerned about the Windows clustering support in v5.20.

Other than that, do you have steps for downgrading the firmware, in case i need them.

[IBaltay · Accepted solution]

Hi,
The 5.20->5.10 is simply commiting the firmware 5.10.
http://bizsupport.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01183956/c01183956.pdf

Unlike the 4.48 which downgrade is not supported (because of the metadata changes), the 5.10 is compatible with 5.20...

The 5.20 is also fixing the hot plug issue of the MSA30 which you have (2 pieces) - in readme here:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=377751&swItem=co-47103-1&prodNameId=305215&swEnvOID=1005&swLang=8&taskId=135&mode=4&idx=0

Note/Reminder:
but as I have written, maybe the best is wait for the firmware 5.30:
see also this thread
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?admit=109447626+1225046357488+28353475&threadId=1272514
that the firmware 5.30 is going to be released very soon...