MSA2312fc Controller firmware update problem

[Adrian Strudwick]

We've recently taken delivery of an MSA2312fc with dual controllers, that were running firmware version M110R21. Having seen a warning that this version can fail to detect PSU failures, I've tried to upgrade to version M110R28.

All looked to go fine, and the first controller confirmed successful upgrade. The interface then reported that the first controller was upgrading the second one. This also reported a success.

However, about 30 seconds after the confirmation that the upgrade was successful, the process repeats again, with the message:

Progress of firmware update being performed by controller A:
The Partner Firmware Update feature is upgrading firmware from one controller to the other.
Current State: Partner Firmware Update is running on this controller.
Progress Details: Transferring new firmware from the Management Controller to the Storage Controller; this takes several minutes.

Progress of firmware update being performed by controller B:
The Partner Firmware Update feature is upgrading firmware from one controller to the other.
Current State: This controller is waiting for the other controller to update it with newer firmware.

After a while, this will complete successfully and the whole thing repeats.

Looking at the versions (between each update loop) they look to be the same:

Controller A Versions Property Value
Storage Controller CPU Type Turion MT32 1800MHz
Storage Controller Code Version M110R28
Storage Controller Code Baselevel M110R28
Memory Controller FPGA Code Version F300R22
Storage Controller Loader Code Version 19.009
CAPI Version 3.11
Management Controller Code Version W441R13
Management Controller Loader Code Version 12.015
Expander Controller Code Version 1106
CPLD Code Version 8
Hardware Version 56
Host Interface Module Version 51
Host Interface Module Model 6
Backplane Type 7
Host Interface Hardware (Chip) Version 2
Disk Interface Hardware (Chip) Version 3



Controller B Versions Property Value
Storage Controller CPU Type Turion MT32 1800MHz
Storage Controller Code Version M110R28
Storage Controller Code Baselevel M110R28
Memory Controller FPGA Code Version F300R22
Storage Controller Loader Code Version 19.009
CAPI Version 3.11
Management Controller Code Version W441R06
Management Controller Loader Code Version 12.015
Expander Controller Code Version 1106
CPLD Code Version 8
Hardware Version 56
Host Interface Module Version 51
Host Interface Module Model 6
Backplane Type 7
Host Interface Hardware (Chip) Version 2
Disk Interface Hardware (Chip) Version 3

Any ideas how I can stop the never-ending update attempts?

Thanks,
Adrian

[Marcus Schack]

Oh.. a thorny problem as one never wants to interrupt firmware updates. My only thought would be to try to shut down the second controller, hoping that the first controller would see that it does not have a second one to update. Then when the first controller says its fine and completed, restart the second controller and it should then be updated to match the first controller. Just a thought on my part. Maybe check with HP Support.

[Michael Leu · Accepted solution]

This is a known issue, see
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c02537000
or
http://www.blazilla.de/index.php?/archives/945-HP-MSA2000-G2-Partner-Firmware-Upgrade-never-ends.html

[Adrian Strudwick]

Thanks both. I'll try following the advice in those links. Glad to hear I'm not the first to encounter this 'feature'!

Wish I'd just left the old firmware installed, now...

Adrian

[Adrian Strudwick]

I'm pleased to say that an offline update of the second controller (the first was already updated successfully), following the instructions in the HP link worked perfectly.

Thanks for the help and support, guys.

Adrian