Query: Upgrading SP, and 3PAR 7400 OS from 3,1,2 (MU3) to the latest

[Mawuena]

Hello,

Please, I need your help on the followings:

What is the latest version of 3PAR 7400 OS with its SP? Where to download them from?

Step by step upgrade process of the 3par with its service processor?

Regards,

Mawuena

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE 3PAR OS 3.3.1 MU5 Release Notes

2. HPE 3PAR OS 3.3.1 MU5 Patch 156 Release Notes

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[sbhat09]

Hello @Mawuena,

The latest recommended version for 3PAR 7400 is v3.2.2MU6.

Upgrading to 3.3.1.x is also possible. But all the features available in 3.3.1 may not be supported in optimally on 7400.

Upgrading from 3.2.1 MU3 to 3.2.2 MU6 is a multi-hop process. First you upgrade to 3.2.1MU5 then upgrade to 3.2.2MU6. This is a complicated process. Those versions (3.2.1.x) were not customer self upgradable. So there are no step by step procedure documents available. I recommend you to contact HPE support schedule a deployment technician for the upgrade.

Nowadays 3PAR OS (3.3.1.x or later) is customer self upgradable. Here is the document, but it doesn't help you to upgrade from 3.1.2.x - https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/api/document/a00101407en_us?docLocale=en_US

Regards,
Srinivas Bhat

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[Mawuena]

Please,
I need to get something very clear.
1
Can I upgrade directly from 3.1.2 MU3 to 3.3.1? .?
2
What is the nearest and safest upgrade from 3.1.2 MU3?

Thanks!

[Mawuena]

Thanks so much!
Please, where to get the latest recommended version for 3PAR 7400 available for download?

[sbhat09]

Hello @Mawuena 

1. Can I upgrade directly from 3.1.2 MU3 to 3.3.1?
Ans: No.

2. What is the nearest and safest upgrade from 3.1.2 MU3?
Ans: The upgrade path is 3.2.1 MU3 -> 3.2.1 MU5 -> 3.3.1

(Please note: HPE recommends 3.2.2MU6 as best supported version for 3PAR 7400)

Regards,
Srinivas Bhat

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[Mawuena]

@sbhat09 

I am sorry for asking too much. Thanks so much for your help.

1
(Please note: HPE recommends 3.2.2MU6 as best supported version for 3PAR 7400): Please, kindly guide me to a white paper or a link to a supported document that I can use as an additional evidence for the client.

2
Please, confirm the upgrade path:
The upgrade path of HPE 3PAR 7400 OS from 3. 1. 2 MU3 to the best HPE recommended and supported version ( 3. 2. 2 MU6 ) is :
3. 1. 2 MU3 -> ??? -> 3. 2. 2 MU6

3 or last point
Would the Service Processor upgrade be taken care of automatically as part of the OS upgrade?

Regards ,
Mawuena

[sbhat09]

Hello @Mawuena,

1
The statement was available in the original EoSL statement of 3PAR 7000 series. Now the document is updated telling that 3.3.1 is the latest recommended version. So, you can stick to 3.3.1 - https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=a00008513en_us&docLocale=en_US

2
Please, confirm the upgrade path:
3.1.2 MU3 -> 3.2.1 MU5 -> 3.2.2 MU6
or
3.2.1 MU3 -> 3.2.1 MU5 -> 3.3.1

3 or last point
No. You must upgrade the Service processor separately. First update the service processor, then update the 3PAR system.

Regards,
Srinivas Bhat

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[mb9]

Hello Srinivas,

I'm glad that you posted that answer because I'm looking at updating my 7200c to the latest and greatest before its EOSL. Would it be able to handle 3.3.1? If so, how far to update it to? (MU2, MU5?) I know all of the features may not work since it's a 4th Gen ASIC. It won't be able to do compression. I'm just concerned with making sure it has the latest and greatest before it goes EOSL.

Thanks.

mb9

P.S. I figured it would be better to not start a new thread since this is pretty much the same topic.

[sbhat09]

Hello @mb9,

I have to check multiple sources. I will try to come back by next week.

Regards,
Srinivas Bhat

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[mb9]

Thank you. I really appreciate it and am looking forward to your response.

Very Respectfully,

mb9

[sbhat09]

Hello @mb9,

7200c is upgradable to any 3.3.1 versions. If you are looking for latest, you can upgrade to 3.3.1MU5.

Regards,
Srinivas Bhat

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[Bertram Stoeckler]

I recommend that you open a support case for this question.

In general the small memory-layout arrays (7200, 7200c, 7400, 8200, 8400) should only be updated if only one of the following features is used:

1. Adaptive Optimization

2. File Persona

3. Remote Copy 

4. Dedupe

5. Compression

If you have configured any combination of the above (more than one of the features), then an update should not be done. Otherwise it is very likly that you will see performance problems.

HPE support people have all the details and can also check your array.

[mb9]

Awesome! Thank you. I am planning to carefully upgrade it step by step following the upgrade guide. It is using compression and RCIP, but it has very low usage. The good thing is that the SSMC and the SP are already at the latest and greatest. I just need to update the array itself.

[mb9]

Bertram, I would open a support case, however support ended for the 7000 series on 31 Oct 2022. So, they won't provide any support for it. I probably should have put a ticket in, but I knew this was coming up quick.  Thank you for the heads up on what to expect. I appreciate that. I'm only using remote copy and compression. It is a relatively lightly used array.

Just to give an example, my primary 3PAR (8200) peaked once in the past week at 6.2ms service time, 313,000 KB/s bandwidth, and 2,715 IOPS.  During heavy usage about a months ago, it peaked at 2,715 IOPS, 7.6ms service time, and ~693,000 KB/s. 

I don't know how that would compare since the primary has more shelves than the 7200c, but it doesn't seem to be too tapped out. I've calculated the average latency at 3ms based on the drives.