brocade firmware upgrade fails

[itai weisman]

when attempting to upgrade fabric OS on a Brocade integrated switch on a blade center,
the following error encountered -
Cannot download ftp://root:@//path.../release.plist.
Firmwaredownload failed. (0x12) Cannot access pacakge list (.plist) file.
I able to download this file using ftp client. I tried to change to permission on the firmware files, it wouldn't help either
any ideas?
switch model - brocade entry level san switch

[Uwe Zessin]

Well, what exactly is "path..." ??

Please note that you MUST NOT include the switch model (e.g. 'SWD99') in the path, although you can see it in the directory tree. Just follow the firmware upgrade instructions and use, e.g., "v5.2.1b/release.plist".

[itai weisman]

the exact path i've untarred it to is -
/tmp/v5.3.0a/
I use /tmp/v5.3.0a/release.plist
Itai

[Amar_Joshi]

Instead of using the full command with syntax in single line, type "firmwaredownload' and enter, it will go in interactive mode and will ask you for each and every details required.

also check:
1. IP Address, gateway, subnet mask configured correctly.
2. server is running FTP server. (Try ftp to this server from somewhere else).
3. Username/password configured on FTP server. (Anonymous access to download the files is preferred over individual user/passwd.) Test this too.

[itai weisman]

thank you,
I tested all of that.
I manage to download a file from this ftp server (using another ftp client, on the same subnet and with the same user and password)
I saw there was a network connection establishment (using netstat -an and ps -ef )

[Amar_Joshi]

You didn't say whether you used the command line or GUI?

Try CLI interactive mode or GUI. If possible please provide the

- full directory listing under /tmp directory.
- screen capture of firmwaredownload or GUI.
- screen capture of error message.
- Model of brocade switch.

(you may want to review your question that you are hiding lots of information).

[itai weisman]

I'm using the interactive cli command - firmwaredownload. and also the Gui, both fails with the same error.
I'll be able to supply the other information you've requested next week ... I won't be there before then.

[Jim Paulsen]

you also have go from (for Example) 3.1 to 3.2 to 3.3 then to v4. You can't miss several revisions. The upgrade won't work adn you will get the error above. personal experience... This is in the install instructions for the upgrade to one of my 4/32 b series (brocade 4100).

IMPORTANT: The recommended procedure for upgrading Fabric OS firmware
levels is to limit the release levels to two or fewer releases. For
example, upgrading a switch from v4.1.0b to v5.1.0 requires a two-step
process: first upgrading to v4.4.0f and then upgrading to v5.1.0.
This firmware supports the following switches:

[Amar_Joshi]

Jim,

You have brought right concern about the firmware. Itai might be trying a wrong firmware on a wrong switch.

Itai,

What model of the switch is it? ((hope entry level doesnt mean 1Gig Silkworm2800...just kidding))

[itai weisman]

Hello,
attached file contains the full content of the folder.
switch model is silkworm3900
this is what I do and get -
brocade4Gb:USERID>firmwaredownload
You can run firmwareDownloadStatus to get the status
of this command.

This command will cause the switch to reset and will
requires that existing telnet, secure telnet or SSH
sessions be restarted.

Do you want to continue [Y]:
Server Name or IP Address: 231.23.11.24
User Name: root
File Name: /tmp/brocadetar/a/release.plist
Password:
Firmwaredownload has started.
Cannot download ftp://root:@231.23.11.24//tmp/brocadetar/a/SWBD37/release.plist.
Firmwaredownload failed. (0x12) Cannot access package list (.plist) file.

any ideas?
thanks ppl
Itai.

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

You said earlier:

> the exact path i've untarred it to is -
> /tmp/v5.3.0a/
> I use /tmp/v5.3.0a/release.plist

However the listing you just posted shows:

> C:\tmo\v5.0.3a


I suspect that the problem is actually with your FTP server rather than the files themselves.

Start with some basic error checking, away from the SAN switch. On your FTP server - where you unpacked the files - check that you can FTP to it and see the files in the directory you're expecting.

c:\ftp 231.23.11.24
Username: root
Password: ...
ftp> dir
ftp> cd /tmp/v5.3.0a
ftp> dir


It's also slightly confusing that you've used the username root, which implies a Unix FTP server, whereas you listing implies Windows. There's nothing wrong with that except Windows doesn't usually have a user called root...

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob

[itai weisman]

I see what you're saying, the thing is, I can't supply direct output from the production server due to security restrictions (can't copy files from that server or send screenshots). instead, I unzipped that firmware upgrade file on my PC, like i've opened it on the production server.
the content of the file (which is the same file, copied to my pc and the production server) is 100% identical.
Itai.

[Rob Leadbeater]

OK... If we can assume that everything is unpacked OK, you still need to prove that you can FTP to the production system in a similar manner to that which the firmwareDownload process is.

Just because you've unpacked into /tmp doesn't necessarily mean that that is where the ftproot is located. It may also be a problem with the username. Most security conscious companies wouldn't allow root to log in via FTP as the password is sent in clear text over the network.

You don't need to supply any private information here, just prove to yourself that the FTP server is behaving in the way that you're expecting...

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob

[itai weisman]

well, after installing a new ftp server on windows host instead of HPUX host it works fine.
thanks everyone.
Itai