Compatibility Verification

[Pavel Krumnikl]

We need to do firmware analysis of the entire SAN.

 Brocade Switch
 HP-UX server
 EVA Controller
 EVA Disk Enclosure
 SAN Manager (SMA)

Below is what we have gathered for firmware information:

BROCADE
5.0.1B, we are going to upgrade to 6.2.0b

HP-UX
# fcmsutil /dev/fcd0 vpd
V I T A L P R O D U C T D A T A
Product Description : HP PCI-X 2.0 4Gb Fibre Channel HBA
Part number : AB378-60101
Engineering Date Code : A-4713

Misc. Information : PW=7.5W;PCI=66MHZ;PCI-X=266MHZ
Mfd. Date : 4804
Mfd. ID : AB378-60101
Check Sum : 0x2f
EFI version : 01.05
ROM Firmware version : 04.00.90
BIOS version : 01.15
FCODE version : 01.17
Asset Tag : NA

EVA Controller
The software version is listed as : SR1142xc3p-6200

EVA Disk Enclosure
The firmware version is listed as 04170000 Buile 0000 (Disk Enclosure Properties)

The firmware version is listed as : HP02 (bay properties)

SMA
Firmware version is listed as : 2.50A6
Driver Version listed as 7.2.0.12

[Torsten.]

Hi Pavel,

- Brocade Switch
=> depends on the switch model

- HP-UX server
=> You didn't list the server FW, you didn't list the server model

=> HP-RISC servers need the HBA firmware ONLY if they boot over this card!

- EVA Controller
=> version 6200 is current
(you didn't list your EVA model)

- EVA Disk Enclosure
=> EMU firmware ist part of EVA firmware

- SAN Manager (SMA)
=> I don't know what 2.50A6 is - BIOS?

What is your commandview version?
This is important too!

[Pavel Krumnikl]

Basically, we need to upgrade the switch (HP StorageWorks 4/16 SAN Switch)
from old versio - 5.1.0b to 6.2.0b and our question is if we could have any compatibility problems within our network.

[Torsten.]

Maybe you want to try this:

http://h20272.www2.hp.com/

or better

http://www.hp.com/storage/spock

[Pavel Krumnikl]

HP UX : RP3440

[Pavel Krumnikl]

Isn't SPOCK checking the compatibility of the components in the solution?

I need to know - if I upgrade the firmware of the HP StorageWorks 4/16 SAN Switch from 5.1.0b to 6.2.0b - do I need to upgrade firmware in any other HP component in the solution, which is already running some time.

[Torsten.]

In general - needed or not - it is always good to keep firmware up to date.

Regarding your server - firmware on HBA is not used, make sure you have a current driver!

[Todd Bowden]

I currently upgraded to 6.2.0b and found one thing strange under "Zone Admin" I can only see the ports on the switch that Im attached to. However, on the splash screen, I can see 4 switches in my fabric. Im still trying to understand what Brocade is doing here.

[Sivakumar MJ._1]

As you have already collected the Firmware details for all the Devices, now check with the release notes of the latest firmware version of all the devices, the compatability.

******If you are proceeding for the upgrade, its always advisable to take the backup of the switch configuration.

Do not do the firmware upgrade on all the switches.Run the firmware upgradation one by one switch.

Analyse the behaviour of the Switch for some time, test with some zone creation and supportshow output before and after upgradation.

[Todd Bowden]

Thanks for all the points. ;)