Problem openning SPM in W2K with SP4

[Jorge Limón]

I recentlty upgrade our W2K Advanced Server to Service Pack 4; I'm not sure, but this instalation affect Secure Path Manager (SPM) because it not work now.

Is there any incompatibily between SP4 and SPM?

Our Secure Path version es 3.1

[Greg Carlson]

Jorge,
What platform is SPM running? Is this for the RA4000/4100 or MSA or some other platform? 3.1 is only supported in a cluster kit for the RA4000/4100. If you are running a MSA, you need to upgrade to 4.0c WW.

Supported hardware listed in quickspecs for 3.x and 4.x
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11402_na/11402_na.html


http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/sanworks/secure-path/qa.html
Q & A

Ciao,
Greg

[Yaw Eng, Law]

Referring to URL "http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11402_div/11402_div.html", the important extract is as follows

"Operating System Support ... Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Advanced Server Service Pack 3 and Service Pack 4..."

SecurePath 4.0c is certified for Win2K SP4, but since there's no longer a URL for SecurePath 3.1a, it might not be fully compatible with Win2K SP4.

A suggestion would be to upgrade to SecurePath 4.0c, but you'll need to ensure proper licensing is followed. Also, as a good-practice, do remove a mirrored-OS disk (assuming the server OS is residing on SmartArray with RAID-1 configuration), for fail-back in case the upgrade fails.

[Jorge Limón]

Tnanks for your post!

We have a MA8000 platform. There are 2 host over a W2K MSCS; each cluster node has an Secure Path 3.1 installed. The general configuration is:

- 2 Proliant 8500R over W2K on cluster
- 2 HBA's per node
- 2 switchs
- MA8000 with 2 HSG80 controller with 8.5F-0 E12 firmware

After review the Secure Path upgrades and new existing versions, I have a couple of doubts:

1) Is possible to install Secure Path Manager 4.0C with Secure Path 3.1 installed?

2) If yes, what are the steps to install? I mean, if necesary to remove SPM 3.1 before install SPM 4.0c.

I read in page 30 of http://h200001.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_aa-rrr4d-te/TPM_aa-rrr4d-te.pdf that SPM 4.0c can be installed with previus versions of Secure Path agents.

Note: I suppose that the problem is only with Secure Path Manager 3.1, because the Secure Path (Agent) is working well after installing Win2K SP4

[Yaw Eng, Law · Accepted solution]

Jorge, not really good news here. Seems that you'll need to do a more major upgrade.

Referring again to URL "http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11402_div/11402_div.html", the important extract is as follows,

"Storage Controller Software RA8000/ESA12000, MA8000/EMA12000/EMA16000, MA6000 solutions: Supports ACS v8.6 and ACS v8.7. EVA5000, EVA3000 solutions: Supports VCS v2.0, v3.0, v3.01."

SPM4.0c doesn't support ACS8.5, mainly because ACS8.5 has already EOL more than a year back.

Documents for currently supported ACS is available at "http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/acs/g80windows.html"
[Moderator edit: The above links are no longer valid. Please refer to https://support.hpe.com]
FYI, there's no direct upgrade from 8.5 to 8.7, ie. you will still need to go through 8.6. If you, however, choose to go to 8.7, please ensure that the vendor gives you 8.7F-1 and above only.

The options that I can see are :
1. Upgrade of SPM 3.1 to 4.0c or higher
- Upgrade of ACS version
- Confirmation that HSG80 hardware version (E12 in your case) is supported by the ACS
- Complete backup of the data from the RaidArray is available & configuration are extracted (show this full, show other full, show unit full, show stor full, show disk full, show conn full) and stored in a text file. The reason for this is the NVRAM structure of the controllers will be modified during upgrade (& downgrade, if needed). The configuration should be intact, so this is a safe-keeping step only.
- Upgrade of other related devices, eg. SANswitch firmware, HBA firmware/drivers, & platform kit.
Note : That's why removing of mirrored-OS disk is important since HBA drivers, platform kit, and SPM will be modified.

2. Further troubleshooting on the current setting
- Server's Device Manager to check if "Disk Drive" shows SANdisks, "SCSI controller" shows HBA card
- SecurePath client (web agent) to confirm if all disks & number of paths are correct.

As for your question, SPM 4.0c generally auto-uninstall the 3.1 version before installing itself. Thus, for better control, it's better to uninstall 3.1 manually, reboot, and install 4.0c, reboot. Another important note is that for HBA driver upgrade & platform kit upgrade, it has to be done in the correct order, ie. uninstall previos platform kit, upgrade HBA driver (this will change the HBA card parameter to Emulex/QLogic default), install new platform kit (this will change the parameter to HP default).

Hope that helps.

[Jorge Limón]

Yaw,

thank you for your reply. The information you posted is very useful for me because another problem if the options we have to upgrade ACS version to 8.7.

In 2002 was a major upgrade for HSG80 v.8.5 but my company didn't receive any notification from Compaq about it. I'm talking with HP to solve this problem, but the situation is "frozen" because HP have not given a final solution for me case.

About the steps for ACS upgrade, we have the firmware 8.7-1G here, but not the 8.6. In page 5-2 of HSG80 Version 8.7 Maintenance and Service Guide there is a table that say 8.5F can be upgrade to 8.7F, 8.7S an 8.7P.

I don't understand why if necesary to upgrade 8.6 first. Where can I read more information about this?

And..returning to my original question:

Do you have any idea about the reason SPM 3.1 don't work with Win2K SP4?


Thanks again,
Jorge

[Yaw Eng, Law]

Jorge,

Normally, there'll be a "customer advisory" when a product is going to be obsolete, but the continuance of the support/warranty will still be there for a certain period of time.

Perhaps you will need to liase with your HP account manager to ensure those information are provided to you.

You're right for the upgrade of 8.5 to 8.7, but do note that 8.5F to 8.7G is not supported. I guess I'd made a wrong statement earlier on, since in my company's environment, we normally go for a stable version, ie. during end-2003, 8.6 was already a stable product, but 8.7 was still quite new.

Back to your original question... This is based on my personal understanding. There're 2 independent certification being done, ie. when HP release a software/driver, they'll certify the OS that it's compatible with; and when a new version/patch of OS is released, the vendor will certify the software/driver that it can use. However, as these are resource intensive tasks, the certification will only be limited to several versions.

Thus, Win2K SP4 is certified with SPM4.0c, but is not "certified" with 3.1a. Thus, issues might occur if the combination of software/OS is used.

[Jorge Limón]

We know that a mandadory upgrade for ACS to 8.6 version was notice by Compaq in 2001/2002; you can read it in the following URL:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=PSD_OI011003_CW01

The problem is that we didn't notice about this mandatory because Compad didn't inform us in 2002. Now, I'm talking with HP to find a solution and get the necessary firmware and licenses for free.

After your posts, I have clear that we should upgrade to 8.6F or 8.6S. In the case we take 8.6S is possible to upgrade 8.7G in the future when 8.7 will consider stable.

Now we must identify the list of necessary upgrades for switchs, HBA's and software (secure path an other agents). I have some idea about these steps, but I would like to find a document that explain minimum version for ACS 8.6 (a supported table can help). Do you know an URL where I can find it?

[Uwe Zessin]

Found some helpful tables here:
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/solutions/enterprise/highavailability/answercenter/configuration-all.html

V8.7-latest-patch is pretty stable.

Watch out: 8.7G, in some sense, is a *downgrade* from 8.6F/8.6S, because it only offers FC_AL support and you don't have snapshot as in "8.6S".

[Jorge Limón]

So, in your opinion, I should use 8.7F (this version allow an upgrade from 8.5F directly), don't you?

Last doubt (I think :-):

I don't know very well how HP delivers different version of ACS flashcards; in last URL you posted, in "Storage Information" column in Support Matrix, I can read about 8.7-3 revision of ACS if required. Can I request from HP and ACS 8.7-3 flashcard or only 8.7F and then apply different patch (see http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/acs/patches/index.html)

Thank in advanced (again ;-)

[Uwe Zessin]

I am not sure you can directly upgrade from 8.5 to 8.7 (I never had such a situation and I don't recall I have ever seen anything about it) - best if to talk to HP if nobody here knows the answer.

You should ask for ACS V8.7F-1 (or V8.7S-1) firmware cards - V8.7-0 is not good, because I have never seen an 8.6-1 or 8.7-1 patch. With 8.7-1 you are able to patch up to the desired level.

[Jorge Limón]

I have openned a new post; I hope someone make this upgrade from 8.5 to 8.7 and clear our doubts.

In parallel, I'll ask to HP about it.

Thanks!

[Erwin van Londen]

An upgrade to 8.7-7 is possible but make sure you've upgraded your hosts to the latest firmware and driver levels.
Furthermore make sure you get the 8.7-3 firmware cards if you have a DRM environment. (cannot hurt if you don't :-))
Make sure you upgrade to 8.7-7
Patches are public available.

Kind regards,
Erwin van Londen
Master ASE SAN Architect.

[Jorge Limón]

Oops! I don't know what is "DMR enviroment".

Then, if I don't use DMR enviroment, I have not clear yet what flashcard version of ACS I should request to HP: perphaps 8.7-1F and then apply patchs to 8-7-7F?.

Thanks again.

[Uwe Zessin]

Erwin wrote "DRM". It is short for "Data Replication Manager". DRM is for array-based replication of units. The host sees units on the initiator array and sends the data there. The initiator array will send a copy to a second HSG-based storage, the target.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/sanworks/drm/

[Uwe Zessin]

Sorry, hit the wrong button...

For DRM you would need the "P" version of the firmware card, two storage systems with 2 HSG80 controllers each. All controllers must be equiped with 512 MegaBytes of memory. Nothing for a low budget ;-)

I haven't seen V8.7F-3 firmware cards, but no matter if you get -1 or -3 cards you can patch up to -7. I think it is better if you get -3 cards, because there have been some ugly bugs in the initial code which affect controller replacements.

[Jorge Limón]

Uwe, thank for your reply.

Yes, is DRM not DMR I mixed the keys :-)

OK, I'll try to locate 8-7-3F from HP and then update to 8-7-7 using public path.

I never have upgraded a ACS flashcard before, in your experience...what is the risk of data loss on this operations?

[Uwe Zessin]

Hello Jorge,
I have done it a few times (shutdown and rolling upgrades) and somehow managed to not loose any data ;-)

Didn't have a chance to try an upgrade spanning two major versions, though. I think it is a good idea to make sure you have a good backup of your data as I don't beleive you can downgrade from 8.7 to 8.5. Remember that you cannot simply but back the old firmware card - the controller WILL NOT boot when the NVRAM contents are not matching with the firmware version and running the downgrade program on 8.7 will change to format for 8.6 I am afraid.

I would try to make an agreement with HP that they will help you in case you run into problems or see if they can do the upgrade for you - a HP engineer has a much better chance to escalate when something went wrong.

[Jorge Limón]

Hi Uwe,

I requested ACS 8.7-3F to HP; I hope to received an answer soon.

Meanwhile I received the flashcard, I'm trying to order differents drivers and firmwares we need to update. We are following the following matrix (we have W2K with SP4):

But, we have not clear the exact order we must apply the updates. Can you get me the exact ordered steps to upgrade? I mean, what is first an what second an so on.

These are our actual platfform:

-> 2 Proliant 8500 (W2K SP4)
-> Secure Patch
-> 2 HBA Emulex LP8000 per node
-> 2 Storageworks SAN Switchs 8
-> MA 8000 with 2 controllers

Thanks (again)!

[Jorge Limón]

Sorry, I forgot the URL for matrix supported version we're using:

ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/solutions/enterprise/ha/microsoft/win2000/2000AS_MA8000.pdf