HPE Synergy 12000 Frame expansion from 2 to 3

[daliborazure]

Hi

We have 2 HPE synergy frames connected and they are all working good. We are planning to introduce new one and I have found this document

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=a00054159en_us

It is pretty much self explanatory however one thing not specified. When I add new frame they mention that firmware on new satelite links 50 GB has to be updated.

My question would be what about enclosure firmware. Enclosure firmware on a new enclosure may be lower. Does that firmware also have to be updated because it is lower than what we have now

[DanCernese]

I'm not sure what specific reference you saw about the 50Gb ILM firmware; but yes all the firmware in the new frame needs to be matched to your existing frames.  The first component would be the FLM (infrastructure).. ..and then interconnects.  You do not, however, have to figure out how to update everything prior to connecting.  Unless you're running extremely ancient firmware baseline or the modules are coming with firmware older than the specific notes in the guide.

[daliborazure]

So if 2 existing enclosures have for example 8.4 Service pack and new enclosure has 8.2 then it will just affect this new enclosure including FLMs

[DanCernese]

I'm assuming you're referring to HPE OneView composer versions-- those don't matter as long as it's currently supported.  It is the firmware bundle (SSP) that contains the firmware for the components (FLM, etc).   There is no way to determine what is installed from our factory on those modules without going through the process.

[daliborazure]

We would be adding 3rd frame or enclosure. and of course 2 satelite 50 GB links. My concern is when they are connected they will not have the same firmware as we have now

Do we have to create new enclosure update everything and then add it so that firmware matches with existing 2 enclosures frames

[DanCernese]

You would not have sufficient components to create a new logical enclosure to update anything.  So not only shouldn't it be a problem to just connect the new frame into the existing logical enclosure, you simply don't have a chance to do anything else (unless you happen to have an entire set of spare VC modules or another staging frame to work with).

I have not heard of any support cases or issues connecting 50Gb ILMs into existing frames.  

[wlai]

We have a similar situation. We plan to add a new synergy 12000 enclosure -satellite enclosure to existing two enclosures.  The FLM cables will need to be changed since it needs to include the new satellite frame. Then also connect with the satellite to the 2nd frame. New cables will be added to the satellite enclosure, such as the 50G IC (ILM), and reconfigure the IC to include the satellite.  Do you know with all these changes, will there be a downtime (outage)?  We do have many servers in the existing two enclosures. Thank you. Wendy

[wlai]

correction: Refer to the VC  SE 100Gb F32 modules, not the ILM.

[DanCernese]

The document in the begining of this discussion covers the topic of down time.  The most common requirement is to change from 50Gb downlinks to 25Gb downlinks and that requires temporary down time of less than 1 minute per server but it is not controllable (they will be done in sequence).  Please read the best practices document.

[wlai]

Thank you. Will verify our configurations.
-Wendy