updating disk firmware

[Dave Chamberlin]

I am preparing my 2 K boxes for going from 10.2 to 11.0 in the near future. The README before installing...etc booklet indicates that seagate disk firmware may need updating on some disks (one which I have). The booklet tells me to update the firmware using the latest version of STM. There are no details as to where the firmware itself is located. I could not find anything on HP's web site. According to the HP response center, this is covered on my service contract (even though we dont specifcally have disk support). The response center sent the call on the the field service people who tell me that they don't do disk firmware updates, except for $2100 per system conformity service (or I can pay $250/hr, 2 hour min per server to have them do it.
Can someone tell me if the firmware is on one of my installation or support CDs? Is this such a difficult thing that I should not think of attempting it? I just don't like the idea of being charged $1000 for a likely 10 minute job if I could have done it myself.

[Paula J Frazer-Campbell]

Dave
I have two K servers and the disks are covered for firmware by my service contract and have had 2 firmware upgrades done under my contract.

If the disks are listed in yor support contract I would then presume that the USA is the same as UK on supporting them. Althought the upgrade to 11 may be classed as a self inflicted upgrade.

I would get back to HP and get a full reason as to why your disks in this situation are not covered.

Paula

[CHRIS_ANORUO]

You don't have to worry about the disk firmware updates. Once your have the latest patch bundles, your new disks will be recongnised when scanned and will be installed/recognised by the kernel. You can also have a look at the /etc/disktab file.

[James R. Ferguson]

Dave:

You can diwonload firmware from the ITRC. Go to Maintenance and Support -> Patching -> Firmware.

Some people do this themselves (not me). Beware that you can toast your disk if you load the wrong firmware. I have support contracts just for this kind of thing, and agree with Paula -- I'd contact your account manager and find out why you would be charged.

...JRF...

[Patrick Wallek]

I'm just restating what everyone else has already said , but here goes anyway! ;)

I would definitely query HP about not wanting to upgrade firmware on the disks. You mentioned that you dont have support on the disks specifically. Do you mean that you don't have a separate contract on your disks? Or are they not listed on your service agreement at all?

I have always had HP come out to do firmware upgrades. I generally have an engineer come out to do it and he also brings along several spare disks just in case one decides to go bad. I think that is safer. Besides, if you have them do and something happens, they are liable.

[paul courry]

FYI, a firmware upgrade that does not complete completely trashes the disk. This is a VERY good reason to do it after a full backup and have your HP CE do it. Log a hardware call, but have your CE call first then tell him you want to check and upgrade your firmware if necessary. If he balks, may I have piece of what is left over? I just LOVE chewing out (up?) people who are incompetent/lazy.

[Tim Malnati]

Hard disks are not usually shown on the support contract where they are covered under warranty instead. Typically this is five years. The real question here is where did you purchase these drives? If they came directly from HP there should be no issue. If you purchased them from an HP Channel Partner as HP drives there should be no problem either. If you bought them from a third party supplier and they are not specifically HP drives, then you will need to pay the piper (HP isn't going to support drives it didn't sell at some point for free). The bottom line is that if everything came from HP (at some point), the drives are still under warranty, and you have an active hardware contract on the rest of the machine, HP should perform this for you at no additional cost. If you only have a daytime hours support contract, they may want to hit you up for more money if you want it done outside the support time window, but nothing more.