Drive update

Drives can be updated automatically as part of the system update, or by using a drive package. The update procedure determines whether any drives are already at the code level that is provided in the package and does not update such drives.

Automatic drive updates

Every system update package includes drive firmware for all supported drives. After the system software is successfully updated, the drive firmware is automatically and systematically applied to all drives that have a use type of candidate, spare, or member.

Alternatively, drive‑firmware packages can be downloaded and installed by an administrator. After drive firmware is installed on the system, the system applies the firmware at the following times outside of a system update:
  • When a new drive is added to the system and brought into use
  • When a failed drive is replaced with a replacement drive
  • When the applydrivesoftware command is used.

Drive updates by using packages

To perform a drive firmware update using a drive firmware package, first obtain the latest drive firmware package and the latest upgrade‑test utility from IBM FixCentral.

To apply the firmware using the management GUI, do the following:
  1. Select Pools > Internal Storage.
  2. Select the drives you want to update.
  3. Select Actions > Upgrade All or Upgrade and follow the instructions to upload the package and test utility, and start the update.
To update drives by using the CLI:
  1. Copy the firmware package and the upgrade‑test utility to the /update directory on the system by using a secure copy client (scp).
  2. Perform pre‑install checks by using the following command:
    svcupgradetest -w <firmware_package>
  3. If the pre‑install checks indicate that an update is required, use the applydrivesoftware command to run the update.
  4. Monitor the progress by using the lsdriveupgradeprogress command.