IBM Support

IBM Storage Scale System: mmchfirmware might ignore --serial-number option for storage enclosures

News


Abstract

IBM has identified an issue in IBM Storage Scale System 6.2.3.3 or earlier and 7.0.0.0 or earlier. A firmware update to a specific enclosure using the essrun or mmchfirmware command with the --serial-number option will result in the firmware on all enclosures being updated (not just the enclosure with the specified serial number).

Content

The mmchfirmware utility does not properly manage the --serial-number parameter that is set by the user. The essrun  command also relies on mmchfirmware, so it is affected as well.  The provided serial number is not referenced and instead all enclosures will have their firmware updated.

 

Users Affected

Any environment (for example, IBM Storage Scale System 5000, IBM Storage Scale System 3500, IBM Storage Scale System 6000) with more than one storage enclosure running IBM Storage Scale System 6.2.3.3 and earlier or 7.0.0.0 and earlier.

Problem Determination

By default, mmchfirmware will update the firmware on all the available storage enclosures, unless the --serial-number option is specified. The --serial-number option is typically only specified if the user wants to update one particular storage enclosure out of the multiple that are available.

The problem is only seen if the serial number parameter is specified. 

If you do set the --serial-number option and see that more than one enclosure firmware upgrade has occurred, it means that your environment is affected by the issue.

Recommendations

A workaround is currently not available.  If an efix is needed, call Support and reference APAR IJ57557.

If you are running IBM Storage Scale System 6.2.3.3 or earlier, upgrade to 6.2.3.4.

If you are running IBM Storage Scale Systems 7.0.0.0, upgrade to 7.0.0.1.

Internal - D.357215

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Document Information

Modified date:
17 March 2026

UID

ibm17260880