Updating a BladeCenter Disk Storage Modules (DSM) - IBM BladeCenter

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H207391

Symptom

The IBM BladeCenter S chassis uses one or two Disk Storage Modules (DSM) to hold up to six Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) each. The DSMs are optional modules installed into the chassis.

If a DSM is added or replaced in a BladeCenter Storage (BCS) chassis that has Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) modules installed and the DSM is at a firmware level of V0.7, a special procedure is needed to successfully update the DSM to the current version.

No special procedure is required if the chassis has the non-RAID module installed.

Affected Configurations

The system can be any of the following IBM servers:

• BladeCenter S, type 1948, any model
• BladeCenter S, type 7779, any model
• BladeCenter S, type 8886, any model

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM options:

• IBM BladeCenter S SAS RAID Controller Module, option 43W3584, any replacement part number

This tip is not software specific.

Workaround

There are some DSMs in stock that are still at the V0.7 firmware version. They will not work correctly with the IBM BladeCenter S Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID Controller Module (RSSM).

They will work correctly with the IBM BladeCenter S SAS Connectivity Module (NSSM). In order to work with the RSSM, they must be updated with the process detailed in this Tip.

Users should always perform code updates to the latest levels to both BladeCenter S and RSSM, at the time of initial installation.

The process for updating the DSM 0.7 firmware on RSSM is:

1. Install RSSM controllers with firmware package revision 1.2.4.011, or later.
   
   
2. Telnet controller Internet Protocol (IP) and issue Command Line Interface (CLI) command:
   
   

   shutdown -system -state servicemode

   
   
3. Insert two DSMs without any drives into the BCS. If users install a new DSM with firmware revision 0.7, they will have to pull out all of drives in controller service mode.
   
4. Issue the CLI command 'list enclosure' and check the DSM firmware revision. Make sure that there are two DSMs in the BCS. If users install a new DSM Revision 0.7, do not remove the original first DSM in BCS.
   
5. Issue the following CLI command to update DSM firmware:
   
   

   shutdown -system -state reboot

   
   
6. It could take 40 minutes to update the two DSMs' firmware.
   
   
7. Restart Advanced Management Module (AMM) to update the DSM firmware Vital Product Data (VPD) after DSM firmware is upgraded from 0.7 to the latest version.
   

Note: Two DSMs are required in BCS. RAID controllers might assert if only one DSM is installed in the BCS.

Additional Information

Verify the firmware version of the SAS RAID Controller Module:

1. Telnet into the SAS RAID Controller module.
   
2. Login using USERID/PASSW0RD (zero (0)).
   
   
3. Issue the 'swversion' command at the '<CLI>' prompt. Package revision 1.2.4.011, or 'laterm' is required:
   

   <CLI> swversion Current Machine Local Time: 11/10/2012 06:26:37 AM Software version : H-2.1.3.4 UBoot version : H-1.1.4.6 OS version : H-2.4.20.12 SES version : 0107 BMC version : S0BT10A 0121 02/08/2010 FPGA version : 01.07 CPLD version : S0CP00A C00A 01/01/2000 SAS switch version : S0SW01D R107 12/17/2009 BBU FirmwareRev : 58.0 Package Build No : 1.2.4.011

The CLI output of 'list controller' after controllers restart:

The CLI output of 'firmwareupgrade -getstatus' after controllers restart:

The CLI output of 'firmwareupgrade -getstatus' after first DSM firmware has been upgraded:

The CLI output of 'list enclosure' commands that does need to be updated will look like this:

The CLI output of 'list enclosure' commands that does not need to be updated will look like this: