cx4 flare upgrade part2 v0.1

penguinpunk.net upgrading FLARE on an EMC CLARiiON CX4 – part 2 revision 0.1 synopsis The following is a simple document providing visual guidance on the process required upgrade the FLARE code on an EMC CLARiiON CX4 array.

penguinpunk.net – upgrading FLARE on an EMC CLARiiON CX4 - part 2 - revision 0.1

table of contents introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3 process ...................................................................................................................................... 4 part 2 – preparing for installation ............................................................................................... 4 table of figures Figure 1 - USM - System ........................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2 - USM - Software ......................................................................................................... 5 Figure 3 - USM - Software - System Software .......................................................................... 5 Figure 4 - Prepare for Installation Wizard .................................................................................. 6 Figure 5 - Verify storage environment only ............................................................................... 6 Figure 6 - Storage System Credentials ..................................................................................... 7 Figure 7 - Software Selection .................................................................................................... 7 Figure 8 - Select CX4 Bundle .................................................................................................... 8 Figure 9 - Unpacking Software .................................................................................................. 8 Figure 10 - Transferring Software .............................................................................................. 9 Figure 11 - File has been transferred ........................................................................................ 9 Figure 12 - Manual Check for Other Conditions ...................................................................... 10 Figure 13 - Server Readiness for Software Update ................................................................ 11 Figure 14 - Override HA Status for all servers warning ........................................................... 11 Figure 15 - Override HA Status for all servers ........................................................................ 12 Figure 16 - Diagnostic Information .......................................................................................... 13 Figure 17 - Collect the diagnostic information again ............................................................... 13 Figure 18 - Diagnostic Information Collection ......................................................................... 14 Figure 19 - Diagnostic Information Successfully Saved .......................................................... 14 Figure 20 - Rule Checks .......................................................................................................... 15 Figure 21 - Rule Checks Progress .......................................................................................... 15 Figure 22 - Rule Check Complete ........................................................................................... 16 Figure 23 - Rule Check Warning Information .......................................................................... 16 Figure 24 - Non-Disruptive Upgrade Delay ............................................................................. 17 Figure 25 - Finished ................................................................................................................. 17


introduction The following is part 2 in a series of simple documents aimed at providing visual guidance on the process required upgrade the FLARE code on an EMC CLARiiON CX4 array. These documents assume that a version of FLARE 30 is already installed on the array, although the steps for FLARE 29 and below are not significantly different. These documents assume that you have access to EMC’s Unisphere Service Manager (USM) on a Windows platform, and that you have downloaded copies of the FLARE code, Recovery Image and Utility Partition Image. These documents are not intended as a replacement for EMC’s official procedure guides, but rather should be used in conjunction with documentation available from Powerlink (http://powerlink.emc.com). You should also refer to http://www.emc.com/cx4support for customized documentation. The normal warnings and caveats apply when upgrading firmware on an array, particularly if it has data on it that is valuable to you. Backup first, and don’t come crying to me if you break something.


process There are 4 basic steps to upgrading FLARE code on a CX4 array:

• Installing / upgrading Unisphere Service Manager (covered in part 1); • Preparing for Installation (covered in part 2) • Upgrading FLARE code (covered in part 3); • Upgrading the Recovery Image (covered in part 4); and • Upgrading the Utility Partition (covered in part 4).

part 2 – preparing for installation In part 1 of this series I covered the installation of USM. You’re obviously keen for more, as you’re still reading. So let’s get to it. In this section we’re going to prepare for the installation of the code on the array. It’s almost as exciting as it sounds. Once you’ve logged into USM successfully, you’ll be presented with the following screen.

Figure 1 - USM - System

Click on the Software tab to get to the bit about software. This includes activities that cover system software, disk firmware and downloads. For the purposes of this activity we’re interested in System Software.


Figure 2 - USM - Software

Once you click on System Software you’ll be presented with three choices.

Figure 3 - USM - Software - System Software

Click on Prepare for Installation and you’ll presented with the wizard’s welcome page. Or whatever it’s called.


Figure 4 - Prepare for Installation Wizard

Select “Verify storage environment only” and click Next. We’ve already have the software locally, so there’s no need to download it again.

Figure 5 - Verify storage environment only


The array verifies that you’re logged onto the array you think you’re logged onto. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than installing code on the wrong array at the wrong time.

Figure 6 - Storage System Credentials

You now need to select the software for installation. Click on Browse.

Figure 7 - Software Selection


Select the CX4-Bundle that you downloaded at some stage previously and click Open.

Figure 8 - Select CX4 Bundle

The software is then unpacked.

Figure 9 - Unpacking Software


Once the software is unpacked it’s transferred to the array.

Figure 10 - Transferring Software

Once the software has been successfully transferred, click on Next.

Figure 11 - File has been transferred


At this stage there is a manual check required for a number of obscure conditions. Make sure you read them, they’re important.

Figure 12 - Manual Check for Other Conditions

USM then goes and checks that the hosts attached to the array are capable of failover.


Figure 13 - Server Readiness for Software Update

Sometimes, even though you know the servers are fine, USM won’t be able to accurately gauge the readiness of the servers. Fortunately, there is an Override option, including the standard warning, available to select.

Figure 14 - Override HA Status for all servers warn ing


Click Next to proceed.

Figure 15 - Override HA Status for all servers

There is now a diagnostic information step. I generally recommend that you let USM collect the information again.


Figure 16 - Diagnostic Information

Figure 17 - Collect the diagnostic information agai n

Go make yourself a coffee, this will take a few minutes to complete.


Figure 18 - Diagnostic Information Collection

Once the diagnostic information has been successfully saved to the repository, click Next.

Figure 19 - Diagnostic Information Successfully Sav ed


There are a number of rules that are then checked. If any of the checks fail, there’ll be an option to fix it. If it can’t be fixed by USM, you should already be aware of it and talking with your service provider about getting it sorted out before you do the code upgrade.

Figure 20 - Rule Checks

Figure 21 - Rule Checks Progress


If there are only warnings, you can proceed with the installation. This is assuming that you’re comfortable that the warnings are nothing to worry about.

Figure 22 - Rule Check Complete

Figure 23 - Rule Check Warning Information


At this point it is necessary to select the NDU delay. I suggest you leave this at the default unless you have a good reason to change it. Click Next to continue.

Figure 24 - Non-Disruptive Upgrade Delay

Congratulations, you’re all done! Click Finish to finish this part of the process.

Figure 25 - Finished

cx4 flare upgrade part2 v0.1

Documents

table of figures figure

usm software

system software

software update

software selection

unpacking software

usm system

emc clariion cx4 array