MD3000 firmware/NVSRAM update to support Linux multipath?

[Simon Burrows]

Hi,

I have an MD3000 hooked up to a 2900 (running RHEL 4) via a PERC 5/E
card (one cable to each MD3000 controller). It recently came to light
that the firmware revision the MD3000 is using does not support Linux
multipath setups correctly and Dell have advised that we update to the
firmware contained in R174600 (the latest version). Now, the server in
question is live and we'd like to keep downtime to a minimum but in
trying to get a handle on what to expect during the update process, I've
found the supplied documentation somewhat confusing.

Some basic facts about our current setup:

uname -a:
"Linux dbase 2.6.9-22.ELsmp #1 SMP Mon Sep 19 18:00:54 EDT 2005 x86_64
x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux"
RDAC version 09.01.B6.16 [installed from source].
mptlinux, 3.02.83.12, 2.6.9-22.ELsmp, x86_64: installed (original_module
exists) [installed using DKMS].
MD3000 RAID controller module firmware version: PkgInfo 06.17.77.60
MD3000 NVSRAM version: N133X-617890-015

My current best guess at the update process (the update will be done
from the host connected to the MD3000), partly culled from the Dell
documentation is:

1. Stop I/O to the RAID enclosure (stop processes, unmount file
systems).

2. Use the MD Storage Manager to "Gather Support Information".

3. Using the MD3000 Resource CD, run a pre-requisite check.

4. Make any updates that the pre-requisite check identifies.

5. Change the bootloader entry in /boot/grub/menu.lst to use the
original default initrd - without mpp support.

6. Uninstall current RDAC Multipath driver - run "make uninstall" from
the linuxrdac source directory.

7. DO NOT REBOOT. Rebooting may cause DATA corruption.

8. Update the version of MD Storage Manager installed on your host
server using the Resource CD.

9. Using MD Storage Manager, update the MD3000 RAID controller firmware
and NVSRAM by selecting Support->Download Firmware->Download RAID
Controller Module Firmware. Select appropriate file locations for both
the Firmware as well as NVSRAM update packages and click Transfer. When
a successful download confirmation message is displayed, the firmware
and NVSRAM have been updated.

10. Restart I/O (mount file systems, start processes).


Step 7 concerns me: I found ominous references online regarding the
dangers of loading and unloading RDAC modules with modprobe etc. and I'm
not sure what to expect in this and step 8. I don't intend on manually
fiddling with any RDAC stuff, but warnings like this are always
concerning. I suppose it boils down to whether step 8 will cause updated
(preferably DKMS'd RDAC drivers to be installed and once that's complete
is everything supposed to be A-OK? I don't mind rebooting if necessary.

Thanks and regards,

Simon Burrows
Hay Systems Limited
 
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is
addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify Hay
Systems Limited.
 
Hay Systems Limited is a company incorporated under the Companies Acts
(Registered Number SC201362) having its principal place of business at
Watermark, Alba Campus, Livingston, EH54 7EG, UNITED KINGDOM.
 
Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message which do not
relate to the official business of Hay Systems Limited shall be
understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.