topic Re: disk firmware update in ONTAP Discussions

disk firmware update

mulbzh — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:14:39 GMT

Hello and sorry for my english,

Do ONTAP updates include disk firmware updates or do I have to update the firmware independently?

thanks a lot

Re: disk firmware update

TMACMD — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:06:30 GMT

Both! It depends on timing. For your safest approach:

pull the disk shelf firmware bundle
pull the disk qualification package
pull the Shelf firmware bundle

Install all three items. If you do not need them, it hurts nothing, The Disk Qualification package is never included in ONTAP. (this is because each release includes a built-in version of the file to a point, always best to install the latest/greatest anyway!)

Disk / Shelf firmware is included but again, if the firmware was posted after the version went to Q/A then you may not have the latest/greatest. Best to:

Upgrade ONTAP (or not) and then install disk/shelf firmware files. Also apply the Disk Qual file.

Just get in the habit of pulling all three files every 3-4 months and apply. Will not hurt.

Re: disk firmware update

mulbzh — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:31:06 GMT

thanks for reply.

i am not sure about something, in web interface, on firmware update page, i can select disk firmware ZIP from my computer. When i upload, it apply the new firmwares OR just upload and it is necessary after upload to apply command ?

Re: disk firmware update

TMACMD — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:18:16 GMT

Do not unzip the files. Leave alone (I believe there are built-in checksums in play, if you unzip and re-zip, the checksums break). As soon as you upload each file (Disk FW, Shelf FW, Disk Qual), it will be distributed to EACH node in the cluster, automatically extracted. If needed, it will apply, usually within an hour.

Note: you can also upload Service-Processor updates this same way.

Re: disk firmware update

jerry_Tomson — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:55:26 GMT

No need to apologize! Your English is clear. 😊

ONTAP updates do not automatically include disk firmware updates. While ONTAP updates may sometimes contain recommended firmware versions, disk firmware updates typically need to be done separately.

To ensure your disks are running the latest firmware:

Check Compatibility – Use NetApp’s Hardware Universe (hwu.netapp.com) to confirm the latest firmware versions for your disk models.
Use Active IQ Unified Manager – It can identify outdated disk firmware and suggest updates.
Manually Update Firmware – You can download disk firmware from NetApp’s support site and update it via ONTAP System Manager or CLI

Re: disk firmware update

TMACMD — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:40:54 GMT

your first comment is absolutely not correct.
please visit this link

https://aiq.netapp.com/system-firmware/major

you can choose major ONTAP releases or P releases

you can clearly see that disk and shelf firmware are absolutely included in ONTAP

as I posted earlier, it’s all about timing

when is ONTAP sent to q/a for testing (usually takes a solid couple weeks) they will usually (but not always) include the latest disk and shelf firmware.

Again, ONTAP updates never include the disk qualification file.

Re: disk firmware update

chenguanghui — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 02:18:07 GMT

hello:

Since the process of upgrading ONTAP includes upgrading the firmware, there is no need to manually update the firmware. When performing an ONTAP upgrade, the cluster firmware included with the ONTAP upgrade package will be copied to the boot device of each node and the new firmware will be automatically installed. If the firmware version in the cluster is lower than the firmware version bundled with the ONTAP upgrade package, the firmware of the components will be automatically updated.

If desired, you can also update firmware manually in between ONTAP upgrades

Best regards.

Re: disk firmware update

TMACMD — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:16:17 GMT

Again...not always true. To find out what versions of firmware are packaged with each verison of ONTAP, please consult this page: https://aiq.netapp.com/system-firmware/major

When NetApp decides, they will include system firmware in the ONTAP bundle. Depedning on timing will determine when the Disk/Shelf firware are included. Do not assume the latest firmware is in every latest ONTAP release. Rarely is that ever true!

It DOES NOT HURT THE SYSTEM to simply download the latest Disk FW bundle and the Shelf FW bundle and the Disk Qualification file and install them ANYTIME before or after ONTAP upgrades. IF you install any disk/shelf firmware that ONTAP did not have, it will usually install the update within the next hour.

If you properly install "system firmware" or BIOS/LOADER, it will be auto-applied on the next reboot.

Re: disk firmware update

TMACMD — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:59:30 GMT

In fact here is a great example.

ONTAP 9.14.1P12 was just recently published (like today Mar 31, 2025)

It is finally including the "Latest" BIOS/Loader for the

A700/FAS9000 (firmware published Oct 2024)
A150-A200-A220-A300-C190-FAS8200-FAS27x0-FAS26x0 I(firmware published Oct 2024)
A700s (firmware published Oct 2024)
A320 (firmware published Oct 2024)
AFF-A400, AFF-C400, ASA-A400, ASA-C400, FAS8300, FAS8700 (firmware published Oct 2024)
AFF-A250, AFF-C250, ASA-A250, ASA-C250, FAS500f (firmware published Oct 2024)
AFF-A800, AFF-C800, ASA-A800, ASA-C800 (firmware published Oct 2024)
- THIS HAS NEWER firmware published 10-Mar-2025 that is NOT included.