FAS250 Data Ontap compatibility 7.3.3

[albertocerpa]

Hi,

New users here.  We have in our research lab a FAS250 system running 7.0.1R1.  Full sysconfig info follows:

fs1> sysconfig  -v
    NetApp Release 7.0.1R1: Wed May 18 23:02:49 PDT 2005
    System ID: 0084184149 (fs1)
    System Serial Number: 2009662 (fs1)
    System Rev: J0
    slot 0: System Board 600 MHz (TSANTSA E0)
                Model Name:         FAS250
                Part Number:        110-00016
                Revision:           E0
                Serial Number:      298069
                Firmware release:   CFE 1.2.0
                Processors:         2
                Processor revision: B2
                Processor type:     1250
                Memory Size:        510 MB
                NVMEM Size:         64 MB of Main Memory Used
    slot 0: FC Host Adapter 0b (Dual-channel, QLogic 2312 rev. 2, 32-bit, L-port, <UP>)
        Firmware rev:    3.3.142
        Host Loop Id:    7    FC Node Name:    5:00a:098000:001425
        Cacheline size:    8    FC Packet size:    2048
        SRAM parity:    Yes    External GBIC:    No
        Link Data Rate:    1 Gbit
                 22: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 23: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 24: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 25: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 26: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 27: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 28: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 29: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 16: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 17: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 18: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 19: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 20: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA07 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
                 21: NETAPP   X274_SCHT6146F10 NA08 136.0GB (280790184 520B/sect)
        Shelf 1: EFH  (DS14-Mk2-FC Based Filer)
    slot 0: FC Host Adapter 0c (Dual-channel, QLogic 2312 rev. 2, 32-bit, L-port, <UP>)
        Firmware rev:    3.3.142
        Host Loop Id:    7    FC Node Name:    5:00a:098100:001425
        Cacheline size:    8    FC Packet size:    2048
        SRAM parity:    Yes    External GBIC:    No
        Link Data Rate:    2 Gbit
    slot 0: Dual SB1250-Gigabit Ethernet Controller
        Device Type:        BCM1250
        e0a MAC Address:    00:a0:98:01:8a:12 (auto-1000t-fd-up)
        e0b MAC Address:    00:a0:98:01:8a:13 (auto-1000t-fd-up)
    slot 0: NetApp ATA/IDE Adapter 0a (0x00000000000001f0)
                0a.0                 SanDisk  SDCFB-256-911B   2.15 245MB 512B/sect (109306K0504J02018)
fs1>

We are planning to update to a newer Data Ontap release, and using the support page we found out that the latest general deployment release compatible with FAS 250 is 7.3.3.

http://now.netapp.com/NOW/cgi-bin/software?product=Data+ONTAP&platform=FAS250

However, when reading the release notes from 7.3.3 we noticed a red flag:

"Beginning with Data ONTAP 7.3, DS14 disk shelves (sometimes   referred  to as DS14mk1), LRC storage I/O modules, and ESH storage I/O modules    are no longer supported. If even one of these devices is attached to  your   storage system, you should not upgrade to Data ONTAP 7.3 or  later. For more   information, see Systems including DS14 shelves, ESH modules or LRC   modules in the Data ONTAP 7.3.3  Release Notes."

From the previous link, it is clear that ESH or LRC modules with DS14mk2FC are no longer supported.

The issue is that the FAS250 uses an integrated EFH module (see sysconfig output for Shelf 1).  From this page: https://now.netapp.com/Knowledgebase/solutionarea.asp?id=ntapcs11615, it states that the Embedded Filer Hear (EFH) has an LRC module, which makes matters rather unclear. Is the FAS250 system shown above compatible with the GDR 7.3.3 release?

Thanks for any help you may provide.

Best regards,

-Al

[scottgelb]

The FAS250 shelf is MK2, but you are right the EFH is considered and LRC.  It is supported for 7.3 though as well as the FAS270 which uses the same onboard module.  The download page gives 7.3.3 and 7.3.4 options supported for the FAS250 so an exception is made for the EFH.  I would run an upgrade advisor on the system before doing an upgrade (from the my autosupport page) to confirm enough free space (3% free in each aggregate).  I would also probably upgrade to 7.2 then 7.3 since if any issue with 7.3 you can't revert back to 7.0 (we can only revert 2 major releases)

[Darkstar]

The EFH module is not ESH or LRC. It may be based on one but it is not the same.

Also, the text you quoted explicitly mentioned "LRC storage I/O modules" and "ESH storage I/O modules" (emphasis mine).

Since the EFH module is not a storage I/O module you should be okay.

-Michael

[jb2cool01 · Accepted solution]

I've got a pair ofr FAS250's running 7.3.3. No worries.

[albertocerpa]

Hi all,

Thanks to all the people that answered us in this thread.  We'll follow your advice, and update first to 7.2.7, and if everything is fine, update again to 7.3.3.

Your input and advise is truly appreciated!

Cheers,

-Al