Updating IOM6

[JensD]

Hello! I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, so please excuse if it's not.

I own some DS4243 which I outfitted with IOM6 modules. I use them privately in my homelab. The IOM6 are on different firmware versions and I noticed they behave a little differently. I want to bring them all to the same firmware version. I have no experience with OnTap or any other NetApp software as I use the DS4243 just as shelves with HBAs and free NAS software.

I recently got a FAS2240 controller module and I have a FAS2040 (I think), both of which I don't know if they work correctly.

Is there any way to update the IOM6 to the last release with the options I have? If so, how?

Thanks for your help in advance! 

[TMACMD]

I take no responsibility for any data loss. This process will likely update you NetApp Shelves with NetApp Firmware.

If you really...REALLY....want to, you could likely do something like this:

1. remove the DS4243/IOM6 from your homelab
2. put some drives into the FAS2240 and get it up (supports UP TO ONTAP 9.1)
3. Install the latest SHELF_FW package. Need to use CLI
4. After it is booted and the FW package installed, move your DS4243/IOM6 to the FAS2240
   1. Note: but I would detach all the drives to be safe...so ONTAP doesn't try to do anything with them!)
5. Wait for the DIsk Shelf Firmware to update.
6. Shutdown the FAS2240 and move the shelves back.

[JensD]

Thanks for the reply. I have an empty DS4243 shelf where I would put in the FAS2240 module and one IOM6 after another till they're all updated. Would that work or is there any electronics inside the DS4243 (besides the IOM6 I mean) that need updating?

As I said I'm not familiar with OnTap. Could you describe points 2 and 3 in detail? I wouldn't know how to update the FAS to 9.1, how to access the CLI or what commands to use to download the firmware package. Is it essential to have disks in the FAS2240? Do all power supplies need power for the process to work?

As for compatibility, of course I'd try it with only one of the IOM6 first. I got some spares. And I won't have any disks attached with important data on them.

[TMACMD]

I thought you had some familiarity. This is likely the wrong forum for you. It is not as simple as you indicated. You must attach the shelf as an external shelf to the 2240. 

I’m sorry. I’ll stop at this point

[JensD]

Well, I wrote in my initial post that I have no experience with OnTap or any NetApp software yet...

Which forum would be the right one for what I intend to do?

[TMACMD]

probably over in Reddit-> https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/

[JensD]

I tried to find answers there and at the Serve the Home forums, but it seems they lack the knowledge about NetApp internals. That's why I came here in the first place.

Thanks for the reply anyway. I'll try to puzzle it together myself and hope for the best.

[AlexDawson]

Hi there - if you're not using it with ONTAP, I suspect there's no point going to the effort needed to upgrade the firmware on them.

[JensD]

Hi there! Well, as said, they behave slightly different and I hope that goes away when brought to the same firmware version.

Also, I have to say the NetApp ecosystem kinda intrigues me and I'd like to learn a bit more about. Right now, I don't even get the FAS2240 module to work. The regular Ethernet ports won't activate when I insert a cable (while the other side is connected to a switch of course), only the management one will, but it won't get an address from DHCP. So I'm working on that right now.

Regards!

[JensD]

Could someone at least tell me if and how I can get the latest shelf firmware package?

[JensD]

I'm at a point now where I can update the shelves. Tried it, works. I just need a current all_shelf_fw.zip which I can't seem to find here. What do I need to do to download it?

[JensD]

Alright. Could someone at least tell me what's the last firmware version for IOM6? Just to see if any of the ones I have are on that version...

[AlexDawson]

Hi JensD,

0211 is the current and likely last recommended firmware for IOM6 controllers.

Hope this helps.