IBM ServeRAID, User Reference

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Chapter 17. Upgrading a ServeRAID controller
This section contains instructions for upgrading a ServeRAID controller. The
following table displays possible upgrade scenarios.
Existing controller Upgrade to
ServeRAID-II Upgrade to
ServeRAID-3 Upgrade to
ServeRAID-4
ServeRAID-II Yes Yes Yes
ServeRAID-3 No Yes Yes
ServeRAID-4 No No Yes
Backward compatibility is not supported. In addition, you must usually upgrade to a
controller with the same or greater number of channels; upgrading to a controller
with fewer number of channels is possible only if the new controller contains as
many or more channels than those actually used on the original controller.
You must select a ServeRAID controller that meets the conditions outlined above.
After updating the device driver, BIOS and firmware code, and utility programs, you
can replace the older controller with the new controller and copy the configuration
from the physical drives.
Notes:
1. When upgrading an existing system, you must update the device driver before
flashing the controller with the new BIOS and firmware code.
2. This procedure assumes that you are replacing an existing ServeRAID controller
in a fully functioning system.
Updating device drivers, BIOS and firmware code, and utility programs
Complete the following steps to upgrade the device driver, BIOS and firmware code,
and utility programs:
1. Install the device driver for the new ServeRAID controller. For more information,
see the IBM ServeRAID Device Driver Installation Instructions
(DEVDRV51.PDF) on the IBM ServeRAID Support CD.
2. Update the BIOS and firmware code for your existing ServeRAID controller,
using the IBM ServeRAID Support CD that came with the new controller. For
more information, see “Updating BIOS and firmware code” on page 35.
3. If the IPSSEND command-line program is currently installed on the server,
upgrade to the latest version. For more information, see “Installing the IPSSEND
command-line program” on page 71.
4. Upgrade or install the ServeRAID Manager program. For more information, see
“Installing the ServeRAID Manager program” on page 93.
5. Ensure that the server is functioning properly before continuing to “Replacing
the old controller”.
Replacing the old controller
Complete the following steps to replace the old controller:
1. Shut down the server.
2. Make note of which SCSI cables were attached to specific channels.
3. Remove any cables from the old controller; remove the controller.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2002
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