Hello OptimumIT,

Here are the steps to do a firmware upgrade on your MD3400.

1. Gather support bundle in MDSM
2. WARNING: If you have a single controller PowerVault MD3400/MD3800 series storage array you must stop all I/O operations before starting the firmware upgrade.
3. Extract the firmware to folders and remember location.
4. Burn or mount the ISO for the resource cd.
5. Uninstall the MDSM from hosts (reboot required)
6. Install MDSM from resource DVD (reboot required)
7. Clear the Major Event Log.
8. Verify connection and data.
9. Update the hard drive firmware.

10. Reboot stack and verify all is optimal.

1. Power down the server(s)
2. Power down the MD32x0(i)
3. Power down any attached storage (MD12xx)
4. Leave the power off for 2-3 minutes

 Please allow for at least 60-85 minutes for the updates.  Time may vary depending on how long each reboot takes.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Hi Sam,

What is the procedure with dual controllers. I have read that we can upgrade one at a time and do not need to stop all IO to the controllers. Can you please help find some KB from Dell where it mentions the upgrade steps with dual controllers. 

best regards

Hello, 

I would like to share two documents to assist you. The steps to apply the update can be followed using these guides.

How to update the Controller Firmware of the PowerVault MD34xx – MD38xx Array https://dell.to/3JnoBsE

Downloading both RAID controller and NVSRAM firmware https://dell.to/3oKT6kg

Hope that helps!

Hi Erman,

I have a confusion about the Disk firmware compatibility with the raid controller firmware. Can we go to the latest version while the disks have older version of firmware. 

Best regards,

Hello KIT-SE, I couldn't find a best practice document that I can share for the MD34XX series firmware update procedure. I will try to help as follows. Please check "MD 34XX/38XX Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide, Management firmware downloads" https://dell.to/3KngAFf
It is difficult to talk about such a sharp sequence when updating. Although updating array often seems more important, but for example, some I/O performance problems can be fixed with disk fw updates. In this sense, I can recommend you update disk fw as well.

Before you start

*Don't forget to get the latest version of your PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager software if you haven't already.

*Issues affecting data integrity during a firmware update are rare but you should make sure you have a backup of the data contained in the array just in case.
*It is recommended that you basically Collect all Support Data from the "Summary" tab of MD Storage Manager before and after performing any firmware upgrade.

*RAID controller modules are briefly offline to load new firmware. If you have a single-controller PowerVault MD34xx series storage array, you must stop all I/O operations before starting the firmware upgrade.

CAUTION: When updating physical disk firmware, you should stop all I/O activity to the array to prevent data loss.

Hope that helps!