Updating Tape Drive Firmware Using an Image File

The web client allows you to update tape drive firmware using a firmware image file. It takes approximately 30 minutes to update one or more tape drive using an image file.

Because drives can be updated in parallel, updating multiple drives does not require more time than updating a single drive. You can upgrade multiple tape drives at one time if they are of the same tape drive type (for example, LTO-3) and interface type (for example, SCSI).

Tape drive firmware is available at www.quantum.com/support. Navigate to the appropriate firmware version and download the file to your computer hard drive. Note that tape drive firmware also comes bundled with library firmware, firmware update instructions, and Release Notes. Verify with the Release Notes or technical support that you are updating the tape drives with the correct version of firmware. For technical support contact information, see Getting More Information or Help.

Also note that each tape drive interface type (SCSI, SAS, and Fibre Channel) requires unique firmware. For example, you cannot use a SCSI firmware image file to update a Fibre Channel tape drive and vice-versa.

It is recommended that all tape drives of the same interface type have the same firmware level installed. The library allows you to update firmware on multiple tape drives at one time.

If the tape drive and affected partition is online, it will be taken offline before the firmware update operation is performed, and brought back online after it is complete. You will be asked to confirm that you want to take the tape drive and partition offline.

CAUTION: Before you update tape drive firmware, make sure that cartridges are not loaded in any tape drives.

CAUTION: Do not turn off power to the library during the update process. Turning off power to the library during the update can cause problems with the library.

NOTE: This operation should not be performed concurrently by multiple administrative users logged in from different locations. You can access the appropriate screens, but you cannot apply changes while another administrative user is performing the same operation.

Users with administrative privileges can update tape drive firmware using an image file, but users with user privileges cannot.

  1. Using the web client, select Tools > Drive Operations.

    The Tools - Drive Operations screen appears. The screen lists the available drive operations.

  2. Using the web client, select Update tape drive firmware using a firmware image file and click Next.

    The Update Drive Firmware By Image screen appears. The screen lists the following information about each installed tape drive: partition, location, drive firmware, status, and if connected to an I/O blade.

  3. Using the web client, do one of the following:
  4. Using the web client, select the interface type you want to update and click Next.

    The Update Drive Firmware screen appears. This screen lists the location, current installed firmware, and status of each tape drive of a specific interface type.

  5. Select the tape drive(s) you want to update and click Next.
  6. NOTE: If there is more than one page of tape drives, use the Page 1 of x arrows to view the additional tape drives.

    NOTE: Bold column headings in the table can be sorted. For example, selecting the Location column heading will sort by location coordinates.

    The Update Drive Firmware By Image screen appears.

  7. Click Browse.
  8. Locate the tape drive firmware image file and click Open.
  9. Click Apply.

    The Progress Window appears. The Progress Window contains information on the action, elapsed time, and status of the requested operation. Do one of the following:

  10. To verify the firmware update, view the System Information Report and verify that the correct firmware appears for the tape drive(s) you updated.

    For information on how to view the System Information Report, see Viewing System Information.

  11. Do one of the following:

See also: