Updating Tape Drive Firmware Using a FUP Tape

You can update tape drive firmware using a firmware upgrade (FUP) tape.

A FUP tape contains a specific version of tape drive firmware and is used to transfer firmware to one or more tape drives within the library. A FUP tape is required to complete this operation. For information on creating FUP tapes, see Creating FUP Tapes.

Make sure to update the library with the appropriate level of tape drive firmware, compatible with the tape drive type. To determine the appropriate firmware, see the library’s Release Notes or contact Dell. For contact information, see Contacting Dell.

Details on updating tape drive firmware using a FUP tape include:

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 administrators logged in from different locations. You can access the appropriate screens, but you cannot apply changes while another administrator is performing the same operation.

The following procedure requires you to have access to both the remote Web client and the local operator panel. If you need to perform this procedure remotely, you must first insert the FUP tape into the library's topmost import/export (I/E) station slot before performing this procedure from a remote location.

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

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

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

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

  5. Using the Web client, select the one or more tape drives you want to update and click Next.
  6. The Update Drive Firmware By Tape screen appears.

    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.

  1. Do one of the following:
  2. Using the Web client, click Apply on the Create Firmware Tape screen.
  3. The Progress Window displays. The Progress Window contains information on the action, elapsed time, and status of the requested operation.The tape drive firmware update takes approximately 3 minutes. Do one of the following:

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

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

  5. Do one of the following:

See also: