Setup Guide
3
PS Series Arrays – Planning and Prerequisites
NOTE: Any account with group administrator permissions can update array rmware.
Before performing a rmware update:
• You must understand the impact of the update on the infrastructure and plan the update process carefully to avoid unplanned
downtime. After updating any SAN component, test it to make sure that it is functioning properly.
NOTE: Dell recommends that you perform rmware updates during periods of low activity. If possible, perform the
update after a backup.
• If you are planning to update the rmware on your FS Series appliances, you must rst update the rmware on your PS Series
storage arrays.
• Visit the Dell Recommended rmware versions page at eqlsupport.dell.com for the latest release recommendations. If the array is
not running a supported version of array rmware, Dell strongly recommends that you update the rmware.
• If you receive an array with a later version of rmware than the version that is running on other arrays, update all your arrays to
the later rmware version. If that update is not feasible, contact your Dell EqualLogic support representative.
• If you are adding an array to an existing group, update the rmware on the other group members to the latest recommended
rmware rst. Then, update the array's rmware to the latest recommended version. When all group members are running the
same rmware, add the new member to the group.
NOTE: Mixed rmware groups are supported only during the update process.
• Optimize your SAN for high availability by reading and implementing the best practices documented in Dell EqualLogic PS Series
Storage Arrays iSCSI Initiator and Operating System Considerations: Optimizing Your SAN Environment for High Availability.
PS Group Health Check
Make sure that the EqualLogic PS Series group and arrays that you are updating have no current health problems. Check the
following areas for issues:
• Group Message Log — Verify that no active errors or warnings are in the group message log.
• Group Conguration Check — Verify that RAID is healthy and not in a degraded state.
• Individual array attributes
– Verify that disk drives are healthy and no disks have failed.
– Verify that no arrays exhibit any enclosure threshold warnings.
– Verify that array controllers are healthy and update paths are allowed.
Do not update a PS Series group or upgrade an array if the array is experiencing any of the following issues:
• Near or above max I/O load — View SAN HQ to determine this value.
• Limited free space — Recommended minimum free space per pool is 5 percent of total pool capacity or 100GB per pool member,
whichever is less. View SAN HQ to determine this value.
• A replication operation is in progress.
• A volume or array migration is in progress.
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PS Series Arrays – Planning and Prerequisites