HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 5.X Administrator Guide (AA-RVHWB-TE, September 2005)

78 Maintaining configurations and firmware
To determine whether you need to upgrade connected switches before upgrading your switch, use the
following procedure on each connected switch to display firmware information and build dates.
1. Connect to the switch and log in as admin.
2. Issue the version command.
The following information is displayed:
• Kernel displays the version of switch kernel operating system.
• Fabric OS displays the version of switch Fabric OS.
• Made on displays the build date of firmware running in switch.
• Flash displays the installation date of firmware stored in nonvolatile memory.
• BootProm displays the version of the firmware stored in the boot PROM.
About the download process
The firmwareDownload command downloads unzipped switch firmware from an FTP server to the
switch’s nonvolatile storage area.
In the Core Switch 2/64, SAN Director 2/128, and 4/256 SAN Director, this command (when not using
any options flags) by default downloads the firmware image to a standby CP, if there is one, to prevent
disruption to application services. This operation depends on HA support. If HA is not available,
experienced technicians can upgrade the CPs one at a time, using the -s option.
Table 13 Recommended firmware
Switch model
1
Earliest recommended Fabric OS version
4/8 SAN Switch and 4/16 SAN
Switch
5.0.1
1 GB Switches 2.6.1
SAN Switch 2/8-EL, SAN Switch
2/16-EL, and SAN Switch 2/16
3.1.0
SAN Switch 2/8V and SAN
Switch 2/16V
4.2.0
SAN Switch 2/32 4.1.0
Brocade 4Gb SAN Switch for HP
p-Class BladeSystem
5.0.1
SAN Switch 4/32 4.4.0
Core Switch 2/64 4.1.0
SAN Director 2/128 4.2.0
4/256 SAN Director 5.0.1
1. During code activation on the SAN Switch 2/8V, SAN Switch 2/16V, or SAN Switch 2/32 running Fabric OS 4.1.0
or later, data continues to flow between hosts and storage devices; however, fabric services are unavailable for a
period of approximately 50–55 seconds. Possible disruption of the fabric can be minimized by ensuring that
switches logically adjacent to these models (directly connected via an ISL) are running at the minimum Fabric OS
2.6.1 or later, 3.1.0 or later, or 4.1.0 or later.
If the SAN Switch 2/8V, SAN Switch 2/16V, SAN Switch 2/32, Brocade 4Gb SAN Switch for HP p-Class
BladeSystem, or SAN Switch 4/32 are adjacent and you start firmware downloads on them at same time, there
might be I/O disruption.