HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 6.1.1 administrator guide (5697-0235, December 2009)

176 Installing and maintaining firmware
If the firmware download process is interrupted by an unexpected reboot, the system will automatically
repair and recover the secondary partition. You must wait for the recovery to complete before issuing
another firmwareDownload command.
The command supports both non-interactive and interactive modes. If the firmwareDownload command
is issued without any operands, or if there is any syntax error in the parameters, the command enters an
interactive mode, and you are prompted for input.
TIP: For each switch in your fabric, complete all firmware download changes on the current switch
before issuing the firmwareDownload command on the next switch. This process ensures
nondisruption of traffic between switches in your fabric.
To verify the firmwareDownload process is complete, issue the firmwareDownloadStatus
command on the switch, verify the process is complete, move on to the next switch.
Upgrading and downgrading firmware
Upgrading means installing a newer version of firmware. Downgrading means installing an older version
of firmware.
In most cases, you will be upgrading firmware; that is, installing a newer firmware version than the one you
are currently running. However, some circumstances may require installing an older version; that is,
downgrading the firmware. The procedures in this section assume that you are upgrading firmware, but
they work for downgrading as well, provided the old and new firmware versions are compatible. Always
reference the latest HP StorageWorks Fabric OS release notes for updates that may exist regarding
downgrades.
Effects of firmware changes on accounts and passwords
Table 51 describes what happens to accounts and passwords when you replace the switch firmware with a
different version.
For details on administrative domains and the firmware download, see ”Managing administrative
domains” on page 153 for more information. For more details on older releases of Fabric OS, see
”Interoperating with an M-EOS fabric” on page 469.
For details about testing and restoring firmware, see ”Testing and restoring firmware on directors” on
page 190.
Considerations for FICON CUP environments
To prevent channel errors during nondisruptive firmware installation, the switch CUP port must be taken
offline from all host systems.
Table 51 Effects of firmware changes on accounts and passwords
Change First time Subsequent times
(After upgrade, then
downgrade,and then upgrade)
Upgrading Default accounts and their passwords are
preserved.
User-defined and default accounts and
their passwords are preserved.
Downgrading User-defined accounts are no longer valid.
Default accounts and their passwords
are preserved. If a default account was
disabled, it is reenabled after the
downgrade.
User-defined and default accounts and
their passwords are preserved, including
accounts added after the first upgrade.