IBM LTO4 Tape Drive
 
IBM LTO7 Tape Drive
 
IBM LTO3 Tape Drive
 
LTO Tape Drive
 
IBM LTO1 Tape Drive
 
IBM LTO2 Tape Drive
 
IBM LTO5 Tape Drive
 
IBM LTO6 Tape Drive
 

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In this Document

Goal

Solution

Applies to:

Goal

This document assists with upgrading IBM LTO drive Firmware (ATR:1364342:0)

Solution

DISPATCH INSTRUCTIONS
  - WHAT SKILLS DOES THE FE NEED:
Knowledge of SL&L Series Libraries, SLC, LTO Drives, IBM ITDT, SCSI Toolbox

TASK COMPLEXITY: 0

TIME ESTIMATE: 45 minutes
 
FIELD ENGINEER INSTRUCTIONS:
   -PROBLEM OVERVIEW:
To upgrade IBM LTO drive Firmware using available methods.
  - WHAT STATE SHOULD THE SYSTEM BE IN TO BE READY TO PERFORM THE RESOLUTION ACTIVITY?:
Affected drives must be offline from host application.

WHAT ACTION DOES THE ENGINEER NEED TO TAKE:

Method 1 : FW upgrade using IBM Tape Diagnostic Tool - ITDT
NOTE :Drive must be attached over data path to FE's Laptop or Customer's host which has IBM ITDT program installed.

Contact Oracle Tape Technical Support to acquire this tool.

Download the required tool version from the Tape Support website: IBM ITDT tools are listed under the "Reference" -> "Tape Product Tools" -> "OEM Drives" section on TapeSupport (https://tapesupport.us.oracle.com/Procedures/tools_main.php#OEM Drives).

Note: For the Windows versions of IBM ITDT tools, MOS won't allow you to post an ".exe" or ".msi" file so we had to add a ".txt" file extension to the end of them so please make sure the customer is aware that after they download the file from MOS they will have to take the ".txt" file extension off.

1. Check Library & Drive matrix from Tape Support or OEM Tape page & identify the Patch ID of current Firmware.
2. Download the identified patch from MOS & unzip the patch.
3. Refer to the README for patch specific instructions & precautions.
4. Start IBM ITDT program & select Diagnostic/Maintenance icon from the main screen.
5. From 'Control Center' select the drive to be updated & click 'update' tab.
6. A file dialog window opens up. Browse and select the '.ro' file from the extracted patch.
7. Watch the progress window shown during FW update to confirm the completion.Update may take about 3-5 minutes.
8. Be careful not to interrupt or reset or power cycle the drive during the update process.
9. Re-initialize drive after code upgrade.
10. Re-Connect the drive to Customer's host system.(if applicable)

Method 2 : FW upgrade using STK STB (SCSI Tool Box)
NOTE :Drive must be attached over data path to FE's laptop through Magma Box  or to Customer's host which should have SCSI Tool Box SW installed.

1. Follow steps 1-3 of Method 1.
2. Start the STB program & highlight the appropriate drive from Main Screen.
3. From top pull down Menu Navigate to Tape -->Commands -->Firmware Downloads -->IBM LTO Firmware Download. This opens up  a new window.
4. From the opened window browse & locate the '.fmr' file extracted from patch and hit the 'select' button.
5. Verify the correct drive is selected and confirm the download to complete the  upgrade.
6. Follow steps 8-10 of Method 1.


Method 3 : FW upgrade using tload utility
> 'tlod' utility can be used to update FW over data path when drive is attached to Solaris or Linux hosts.
> May not be available for all the patch releases.
> 'tload.tar' utility is bundled with patch when its supported.
> Follow README file of patch for the step by step update procedure.

Method 4: Updating the Firmware using the Ethernet Port
Note: The drive uses a limited version of FTP protocol to communicate on the ethernet interface. It is recommended to use a simple, command line FTP session, such as the DOS command prompt, when communicating with the drive.
1. Obtain the latest drive firmware from the web, as described above.
2. Connect an ethernet patch cable to the drive's ethernet interface and to a computer. In order to meet electromagnetic immunity requirements, a shielded ethernet cable is required.
3. Create an FTP session between the drive and the computer. The drive's IP address: 169.254.0.3
4. At the user prompt, type guest and press Enter.
5. At the password prompt, press Enter. No response is needed.
6. Type bin to set the communication mode to binary.
7. Type put <firmware name> to transfer the firmware to the drive. Replace <firmware name> with the actual firmware name. The drive will reset automatically when the transfer is complete and the FTP session will close.
8. After the drive resets, the new firmware will be loaded on the drive.
9. Remove the ethernet patch cable from the drive's ethernet interface and the computer.

Note: 27-Jan-2014

tload.tar --> Firmware loader utility for Solaris
tload utility from Server using TSM will cause Server to Panic; disconnecting customer from utility and not applying code.
The issue is with TSM driver. TSM uses the "IBMtape" driver for Solaris.  The tload tool is only compatible with the generic default ST tape driver for Solaris.
Workaround is to use the IBM ITDT tool for Solaris to upgrade the code on drives. 
 
CONFIRM THE FIX BY:
Verify the updated FW version is reflected in SLC or CLI

OBTAIN CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE:
- WHAT ACTION DOES THE CUSTOMER NEED TO TAKE TO RETURN THE SYSTEM TO AN OPERATIONAL STATE:
Bring the drive online in host application. Verify read/write to drive.

PARTS NOTE:
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
References :
1. KB 1016313.1: SCSI/FC Toolbox- Obtaining STB or Magma associated Drivers

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