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In this Document

Goal

Solution

Applies to:

Goal

 How to make FMR tape and upgrade IBM LTO via FMR tape cartridge.

Solution

Attention: A SAS drive requires a SAS firmware image. Other types of firmware images will not load on the SAS drive.

To update the drive's firmware from an FMR tape cartridge:
1. Create an FMR tape(see “Function Code 3: Create FMR Tape” on below of this document). A single FMR tape can be used to update multiple drives if the drives are the same drive type (e.g. LTO Gen 6) and host interface (e.g. SAS).

2. Update the drive firmware(see “Function Code 2: Update Drive Firmware from FMR Tape” on below of this document).

After updating the drive firmware, the FMR tape can be used as a data cartridge by using the "Unmake FMR Tape" function(see “Function Code 8: Unmake FMR Tape” on below of this document).

The SCD presents a series of random characters during the firmware download and update. The SCD briefly displays '8' , then becomes blank (not lit) when the firmware download and update is complete and there are no errors.
An error code will be displayed if a firmware download or update error has been detected. The Status Light briefly becomes green and then becomes amber during the firmware download and update. The Status Light becomes solid green after the firmware download and update are complete.

Function Code 2: Update Drive Firmware from FMR Tape
Attention: When updating drive firmware, do not power-off the drive until the update is complete or the firmware may be lost.
Function Code '2' loads drive firmware from a field microcode replacement (FMR) tape. The FMR tape must have been created from a same LTO Ultrium generation tape drive with the same host interface (SAS or Fibre Channel).
1. Place the drive in Maintenance Mode.
2. Press the Unload Button once per second until '2' appears in the SCD. (If you cycle past the desired code, press the Unload Button once per second until the code reappears.)
3. Press and hold the Unload Button for three or more seconds, then release it to select the function. The SCD changes to a flashing 'C' , requesting a cartridge.
4. Insert the FMR tape cartridge. The SCD changes to a flashing '2'. The tape drive loads the updated firmware from the FMR tape into its erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) area.

Function Code 3: Create FMR Tape
Function Code '3' copies the drive's field microcode replacement (FMR) data to a scratch data cartridge. The resulting FMR tape can only be used to update the firmware on other LTO Ultrium tape drives with the same host interface (SAS or Fibre Channel).
Attention: For this function, insert only a scratch (blank) data cartridge or a cartridge that may be overwritten. During the test, the drive overwrites the data on the cartridge.
Note: If you inserted an invalid tape cartridge (e.g., other generation of Ultrium or WORM tape cartridge), error code 'J' or '7' appears in the SCD. If you inserted a write-protected cartridge, or the media has read-only compatibility (e.g., lower generation of Ultrium tape cartridge), error code 'P' appears in the SCD. In either case, the tape drive unloads the cartridge and exits Maintenance Mode after the cartridge is removed.
1. Place the drive in Maintenance Mode.
2. Press the Unload Button once per second until '3' appears in the SCD. (If you cycle past the desired code, press the Unload Button once per second until the code reappears.)
3. Press and hold the Unload Button for three or more seconds, then release it to select the function. The SCD changes to a flashing 'C' , requesting a cartridge.
4. Insert a scratch (blank) data cartridge that is not write protected (or the tape drive exits maintenance mode). The SCD changes to a flashing '3' . The tape drive copies the FMR data to the scratch data cartridge.

Function Code 8: Unmake FMR Tape
Function Code '8' erases the field microcode replacement (FMR) data and rewrites the cartridge memory on the tape. This converts the cartridge into a valid scratch (blank) data cartridge.
1. Place the drive in maintenance mode.
2. Press the Unload Button once per second until '8' appears in the SCD. (If you cycle past the desired code, press the Unload Button once per second until the code reappears.)
3. Press and hold the Unload Button for three or more seconds, then release it to select function '8' . The SCD changes to a flashing 'C' , requesting a cartridge.
4. Insert the FMR data cartridge (or the tape drive exits maintenance mode). The SCD changes to a flashing '8'. The tape drive erases the firmware on the tape and rewrites the header in the cartridge memory to change the cartridge to a valid scratch (blank) data cartridge.

*Reference: IBM LTO Tape Drive Setup, Operator, and Service Guide: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E69343_01/en/lto7_hh_3580/lto7_hh_3580.pdf

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