Brocade Firmware Upgrade MetroCluster

18th July 2023.

Using ConfigUpload to Backup the Switch Config:
switch:admin> configupload
Protocol (scp, ftp, sftp, local) [ftp]: sftp
Server Name or IP Address [host]: 192.168.38.245
User Name [user]: jdoe
File Name [<home dir>/config.txt]:
Section (all|chassis|switch [all]):
Password: *****

Upgrading or downgrading the firmware on a Brocade FC switch (netapp.com):
https://docs.netapp.com/us-en/ontap-metrocluster/maintain/task_upgrade_or_downgrad_the_firmware_on_a_brocade_fc_switch_mcc.html
There are health checks in the document. Very important is that each disk is seen on both MetroCluster fabrics, because you'll take down one Fabric at a time.

i) Brocade Checks:

  • firmwareShow
  • fabricShow
  • switchShow
  • portbuffershow
  • porfcfgshow

ii) ONTAP Checks:

  • node run -node NODENAME sysconfig -a
  • system health alert show
  • metrocluster show
  • metrocluster check run
  • metrocluster check show
  • storage switch show
  • disk show -disk ADISK -instance
  • disk show -fields initiator-side-switch-port
  • disk show -errors !'-'
  • disk show -container-type broken
  • aggr show
  • Config Advisor

1) Disable each of the switches in the fabric:

switchCfgPersistentDiasble
- or -
switchDisable

2) Download the desired firmware version:

firmwareDownload

3) Verify the firmware was download and committed to both partitions:

firmwareShow

4) Reboot the switches:

reboot

5) Enable the switches:

switchCfgPersistentEnable

6) Repeat i and ii.

7) Wait 15 minutes before repeating this procedure for the second switch fabric.


NetApp Support Site - All Products - Brocade Fibre Channel Switches (Downloads):
https://mysupport.netapp.com/site/products/all/details/brocade-fibre-channel-switches/downloads-tab

Some more  health checks:
https://kb.netapp.com/onprem/ontap/os/How_to_perform_a_cluster_health_check_with_a_script_in_ONTAP

Command Reference Manual 8.2.x:
Brocade® Fabric OS® Command Reference Manual, 8.2.x (broadcom.com)

Troubleshooting:
Issues while trying to upload image in SAN switches "Failed to access sftp" - NetApp Knowledge Base
Note: We found that we needed /v8.2.3c1_G5_ENTRY in our firmwareDownload (i.e. don't rename to simpler path).
How to upgrade or downgrade Brocade switch firmware - NetApp Knowledge Base
Note: The release.plist file is not listed in the root of the firmware directory (/fw/v8.4.0), but the firmware will use the appropriate release.plist file in the child directory, based on its switch type.


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