IBM N Series - Upgrading to Data ONTAP 7.3

298 IBM System Storage N series Hardware Guide
21.2.1 Upgrading to Data ONTAP 7.3
To identify the compatible IBM System Storage N series hardware for the supported releases
of Data ONTAP, see the IBM System Storage N series Data ONTAP Matrix that is available at
this website:
http://www.ibm.com/storage/support/nas
Update the installed N series storage system to the latest Data ONTAP release. Metrics
demonstrate reliability over many customer installations and completion of compatibility
testing with other products.
Upgrading Data ONTAP software requires several prerequisites, installing system files, and
downloading the software to the system CompactFlash. Required procedures can include the
following items:
򐂰 Update the system board firmware (system firmware).
To determine whether your storage system needs a system firmware update, compare the
version of installed system firmware with the latest version that is available.
򐂰 Update the disk firmware.
When you update the storage system software, disk firmware is updated automatically as
part of the storage system software update process. A manual update is not necessary
unless the new firmware is not compatible with the storage system disks.
򐂰 Update the Data ONTAP kernel.
The latest system firmware is included with Data ONTAP update packages for
CompactFlash-based storage systems. New disk firmware is sometimes included with
Data ONTAP update packages. For more information, see the Data ONTAP Upgrade
Guide, which is available at this website:
http://www.ibm.com/storage/support/nas
Storage systems can be upgraded in an Active/Active configuration by using one of the
following methods:
򐂰 Nondisruptive
The nondisruptive update method is appropriate when you must maintain service
availability during system updates. When you halt one node and allow takeover, the
partner node continues to serve data for the halted node.
򐂰 Standard
The standard update method is appropriate when you can schedule downtime for system
updates.
Upgrading Data ONTAP for a single node always requires downtime.
Attention: The high-level procedures that are described in this section are generic in
nature. They are not intended to be your only guide to performing a software upgrade.
Tip: Review the Data ONTAP Release Notes and IBM System Storage N series Data
ONTAP Upgrade Guide for your version of Data ONTAP at:
http://www.ibm.com/storage/support/nas