→ Applies to: VMware ESXi 6.5 and above

This article describes how to upgrade the firmware of the LSI SAS9300-8i storage controller, installed on Syneto HYPER Core 3000 appliances, IT mode to version 16.00.12.00. The storage controller is managed directly by the SynetoOS VM and controls the data storage disks.
To upgrade the controller firmware, the HYPER Core appliance must be booted from a virtual CD-ROM using IPMI.

IMPORTANT
Before performing the upgrade, ensure all data on the affected appliance's storage pool has been replicated to a secondary appliance.

Ensure the following prerequisites are met before starting:

– Controller chip: ensure the storage controller chip model is SAS3008;
– IPMI: ensure you have access to the IPMI interface from remote management;
– Firmware ISO: ensure you have downloaded the ISO file for firmware upgrade (FWUPG9300.ISO);
– Windows PC: ensure you have a Windows PC with Java JRE installed;
– Downtime: schedule appropriate downtime.

Verify the Appliance Model and Firmware Version

Step 1. Login to VMware ESXi GUI (replace <your_ip_address_or_hostname> with the correct ip/hostname)

https://<your_ip_address_or_hostname>

Step 2. From the left menu, click on Host

Step 3. Check the Model of Syneto appliance in the Hardware section

Step 4. From the left menu, click on Manage

Step 5. From the Hardware tab, under the PCI Devices section, check the model of your PCI device

Identify the PCI device with passthrough enabled and note its ID number

Verify the Controller Model
Step 1. Connect to SynetoOS appliance via SSH as admin

ssh admin@<your_ip_address_or_hostname>

Step 2 (optional). Change into Solaris shell (in case you're directed to an unsupported shell)

un sh

Step 3. Get root privileges

sudo su -

Step 4. Check the firmware version

sasinfo hba -v

EXAMPLE OUTPUT

HBA Name: SUNW-mpt_sas-0
    Manufacturer: LSISAS3008
    Model:  SAS9300-8i
    Firmware Version: 16.0.10.0
    FCode/BIOS Version: not available
    Serial Number: LSISAS3008ALLSAS9300-8iH5-25573-00SPC3291235
    Driver Name: mpt_sas
    Driver Version: MPTSAS HBA Driver 00.00.00.24
    Number of HBA Ports: 4

Export the Storage Pool

Step 1. Login to SynetoOS GUI (replace <your_ip_address_or_hostname> with the correct ip/hostname)

https://<your_ip_address_or_hostname>

Step 2. Shut down and unregister all VMs

All VMs must be shutdown and unregistered except for the SynetoOS VM, which should remain powered on.

Step 3. Connect to SynetoOS appliance via SSH as admin

ssh admin@<your_ip_address_or_hostname>

Step 4 (optional). Change into Solaris shell (in case you're directed to an unsupported shell)

un sh

Step 5. Get root privileges

sudo su -

Step 6. Delete cache pools

rm -f /etc/zfs/zpool.cache

Upgrade the Controller Firmware

Step 1. Mount the ISO from IPMI ("How to Mount an ISO via IPMI")

Step 2. List controllers installed on the system

SAS3FLSH -listall

EXAMPLE OUTPUT

IMPORTANT
The controller model that needs to be upgraded is the SAS3008 model.

Step 3. Erase data of the SAS3008 storage controller (replace <num> with the correct information)

SAS3FLSH -c <num> -o -e 6

Step 4. Upgrade firmware (replace <num> with the correct information)

SAS3FLSH -c <num> -o -f SAS9300.BIN -b MPTSAS3.ROM -b MPT3X64.ROM

Step 5. Check if the firmware upgrade is completed

SAS3FLSH -listall

EXAMPLE OUTPUT

Step 6. Reboot the system

Import Pools

Step 1. Import pools

If the system is running SynetoOS 4: 
Import pools for SynetoOS 4 (“How to Import an Existing Pool in SynetoOS 4”)

If the system is running SynetoOS 5:  
Import pools for SynetoOS 5 (“How to Import an Existing Pool in SynetoOS 5”)

If the system is running SynetoOS 6: 
Import pools for SynetoOS 6 (“How to Import an Existing Pool in SynetoOS 6”