Chapter 5
C
HAPTER
5
DLT VS80 Firmware
This chapter explains how to update your tape drive’s firmware from a DLTtape IV data cartridge or from a file on the host server or workstation.
5.1
Updating Tape Drive Firmware—Overview
The DLT VS80 automatically updates the tape drive’s firmware directly from a DLTtape IV data cartridge containing the appropriate information. The tape drive also updates the tape drive’s firmware from the host server or workstation. See the WRITE BUFFER command in the DLT1/VS80 SCSI
Interface Guide.
C
AUTION
During a firmware update, take reasonable precautions to prevent a power failure. During the firmware update process, when the new firmware is actually being programmed into the
Flash EEPROM, a power failure—but not a Bus Reset— causes the tape drive’s controller module to become unstable.
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Chapter 5: DLT VS80 Firmware
5.2
Creating a Firmware Update Data Cartridge
To perform the firmware update, you need a DLTtape IV data cartridge and a copy of the firmware image. This image must be byte-written without compression onto the media. You must copy the firmware image to the media instead of using a backup utility to transfer it to the tape.
N
OTE
: UNIX Systems: You can use the FTP utility to transfer the binary image file onto the UNIX system. Be sure to specify “type image” before performing the get or put operation. Doing so prevents extra characters from being added to the image file, which would make the image file invalid. The image file must be exactly 1286*512 Bytes in size. The data must also be uncompressed.
5.3
Updating the Firmware
To update the tape drive’s firmware, follow the steps in this section.
C
AUTION
Never power off the tape drive or the host server or workstation during the firmware update process. Doing so can damage the tape drive’s controller hardware.
5.3.1 Updating the Firmware
N
OTE
: Read these instructions completely before proceeding. All timing indications are approximate.
1.
If there is a DLT data cartridge currently in the tape drive, remove it before proceeding.
2.
If possible, power cycle (turn the tape drive’s power off, then back on) and allow POST to complete successfully. The tape drive will emit a buzzing sound as the head drives toward its starting point (after 18 seconds). POST will complete after 20 seconds. When POST is complete and no data cartridge is inserted, only the Ready (green) LED is illuminated.
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DLT VS80 Tape Drive Installation and Operations Guide
3.
Press and hold the Unload button on the tape drive’s front panel until the LEDs are no longer illuminated (approximately 12 seconds), then release the Unload button. The Ready LED flashes.
4.
Within four seconds, press and release the Unload button again. All LEDs should blink, indicating that the tape drive is in firmware upgrade mode.
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AUTION
While the tape drive is in firmware upgrade mode, DO NOT
POWER OFF THE TAPE DRIVE, or the host server/ workstation (if connected), until the firmware upgrade process is complete. You can damage the tape drive’s controller hardware if you power off the tape drive.
5.
Insert the Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge into the tape drive. The tape drive then begins the process of reading the image file from the data cartridge. All LEDs flash or are steadily illuminated during the various phases of the upgrade process, which typically takes about five minutes. If the firmware upgrade process completes successfully, the tape drive automatically ejects the Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge.
6.
Power cycle (off, then on) the tape drive. The tape drive is now ready to use with the new firmware.
Please observe the following conditions:
•
You may need to restart your computer for it to recognize the tape drive.
•
If the tape drive does not eject the Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge, the firmware upgrade failed.
This may be because the data cartridge was not a valid Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge. If so, no damage has occurred. Obtain a valid Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge and repeat the process. See
“Troubleshooting the Firmware Upgrade” on page 5-4
for instructions on how to proceed.
•
If you press and hold the Unload button for six seconds (LEDs on) and release it before 12 seconds
(LEDs off), the tape drive executes a Front Panel Reset and runs POST.
•
If you press and hold the Unload button for 12 seconds (LEDs on, then off) and then release it without pressing it again within four seconds, the tape drive reverts to Ready mode, indicated by the Ready (green) LED.
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Chapter 5: DLT VS80 Firmware
5.3.2 Troubleshooting the Firmware Upgrade
If the firmware upgrade failed, the tape drive does not unload the Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge at the end of the process. Refer to
Table 5-1
for troubleshooting information.
Table 5-1.
Firmware Upgrade Troubleshooting
Problem Indications/Solution
The data cartridge is not a valid Firmware Upgrade
Data Cartridge.
Indications: The tape drive does not attempt to update the firmware. The tape drive resets and leaves the data cartridge loaded to indicate that the firmware update did not succeed. No damage to the tape drive or data cartridge results.
Solution:
1.
Eject the data cartridge as described in
“Unloading a Data Cartridge” on page 4-5
.
2.
Make a valid Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge to solve this problem.
3.
Repeat the steps in
“Updating the Firmware” on page 5-2 .
The data cartridge contains a valid firmware upgrade image file, but the flash EEPROM programming process fails.
1.
Eject the Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge.
2.
Power cycle the tape drive (off, then on).
3.
Make a new Firmware Upgrade Data Cartridge.
4.
Repeat the update process.
If the previous steps do not work, the tape drive’s controller hardware is probably damaged and must be replaced. The tape drive resets and runs POST, which fails if the flash EEPROM does not contain a valid firmware image. If this occurs, you must repair the tape drive before using it again.
Call Technical Support for repair service.
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4001 Discovery Dr., Ste. 1100
Boulder, CO 80303
720.406.5700
May, 2004
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