HP StorageWorks 8/80 HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 6.2 administrator guide (5697-0 - Page 217

High Available sync state HA synchronization occurs when two CPs in an enterprise-class platform are synchronized. This state provides redundancy and a non-disruptive firmware download. In order for a firmware download to successfully occur, the two CPs in an enterprise-class platform must be in sync. If the CPs have mixed versions when you enter the firmwareDownload command, the CPs may not be in HA sync. In this case, you need to enter the firmwareDownload -s command first to upgrade or downgrade the standby CP to the same level as the active CP first, and then upgrade the CPs to the desired version of firmware. NOTE: Do not run mixed firmware levels on CPs. Table 56 shows the sync state of an enterprise-class platform that has different Fabric OS versions installed on the active and standby CP. Use the table to determine if you need to use the firmwareDownload -s command. Table 56 Enterprise-class platform HA sync states Active CP Fabric OS version Standby CP Fabric OS version HA sync state 6.1.x 6.2.0 inSync 6.2.0 6.1.x no sync 6.2.0 6.2.0 inSync A nondisruptive firmware download, which is performed by entering the firmwareDownload command without the -s operand, is supported only if you are upgrading from Fabric OS 6.1.x to 6.2.0. If you are downgrading from Fabric OS 6.2.0 to 6.1.x, you must enter the firmwareDownload -s command option as discussed in "Test and restore firmware on switches" on page 227 and "Test and restore firmware on enterprise-class platforms" on page 228. NOTE: Downgrading from Fabric OS 6.2.0 to 6.1.x is disruptive to FC traffic. Preparing for a firmware download Before executing a firmware download, HP recommends that you perform the tasks listed in this section. In the unlikely event of a failure or time-out, the preparation tasks that are described in this section will enable you to provide your switch support provider the information required to perform advanced troubleshooting. HP recommends that you perform a configUpload to back up the current configuration before you download firmware to a switch. See "Configuration file backup" on page 165 for details. 1. Read the release notes for the new firmware to find out if there are any updates related to the firmware download process. 2. Connect to the switch and log in as admin. Enter the firmwareShow command to verify that the current version of Fabric OS. HP does not support upgrades from more than one previous release. For example, upgrading from Fabric OS 6.1.0x to 6.2.0x is supported, but upgrading from Fabric OS 6.0.0x or a previous release directly to 6.2.0x is not. In other words, upgrading a switch from Fabric OS 6.0.0x to 6.2.0x is a two-step process-first upgrade to 6.1.0x, and then upgrade to 6.2.0x. If you are running a pre-Fabric OS 6.0.0x you will need to upgrade to 6.0.0x, and then to 6.1.0x, and finally to 6.2.0x. Fabric OS 6.2 administrator guide 215