4 – Managing Switches
Managing Firmware
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4.11
Managing Firmware
The switch memory is partitioned for two firmware images. One of these partitions
contains the active firmware; that is, the firmware version that is in use. The other
partition contains the inactive firmware which is not in use. The pending firmware
is the firmware that will be activated at the next switch reset. The pending
firmware can be the active firmware or the inactive firmware. When you install new
firmware, that image becomes the inactive firmware and the pending firmware.
Upon resetting the switch, this image becomes both the active and pending
firmware.
Firmware management tools enable you to do the following:
Install and activate new firmware
Activate the pending firmware
Change the pending firmware
4.11.1
Installing Firmware
Installing firmware involves loading, unpacking, and activating the firmware image
on the switch. SANbox Manager does this in one operation.
To install firmware, do the following:
1. In the faceplate display, open the Switch menu and select Load Firmware.
2. In the Firmware Upload dialog, choose the Select button to browse and
select the firmware file to be uploaded.
3. Choose the Start button to begin the firmware load process.
4. When the loading is complete, choose the Close button to close the
Firmware Upload dialog.
5. If a non-disruptive activation is not possible, SANbox Manager prompts you
to reset the switch. Choose the OK button to reset the switch and activate
the new firmware.
Note: To provide consistent performance throughout the fabric, ensure that
all switches are running the same version of firmware.
Note: For firmware versions that follow the initial release of version 2.0, you
have the ability to install and activate new firmware without resetting
the switch, and therefore, without disrupting traffic. SANbox Manager
will attempt a non-disruptive firmware installation and activation
whenever possible.