Dell EqualLogic PS4210XV, EqualLogic PS4210XS, EqualLogic PS4210E, EqualLogic PS4210 User Manual

Document Number: 110-6268-EN

Rev. R10

Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays Firmware Version 9.1.9 Release Notes

This document describes important product information and restrictions for Dell EqualLogic PS Series storage arrays running PS Series firmware version 9.1. This version of the firmware includes all corrections and enhancements made in prior releases. Unless otherwise noted, all information in this document applies to version 9.1 of the PS Series storage arrays and all future maintenance releases for version 9.1

CAUTION: Do not convert the initial RAID policy in a PS4210, PS6210, or PS6610 array until you have updated to the General Availability version of 9.1. RAID policy conversion while running the early (EPA) version of 9.1 might result later in user data inconsistency and/or failure of controller redundancy.

Topics:

•Revision History

•About PS Series Storage Arrays

•Firmware Update Kit

•What’s New in Version 9.1.8

•What’s New in Version 9.1

•System Limits and Compatibility

•PS Series Known Problems and Limitations

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1.9

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1.8

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1.7

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1.6

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1.4

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1.3

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1.2

•Issues Corrected in Version 9.1

•Product Documentation

•Contacting Dell

Revision History

Document number: 110-6268-EN-R9

Revision	Date	Description
R1	March 2017	EPA release of PS Series Storage Arrays firmware version 9.1
R2	April 2017	Initial release of PS Series Storage Arrays firmware version 9.1
R3	July 2017	Maintenance release v9.1.2
R4	September 2017	Maintenance release v9.1.3
R5	November 2017	Maintenance release v9.1.4
R6	May 2018	Maintenance release v9.1.6
R7	August 2018	Maintenance release v9.1.7
R8	December 2018	Maintenance release v9.1.8
R9	July 2019	Maintenance release v9.1.9
R10	August 2019	Corrections for maintenance release v9.1.9

Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays Firmware Version 9.1.9 Release Notes

1

About PS Series Storage Arrays

Dell EqualLogic PS Series storage arrays work with Dell EqualLogic FS Series appliances.

NOTE: PS Series storage arrays version 9.1 are compatible with FS Series appliances version 4.0 or later.

For product information about FS Series appliances, see the Dell EqualLogic FS Series Appliances Release Notes, available at eqlsupport.dell.com.

PS-M4110 Precaution

The PS-M4110 chassis contains a locking mechanism that was engineered for smooth operation and will engage without the need to apply a large amount of force. Using excessive force to close the drawer is not necessary and could result in physical damage to the chassis.

Firmware Update Kit

NOTE: If you use the Dell Storage Update Manager to update to firmware v9.1, this tool takes care of the update for you. The Dell Storage Update Manager (including the Dell Storage Update Manager User’s Guide) can be downloaded from the Dell EqualLogic support website (eqlsupport.dell.com).

Two separate kits (32-bit and 64-bit) are available within the .zip file. The name of the kits starts with either kit_V9.1 (32-bit) or kit_64_V9.1 (64-bit). After you download the .zip file, and begin to install the update, the wizard will ask you to select the kit to install:

•If you have array models PS4000, PS60x0, PS65x0, or PS-M4110, select the 32-bit kit.

•If you have array models PS41x0, PS4210, PS61x0, PS6210, or PS6610, select the 64-bit kit.

If you choose the wrong kit when updating from v7.0.x or later, the following error displays: The type <n> controller is not supported by this firmware. See the latest Release Notes for more information.

NOTE: The firmware update process remains the same as it was for previous versions.

To download the firmware update kit:

1.Use a web browser to access the Dell EqualLogic support website (eqlsupport.dell.com).

2.Log in to your support account. If you do not have an account, request one from the Login page.

3.Click the Downloads tab, then click PS Series firmware.

4.Select PS Series firmware version 9.1.x.

5.Download the firmware to a host that has network access to the array.

If you downloaded the firmware in a compressed format (.tar or .zip), decompress the file to a directory on the host.

Supported Update Paths

When updating array firmware, you must follow the supported update path, as shown in Table 1. Supported PS Series Firmware Update Paths. The first column lists starting firmware versions, and the second column lists the versions to which they can be updated.

NOTE: Dell Storage Update Manager can be used when updating firmware from the following versions:

•PS Series Storage Arrays firmware version 5.0 and later

•FS Series Storage Appliances firmware version 3.0 and later

The notation used in the table refers to all releases of a given firmware revision. For example, 9.0.x refers to versions 9.0.1, 9.0.2, and so on, as well as all version 9.0 patch releases.

Table 1. Supported PS Series Firmware Update Paths

Starting Versions	Supported Update Versions
9.1.x	•	Later 9.1.x releases
	•	10.0.x releases
9.0.x	•	Later 9.0.x releases
	•	9.1.x releases

2 Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays Firmware Version 9.1.9 Release Notes

Starting Versions	Supported Update Versions
8.1.x	•	Later 8.1.x releases
	• 9.0.7 or later; cross-platform replication requires v9.0.9 or later
8.0.x	•	Later 8.0.x releases
	•	8.1.x releases
	•	9.0.x releases
7.1.x	•	Later 7.1.x releases
	•	8.0.x releases
	• 8.1.x releases (if not using FS Series appliances)
7.0.x	•	7.0.9 or later releases
	•	7.1.x releases
	•	8.0.x releases
	• 8.1.x releases (if not using FS Series appliances)
6.0.x	•	6.0.5 or later releases
	• 7.0.9 or later releases
	•	7.1.x releases

NOTE:

•You cannot update from v8.0 or v8.1 directly to v9.1. You must update to v9.0.7 or later first, and then from v9.0.7 or later to v9.1.

•If you are updating from a version earlier than v6.0.x, contact Dell Technical Support for assistance.

What’s New in Version 9.1.8

End-User License Agreement was revised

Starting with v9.1.8, the following portions of the End-User License Agreement (EULA) were revised:

•Commercial Terms of Sale (US) includes a table that shows where to get a local language version of the CTS. This provides all the commercial terms such as payment, taxes, warranty, limitation of liability.

•EULA is no longer country-specific, and contains the software license grant, restrictions, and other terms that apply just to software products.

If you perform a firmware update within the same compat level, close the GUI browser window and log in again in order to accept the new EULA changes.

What’s New in Version 9.1

8 TB Drive Support

PS6610 storage arrays now support 8 TB drives.

Requirements

If the group has more than four members and it contains one or more PS6610 with 8 TB disks, then all group members must be either PS4210, PS6210, and/or PS6610 (type 15, 18, and/or 19). For groups of four members or less, there are no type restrictions other than the existing limit on the number of PS4xxx systems.

Active Directory Enhancements

Ability to specify organizational units or container objects as base domain names – Users can specify organizational units (OU) or container object in which they want to place the array while joining the domain.

Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays Firmware Version 9.1.9 Release Notes

3

Additional Access for Pool Administrator and Read-Only Accounts

Group Manager now contains new access options for pool administrators with group read permissions. When you create or modify an administrator account, you can select a check box under Account Permissions > Additional Access that enables access to save diagnostics and save configuration. When this feature is enabled, the menu option to collect diagnostics is made available for the user. Although the save-config option can be enabled through the Group Manager GUI, the actual save-config operation is performed through the CLI only.

NOTE: This feature can be enabled only when group read permission is enabled.

Diagnostic Enhancement

•Diagnostic files maintain backward compatibility – The format of diagnostic output files remains unchanged to maintain backward compatibility.

Fast Vacate

This feature decreases the time required for a member to vacate a pool or a group by improving the page movement performance. Fast vacate is enabled by default, there are no new CLI commands or GUI procedures associated with this feature.

Java Deprecation

Group Manager launches using the Java plugin, but some of the latest browsers do not support Java. If your browser does not support Java, a page opens which allows you to launch Group Manager as an application.

Network Configuration Enhancements

Display Status of All Configured Network Interfaces – This feature enables users to quickly determine if an array is using vertical port failover, which would imply that there might be an issue with a port or fabric event to a port on the active controller. When a vertical port failover occurs, Group Manager displays a value of Secondary on the Controller field for that port under the Network tab.

Performance Enhancements

The following changes were made to improve system performance:

•The system detects more quickly that a sector is unreadable.

•Fast vacate – Improves page move performance to reduce the time taken for a member to get vacated from a pool or group.

•Firmware updates do not noticeably impact hosts that have timeouts set according to Dell’s best practices.

Protocol Enhancements

This release includes a more secure file transfer protocol (SCP) to transfer firmware bits while performing a firmware update from Group Manager.

RAID AutoExpansion

RAID autoexpansion is enabled by default. When you add new drives, RAID expansion automatically starts two minutes after the first drive is installed. Starting with this release, you can manually disable RAID autoexpansion and re-enable it when all the drives have been installed.

Replication Enhancements

Thin Reserve Imports – Cross-platform replication now imports all volumes as thin-provisioned.

Security Enhancements

•Key Pair SSH Authentication – For increased security, Group Manager supports two cryptographical secure keys that can be used to authenticate a client to an SSH server. Each key pair consists of a public key and a private key.

•Public key can be shared freely without any negative consequences. It can be used to encrypt messages that only the private key can decrypt.

•The private key is retained by the client and must be kept secret.

•Limitations:

•Key pair SSH authentication supports RSA and SSH 2 keys only.

•SSH public key authentication is supported for local users only.

•Only one public key is supported per user.

•Public key supports a maximum of 4096 bits.

4 Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays Firmware Version 9.1.9 Release Notes

•Key length must be a minimum of 1024 bytes.

•Protect CHAP Passwords – Starting with this release, Group Manager no longer displays CHAP passwords after they have been set.

SNMP Enhancements

•Starting with Firmware v9.1.x, Group Manager sends CAUTION-level SNMP traps for the following conditions:

•Failed log in – indicating the time and source of the log in attempt

•Group administrator log in – indicating when the group administrator logs in or out and the time and source of the login

•Status change of multi-initiator login flag of a volume – indicating the volume, change (off to on, or on to off), time, and user performing the action

•Change of network configuration – indicating the setting, old and new values, time, and user performing the action.

•Configuration, diagnostics, and status information are now exposed through SNMP and/or IPMI interfaces.

System Limits and Compatibility

This section includes information about supported control modules, configuration limits, replication partnerships, and Manual Transfer Utility versions.

Control Module Support

Table 2. Control Module Support describes the supported control modules and the array models that use them.

Table 2. Control Module Support
Control Module Description	Drive Type and Maximum	Array
	Quantity	Models1
Type 19—Two 10Gb dual-media Ethernet Interfaces (two 10GBASE-T, two SFP+),	12 x 3.5" or 24 x 2.5"	PS4210
labeled Ethernet 0 and Ethernet 1. Individually selectable as 10GBASE-T or SFP+. One	Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or
additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.
	SSD
Model 70–0485 (Red Label)
Type 18—Two 10Gb dual-media Ethernet Interfaces (two 10GBASE-T, two SFP+),	84 x 3.5" or 84 x 2.5"	PS6610
labeled Ethernet 0 and Ethernet 1. Individually selectable as 10GBASE-T or SFP+. One	Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or
additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.
	SSD
Model 70-0480 (Turquoise Label)

Type 17—Two 10Gb Ethernet ports (one copper, one SFP+), both labeled Ethernet 0. One port can be active at a time. One additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.

Model 70–0478 (Yellow/Gold Label)

12 x 3.5" or 24 x 2.5"

PS4110

Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or

SSD

Type 15—Two 10Gb dual-media Ethernet Interfaces (two 10GBASE-T, two SFP+), labeled Ethernet 0 and Ethernet 1. Individually selectable as 10GBASE-T or SFP+, One additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.

Model 70-0425 (Gray Label)

24 x 3.5" or 24 x 2.5"

PS6210

Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or

SSD

Type 14—Two 10Gb Ethernet ports (one copper, one SFP+), both labeled Ethernet 0. One port can be active at a time. One additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.

Model 70–0477 (Orange Label)

24 x 2.5" or 24 x 3.5"

PS6110

Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or

SSD

Type 13—One 10Gb Ethernet port, connected through the backplane. One additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.

Model 70-0450 (No Label)

Type 12—Two Ethernet ports. One additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.

Model 70–0476 (Purple/Magenta Label)

14 x 2.5"

Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or SSD

12 x 3.5" or 24 x 2.5"

Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or SSD

PS-M4110

PS4100

Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays Firmware Version 9.1.9 Release Notes

5

Control Module Description	Drive Type and Maximum	Array
	Quantity	Models1
Type 11—Four Ethernet ports. One additional port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to	24 x 2.5" or 24 x 3.5"	PS6100
management network use.	Type: SAS, Nearline SAS, or
Model 70–0400 (Green Label)	SSD

Type 10—Two 10Gb Ethernet ports that use optical or copper SFP+ modules. One port labeled MANAGEMENT, restricted to management network use.

Model 70–0300 (Orange Label)

48–SAS or SATA	PS6510,
16–SAS (Black latch) or SATA	PS6010

(Gray latch)

Type 8—Three Ethernet ports, with one restricted to management network use.

Model 70–0120 (Purple Label)

NOTE: This platform will not be supported in releases later than 9.1.x.

Type 7—Four Ethernet ports

Model 70–0202 (Green Label)

16–SAS (Black latch) or 16– SATA (Gray latch)

48–SAS or SATA

16–SAS (Black latch) or SATA (Gray latch)

PS4000

PS6500,

PS6000

1 Regulatory compliance numbers E01J, E02J, E03J, E04J, E05J, and E11J apply to Dell EqualLogic PS Series arrays. See the Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information document for more information about specific array models.

PS4000 Array Retirement

The v9.1.x firmware releases are the last firmware updates supported on PS4000 arrays with Type 8 (magenta label) controllers. Firmware version 9.1 will load on this array, but will generate an alert in the Group Manager GUI.

Table 3. Arrays With Controller Type 8
Array Model	Controller Type	Faceplate	Drive Type
PS4000	Type 8		SATA

NOTE:

•All arrays within a group (and replication partner group) must be under an active warranty or maintenance contract in order for the group (and the replication partner group) to be eligible for support.

•Dell recommends that all PS Series group members run the same version of the storage array firmware. Mixed firmware groups are supported only during the period of time in which you are updating all members.

See the Dell Equallogic Release and Support Guidelines document for additional information.

Contact Dell Technical Support for help and information about migrating from these arrays to newer arrays.

Supported Browsers

NOTE:

•Group Manager requires support for the Java browser plugin.

•Group Manager does not support the following browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

•Group Manager can be downloaded and run as a Java application.

The Group Manager GUI has the following browser requirements:

•Screen resolution requirements vary by language. For optimal resolution, make sure that your screen width has the minimum number of pixels for your language:

English – 1280	French – 1680	Chinese – 1280	Japanese – 1680
German – 1440	Spanish – 1680	Korean – 1280

6 Dell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Arrays Firmware Version 9.1.9 Release Notes