Firmware and driver upgrade for 3ware Escalade controllers
There are two ways to upgrade the controller firmware. The first method involves downloading the firmware file and updates it under DOS. The second and preferred method is through driver update. To simplify the firmware upgrade process, 3ware has embedded firmware file within the driver. While loading, the driver will check the current firmware revision and upgrade it automatically if the revision is older.
There are two ways to upgrade the driver. Depending on the controller model, the driver is either 3w-xxxx (for 7000 and 750X series) or 3w-9xxx (for 9000 and 9550 series). The 1st and easiest method is to download the latest driver source code and compile it against an existing kernel. After a new driver has been created, it is necessary to create new initial ramdisk(s) before rebooting the system. The 2nd method involves a kernel upgrade.
The latest 3ware driver source code can be downloaded here:
http://www.3ware.com/support/download.asp
Here is the recommended driver upgrade path:
Fedora Core 1,2,3,4 and Red Hat 7.3, 8.0 and 9.0
- Use driver update method #2 if running an ASL kernel
- Use driver update method #1 is running non-ASL kernel
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 or 4 and Cent OS 3.5 or 4.x
- Use driver update method #1
SuSE Linux 9.0
- Use driver update method #2 if running an ASL kernel
- Use driver update method #1 is running non-ASL kernel
SuSE Linux 9.3
- Use driver update method #1
To verify the driver and firmware revision, search for similar entry as shown below in /var/log/messages.
3ware 9000 Storage Controller device driver for Linux v2.24.03.019fw 3w-9xxx: scsi4: Found a 3ware 9000 Storage Controller at 0xff3ffc00, IRQ: 27. 3w-9xxx: scsi4: Firmware FE9X 2.08.00.003, BIOS BE9X 2.03.01.052, Ports: 8. scsi4 : 3ware 9000 Storage Controller Vendor: AMCC Model: 9500S-8 DISK Rev: 2.08 Type: Direct-Access ANSI SCSI revision: 03 Attached scsi disk sda at scsi4, channel 0, id 0, lun 0 SCSI device sda: 3417817088 512-byte hdwr sectors (1749922 MB) sda: sda1
To ensure highest compatiblity and functionality, it is best to use matching driver and firmware revision as defined in 3ware Software Suites below:
9550SX Software Suites
| Version | Firmware Rev | Driver Rev (2.6 kernel) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.3.0 | 3.01.00.028 | 2.26.04.004 |
| 9.3.0.1 | 3.02.00.004 | 2.26.04.006 |
| 9.3.0.2 | 3.02.00.012 | 2.26.04.007 |
| 9.3.0.3 | 3.02.00.016 | 2.26.04.007 |
| 9.3.0.4 | 3.04.00.005 | 2.26.04.009 (supported) , 2.26.02.007 (upstream kernel) |
9500S Software Suites
| Version | Firmware Rev | Driver Rev (2.6 kernel) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0.0 | 2.02.00.008 | 2.26.00.005fw |
| 9.0.1 | 2.02.00.011 | 2.26.00.009fw |
| 9.0.2 | 2.02.00.012 | 2.26.00.011fw |
| 9.1.5.2 | 2.04.00.005 | 2.26.01.011fw |
| 9.2 | 2.06.00.009 | 2.26.03.015fw |
| 9.2.1.1 | 2.08.00.005 | 2.26.03.019fw |
| 9.3.0.3 | 2.08.00.006 | 2.26.04.007 |
7500/7506 Software Suites
| Version | Firmware Rev | Driver Rev (2.4 kernel) |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5.1 | 1.05.00.034 | 1.02.00.027 |
| 7.5.2 | 1.05.00.034 | 1.02.00.027 (BIOS 1.05.00.040) |
| 7.5.3 | 1.05.00.036 | 1.02.00.031 |
| 7.6 | 1.05.00.049 | 1.02.00.033 |
| 7.6.3 | 1.05.00.056 | 1.02.00.036 |
| 7.6.4 | 1.05.00.063 | 1.02.00.036 |
| 7.7.0 | 1.05.00.065 | 1.02.00.037 |
| 7.7.1 | 1.05.00.068 | 1.02.00.037 |
Special note about the firmware and driver upgrade:
- The driver revision and firmware revision must be in sync to maintain proper RAID operation. When upgrading the controller firmware, upgrade the driver revision if necessary.
- It might be necessary to upgrade 3dm and CLI after upgrading the firmware and driver revision. The latest version of 3dm and CLI is provided on the ASL Driver CD. Their installation guide is provided here: