We have invested approximately $400,000 in Equallogic storage for online backup for clients, as well as internal use. Over the last 5 years, we’ve updated dozens of Equallogic boxes and here are the main things you need to know:
- There’s never been any data loss, but you should always have a backup.
- A restart of the box is required, so firmware upgrades should be done during scheduled maintenance time when users have been notified that their data is unavailable.
- Make sure you can access the Group Manager beforehand. It’s common for Java to simply stop working or require update, so check and resolve this issue before the scheduled upgrade.
- Equallogic support web site requires a user name and password to access the instructions and download.
- For a single member box, it can take 1-2 hours for the upgrade including downloading the firmware. If you also have any listed hard disk firmware, apply it next and add another half hour.
- If you are several versions behind, currently you are required to upgrade each version sequentially and cannot simply upgrade to the latest firmware.
- All members of a group must be upgraded and any replication partners should be at the same firmware level.
Recommended Equallogic firmware and software levels:
- PS Series Firmware 6.0.4 (just released 6.0.6)
- Hard Disk Firmware KD0A and EC04
- Host Integration Tools for Microsoft 4.6.0
- Manual Transfer Utility 1.2.3
For other storage questions, see our online backup site.