SRCMR, SRCU32, SRCU31, SRCU31L new firmware, software, and OS drivers available via web downloads

Information in this document is provided in connection with Intel products.  No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any intellectual property rights is granted by this document.  Except as provided in Intel's Terms and Conditions of Sale for such products, Intel assumes no liability whatsoever, and Intel disclaims any express or implied warranty, relating to sale and/or use of Intel products including liability or warranties relating to fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability, or infringement of any patent, copyright or other intellectual property right.  Intel products are not intended for use in medical, life saving, or life sustaining applications.  Intel may make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time, without notice. The Intel® Server RAID Controller U3-1, Intel® Server RAID Controller U3-2,  Intel® Server RAID Controller SRCMR, and Intel® Server RAID Controller U3-1L may contain design defects or errors known as errata which may cause the product to deviate from published specifications. Current characterized errata are available on request.

 

Products Affected

 

Product Code

Description

Intel RAID Software

SRCMRU

Intel® Server RAID Controller SRCMR

 

SRCU32U

Intel® Server RAID Controller SRCU32

 

BOXSRCU31

Intel® Server RAID Controller U3-1  (SRCU31)

 

BOXSRCU31L

Intel® Server RAID Controller U3-1L  (SRCU31L)

 

 

Note: this document collectively refers to Intel RAID Software versions 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x as “legacy”. 

 

Description

 

This Advisory is to provide guidance in updating your existing Intel RAID firmware and software.   This document also provides  step-by-step instructions to perform the upgrade.

 

Why should I update my firmware and software?

 

1.      New Firmware 2.33.01-R01B provides support for Red Hat 7.2 and Novell 6.0 Operating Systems.

2.      The new firmware also fixes the following issues:

1.      Support for Service Partition on RAID 0,1,5.

2.      DOS support for Storcon.

 

The below chart shows the current shipping firmware for each card

 

Intel RAID Controller

Current Shipping version of firmware

New version of firmware

SRCMR

2.32.00-R015

2.33.01-R01B

SRCU32

2.32.02-R016

2.33.01-R01B

SRCU31

2.32.02-R016

2.33.01-R01B

SRCU31L

2.32.02-R016

2.33.01-R01B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steps for Upgrading to the new firmware

 

Warning for users upgrading from older versions of RAID firmware on SRCU31 and SRCU31L:

 

When updating a raid controller that has been programmed with legacy firmware to the newer version listed above, , the RAID card will no longer be able to access the existing RAID volume information and data stored on existing hard drives.   You must therefore backup up all data to an external source BEFORE starting the firmware update.  

 

The Intel RAID firmware 2.32.00-R001 (and newer) uses a disk data format that is not compatible with data created on a legacy RAID volume.  In addition, it will be necessary to update the operating system drivers to support the newer version of firmware.   Firmware and drivers are available at http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/.

 

Note:

 

Before installing the Intel RAID firmware and RAID management software it is recommended that, all data on the pre-existing RAID volume be backed up to an external data source. 

 

Update Instructions

 

Listed below are the instructions for performing the update to your Intel RAID controller firmware using Storcon ( ctrl <G> on boot).  Additional information can be found in the appendix of the RAID controller product guide.

 

Please note that if Storcon+ (Windows OS) or Linux Storcon is installed you will need to update these utilities as well.  These updates are also located on the web at: http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/#server_raid

 

Updating the firmware using Firmware Update

 

1.      Download IntelRAIDControllerFirmware2.33.01-R01B.exe from the web site to a windows OS based system.

2.      Insert a blank floppy in floppy drive and launch the IntelRAIDControllerFirmware2.33.01-R01B.exe from its download location. 

3.      Extract the file contents to a floppy disk by double clicking on the file and then agree to the license agreement.  You will also be presented with a short instruction screen.  You will be prompted for an extraction location, the default is your floppy drive a:. When it is finished, the file SRC_RXFW.01B  will be extracted to the floppy diskette.

4.      Insert the floppy disk into the server with the RAID controller that is being upgraded.

5.      Boot the server and in the boot sequence hit ctrl <G> when prompted to enter Storcon.

1.      Press F4 to enter the advanced option menu, select configure controller, and select Update Firmware.

2.      Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the firmware update process.

3.      To verify, reboot the server and view the in RAID Bios screen during POST, it will list the Firmware as version 2.33.01-R01B.

 

Please refer to the Intel RAID product guide for further instructions on Installing OS drivers.  Product guides can be found on your Intel RAID controller resource CD or on the web at http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/#server_raid