[OpenIndiana-discuss] using fwflash for SATA SSDs

[real-men-dont-click at gmx.net]

-----Original message-----
From:	Sebastian Gabler <sequoiamobil at gmx.net>
Sent:	Tue 12-02-2013 11:18
Subject:	[OpenIndiana-discuss] using fwflash for SATA SSDs
To:	openindiana-discuss at openindiana.org; 
> Hi,
> 
> I am considering to update firmware on two SSDs in my file server. The 
> models are Intel X25-M and OCZ Vertex 2. Obviously, the manufacturers 
> are providing proprietary tools on DOS or Windows to flash the drives. I 
> am looking for what would be the least intrusive method, and for the 
> Intel disk also the safest method, as this disk contains the Rpool.
> fwflash lists the drives as "flashable". As a salience, the Intel X25 
> doesn't show its GUID. ("not supported")
> My other questions:
> - How do I get the FW binaries out of the manufacturers update tools?
> - Usually, activating the FW requires a re-boot. I am not very much 
> inclined to go for a re-boot for the sake of flashing the Vertex 2, as 
> this is only a ZFS cache drive. Wouldn't it suffice to detach the drive 
> after the FW upgrade, cycle a hot-swap, and then re-attach it?
> - If I really have to re-boot, shouldn't I rather power down the 
> machine, take out the drives, flash them with the mannufacturer tool, 
> re-assemble and hope for the best - other than messing around to get it 
> running with fwflash?
> 
> TIA for any suggestions.
> 
> WBR,
> 
> Sebastian
> 
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> 

Hi Sebastian,

in case your rpool is mirrored, you might remove one drive from the mirror, flash it with the manufacturer tools and reattach the flashed disk.

If it's not mirrored and your machine has a slot available you might consider adding a disk to create a mirror.

Anyway, if your root pool is on X25s I recoomend to create a mirror. I saw several X25s failing in the past....


cu

Carsten