Snap 4000 Upgrade from 2.3.417 to 3.4.807

[drefus]

I have a Snap 4000 with 2.3.417 SnapOS. I have SnapOS 3.4.807 which I received from Adaptec.
When I attempt to upgrade I get a message "This file is not a valid upgrade file"
Apparently I waited too long to attempt upgrading this server since Adaptec tells me my hardware is no longer supported.
Do I need a newer Assist tool to apply this update or is something else going on? Any help would be appreciated.

[blue68f100]

Are you trying to install the *.sup file or something else?

And are you doing the upgrade using Assist or the web interface?

[drefus]

I am trying to install a snap_sys.sup using Assist. I can't find any place in my web interface to perform an upgrade.

[wgong]

Yes, you need a v3.4 ASSIST to install v3.4.xxx SUP file (at least that is what Dell says for the 701N/705N - "You must also download the version 3.4 of the PowerVault Assist utility to perform the Operating System upgrade.")

As Dell still let you download ASSIST it might be worth seeing if it works with your Snap server - http://supportapj.dell.com/support/d...7&fileid=48989

I think the web upgrade option was a later addition.

[Phoenix32]

The web interface OS update option was not in early OS version. Yes you must have a v3 Assist (or newer) to upgrade to a v3 OS. I do not remember where the cutoff is (maybe David can help here), but I seem to recall that older versions of v2 OS could not update to later versions of v3 or v4 OS (there was an intermediary step needed). I may be wrong on this one, trust what David has to say on the subject. Maybe you have a corrupted .sup file? To get the newer version of assist (v4) that will work with v3 as well, just download the "Upgrade" v4.0.860 OS at Adaptec. The Assist program is included in that package (or at least it was when I downloaded it).

[blue68f100]

These older OS are very picky at times. I don't recall when the OS update was added to the OS. I do know if you use assist, it requires you to put the snap in flup mode. The instructions ask you to wait 30 sec, wait atleast 45sec. Then it gets into a timming issue. Make sure your pc does not timeout and goes to sleep, and allow pop-ups. If it does time out immeately backup to your previous screen.

Some of the files SnapAppliance distributed were exe files, and were self extracting. Others were zips.

[drefus]

Thanks! The PowerVault Assist utility did the trick.

Interestingly, the first attempt failed after 4 min. showing 1 of 846 in overall status. The snap details showed the version as 3.4.807, however, it couldn't recognize any WD 250 Gb drives.

I re-ran the upgrade and after a few minutes it completed all 846 and is in the process of formatting the drives.

Thanks again.

[warezdog]

Software Hardware Serial# BIOS
2.2.393 2.0.1 43606 2.0.252
using latest adaptec SnapOS_4_0_860_upg.exe getting error that says not compatible with this server.
What the heck do I need to do to bring this heap current?
thanks in adavance to all that respond!

[Hallis]

Originally Posted by warezdog

Software Hardware Serial# BIOS
2.2.393 2.0.1 43606 2.0.252
using latest adaptec SnapOS_4_0_860_upg.exe getting error that says not compatible with this server.
What the heck do I need to do to bring this heap current?
thanks in adavance to all that respond!

*pulls out his tack hammer*

That 4.0.860 is only an upgrade for teh previous version of the OS which was 4.0.830 i believe. It's not a full update from whatever version was previously on the server. in your case 2.2.393, you should upgrade to 3.4.805 using Assist and then start upgrading in steps from there.

Shane

[warezdog]

We'll I registered the server with adaptec and the only download for it was that one. So how the heck do you get 3.x? I know adaptec could careless about helping unless you're buying new.

[warezdog]

I have entitlement and heres what I downloaded
http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/downloa...ap+Server+4000

[blue68f100]

Some have submitted a request via email for v3.4.805/807 and have received a link for it. It all depends on what mood they (adaptec) are in. Some get it some don't. Or if you purchased v4 you will need to contact them and get v3 first. Even though they say you can jump from v2 to v4. And tell them you get an error and need the full version not the patch.

But since 4000 have been out of cycle for many many years good luck.

[warezdog]

Figures...they should be required by law to have every OS release and BIOS update to current posted and available. Emailing them is like watching grass grow or paint dry. I'll try calling them and feel my facial hair grow while waiting....
If anyone else has 3.x please contact me, I'll be happy to trade!

[warezdog]

WHOLLLLLLLY COW!!
WELL whatever I said about Adaptec I take back. After a short time on hold my call was answered and links were sent for making the upgrade to 3.6, had to jump to a version inbetween because mine was so old!!

Although it didn't give me the AD integration that I wanted the response is like LIGHTNING, there must have been some changes to the OS because it not only copies quicker but the GUI is quicker as well, but coming from 2.x I guess I should expect that. It did however fix issues with the mail notification and some other problems so I'm happy now and Adaptec is off my crap list!!

[blue68f100]

You need to see if all of your HD have the same starting point.
from debug, co de info

[warezdog]

Not sure exactly what you mean, but it sure sounds good!!

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by warezdog

After a short time on hold my call was answered and links were sent for making the upgrade to 3.6, had to jump to a version inbetween because mine was so old!!

3.6? I know of 3.4.805 and 3.4.807 (as newest v3 OS), but 3.6? Can you please elaborate?

[warezdog]

Sorry for the confusion, here are the files they let me down load with entitlement
SNAPOS 3.1.626 and 3.4.807 They said thats the highest I can go with the 4000

[Hallis]

I think that's not true, i dont know for sure you might want Andy to verify that but i THINK the 4000 can go all the way up to 4.0.860 as long as you have enough ram.

Shane

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by warezdog

Sorry for the confusion, here are the files they let me down load with entitlement
SNAPOS 3.1.626 and 3.4.807 They said thats the highest I can go with the 4000

Originally Posted by Hallis

I think that's not true, i dont know for sure you might want Andy to verify that but i THINK the 4000 can go all the way up to 4.0.860 as long as you have enough ram.

Shane

This is just too funny. Whoever told you that was blowing smoke up your........

I have 6 SNAP 4000's that are all running on OS v4.0.860 So saying the SNAP 4000 can only go to 3.4.807 is total BS. Also, Extra RAM helps, esp if you are going to run the JVM module, but they work fine with 64MB RAM (even in RAID 5 with 4 x 250 GB drives, no kidding).

I am guessing they just didn't want to give it to you, your entitlement does not cover v4 OS, general confusion, or just plain lazy on their part.

[warezdog]

Since I have no experience with them besides this one you're probably right. I have the 4.0 full, the sys is like 30MB, most people said it was only an upgrade but its too big to be just that.

So since I know nothing and he was going to mail me links to get the two versions I couldn't find elsewhere I didn't question or ask!

My main goal was to get it to play with AD so 4.0 was the solution, or so I thought.
The adaptec guy on the phone said it would only play with NT4 domains and would never be active directory compatible and could only go to 3.4.807.

Honestly I never tried the 4.0, this snap server is for work, stock with raid 5 it has 80GB and change. sbbI moved it to the art departments building and let the Macs have at it, maybe I'll try 4.0 later today and see what happens.

All and all these aint so bad for storage, this ones beginning to grow on me and I have two buffalo terastations and a Hammer zsan (NEVER BUY A HAMMER!) and to be honest the snap responds quicker in every aspect. There are some command line utils the Hammer has and you cant locally mount volumes on it but had I been there before the Hammer was purchased I wouldn't have bought it, its been nothing but problems, latent network response, crappy I/O performance all around and its less than 90 days. I'm pretty sure its a lemon so I' m trying to get a new one.

Also if anyone has a link here in the forums for a complete hard drive swap and how big I can go please do post! My thought was to take out all the drives and ghost each one and put them back in the same place, now I bet my problem will be the BIOS wont see squat over 80 giggers.

I can't beat up adaptec too much cause others are worse about license/hardware and if hardware transfers the software does not, those that come to mind as near Nazi like tactics are, and these are soley my opinion from personal experience

Cisco IOS and BGP if you are not first owner or buying from someone with a transferable license you can't legally upgrade, BS!

Network Appliance NetApp 7xx 8x filers Want to buy a used F760 with 2TB of stoarge off ebay for couple hundred bucks? Hmmm no Data On Tap installed, guess what? You'll have to have it NetApp certified and THEN buy the license/s which will cost you a couple thousand AFTER the 500-600 recertification charge TOTAL BS

Nortel pretty much same as Cisco, if you don't ammend that part of the contract to state that if the hardware transfers ownership the software doesn't you're SCREWED legally that is.

AT home I'm running net app FC9 shelves with 7 36 or 72 gb 10K 8m fibre channel drives. two shelves 36 gb in hardware raid 5 with HOT spare yields about 450GB of FAST space.

If I run all 5 shelves I can yield about 3TB but that costs about 4 bucks per day for the electric company so I only turn it on when I want to archive the 450GB.

Its nice knowing that the 450GB would have to have 3 drives fail at the same time.
And I've seen the sata stuff, let me tell you about MTBF, SCSI and Fiber channel will ALWAYS have at least 1,000,000 hours average MTBF so thats older than any of us will live, sata or ide can't even come close. and oh ya I paid $15 each delivered for my 72GB, so I bought 45 of em! The raid card is an ICP (euro adaptec but much more friendly!) that has 256MB ram and cost me 125 off ebay.

Sorry to blab and I'm way off post, too much espresso I guess! Oh ya don't forget to post that link 4 me!

tx peeps!

[blue68f100]

The adaptec guy on the phone said it would only play with NT4 domains and would never be active directory compatible and could only go to 3.4.807.

This is Snaps std line, since the 4000 had stoped production before v4. In fact if can be done.

The 4000 will handle 250gig HD and larger but the PS is the weak link. As for upgrading. I have put together a FAQ at the top of the threads. At the bottom you will find a link for the 4000. And at the end of the 4100 is a fix to make AD work if you get a particular error.

As far as the v4 OS is. The only full version I'm aware of is 4.0.830, and 4.0.854. All sup file are around the 30 meg mark. The reason is it has all the code for all of the SnapOS Models. The 4.0.860 has in the past been a updater to add 2003 AD Support.

V3.4.803 supports 2000AD.

If you run into problem after reading the FAQ, fill free to ask.

[Phoenix32]

Okay, for starters, the SNAP 4000 will take 4 x 250 GB drives without much problem (as long as you have OS v3.4.805 or greater). Anything above this and you may or may not run into problems (the great "will it do 4 x 320 GB" debate).

Next, do not use older large drives. The power supply is a weak link. If you want to use 250 GB drives, use drives made in the last year or two.

Next, I have yet to see a v4.0.860 FULL OS SUP file. If you have one, show it to me. To install v4.0.860 (which is an upgrade SUP file), you first install either 4.0.830 or 4.0.854 (whichever you have) and then install the upgrade 4.0.860.

Next, I KNOW FOR FACT the 4000 will do the 4.0.xxx OS files (as I said before), but I am not using AD at all (much less AD 2003), so I cannot confirm as fact the 4000 will do AD 2003 with 4.0.860. Now with that said, I am pretty sure it does. I am just very careful about what I call FACT if I have not confirmed for myself.

Lastly, going back to the drives. If you use larger (say 4 x 250 GB) drives, it helps to have 128 MB memory instead of the 64 MB most 4000 came with. Also, if you use the JVM module, this extra memory will help. 256 MB is also an option, but the unit will not do more than 256 MB of memory (as far as we have been able to determine).

There ya go....