DLT7000 Tape Drive Firmware

DLT7000 Tape Drive Firmware

DLT7000 tape drive firmware can be updated by running a firmware update (FUP) tape in the drive.
The following procedure explains how to update the tape drive firmware.
(Below.) Figure 28 shows the DLT7000 tape drive front panel where the controls referenced in the procedure are located.

Figure 28. Front Panel of the DL T7000 Tape Drive

Note: Read the following procedures before beginning the firmware update.

Remove any cartridge that is in the DLT7000 tape drive and close the handle (down position).
Press the Unload button on the drive front panel and hold the button for approximately six seconds until the Write Protected light flashes.
The flashing light means that the DLT7000 has recognized a request to update the firmware and is waiting for the sequence to be completed.
If the Write Protected light does not blink, make sure that the drive is unloaded and the handle is completely in the down position.
Immediately after the Write Protected light starts flashing, release the Unload button and press the button again within four seconds.
Hold the button for only one second or less.
The Tape in Use and Write Protected lights flash, indicating that the firmware update mode has been selected.
If, after a few seconds, the Write Protected light stops blinking, the DLT7000 tape drive has not entered the firmware update mode.
Try the previous steps again. If the tape drive and controller are not communicating, you cannot select the firmware update mode.
Open the handle (raised position).
Load the FUP tape cartridge into the tape drive.
Close the handle (down position).
The DLT7000 tape drive temporarily turns off the Tape in Use and Write Protected lights, automatically reads the FUP tape cartridge, examines the data, and verifies that the data provide a valid DLT7000 firmware image.
Firmware update mode is automatically cleared at this point.
Note: Calibration and directory processing cause the tape to move for a few minutes before reading data.
If the tape drive firmware is current (that is, if it matches the image on the FUP tape), the tape drive firmware is not updated.
If the tape drive firmware is not current, the tape drive firmware is updated, which takes from two to three minutes.
While the tape drive firmware is being updated, the Write Protected and Tape in Use lights alternately flash.
When the tape drive firmware update is finished, the tape drive resets, rewinds the FUP tape to the beginning of tape (BOT), and goes through Power-On Self Test (POST).
If the firmware image is valid, the controller flash EEROM is automatically updated with the new firmware image.
The Write Protected and Tape in Use lights flash again during the controller firmware update.
Wait until the Operate Handle light comes on, then open the handle (raised position) and remove the FUP tape.

Interpreting the Firmware Update Results

Two results can occur after updating the DLT7000 tape drive firmware:

The firmware update cartridge is unloaded; this means a successful update.
On the DLT7000 tape drive, the media is placed into the cartridge, the door is unlocked, and the Operate Handle light is turned on.
After the tape library is reset or initialized, the new firmware level displays on the operator panel.
The firmware update cartridge is not unloaded; this means the update was unsuccessful.
The subsystem should still be usable, but this depends on why the update failed.
Reasons for failure could be:
- Power failure
- Bad image on the tape
- Defective flash EEROMs

Figure 29 provides additional information about the results of updating the DLT7000 firmware.

Figure 29. DL T7000 Firmware Update Results

IF... Then... The image is valid. 1. The flash EEROM that contains the current firmware is erased. 2. The new image is programmed in. The subsystem completes the update in about two minutes. Then: ° The tape drive resets itself. ° POST takes place. ° The DLT7000 tape drive automatically unloads the tape cartridge containing the firmware image. This signifies a successful firmware update. The tape is not a valid firmware update tape. No update is attempted. The Write Protected and Tape in Use lights do not blink. The drive resets and the tape stays loaded to signify that the firmware update was unsuccessful. Replace the FUP tape. The tape does not contain a valid image. No update is attempted. The Write Protected and Tape in Use lights do not blink. The drive resets and the tape stays loaded to signify that the firmware update was unsuccessful. Replace the FUP tape. The tape contains a valid image, but the reprogramming flash memory fails. The controller is probably unusable and needs to be replaced. The tape drive resets itself and reruns POST, which fails if flash memory does not contain a valid image.

IF...	Then...
The image is valid.	1. The flash EEROM that contains the current firmware is erased. 2. The new image is programmed in. The subsystem completes the update in about two minutes. Then: ° The tape drive resets itself. ° POST takes place. ° The DLT7000 tape drive automatically unloads the tape cartridge containing the firmware image. This signifies a successful firmware update.
The tape is not a valid firmware update tape.	No update is attempted. The Write Protected and Tape in Use lights do not blink. The drive resets and the tape stays loaded to signify that the firmware update was unsuccessful. Replace the FUP tape.
The tape does not contain a valid image.	No update is attempted. The Write Protected and Tape in Use lights do not blink. The drive resets and the tape stays loaded to signify that the firmware update was unsuccessful. Replace the FUP tape.
The tape contains a valid image, but the reprogramming flash memory fails.	The controller is probably unusable and needs to be replaced. The tape drive resets itself and reruns POST, which fails if flash memory does not contain a valid image.

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