Fibre Transport Media Server (FTMS) configuration may fail due to outdated Emulex HBA firmware

Problem

The Emulex SCSI target software stack (SCST) script used to configure a Fibre Transport Media Server (FTMS) may fail to recognize the Host Bus Adapter (HBA) cards or experience unpredictable issues when the Emulex HBA driver firmware is not maintained to the latest available version.

Error Message

# /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd/nbftsrv_config -scst -install
Checking for SCST drivers and firmwares in the package. [yes]
Checking whether the server is not NetBackup Appliance. [yes]
Checking for kernel version 3.10.0-1160. [yes]
Checking for QLE2692 QLogic 16/32Gb HBA cards on the server. [yes]
Checking for LPe31002 16/32Gb HBA cards on the server. [no]

Cause

It has been discovered with versions earlier than 12.8.340.8 the  Emulex driver firmware contains compatibility issues with the Emulex SCST target driver. This may cause the Fibre Transport Media Server (FTMS) installation to fail or make it so that the target function cannot be used normally.

Solution

Currently, for the Emulex Target function requires driver firmware 12.8.340.8 version, this is currently the only version that has been verified and qualified for support.

If Emulex LPe31002 Host Bus Adapter (HBA) cards will be used for the target mode operation, before configuring SAN Client and Fibre Transport feature, please refer to https://www.broadcom.com/support to obtain firmware version 12.8.340.8 and use the appropriate tools to upgrade the firmware of your target Emulex branded HBA cards to the supported version of 12.8.340.8.

In the “Management Software and Tools” section of the Download page, there are currently two tools available for firmware update:

-Elxflash Offline Utility for Linux

-Elxflash Standalone Utility for Linux