This release supports the Generation 2 versions of the IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class and ProLiant servers, which includes the following models:

• QK761A, 365 GB MLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• QK762A, 785 GB MLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• QK763A, 1205 GB MLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• 673642-B21 365 GB MLC IO Accelerator Gen2 for ProLiant
• 673644-B21 785 GB MLC IO Accelerator Gen2 for ProLiant
• 673646-B21 1205 GB MLC IO Accelerator Gen2 for ProLiant
• 673648-B21 2410 GB MLC IO Accelerator Gen2 Duo for ProLiant
• 721458-B21 3.0TB MLC IO Accelerator Gen2 for ProLiant
• 740320-B21 1.6TB MLC IO Accelerator ioScale2 for Proliant
• 740322-B21 3.2TB MLC IO Accelerator ioScale2 for Proliant

This release also provides a one-way upgrade path for Generation 1 IO Accelerators for HP BladeSystem c-Class G1-G7 servers, and ProLiant servers which include the following models:

• AJ876A, 80 GB SLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• AJ877A 160 GB SLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• AJ878A, 320 GB MLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• AJ878B, 320 GB MLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• BK836A, 640 GB MLC IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class
• 600278-B21 160 GB SLC IO Accelerator Gen1 for ProLiant
• 600279-B21 320 GB SLC IO Accelerator Gen1 Duo for ProLiant
• 600281-B21 320 GB MLC IO Accelerator Gen1 for ProLiant
• 600282-B21 640 GB MLC IO Accelerator Gen1 Duo for ProLiant
• 641027-B21 1280 GB MLC IO Accelerator Gen1 Duo for ProLiant

Prerequisites:

Important Upgrade Notes::

• Upgrade Path: Depending on the current firmware version of the IO Accelerator, multiple firmware updates may be required to preserve internal structures. The minimum path is:
  • 1.2.4>1.2.7>2.2.0> 2.2.3->3.x.x
• Version 3.2.2 is the preferred upgrade path from version 2.x.x, allowing customers to obtain the latest software.
  • However, the upgrade from version 2.x to version 3.x.x requires a reformat of the HP IO Accelerator, erasing all user data on the device in the upgrade process.
  • A backup of all data on the HP IO Accelerator is mandatory before installing version 3.x.x
• Version 2.3.10 (Generation 1 HP IO Accelerator cards only) is recommended only for customers who have an installed base of HP IO Accelerators, which are running version 2.x of the install package, and choose not to upgrade to 3.x.x but still want the features of version 2.3.10.
• Existing cards will require a firmware upgrade to all cards in the server. You must manually update the firmware. (See the Firmware Update Procedure in the installation section).
• Existing IO Accelerators configured with version 2.x.x must be upgraded before installing new 3.x.x IO Accelerator devices in the system.
• You must first uninstall any previous version before installing this software. See the procedure in the Installation section or review the installation notes which are included in the HP IO Accelerator User Guide.
• Back up all important data.

For Red Hat Enterprise release 5 or 6, Yum must be installed prior to installing the IO Accelerator software.

• Confirm the following required modules are installed on the build system:
  • kernel (x86-64), kernel-devel (x86-64), rpm-build, rsync, redhat-lsb, gcc, dialog
• If not installed, use the this command to install all modules
  • $yum install kernel-devel kernel-headers gcc rsync

For SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 and 11, Zypper must be installed prior to installing the IO Accelerator software.

• Confirm the following required modules are installed on the build system
  • kernel-smp, kernel-source, rsync, lsb, gcc, dialog
• If not installed, use the this command to install all modules
  • $zypper install kernel-syms gcc rsync make

Driver RPM Build requirements The HP-provided Linux installers for the IO Accelerator contain common binary driver modules. Alternatively, you can build the binary driver RPMs specific to the active Linux kernel by using a source RPM for the driver and compiler/build tools. This allows for the use of customized kernels, but does place additional requirements on the system used for initial installation (e.g. the 'build' system). After performing an installation on the 'build' system, the binary driver RPM can then be deployed to other systems without having to rebuild it.

• The base modules required for the build system are summarized in the following table:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 and 6: kernel (x86-64), kernel-devel (x86-64), rpm-build, rsync, redhat-lsb, gcc, dialog
  • SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 and 11: kernel-smp, kernel-source, rsync, lsb, gcc, dialog
• These modules may have other dependencies that will be installed automatically assuming you are using some type of package manager/installer. The kernel-devel (for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 and 6) and kernel-source (for SuSE Linux Enterprise Server) modules must match the kernel version in use.

IO Accelerator Management Interface
ioSphere 3.16 is the latest ioDrive management interface and is included as a seperate download ioSphere_3.16.<OS version>.tar, it is recommended for use with 3.2.8 and later VSL versions.

• Unzip and extract the files in ioSphere_3.16.<OS version>.tar into a common directory
• Locate the document Fusion-io_ioSphere_3.16.0_Installation_Guide_<date>.pdf
• Install the management interface using the instructions in the guide
  

To ensure the integrity of your download, HPE recommends verifying your results with the following SHA-256 Checksum values:

Reboot Requirement:
Reboot is required after installation for updates to take effect and hardware stability to be maintained.

Installation:

Extract the contents from the downloaded zip (tar) file. Full installation instructions are given in ioMemory_Hardware_Installation_Guide.pdf.

End User License Agreements:
HPE Software License Agreement v1

Upgrade Requirement:
Recommended - HPE recommends users update to this version at their earliest convenience.

Important:

WARNING:
If this is an upgrade from a IO Accelerator 2.x.x version to IO Accelerator 3.x.x, the update process will require a low-level media format (fio-format) of the device. No user data will be maintained during this process; be sure to make a complete backup.
Also, be sure to use the upgrade path listed in the Prerequisites section.

Notes:

For the AJ878B and BK836A models, ensure the remote power cut module is installed.

• To verify the remote power cut module is installed on these models, type the command
  • # fio-status -a
    On each HP IO Accelerator, look for Powerloss: protected
    If any other messages appear for the Powerloss field, ensure the remote power cut module is installed.

NOTES:

• The AJ876, AJ878A, and AJ878A models do not contain the remote power cut module and will display: Powerloss: not available
• The QK761A, QK762A, and QK763A have the power cut function built into the product will display: Powerloss:protected

Supported Devices and Features:

HP IO Accelerators for BladeSystem c-Class are designed for two form factors.

• Generation 1 HP IO Accelerators use a Type 1 form factor for HP ProLiant G1-G7 BladeSystem c-Class Servers.
  • Includes IO Accelerator product with part numbers of AJ876A, AJ877A, AJ878A, AJ878B, BK836A
  • Supports either the 2.x.x or the 3.x.x versions of the IO Accelerator software.
  • Is not compatible with HP ProLiant Gen8 BladeSystem c-Class servers.
• Generation 2 HP IO Accelerator use a Type B form factor for HP ProLiant Gen8 BladeSystem c-Class Servers
  • Includes IO Accelerator product with part numbers of QK761A, QK762A, and QK763A
  • Requires IO Accelerator Software version 3.1.1 or greater
  • Is not compatible with HP ProLiant G1-G7 BladeSystem c-Class servers.

Torchlight 2 graphics mod. HP IO Accelerators for ProLiant Servers.

• Generation 1 HP IO Accelerators for HP ProLiant Servers.
  • Includes IO Accelerator product with part numbers of 600278-B21, 600279-B21, 600280-B21, 600281-B21, 641027-B21
  • Supports either the 2.x.x or the 3.x.x versions of the IO Accelerator software.
  • Is compatible with supported HP ProLiant G6-Gen8 servers
• Generation 2 HP IO Accelerators for HP ProLiant Servers.
  • Includes IO Accelerator product with part numbers of 673642-B21, 673644-B21, 673646-B21, 673648-B21, 721458-B21, 740320-B21, 740322-B21
  • Supports the 3.x.x versions of the IO Accelerator software.
  • Is compatible with supported HP ProLiant G6-Gen8 servers

Upgrade Requirement:
Recommended - HPE recommends users update to this version at their earliest convenience.

Extract the contents from the downloaded zip (tar) file. Important release notes are contained in ioMemory_VSL_3.2.11_Release_Notes<date>.pdf

WARNING:
If this is an upgrade from a IO Accelerator 2.x.x version to IO Accelerator 3.x.x, the update process will require a low-level media format (fio-format) of the device. No user data will be maintained during this process; be sure to make a complete backup.
Also, be sure to use the upgrade path listed in the Prerequisites section.