StorEdge L20, L40, L60 Tape Library (HP SureStore 2/20, 2/40, 2/60) front panel may show the following Library Status even when it has the latest known Sun firmware version:

      PARTLY AVAILABLE (1/1)
      firmware update needed                  

This condition may occur after one or more of the following FRU is replaced:

• 370-4174 Library Controller
• 370-4175 RMC (Remote Management Control) Card
• 370-4177 Picker/Translator Assembly

The library status "firmware update needed" indicates that there is incompatible firmware in one or more of the above parts in the library. Under normal circumstances, applying the latest Library Firmware (which contains the firmware for the parts mentioned), will resolve the condition.

However, the supply vendor (HP) is known to ship FRUs that may contain firmware that is NEWER than the Sun qualified version! In which case, the Library Firmware version as shown in the front panel may be the latest Sun qualified firmware, but the Library Status will remain "PARTLY AVAILABLE, firmware update needed".

The only recourse is to wait for a newer Library Firmware to become qualified by Sun and made available as a patch. (See Patch 111972)

Internal Summary

Contact Sun's Product Manager for HP Products, Richard.Newell@Sun.COM, for firmware yet to be qualified.

Although HP's support site allows free download of the latest Library Firmware, using unqualified firmware in customer systems renders the Sun support contract invalid. Moreover, a Sun qualified or to-be-qualified version is typically behind that of the latest HP version.