Firmware upgrade for IBM DS4700

https://www-945.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/swg/selectFixes?parent=Mid-range%20disk%20systems&product=ibm/Storage_Disk/DS4700+Express&release=All&platform=All&function=all

You need to download a few of them, the controller and HDD bays etc.

Unfortunately, I can not be allowed to download the software, as I do not have a service contract with IBM.

I'm afraid that NO Expert Exchange Expert can GIVE you the Copyrighted software, as they do not have rights to Distribute it.

As andrew said in that case, that's essentially pirating software.

Hi,

No one will be willing to share the firmwares. Not just because of the copyright infringement but also because of the fact that they are paying customers.

You should only trust IBM as a source for your firmwares. There are some versions out in the 'wild' so to say but they are reported to have embedded malware.

Cheers

and which model of ESXi wre you going to use this with, because the DS4700, fell out of support with VMware vSphere 5.0. (e.g. ESXi 5.0 U0).

and ESXi 5.0 U0 is no longer supported.

To be fair Andrew, if this is purely for a test bed, I can think of worst things to be using other than ESXi 5.... Hyper-V for example :D

Although, if you can't get the array to work with ESXi then Hyper-V may be your go to.

It does not work!!!! Search EE for answers!

They are heavy bricks.

A firmware update is not going to change that outcome, and I;m not sure where he would get working binaries of ESX 3 or 4 now.

Grim...... Fair enough, no need to get all funny though.

Do you tell me that I can never get my DS4700 to work with newer versions of VMware ESXi? Neither if I upgrade the firmware?
Right now I am investigating what a support agreement with IBM will cost me, but if it does not work then there is no need to spend the money.

The IBM DS4700 is not certified for the VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) since version 5.0 U0.

(and certainly never certified to work with 5.1, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 or 6.7!).

This was in August 2011.

This was seven (7) years ago.

ESXi 5.0 is also not supported any more by VMware and retired. Not sure if you can still get the binaries.

There have been a few posts in the last 7 years of Experts trying to get DS4700 to work with current versions of ESXi, and these have failed.

If I was you I would stick with the latest known to work and be certified which was ESXi 5.0 U0. (if you can obtain it!).

Before you pay any money to IBM, I would obtain assurances and guarantees it will work with current versions of ESXi! otherwise you may find you are out of pocket.

So, in other words, I'm fucked (excuse my French). I've bought some hardware and software that do not match. Sigh...

You can try, but if it does not work as expected you have the answers.

Much might suggest that I buy some other IBM storage hardware. Since I'm on a small budget, it's not an option to buy new hardware. Is there anyone who can recommend me which IBM storage models I'm looking for? I think they must meet the following requirements:
- Compatible with VMware ESXi 6.7
- Support fiber channel