Ubuntu 8.04 problems with some DELL servers

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>To: Ante Karamatic <ivoks at grad.hr>
>Cc: ubuntu-server at lists.ubuntu.com, ubuntu-devel at lists.ubuntu.com
>Subject: Re: Ubuntu 8.04 problems with some DELL servers

>Hi,
>
>You need to update the firmware for your Perc RAID controllers. 
>
>I got the same error (If I remember since Feisty) but updating the
>firmware solve the problem.
>
>Regards,
>
>Le dimanche 20 avril 2008 à 14:11 +0200, Ante Karamatic a écrit :
>> Some DELL's Perc RAID controllers (confirmed for 3/Di on PowerEdge 1650)
>> won't work with Ubuntu 8.04. Since this isn't a bug in the kernel, but
>> in DELL's firmware, I didn't report it as a bug. Never the less, I
>> wanted to warn you about this.
>> 
>> I suggest adding to release notes that upgrade of Dell RAID controller's
>> firmware is needed before doing upgrade or install. More info at:
>> 
>> http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=9133
>> 
>> Take care...

A brief note - I have a Poweredge 4400 with the same PERC 3/Di RAID controller, and with a back-rev BIOS (A09) and RAID firmware (2.7....) I installed Gutsy Server (32 bit) just fine.

After reading the posts regarding th PERC 3/Di RAID controller I went to Dell's website and downloaded both the BIOS and RAID firmware upgrades and loaded them on my PE4400. I updated the BIOS first (to A11), and then when I went to upgrade the RAID firmware (2.8....) I noticed in the readme.txt file that you *need* to update the BIOS first, or you may have an unbootable system (until, I assume you update the BIOS).

After updating BIOS and RAID firmware, Gutsy booted right up again, no data loss, no changes to anything, and the server is now ready for Hardy, once I get around to installing it (machine is being used for another purpose right now, I'm downlaoding 8.04 Daily now to try it out later tonight). I dont' anticipate any problems - I briefly report results either way once I test it.

Ken Hansen