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FLASH IT

The only script you'll need for flashing LSI SAS2-based adapters.

During execution the script will:

  • Download and compile all the packages and software it needs
  • Download P20 IT mode firmware
  • Download boot ROMs
  • Backup the current SBR and flash regions from your device
  • Backup the SAS and PCI addresses for reference
  • Flash modified SBR
  • Flash IT firmware
  • Flash BIOS/signed UEFI boot ROM
  • Sets the original SAS address post-flash to retain multi-adapter support

Just a single reboot is necessary after the script completes.*

Tested on R320, R420, R720xd with RancherOS 1.5.4 (kernel 4.14) and the Ubuntu 18.04 console, but should work with anything that has bash and apt.

*You will need to move your backups to persistent storage before rebooting or they will be lost

Brief background

This script was born from necessity. I've got a pile of 12G Dell servers that need IT firmware and I wasn't about to flash them all manually. Drives were removed for the first server I flashed, but left in for the subsequent machines to no ill-effect. If you're paranoid, remove them. I tried to make the script with as many safeties as possible since this is such a sensitive process, but it's not perfect, as nothing is.

Supported devices

Tested

  • PERC H310 Mini Monolithic
  • PERC H310
  • more coming soon!

Untested

  • PERC H200
  • PERC H200e
  • IBM M1015
  • Other cacheless LSI SAS2x08 cards

Testing other adapters

Testing adapters that are currently not on the supported list is super easy! Just change the ADAPTER_PATTERN="H310" line, where H310 is a regex pattern that matches your adapter. Please let me know if you test another adapter with success or failure, with the following information:

  • Adapter model
  • Exact pattern used
  • Whether it succeeded or failed
  • Other notes about your experience

PRs are also welcome!

Supported Linux distros

Tested working

  • RancherOS 1.5.4 w/ Ubuntu 18.04 console
  • Ubuntu 18.04 works after updating git in this fashion first 
    $ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:git-core/ppa
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install git

Tested not working

  • Debian 10.1.0
    • User reported an issue surrounding libncurses5 that maybe someone else can test/fix

How to

Prerequisites

  • Server or other computer with only the target adapter installed and visible to the OS
  • Supported Linux distro from above that does not rely on the controller (live environment is recommended)
    • Use others only at your own risk
  • Internet access from the flashing environment

Flashing

  1. Ensure the adapter you want to flash is the only LSI/Avago/rebranded HBA device in the system.

  2. Copy flash-it.sh to a directory you're okay with making a mess in:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/confusingboat/flash-it/master/flash-it.sh
  1. Make the script executable:
chmod +x flash-it.sh
  1. Make it go:
sudo ./flash-it.sh

Don't forget to save your backups. They will be saved in /tmp/<your SAS address> throughout the flashing process.

Troubleshooting

It broke half way through and I want it to work again

Throughout the process, the script echos out what it's about to do. You should be able to figure out how to recover based on where the failure occurred.

For example, if the actual flash hasn't been erased or overwritten, just flash the original SBR back by running restore_sbr.sh from the same directory you ran the original flash-it.sh script. This should bring your card back to its factory state and allow you to start over.

There is a script for simply flashing back the SBR. This one is interactive, but if your backups are still in place you can just leave the inputs blank and the script will find them.

  1. wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/confusingboat/flash-it/master/restore_sbr.sh
  2. chmod +x restore_sbr.sh
  3. sudo ./restore_sbr.sh

Disclaimer

By downloading and using the scripty bits and associated file(s), you are relinquishing the ability to hold me accountable in any capacity for hardware/software damage or data loss, as well as any moldy pizzas or fruit flies that may manifest in and around your server(s). Use at your own risk.

Credit where it is due

The creation of this script would not have been possible without a PDF I found by /u/fourlynx or the lsirec tool and other info by Hector Martin.