Version 8.0.4.15 of Stonefly StoneFusion and Storage Concentrator Virtual Machine (SCVM) is now out and available to all StoneFly customers. In this blog, we’ll share how you can update your version of the software.

Furthermore, if you have purchased SCVM as a standalone software and deployed it on Hyper-V

Note: The older version of the software will continue to work without any problems. Update is not mandatory. However, to get access to the latest features, it is highly recommended that you update your StoneFusion and SCVM version. If you face any issues updating the software, contact StoneFly technical support.

Before updating the StoneFusion or SCVM version, it goes without saying that the process is disruptive and requires a maintenance outage window.

How to update StoneFusion in integrated appliances

The following process applies to:

• StoneFly SSO NAS appliances
• StoneFly ISC SAN appliances
• StoneFly S3 appliances
• StoneFly USO appliances

Supported hardware configurations: Integrated, dual-node shared nothing, and scale out appliances.

Step 1: Download the ISO

Download the ISO for StoneFusion by clicking this direct download link.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB

Download rufus-3.8 software that will enable you to create the bootable USB by clicking this direct download link and install it.

Once installed, double click the software icon to open it.

Click on Select next to Boot selection and navigate to where the ISO file for StoneFusion 8.0.4.15 is saved.

Select the ISO file and click Open.

Insert your USB flash drive in the USB port (Note: Minimum 4GB storage size is recommended).

Keep all the default settings and click Start.

Click OK when the warning window pops up. This will start the process – indicated by the progress bar at the bottom. Upon completion, the text on the progress bar changes to Ready.

The process is now complete, you may click Close to close the application and safely remove the USB flash drive.

Step 3: Back up to local FTP Server

Before making any changes, it is mandatory to save your existing configuration to a local File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server. To do so, go to Navigate > Admin > Auto Save. Click the checkbox for Enable Auto Save to Remote FTP Server, fill the required fields, and click Submit.

Note: Make sure that the backup file has been created on the FTP server.

Step 4: Storage Concentrator Health

Before upgrading your StoneFusion version, make sure that the Storage Concentrator is healthy with all the resources active and running.

Verify the health of the storage concentrator by going to Resources > Summary Page.

Step 5: Boot Updated Version from USB

Insert the bootable USB with StoneFusion 8.0.4.15 ISO in the USB port and reboot it. While the system is rebooting, press F11 to view the list of bootable devices. Select the USB as the boot device and press Enter.

Note: During the upgrade process, the system will reboot multiple times. Each time the system reboots, you have to repeat the process of selecting the USB as the bootable device. Once the upgrade process is complete, a message will be displayed on the monitor to remove the bootable USB. Be sure to remove the USB so that the system can boot from the dedicated SSD for the Operating System (OS).

The display message will look like this:

Step 6: Check Your Software Version

Once the storage appliance has booted from the built-in SSD for OS, you will be able to login to the StoneFusion GUI and check the software version.

To do so, System > Information page. The Software Version should say 8.0.4.15.

Note: Be sure to double check all Storage Concentrator resources to make sure that they are running without any problems.

How to update StoneFusion for high availability (HA) appliances

The following process applies to:

• StoneFly Voyager SAN appliances
• StoneFly USO-HA appliances

Step 1: Download the ISO for StoneFusion 8.0.4.15 by clicking this direct download link.

Step 2: Create a bootable USB (scroll up for details).

Step 3: Back up your storage concentrator configuration to a local FTP server (scroll up for details).

Note: You only need to do step 3 for the primary storage concentrator. 

Step 4: Make sure all system resources are active and running. (scroll up for details).

Typically, updating the storage concentrator in StoneFly HA appliances is a non-disruptive process. However, it’s good practice to prepare in terms of maintenance outage window.

Step 5a: Boot updated version of StoneFusion from USB in the secondary storage concentrator (scroll up to see how to boot the software update from USB).   

Once the secondary storage concentrator is updated, check the software version in system information.

After the secondary storage concentrator has been updated, the status of the primary storage concentrator will change to Primary (upgrade active).

On the secondary storage concentrator, click the Alert button on the top right.

Confirm that the following log entry is generated:

“SC NAME is waiting to handle sessions but the Cluster IP Address is in use by another SC. If the status of all resources and volumes are OK, then start upgrade of other SC.”

 Step 5b. Boot updated version of StoneFusion from USB in the primary storage concentrator (scroll up to see how to boot the software update from USB).  

Step 6: Check all resources are active, running, and that all hosts have the required access to the storage concentrators.

How to update SCVM in integrated HCI appliances

The following process applies to:

• StoneFly USS appliances
• StoneFly USC appliances
• StoneFly DR365V Veeam-ready backup & DR appliances
• StoneFly DR365 DR Site in a box
• StoneFly DR365 Universal backup & DR appliances
• StoneFly DR365Z Backup & DR appliances for Zerto

Step 1: Download the ISO file for SCVM 8.0.4.15.

Step 2: Back up your SCVM configuration to local FTP server (scroll up for details)

Step 3: Check that all storage concentrator resources are active and running (scroll up for details).

For Microsoft Hyper-V Environments:

Step 4: Shutdown SCVM, then log in to Hyper-V Manager. Right click SCVM, and select Settings. In the left pane, select DVD drive. In the media pane, click Browse, select the SCVM ISO, click Apply, and then click Ok. 

Then turn SCVM back on, right click on SCVM and select connect to access the console. The upgrade should start automatically.

Note: During the upgrade process the SCVM will reboot multiple times. Once the upgrade is complete a message will be displayed on the console / monitor to eject the CD/DVD. Make sure to disconnect the CD/DVD so that the system boots from the dedicated OS disk.

When the CD / DVD is ejected, the SCVM will reboot. Once SCVM has been rebooted, login and verify the software version.

For VMware ESXi Environments:

Step 4: Login to ESXi. Edit SCVM settings -> boot order -> force go to BIOS menu on next startup. Save and reboot SCVM. Go to BIOS menu -> boot options -> and put the .iso virtual drive to 1st (so that every time it boots from CD). Save and exit from BIOS. Attach the iso file using the VMware remote console and then reboot. The SCVM upgrade will start automatically.

Note: During the upgrade process the SCVM will reboot a couple of times. Once the upgrade is complete a message will be displayed on the console / monitor to eject the CD/DVD. Make sure to disconnect the CD/DVD so that the System boots from the OS Disk.

Step 5: When the CD / DVD is ejected, the SCVM will reboot. Once SCVM has been rebooted, login and verify the software version.

How to update SCVM in high availability (HA) HCI appliances

The following process applies to:

• StoneFly USS-HA appliances
• StoneFly USC-HA appliances
• StoneFly DR365V-HA Veeam-ready backup & DR appliances
• StoneFly DR365-HA DR Site in a box
• StoneFly DR365-HA Universal backup & DR appliances
• StoneFly DR365Z-HA Backup & DR appliances for Zerto

Step 1: Download the ISO file for SCVM 8.0.4.15.

Step 2: Back up your SCVM configuration to local FTP server (scroll up for details).

Step 3: Check that all storage concentrator resources are active and running (scroll up for details).

Typically, updating the storage concentrator in StoneFly HA appliances is a non-disruptive process. However, it’s good practice to prepare in terms of maintenance outage window.

For Microsoft Hyper-V Environments:

Step 4: The secondary SCVM has to be upgraded first. Shutdown the secondary SCVM, then login to the respective Hyper-V Manager. Right click the SCVM and select Settings.

In the left pane, select the DVD drive. In the media pane, click Browse, select the SCVM ISO, click Apply, and then click Ok. Once done, turn on the secondary SCVM, right click on SCVM and select connect to access the console. The upgrade should start automatically.

Note: During the upgrade process the SCVM will reboot multiple times. Once the upgrade is complete a message will be displayed on the console / monitor to eject the CD/DVD. Make sure to disconnect the CD/DVD so that the system boots from the dedicated OS disk.

For VMware ESXi Environments:

Step 4: The secondary SCVM has to be upgraded first. Login to your ESXi and edit the SCVM Settings. Edit SCVM settings –> advanced setting –> boot order –> force go to bios menu on next startup. Save and reboot SCVM. Go to bios menu –> boot options –> and put the .iso virtual drive to 1st (so that every time it boots from CD). Save and reboot. SCVM upgrade will start automatically.

Step 5: Once the secondary storage concentrator is updated, check the software version in system information.

After the secondary storage concentrator has been updated, the status of the primary storage concentrator will change to Primary (upgrade active).

Note: The actual primary SCVM, that hasn’t been upgraded yet, will be in the Primary (upgrade active) state on its system info page.

Step 6: Access the GUI of the secondary SCVM, and click the Alert button on the top right.

Confirm that the following log entry is generated:

“SCVM NAME is waiting to handle sessions but the Cluster IP Address is in use by another SCVM. If the status of all resources and volumes are OK, then start upgrade of other SCVM.”

Step 7: Repeat step 4 for the primary SCVM to update it. Once updated, check the system information to verify the software version.

Step 8: When the primary SCVM completes initialization, verify that all resources and volumes are healthy, and that all hosts have required access to the SCVM HA Cluster.

If you have any difficulty updating your software version, contact StoneFly technical support.

To stay up to date with the latest update and product releases, be sure to connect with us on our social media channels:

Twitter:                https://www.twitter.com/stoneflyinc

Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/stoneflyinc

Linkedin:             https://www.linkedin.com/company/c/stonefly-networks/

Youtube:             https://www.youtube.com/stoneflyinc