I searched the forums but could not find a specific thread for this specific question.
Building a new TrueNAS system, I have mixed drives, Seagate, WD and HGST.
Seagate's when tested with "smartctl -t long" reported errors, following some threads here and others I found out there were issues sometimes with the drive overshooting on its seek requests and that was reported (by Seagate algorithm) as errors. They (Seagate) use their own different metrics and reporting. Anyway, I was able to download and apply the specific firmware to fix this error reporting, and I think even will reset the counters, haven't tested yet.
But when I tried to download the latest firmware for WD and HGST drives I could not find any and they direct you to open a support case, they will take more than 1 week to answer and they only do it when you "bump" the support case.
Listing below my case, maybe anyone can help or maybe I should go ahead with whichever firmware is included.
Initial question
Note I'm listing the actual models and serials from the drives
Their answer
So I had to upload all images of the actual drives, unmount them and mount these back but I did it
I followed up several times, finally today their answer
I replied with this and escalated, not that I think they will take me seriously
In your experience, really they only develop one single firmware? no revisions? no problems in the field? (which I'm sure they would have)
Just curious, because I really wasn't expecting these answers from WD
Thank you all
Building a new TrueNAS system, I have mixed drives, Seagate, WD and HGST.
Seagate's when tested with "smartctl -t long" reported errors, following some threads here and others I found out there were issues sometimes with the drive overshooting on its seek requests and that was reported (by Seagate algorithm) as errors. They (Seagate) use their own different metrics and reporting. Anyway, I was able to download and apply the specific firmware to fix this error reporting, and I think even will reset the counters, haven't tested yet.
But when I tried to download the latest firmware for WD and HGST drives I could not find any and they direct you to open a support case, they will take more than 1 week to answer and they only do it when you "bump" the support case.
Listing below my case, maybe anyone can help or maybe I should go ahead with whichever firmware is included.
Initial question
Setting up these drives on a NAS and would like the latest working approved firmware for these to guarantee I won't find any inconsistencies please.
MODEL - SERIAL
1 - WD40EZRX WCC4E0HXET2Y
2 - WD40EZRX WCC4E5UEVHAU
3 - WD40EZRX WCC4E1ERAVVE
4 - HDN724040ALE640 PCGXNYLS
5 - HDN724040ALE640 PCG7SDYB
6 - HDN726060ALE610 NAG18MKP
7 - HDN726060ALE610 NAG17Z2P
Note I'm listing the actual models and serials from the drives
Their answer
Dear OMITTED
Thank you for contacting Western Digital Technical Support. My name is OMITTED
It is my pleasure assisting your case and here is the case number for future references: 210208-000471
I understand your concern for your Western Digital drive firmware version issue. Based on your concern I request you to please share the images of the drive label with model number and serial number visible on it. As we checked the serial number you have mentioned it is showing up as incorrect
If you have any further questions, please reply to this email and we will be happy to assist you further.
Sincerely,
omitted
Western Digital Technical Support
http://support-en.wd.com
So I had to upload all images of the actual drives, unmount them and mount these back but I did it
I followed up several times, finally today their answer
Dear omitted,
Thank you for your continued response. I do apologize for any trouble you may be having. Based on the Serial Numbers you provided all of these drives are either our WD Green or HGST DeskStar drives. All of these drives are released with their latest firmware release, and we do not have any firmware updates for these drives.
If you have any further questions, please reply to this email and we will be happy to assist you further.
Sincerely,
omitted
Western Digital Technical Support
http://support-en.wd.com
I replied with this and escalated, not that I think they will take me seriously
Hi omitted, thank you for your answer, it really doesn't provide a satisfactory response, I have been in the technology business for many years, when the drives were 5 mbytes in size and manufactured by Winchester, WD was top of the line and I used those continuously. Anyway modern drives are released by all manufacturers and on the field they found problems with the drives sometimes overshooting on seeks or with specific bugs on the firmware release. If you tell me the Greens which is a consumer drive fine but the HGST's which are not consumer drives at least not marketed like that and sometimes used on OEM equipment like Dell, HP or what have you I know for a fact that these drives are usually reviewed and new firmware provided for them, many times through the OEM. Now if it is WD policy not to provide the firmware directly to customers I could understand that but I will consider my drive choices (and others too) more carefully in the future. Seagate does it and you don't have to contact support to download the latest firmware including the changes and why it is recommended to update.
In your experience, really they only develop one single firmware? no revisions? no problems in the field? (which I'm sure they would have)
Just curious, because I really wasn't expecting these answers from WD
Thank you all