How to Upgrade the Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) Software Version

Description

The system is running Intel® VROC software 6.1.0.1236, but I want to upgrade it to Intel® VROC 7.7.0.1273. Unable to find any instructions or manuals describing the update procedure.

Resolution

Before performing any upgrade

Before performing any upgrade to the Intel® VROC driver, make sure the platform supports that specific Intel® VROC version. Consult your system vendor to confirm the latest Intel® VROC driver version available.

The process of upgrading the Intel® VROC version running in the system depends on the specific operating system being used. Refer to the User Guides for Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) for specific requirements in each operating system.

• Upgrades in Windows*
  • The Intel® VROC driver for Windows* can be uninstalled/installed as any other Windows* driver.
  • See more information in How to Get the Latest Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) Driver for Windows*
• Upgrades in Linux*
  • The Intel® VROC driver for Linux* release strategy is upstream to the open-source community and has Operating System Vendor (OSV) partners incorporate necessary upstream patches into their Linux* product releases to have the inbox support of Intel® VROC.
  • See more information in How to Get the Latest Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) Driver for Linux*
• Upgrades in VMware* ESXi*
  • The Intel® VROC driver for ESXi* can be uninstalled/installed as any other VMware* ESXi* driver.
  • Drivers are available for download in the below pages:
    • Intel® VROC Driver and Management Tool for VMware* ESXi* 7.x
    • Intel® VROC Driver and Management Tool for VMware* ESXi* 8.x

Additional information

The Intel® VROC software package requires also a pre-OS driver. The Intel® VROC pre-OS driver can be upgraded through a BIOS upgrade. Available BIOS upgrades, and therefore available Intel® VROC pre-OS driver versions, depend on the options made available by each system manufacturer. The Intel® VROC driver for the operating system (OS) is backward compatible with the Intel® VROC pre-OS driver; however, it is always recommended to have the same version installed at the pre-OS and OS levels, for example Intel® VROC 7.5 in the pre-OS and Intel® VROC 7.5 in the OS. Minor differences may work fine; for example, an Intel® VROC 6.x version in the pre-OS and an Intel® VROC 7.x version in the OS. However, major differences between the driver versions may result in unexpected behaviors; for example, an Intel® VROC 6.x version in the pre-OS and an Intel® VROC 8.x version in the OS.

See an Intel® VROC platform backward compatible matrix in the Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) Platforms and Chipsets Support List.