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## 9.4 IBM Spectrum Virtualize code update 

Because IBM Spectrum Virtualize might be at the core of your disk and SAN storage environment, its update requires planning, preparation, and verification. However, with the appropriate precautions, an update can be conducted easily and transparently to your servers and applications. This section highlights applicable guidelines for IBM Spectrum Virtualize update. Before upgrading your IBM Spectrum Virtualize to V8.1, or higher, you must enable the Host Offloading Throttle, for more details check the following website: 

Host Offload Throttling 

Most of the following sections explain how to prepare for the IBM Spectrum Virtualize update. The last two sections present version-independent guidelines to update the IBM Spectrum Virtualize system and disk or flash drives. 

Note:  For customers who have purchased the IBM SAN Volume Controller with 3 years warranty (2147-SV1), this comes with Enterprise Class Support (ECS) and this entitles the customer to two code upgrades, performed by IBM, per year (total of 6 across the 3 years of warranty). These upgrades are performed by the IBM dedicated Remote Code Load (RCL) team or, where remote support is not allowed or enabled, by an onsite SSR. 

For further information on ECS, refer to the IBM Knowledge Center here: 

IBM Knowledge Center for ECS 

## 9.4.1 Current and target IBM Spectrum Virtualize code level 

First, determine your current and target IBM Spectrum Virtualize code level. Log in to your IBM Spectrum Virtualize web-based GUI and find the current version. 

On the right hand side of the top menu drop down line, select ? → About IBM SAN Volume Controller . 

Figure 9-3 on page 407 shows the About IBM SAN Volume Controller output panel and displays the current code level. In this example the current code level is 8.1.3.6. 

<img src='content_image/995265.jpg'>

Alternatively, if you are using the CLI, run the svcinfo lssystem  command. 

