Cannot downgrade Raid Controller LSI 9260-8i

[Walter Dey]

Customer has a C460-M2 (2.2.2) connected to UCSM (Infrastructure at 2.2.6)
ESXi 5.1 U2 is installed on local disk, data are on local disk.
Problem: occasionally high latency, and loss of data store.
We are aware of
FN - 64072 - Power Regulator on Specific LSI RAID Cards Might Fail Prematurely - Upgrade Available
FN - 63732 - UCS Product Family - LSI RAID Controller Impacted by Several Critical Issues - Replacement Required
TAC case was opened, and after some troubleshooting, RMA of Raid Controller (LSI 9260-8i)
Now the trouble starts !
- Replacing Raid Controller; adding server to UCS FI; SP has a HFP (2.2.2e); SP association fails => Raid Controller: Activation Failed.
- server standalone; boots successfully and loads ESXi
    CIMC doesn't find Raid Controller see also https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCtz94685/?reffering_site=dumpcr
- RMA Raid Controller has a relatively new firmware
- Tried to downgrade raid card with HUU 1.5(7c) and 1.5(7e).
- But raid card fails to downgrade !!!

TAC guys: have a look at Service Request 680411058
Any hint is appreciated !
 

[Walter Dey]

Here the solution (better work around)

Server standalone:

- Down graded all components (specially the Raid Controller) with HUU to 1.4(3c).
- upgrade all components (specially the Raid Controller) with HUU to 1.5(7c)

Then integrate server with UCSM;

No firmware update necessary (with HFP set to 2.2.2), because all components of the server are already there.

PS

Just be aware, direct downgrade to 1.5.7c not working !!