This document describes the installation of Licensed Machine Code, which
is sometimes referred to generically as microcode or firmware.
The firmware levels contained in this update (Release S8xU9) are:
The typical time to install this firmware is two hours. The firmware
does not become active when installed and requires a system reboot to become
active. This reboot time will vary depending on the system and the amount
of features installed. This estimate is for an average system.
Don't be alarmed at the length of this document! For any given download/unpacking/update environment, the process is short. This document describes processes for several environments. One should be suitable for your needs, and these instructions guide you through just the environment you choose.
Use the following AIX command for checking the firmware levels.
Enter:
lscfg -vp | grep
-p alterable
This command will produce a system configuration report similar to the following.
System Firmware VPD: ROM Level.(alterable).......20030731 (B) 20030731 (A) <= System FW levels Version.....................RS6K System Info Specific.(YL)...U0.1-P1-X1 Physical Location: U0.1-P1-X1/Y1 Service Processor Firmware VPD: ROM Level.(alterable).......20030731 (B) 20030731 (A) Version.....................RS6K System Info Specific.(YL)...U0.1-P1-X1/Y2 Physical Location: U0.1-P1-X1/Y2The ROM Level lines list the level (date) of the currently installed System and Service Processor firmware. In these examples (illustrations only), the system was booted from type B, since it is listed first. If the most recent level (A or B) is earlier than the update level(s) available for the server, you should install the update(s).
For more information about the uses of IPL Types A and B, see paragraphs 6.0 and 6.4, or refer to the Server's User's Guide.
If you find the firmware must be updated, proceed to Section 5.0. If the firmware levels are correct and no update is needed, installation is complete.
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/firmware/gjsn
Follow the instructions on this web page. You must read and agree to the license agreement to obtain the firmware packages.
In the drop-down box, choose the entry for your specific machine type and model.
The download choices at that entry are:
Note:
In
the instructions that follow are specific AIX commands.
AIX commands are CASE (lower and upper) SENSITIVE, and must
be
entered exactly as shown, including the filenames.
a) Provide a directory on an AIX system to receive the AIX package.
Enter:
mkdir /tmp/fwupdate
Note: If the
directory /tmp/fwupdate already exists,
make sure it is empty before proceeding.
b) Transfer the AIX package to the /tmp/fwupdate directory (using
"Save as ...").
You'll see the filename is 7017S8xF.BIN
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
Enter the commands:
cd /tmp/fwupdate
chmod +x 7017S8xF.BIN
./7017S8xF.BIN
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]
These files will be added to /tmp/fwupdate:
S8xU9.img
promote.img
If the above procedure was used to transfer the AIX package directly to the target server, proceed to Section 6.0, Updating the Firmware.
Otherwise, on the intermediate AIX system, choose one of the following methods for transferring files to the target server.
On the intermediate AIX system,
Enter the commands:
ftp {name of target
server}
{Login with a valid userid
and password}
bin
lcd /tmp/fwupdate
mkdir /tmp/fwupdate
cd /tmp/fwupdate
put S8xU9.img
put promote.img
quit
Proceed to Section 6.0, Updating the Firmware.
On the intermediate AIX system, proceed as follows. Three 2MB (HD) new or freshly formatted diskettes are required.
With a diskette loaded in the drive,
Enter the commands (this process will request additional diskettes as each is filled) :
cd /tmp/fwupdate
ls *.img | backup
-i -v -f/dev/rfd0
This will produce AIX backup diskettes. Label these diskettes, respectively,
Volume 1: System and Service Processor FW (U9)
and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680
Volume 2: System and Service Processor FW (U9)
and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680
Volume 3: System and Service Processor FW (U9)
and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680
Proceed to Section 6.0, Updating the Firmware.
a) Prepare a directory for receiving the DOS package.
This directory can be in any partition
with 10MB available space.
Executing in such a partition, called
[path] in these instructions
(ex. c:\download),
Enter:
md [path]\fwupdate
Note: If the directory [path]\fwupdate
already exists,
make sure it is empty before proceeding.
b) Transfer the DOS package to the [path]\fwupdate directory
(using "Save as ...").
You'll see the filename is 7017S8xF.EXE
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
Enter the commands:
cd [path]\fwupdate
7017S8xF
These files will be added to the fwupdate subdirectory:
S8xU9_B1.EXE
S8xU9_B2.EXE
S8xU9_B3.EXE
Note: The diskettes produced below will be in a format
that can be used
directly with a computer running AIX as its operating system. These
diskettes, once made on a PC platform, cannot be read using normal PC
platform tools or command line operations.
a) With a diskette loaded in the drive,
Enter the commands:
cd
[path]\fwupdate
S8xU9_B1
Label the diskette,
"Volume
1: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
b) With a second diskette loaded in the drive,
Enter:
S8xU9_B2
Label the diskette,
"Volume
2: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
c) With a third diskette loaded in the drive,
Enter:
S8xU9_B3
Label the diskette,
"Volume
3: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
Proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.
***
WARNING:
Do not power off the target server at any time before
the update process completes. Be sure the system is NOT running any user
applications.
***
You must have root authority on the target server to update its firmware.
If the server is currently running from IPL Type B, you should consider promoting that level before continuing. Use the instructions in paragraph 6.4, Promoting the Update, for reference.
Updating the firmware requires rebooting the server. The update is applied during the shutdown sequence following the firmware transfer.
As the firmware update takes place (during the automatic shutdown sequence), progress can be monitored from the operator panel. The checkpoints E080 and E081 alternately appear while the update is in progress.
At some points in the update process, these checkpoints may not change for fifteen to thirty minutes. If this occurs, be patient and allow time for the update process to complete.
The new firmware is placed in IPL Type B, for use while your acceptance tests are under way. When you are satisfied with the performance of the new level, "promote" it to IPL Type A. There is no time limit on when promotion must occur. Thorough testing of any changes to the system is recommended before committing to them.
If you applied the update while running in IPL Type A, you will need to boot from IPL Type B in order to test the new level of firmware.
Updating firmware on the Server must be initiated either directly from the AIX command line or from the Update Flash Diagnostic Service Aid.
Note: In the instructions that follow are
specific AIX commands.
AIX commands are CASE (lower and upper) SENSITIVE, and must
be
entered exactly as shown, including the filenames.
At the AIX command line, enter:
sum S8xU9.img
This command will produce the following output:
37427 3284 S8xU9.img
The checksum is -----> 37427
Enter the commands:
cd /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin
./update_flash
-f /tmp/fwupdate/S8xU9.img
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]
You will be asked for confirmation to proceed with the firmware update and the required reboot. If you confirm, the server will apply the new firmware, reboot and return to the AIX prompt. This may take fifteen to thirty minutes (or more), depending on the configuration of the target server.
Having successfully executed the above commands, the server automatically performs the update, reboots, and places the update in IPL Type B. Since the update occurs during this shutdown/reboot sequence, it is important to protect the server from interruptions.
The update of the System and Service Processor firmware is complete. You will want to verify this update and then promote it after you have tested it to your satisfaction. Verifying is discussed in paragraph 6.3. Promotion is discussed in paragraph 6.4.
Enter the commands:
mkdir /tmp/fwupdate
Note: If the directory /tmp/fwupdate
already exists,
make sure it is empty before proceeding.
cd /tmp/fwupdate
restore
You will be prompted to mount volume 1 on /dev/rfd0
In the drive of the target server, put the AIX backup diskette labeled:
"Volume 1: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
When prompted for volume 2,
In the drive of the target server, put the AIX backup diskette labeled:
"Volume 2: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
When prompted for volume 3,
In the drive of the target server, put the AIX backup diskette labeled:
"Volume 3: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
The files are now in the /tmp/fwupdate subdirectory.
Enter the commands:
cd
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin
./update_flash
-f /tmp/fwupdate/S8xU9.img
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]
You will be asked for confirmation to proceed with the firmware update and the required reboot. If you confirm, the server will apply the new firmware, reboot and return to the AIX prompt. This may take fifteen to thirty minutes (or more), depending on the configuration of the target server.
Having successfully executed the above commands, the server automatically performs the update, reboots, and places the update in IPL Type B. Since the update occurs during this shutdown/reboot sequence, it is important to protect the server from interruptions.
Don't forget to retrieve and file any firmware update diskette that may still be in the server's diskette drive. A good time to do this is after the reboot has completed.
The update of the System and Service Processor firmware is complete.
You will want to verify this update and then promote it after you have
tested it to your satisfaction. Verifying
is discussed in paragraph 6.3. Promotion
is discussed in paragraph 6.4.
Note: Review "Update System or Service Processor
Flash" in the Service Aids
section of the RS/6000 Enterprise Server S8x User's Guide, eServer pSeries
680
for more information about using this utility.
mkdir /tmp/fwupdate
Note: If the directory /tmp/fwupdate
already exists,
make sure it is empty before proceeding.
cd /tmp/fwupdate
restore
You will be prompted to mount volume 1 on /dev/rfd0
In the drive of the target server, put the AIX backup diskette labeled:
"Volume 1: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and
Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
When prompted for volume 2,
In the drive of the target server, put the AIX backup diskette labeled:
"Volume 2: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and
Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
When prompted for volume 3,
In the drive of the target server, put the AIX backup diskette labeled:
"Volume 3: System and Service Processor FW (U9) and Promote
for S8x Servers and pSeries 680"
The files are now in the /tmp/fwupdate subdirectory. Continue to paragraph 6.2.2.
b) Choose Update System or Service Processor Flash.
c) Follow the on-screen update steps as they are presented.
When you are asked for a filename, first
list the files and then select the appropriate
one for the update task.
Use the directory and filename information as shown below.
The update file is /tmp/fwupdate/S8xU9.img
The server automatically performs the update, reboots, and places the update in IPL Type B. Since the update occurs during this shutdown/reboot sequence, it is important to protect the server from interruptions.
The update of the System and Service Processor firmware is complete. You will want to verify this update and then promote it after you have tested it to your satisfaction. Verifying is discussed in paragraph 6.3. Promotion is discussed in paragraph 6.4.
Don't forget to retrieve and file any firmware update diskette that may still be in the server's diskette drive. A good time to do this is after the reboot has completed.
Enter:
lscfg -vp
| grep -p alterable
This command will produce a system configuration report containing sections similar to the following.
System Firmware VPD: ROM Level.(alterable).......20040716 (B) 20030731 (A) Version.....................RS6K System Info Specific.(YL)...U0.1-P1-X1/Y1 Physical Location: U0.1-P1-X1/Y1 Service Processor Firmware VPD: ROM Level.(alterable).......20040628 (B) 20030731 (A) Version.....................RS6K System Info Specific.(YL)...U0.1-P1-X1/Y2 Physical Location: U0.1-P1-X1/Y2The (B) ROM Levels should match the levels you just installed, namely, 20040716 and 20040628.
The server maintains two copies of System and Service Processor firmware. These copies reside in locations referred to as IPL Type A and IPL Type B.
The server normally runs IPL Type A. New firmware updates are stored in IPL Type B until they are promoted. Once promotion takes place, the two IPL types are identical.
Operator panel function 01 may be used to determine which IPL type is in use at any given time. See the Server's User's Guide for more information about operator panel functions.
Between the time of a firmware update and the promotion procedure, the server may be instructed (using operator panel function 02) to use either IPL type for the purpose of firmware testing.
When this update has been tested thoroughly, and you are ready to promote the new firmware, the server MUST be using IPL Type B. Otherwise the promotion fails. The recovery procedure is:
a) Turn off the server power
b) Switch the server's operation to IPL Type B
c) Turn on the server power
Be aware that the promotion process requires the server to shut down all of its processes to rewrite the IPL and reboot from it.
To promote the firmware refer to the instructions you used to install the update. Use the same instructions (i.e., either the AIX command-line method or the Update Flash Diagnostic Service Aid method) to execute the promotion.
This time, use the promote.img file rather than the filename you selected previously. It is located either:
When the promotion is processed, the server automatically begins using IPL Type A.
If the download process produced diskettes, label and store them in a safe place.
If the download process produced only files, archive and identify the files for convenient retrieval.
End of Installation Instructions