File name: README_1.2.4.1.txt **************************************************************** | | | Nortel Networks Layer 2/3 GbE Switch Module (GbESM) for | | IBM eServer BladeCenter Firmware Update | | | | Revision/Build ID: 1.2.4.1 | | | | (C) Copyright International Business Machines Corporation | | January, 2006. All rights reserved. | | | | US Government Users Restricted Rights -- Use, duplication | | or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with | | IBM Corp. | | | | Note: Before using this information and the product it | | supports, read the general information under "NOTICES AND | | TRADEMARKS" in this document. | | | | Updated <28 September 2006> | **************************************************************** CONTENTS ________ 1.0 About this README file 2.0 Change history 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions 3.1 Software update procedure 3.1.1 Using Telnet 3.1.2 Using BBI 3.2 How to check the firmware version 4.0 Configuration Information 5.0 Unattended Mode 6.0 WEB Information and Support Phone Numbers 6.1 Web sites 6.2 Software service and support 6.3 Hardware service and support 7.0 Notices and trademarks 8.0 Disclaimer 8.1 Document provision 8.2 Note to government users 1.0 ABOUT THIS README FILE __________________________ This file is intended for network administrators responsible for upgrading the firmware for the Nortel Networks Layer 2/3 Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module (GbESM). For a summary of GbESM features, supplemental information and known issues associated with this release, please refer to the "Release Notes - Layer 2-3 GbE Switch Module for IBM eServer BladeCenter", available via web sites indicated in section 6.1. 2.0 CHANGE HISTORY __________________ Version 1.2.4.1 (Released September 2006) Enhancements: - Changed the "default" configuration for Quality of Service (QoS) queues from 8 queues to 2 queues. This change will minimize exposure to performance issues associated with iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface), applications. The memory space for QoS traffic queues is fixed. Select the number of queues to satisfy traffic requirements. Fewer queues will provide greater memory storage space per queue. (number 21765) - Added a new configuration menu: /cfg/l2/fdb This menu provides 3 basic features: 1. learn enable|disable The learn feature will control if the switch learns a MAC address in the forwarding database (FDB). If the MAC (Media Access Control) is learned it will be displayed in the /info/l2/fdb/dump output. Once a MAC is learned in the FDB it will no longer be flooded out to all ports. Learning is enabled by default. With learning disabled, all packets will be flooded. 2. flood enable|disable The flood feature controls whether unknown MAC addresses will be flooded to all ports. If this feature is off and the MAC address is not learned in the FDB, then the packet will not be forwarded to the destination ports. Flooding is enabled by default. With flooding disabled, the MAC address must be statically entered with the following commands. 3. static The static command is a menu used for entering Static MAC Addresses. This menu has the commands: add - Add a permanent FDB entry del - Delete a static FDB entry clear - Clear static FDB entries cur - Display current static FDB configuration There is also a new information command /info/sys/chassis used to display important chassis related state information. - For Certain port mirroring configurations, in which multiple mirror ports are used, disabling L2 learning control on the switch allows the mirrored traffic to be sent to multiple mirror ports or member of VLANs that are configured to the mirror port(s). (number 7620) *** CAUTION *** A caution is provided regarding the use of this new enhancement. The firmware currently does not prohibit the user from configuring an invalid combination of options. For example, With 1.2.4.1, the switch will still do flooding when you have the following combination configured: /c/l2/fdb/learn ena /c/l2/fdb/flood dis Future firmware release 1.3.0 will provide a check which will prohibit the user from selecting this configuration. Until the firmware is made available, the user is cautioned to exercise extra care in using this function. Fixes: The first group of fixes are all related to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) interface of the switch. They will assist in the support of an upcoming release of BLADEHARMONY. SNMP INTERFACE Fixes: - Corrected a condition where a SNMP user cannot configure number of Class of Service (CoS) queues using the “Numcos” option (fix number 9264) - Corrected a condition where an invalid default gateway with IP address 0.0.0.0 can be entered. (fix number 8942) - Corrected a condition where the switch displays the wrong value for the “Total Learned Discard” parameter after the switch is reset to factory default configuration. (fix number 8915) - Corrected a condition where BLADEHARMONY does not show the “RMON”(Remote MONitor) and “SERVER” options from the “Syslog-Trap” tab. (fix number 8889) - Corrected a condition where a new interface can be assigned to a non existing VLAN. (fix number 8820) - Corrected a condition where a user cannot add trunk groups to “Fail over Trigger”. (fix number 8876) - Corrected a condition where a switch module cannot set VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) state from ON to OFF during a fail over. (fix number 8774) - Corrected a condition where an internal port after being excluded from the management VLAN cannot be added back to the management VLAN. (fix number 8770) - Corrected a condition where the switch module crashes when modifying the IP (Internet Protocol) mask of a duplicate entry on the Management Network tab. (fix number 8730) - Corrected a condition where the switch module shows inconsistent port mirroring. (fix number 8786) - Corrected a condition where the GbESM SNMP MIB (Management Information Base) (aosacl.mib) generates syntax errors when used in conjunction with HP OpenView. (fix number 7503) - Corrected an intermittent condition where an SNMP operation will attempt to grab the same semaphore twice, which causes the switch to panic. (fix number 7897) - Corrected a condition where the user cannot change port setting configuration using SNMP v3 (the change operates normally using the command line interface – CLI). (fix number 7605, 7606) Additional Fixes: - Corrected a condition where a configuration cannot be saved when a user configures intergap extension (/maint/sys/ipgen). (fix number 7868) - Corrected a condition where the IBM Management Module (MM) may receive duplicate acknowledgements to the push of an IP address on the reboot of the switch. A second response may be intrepreted by the MM as an unsolicited IP change, thus causing the MM to clear the switch IP address resulting in a drop of the connection to the switch. This fix checks the extended control register on the switch module before signaling the MM that the switch POST is complete, and switch is ready to receive the IP address. This fix may lengthen the diagnostic completion time for the switch. (fix number 8964) - Corrected a condition when a user boots the switch from factory default setting, use SNMP or BBI (Browser Based Interface) to configure the switch and save the configuration into the active configuration. After reboot, the switch still use factory default setting (this condition does not happen when the user performs all steps using the CLI (Command Line Interface). (fix number 8761) - Corrected an intermittent condition where the switch information dump (uudump) file generated by the switch is corrupted. (fix number 7808) - Corrected a condition when a configuration for port mirroring was not saved after the save command was issued and the switch is rebooted. (fix number 7994) - Corrected a condition where the switch is unable to respond because the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) port update does not match the FDB (Forwarding Data Base) entry. Version 1.2.3.11 (Released May 2006) Fixes: - Corrected a condition where Tagged Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDU's) were being transmitted on ports that did not have tagging enabled. A port With a sole Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Spanning Tree Group (STG) other than 1, would transmit tagged BPDUs. (fix number 4702) - Corrected a condition where Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) in Forwarding state was causing a Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) loop. Two ports at layer 2 physical interfaces forward and both ports indicating they are the root port for spanning tree, producing a connection drop. Link Aggregation (LAG) may be up but physical interfaces are dormant. (fix number 6307) - Corrected a condition where /info/log Log did not record time/date changes from the Brower-Based Interface (BBI). (fix number 5402) - Tightened restriction to prevent a user from upgrading with a firmware file intended for a different switch type. (fix number 4702) - (Related fix) FTPing an invalid image initially posted a message saying image is invalid, but then the message timed out and the Command Line Interface (CLI) returned. - Corrected a condition where NNCLI (Nortel Networks CLI) Secure Shell (SSH) ON/OFF configuration was not working. Command worked in Operating System (OS) mode, but not NNCLI. (fix number 5821) - Corrected a condition in the BBI, where if a Management Network and Mask such as 10.0.0.0,and 255.0.0.0, is changed to all zeros, the subnet mask would remain unchanged. CLI works OK. (fix number 4782) Enhancements: - BladeHarmony Manager (TM), which provides a graphical user interface supporting remote management of the GbESM through Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) has been introduced in conjunction with this release. Refer to the "Using BladeHarmony Manager 1.0" document for details. Version 1.2.2.0 (Released January 2006) Fix: - Fixed flooding for unregistered multicast packets, and for IGMP snooping disabled VLANs. Version 1.2.1.0 (Released January 2006) Enhancements: - Added "industry standard" CLI (NNCLI) mode Version 1.1.1.1 (Released October 2005) Fixes: - General IGMP cleanup Enhancements: - L2 Trunk Failover improvements (VLAN-based, static or LACP trunks, more trigger options) - Number of allowable trunk groups increased to 13 - Support for trunking INT ports from same blade - Available Spanning Tree Groups increased to 32 - Maximum VLANs supported increased to 1024 - Management feature improvements (logging/alarm/alert suppression) - Software upgrade via HTTP (i.e. browser) - Support end-to-end Flow Control using 802.3 Pause Frame protocol - Ability to tag Native VLAN (PVID) traffic Version 1.0.1.6 (Released June 2005) Fixes: - No tagged PVST BPDUs in the native VLAN if associated STP is off - Tagged BPDU's not being forwarded - IGMP becomes non-functioning after reboot - Inaccurate link values/states returned via SNMP - Forwarding Data Base (FDB) not flushed when the last link in trunk goes down - Ports transitioning from STP Forwarding to Blocked states are not flushed from the IGMP table - Cannot delete a static Multicast Router port - CLI misreporting high MP utilization - Changing link type in BBI not reflected in CLI - Virtual Router GUI not posting VRs correctly in BBI DASHBOARD mode Version 1.0.1.1 (January 2005) - Initial Release. 3.0 INSTALLATION AND SETUP INSTRUCTIONS _______________________________________ The GbESM firmware is composed of two (2) code images: the boot code and the switch operating system. The GbE switch module ships with this firmware pre-installed. However, new versions of the firmware are periodically released and can be used to update the features and function of the switch. 3.1 Software update procedure ----------------------------- Update the switch software using a TFTP or FTP server application. Typically, this application is installed on a machine that is reachable from the switch through the external ports or the management module. NOTES: - The following steps reflect the use of a TFTP server. A FTP server can also be used. - Upgrades can also be performed using external ports. Please see "Externally managing the GbE switch module" in the GbESM Installation Guide. 1) Download the GbESM software package (zip file) to the machine where the TFTP server resides. 2) Extract the Boot and OS image files into a directory. Enable the server and set its default directory to the one where the image files reside. 3) Establish a connection between the Ethernet port of the BladeCenter Management Module and the TFTP Server. 4) Using the Management Module web interface (GUI), configure the IP Address/Mask of the Management Module External (eth0) and Internal (eth1) interfaces, the GbESM switch and the TFTP server so that they all reside on the same subnet. For example, Management Module (eth0) => 192.168.70.125 / 255.255.255.0 Management Module (eth1) => 192.168.70.126 / 255.255.255.0 GbESM Current IP Config => 192.168.70.127 / 255.255.255.0 TFTP Server => 192.168.70.254 / 255.255.255.0 NOTE: Although configured as such, for this example, the TFTP Server does not have to be on the same subnet as long as a proper gateway address is configured in the switch. 3.1.1 Using Telnet ------------------ 1) Using the Management Module GUI, navigate to: I/O Module Tasks -> Configuration -> Bay X -> Advanced Configuration -> Start Telnet session When the telnet session is established, you will begin using the Command Line Interface (CLI) of the GbE switch. 2) Enter "admin" for the password. The GbE switch provides storage for two (2) OS images and one (1) Boot image. What you are about to do consists of the following sequence: - load the new OS image into one of the image banks - reset the switch - load the Boot image - reset the switch NOTE: When you reset the switch it boots using the 'selected' image (1 or 2). Please ensure that you are booting from the upgraded image (execute /boot/cur to determine). 3) Upgrade the OS image by entering the following commands: a) /boot/gtimg X TADDR GbESM-AOS-1.2.4.1_OS.img WHERE: ------ X => 1 or 2 (depends which image bank you want to use) TADDR => IP Address of the TFTP Server NOTE: It is recommended that you retain the previous OS version by loading the upgrade into the other image bank and then reset the switch using the new image. (use /boot/image command to select preferred image) Answer 'Y' to the confirmation question, then wait for the upgrade to complete successfully. b) /boot/reset NOTE: You MUST Reset the switch to activate the new image. Resetting the switch kicks you out of the CLI, so Steps 1 and 2 need to be executed again before proceeding to the next step. A switch reset completes in approximately 60 seconds. 4) Upgrade the Boot image by entering the following commands: a) /boot/gtimg boot TADDR GbESM-AOS-1.2.4.1_Boot.img Answer 'Y' to the confirmation question, then wait for the upgrade to complete successfully. b) /boot/reset 3.1.2 Using BBI --------------- 1) Using the Management Module GUI, navigate to: I/O Module Tasks -> Configuration -> Bay X -> Advanced Configuration -> Start Web session 2) Enter "admin" for the username and 'admin' for the password. 3) Click the CONFIGURE button (near top of page) 4) In the frame on the left, click on the "Nortel Networks Layer 2-3 GbE" folder icon and navigate to: System -> Config/Image Control The GbE switch provides storage for two (2) OS images and one (1) Boot image. What you are about to do consists of the following sequence: - load the new OS image into one of the image banks - reset the switch - load the Boot image - reset the switch NOTE: When you reset the switch it boots using the 'selected' image (1 or 2). Please ensure that you are booting from the upgraded image (see "Next Boot Image Selection" field). 5) Upgrade the OS image as follows: a) Fill in the following three (3) fields on the lower half of the page: Hostname or IP Address of FTP/TFTP server => Image Filename => GbESM-AOS-1.2.4.1_OS.img Image for Transfer => 1 or 2 (i.e. the preferred image bank) NOTE: It is recommended that you retain the previous OS version by loading the upgrade into the other image bank and then reset the switch using the new image. (use the "Next Boot Image Selection" field to select the preferred image). b) Click the "Get Image" button. Wait for the upgrade to complete successfully. c) Click the "REBOOT!" button to reset the switch. NOTE: You MUST Reset the switch to activate the new image. Resetting the switch kicks you out of the BBI, so Steps 1-4 need to be executed again before proceeding to the next step. A switch reset completes in approximately 60 seconds. 6) Upgrade the Boot image as follows: a) Fill in the following three (3) fields on the lower half of the page: Hostname or IP Address of FTP/TFTP server => Image Filename => GbESM-AOS-1.2.4.1_Boot.img Image for Transfer => boot b) Click the "Get Image" button. Wait for the upgrade to complete successfully. c) Click the "REBOOT!" button to reset the switch. 3.2 How to check the firmware version ------------------------------------- To check the version of the firmware images installed on the GbESM, use either of the following methods: a) From the CLI, execute the command: /boot/cur This command displays: Currently set to boot software image1, active config block. Current FLASH software: image1: version 1.2.4.1 downloaded 14:49:30 Tues Sep 26, 2006 image2: version 1.2.3.11, downloaded 0:09:17 Mon May 08, 2006 boot kernel: version 1.2.4.1 b) Using the Management Module GUI, navigate to: Monitors -> Firmware VPD Scroll down to view the VPD info for the appropriate GbE Switch. You should see the following entries: FIRMWARE TYPE BUILD ID RELEASED REVISION ------------- -------- -------- -------- Boot ROM WMZ04001 9/05/2006 0102 Main Application 1(or 2) WMZ04001 9/05/2006 0102 The four digits comprising the version (e.g. 1.2.4.1) correlate to the REVISION/BUILD ID as follows: - Revision => 01 02 ... the first 2 digits of the version - Build ID => 04 001 ... the last 2 digits of the version 4.0 CONFIGURATION INFORMATION _____________________________ For detailed switch configuration, please refer to, "Command Reference - Layer 2-3 GbE Switch Module for IBM eServer BladeCenter", available via web sites indicated in section 6.1. 5.0 UNATTENDED MODE ___________________ Unattended Mode is not supported for updating the Nortel Switch Module firmware. 6.0 WEB Information and Support Phone Numbers _____________________________________________ Information and assistance is available through the IBM Web site and by phone. World wide Help Center Telephone Numbers and URL's can be found at: http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/YAST-3P2QYL.html 6.1 Web sites ------------- IBM Support Web Site: http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ or http://www.ibm.com/support/ IBM eServer Web site, for model information and literature: http://www.ibm.com/eserver/xseries/ 6.2 Software service and support -------------------------------- Through the IBM Support Line, you can get telephone assistance, for a fee, with usage, configuration, and software problems with xSeries servers, IntelliStation workstations, and appliances. For information about which products are supported by Support Line in your country or region, go to http://www.ibm.com/services/sl/products/. For more information about Support Line and other IBM services, go to http://www.ibm.com/services/ For support telephone numbers go to http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/ In the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-IBM-SERV (1-800-426-7378). 6.3 Hardware service and support -------------------------------- You can receive hardware service through IBM Services or through your IBM reseller, if your reseller is authorized by IBM to provide warranty service. For support telephone numbers go to http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/ or in the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-IBM-SERV (1-800-426-7378). In the U.S. and Canada, hardware service and support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the U.K., these services are available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7.0 NOTICES AND TRADEMARKS __________________________ The following terms are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both: e-business logo eServer IBM xseries BladeCenter GbESM The following terms are trademarks of Nortel Networks in the United States, other countries, or both: Nortel Nortel Networks BladeHarmony Manager The following term is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company in the United States, other countries, or both: HP OpenView 8.0 DISCLAIMER ______________ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some jurisdictions do not allow disclaimer of express or implied warranties in certain transactions, therefore, this statement may not apply to you. This information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time without notice. 8.1 Document provision ---------------------- THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. IBM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT. BY FURNISHING THIS DOCUMENT, IBM GRANTS NO LICENSES TO ANY PATENTS OR COPYRIGHTS. 8.2 Note to government users ---------------------------- Note to U.S. Government Users -- Documentation related to restricted rights -- Use, duplication or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corporation.8.1 Document provision ---------------------- THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. IBM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT. BY FURNISHING THIS DOCUMENT, IBM GRANTS NO LICENSES TO ANY PATENTS OR COPYRIGHTS. 8.2 Note to government users ---------------------------- Note to U.S. Government Users -- Documentation related to restricted rights -- Use, duplication or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corporation.th IBM Corporation.