Power5 Firmware

Applies to:  i5, OpenPower and p5 Servers

This document provides information about the installation of Licensed Machine or Licensed Internal Code, which is sometimes referred to generically as microcode or firmware.


Contents


1.0 Systems Affected

This package provides new firmware for i5, OpenPower and p5 Servers only.  Do not use on any other systems.

Note:  The backleveling of firmware from any given release level to an earlier release level is not supported on Power5 systems. If you feel that it is necessary to backlevel the firmware on you system to an earlier release level, please contact your next level of support.


2.0 Firmware Description

 
01SF230_120_120 Impact:  Function        Severity:  Hiper

New function:

  • Adds support for 1.9 GHz processors on i5 model 570. 
  • Adds code to notify the user when the VPD card is not in its original system, and to prevent that system from booting. 
  • Adds support for i5/OS hosting virtual Linux and AIX partitions on i5 systems that are not managed by an HMC. 
  • Adds support for F/C 7910 on model 575 systems the switch network interface  adapter, which provides the interface to the pSeries high performance switch (HPS). 
  • Adds support for F/C 7817 on models 590 and 595, the switch network interface (SNI) adapter, which provides the interface to the pSeries high performance switch (HPS). 
  • Adds support for concurrent firmware maintenance on systems managed by an HMC. 
  • Adds support for 32GB memory cards on models 590 and 595. 
Problems resolved:
  • p5 and i5 models 590 and 595:  LEDs on GX bus adapter cards remain on after the node is powered off. 
  • The service processor is not able to place a "call home" through a modem. 
  • On model 575, and models 590 and 595:  a firmware upgrade from SF222_075 to SF225_096 fails with error code ACT01724 on the HMC. 
  • Corrects a problem that causes the default boot list and the stored boot list to be swapped in the system management services (SMS) code when booting an AIX or Linux partition. 
  • Corrects a highly intermittent problem that causes the service processor to perform a dump when an SRC is displayed on the control panel. 
  • On model 590 and 595 systems, updates the firmware so that the system will continue to boot when certain types of failures occur on bus adapter cards. 
  • Corrects a problem on model 590 and 595 systems which caused a reboot to fail with error code B7006900 under certain conditions. 
  • Corrects a problem with moving a CD-ROM device between two logical partitions using DLPAR commands on the HMC.   (488070)
  • p5 and i5 model 570:  Corrects a problem a that causes a DMA_ERR with error code 10000003 on the integrated Ethernet port. 
  • DS8000 storage subsystem:  multiple firmware fixes. 
  • Corrects a problem that causes  the system clock to revert to December 31, 1969 and the system to crash with error code B7000103. 
  • On model 590 systems, corrects a problem that keeps large configurations (12 or more I/O drawers with both planars installed) from booting. 

 


3.0 Cautions and Important Notes

The backleveling of firmware from any given realease level to an earlier realese levell is not supported on Power5 systems. If you feel that it is necessary to backlevel the firmware on you system to an earlier release level, please contact your next level of support.

For systems that are managed by an HMC


Attention:  Before installing firmware you should:

Note:  When attempting to install system firmware from CD media you may receive an HMC error approximately 10 seconds after starting the installation. Here are probable causes for this problem:


4.0 How to Determine Currently Installed Firmware Levels

Instructions for determining the current level of firmware can be found at http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/eserver/.

Select your country, then under Hardware select English.
In the left-hand panel, select
--> Service, support and troubleshooting
--> Service and support
--> Getting fixes
--> Firmware (Licensed Internal Code) fixes
--> Managing firmware (Licensed Internal Code) fixes
--> View existing firmware (Licensed Internal Code) levels


5.0 Downloading the Firmware Package

The firmware is located at the web site

       download.html

Follow the instructions on this web page. You must read and agree to the license agreement to obtain the firmware packages.

In the table for System Microcode, scroll down to the entry for 9110-510, etc.
 

Note: If your HMC is not internet connected you will need to download the new firmware level to a CD-ROM media or ftp server.

If you are using CD-ROM media you can download the system firmware files from this location p5 and i5 iso and create a CD-ROM to use with your HMC. The CD contains both the system and power subsystem firmware files.

Another method is to download the individual .rpm and .xml files from this location to an ftp server or CD-ROM media (both files are required).  If using CD-ROM media you then copy the .rpm and .xml files to the CD using a local CD-ROM burner utility.

For 9119-590/595, 9406-595, or 9118-575 models the ftp server or CD must contain both the system and power subsystem firmware files.You can obtain the .rpm and .xml files for the power subsystem by accessing this site other.html


6.0 Installing the Firmware

The method used to install new firmware will depend on the release level of firmware which is currently installed on your server. The release level can be determined by the prefix of the new firmware's filename.

Example: 01SFXXX_YYY_ZZZ

Where XXX =  release level

6.1 Updating the Firmware

Instructions for installing a firmware update (the release level will stay the same) can be found at http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/eserver/

Select your country, then under Hardware select English.
In the left-hand panel, select
--> Service, support and troubleshooting
--> Service and support
--> Getting fixes
--> Firmware (Licensed Internal Code) fixes
--> Applying firmware (Licensed Internal Code) fixes

Choose the options that match your server setup, and follow the instructions provided.

6.2 Upgrading the Firmware

Instructions for installing a firmware upgrade (the release level will change) can be found at http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/eserver/

Note: this method will require that the update be performed using CD media.

Select your country, then under Hardware select English.

In the left-hand panel, select
--> Service, support and troubleshooting
--> Service and support
--> Getting fixes
--> Firmware (Licensed Internal Code) fixes
--> Applying firmware (Licensed Internal Code) fixes
--> Upgrading to a new server firmware release

Choose the options that match your server setup, and follow the instructions provided.


7.0 Firmware Revision History

 
 
01SF225_096_096 Impact:  Function   Severity:  Hiper
  • Fixed a problem in the service processor firmware that made it look like the T-side image was being lost after a "reset to factory configuration" was done using the ASMI menus.
01SF225_080_080 Impact:  New        Severity:  New
  • Added support for Power5 models 575 and 510, and OpenPower model 710.
 
01SF222_081_081 Impact:  Function   Severity:  Hiper
  • Fixed a problem that caused FSCSI errors to show up erroneously in the AIX error log when an I/O adapter failed.
  • Fixed a problem that caused the processor runtime diagnostics to call out the wrong DIMM (or other memory component) when a memory failure occurred.
  • Fixed a problem that caused a platform dump to run out of storage space.
  • Fixed a problem that prevented the LEDs on I/O drawers from identifying or "rolling up" to the frame enclosure LED.
  • Fixed a problem that caused the service processor to generate error log entries every few seconds when attempting to service a recoverable CEC hardware error on systems that have processors with no memory associated with them.
01SF222_075_075 Impact:  Function   Severity:  Hiper
  • Fixed a problem with the AMSI menu option that allows system VPD keywords to be set.
  • Fixed a problem that kept the system from continuing to boot when an 8GB memory DIMM is deallocated because an uncorrectable error was generated by the DIMM during boot.
  • Fixed a problem that caused a partition's time to appear to drift (approximately 15 seconds/month) following a system IPL.
  • Support for partitions running i5/OS on p5 systems was added.
  • Fixed a problem that caused the default boot list and the stored boot list in the SMS menus to be swapped.
01SF222_071_071 Impact:  New        Severity:  New
  • Added support for p5 models 590 and 595, and i5 model 595.
 
01SF220_051_051 Impact:  Function   Severity:  Hiper
  • Fixed a problem that kept feature code 1827, a UPS sense cable, from being detected. 
01SF220_049_049 Impact:  Function   Severity:  Hiper
  • Fixed a problem that kept the serial ports on the processor drawer from functioning in model 570 systems with multiple processor drawers.
  • Fixed a problem that kept the user from accessing the advanced system management interface (ASMI) via the web interface.
01SF220_046_046 Impact:  Function   Severity:  Hiper
  • Fixed a problem that caused the kept the service processor from getting to standby when an Ethernet cable was not plugged into it.
01SF220_045_045 Impact:  Function   Severity:  Hiper
  • Various corrections and updates.
01SF220_043_043 Impact:  New        Severity:  New 
  • Added support for new models:  9111-520, 9113-550, 9406-550, 9124-720, and 9117-570.