README: 160GB DLT Tape Drive and Library Microcode
This package is being provided to allow the update of older
IBM 160GB DLT Tape Drives to the current level of microcode that
is currently shipping from IBM. This microcode update is for
the:
Customers are encouraged to install the latest microcode level
themselves. The microcode and instructions are available for the
customer at the IBM external web site:
download.html
To download the microcode to the IBM 7205-550 you will need the following:
For both the AIX diagnostic package or for Genucode you will need the microcode and dsdata files in this package.
This package, the 160GB DLT package, will get you to step where you will need to use AIX Diagnostics or Genucode.
All levels of AIX that this product was announced on.
The typical time to install this microcode is .5 hrs.
The microcode becomes active when installed and does not require a
system reboot to become active.
Yes, but the tape drive must be available with no tape in the drive, and no other processing running to the tape drive.
A reboot is not needed as the microcode is active in the drive when the drive completes microcode download. If Genucode was used to download the microcode to the tape drive it will be necessary to use the AIX commands rmdev and mkdev to have the Vital Product Data show the new level of microcode. The use of rmdev and mkdev are described in Genucode part of the install process.
Do not power off the tape drive during microcode download as this may
damage the tape drive microcode requiring the tape drive to be replaced.
Remove any tape cartridge from the drive prior to attempting the
microcode download.
All IBM eServer pSeries and RS/6000 machines this product was announce on. In general if the tape drive configures and is available with the VPD showing the Machine Type and microcode level as described in this README the machine is one affected.
The microcode update will bring the IBM 160GB DLT tape drive
up to the current level which is:
5656
also know as
V86
| Tape Drive P/N | Tape Drive FRU P/N | Load ID | Microcode Level | What does this microcode change
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18P7082 | 18P7083 | A17002A9 | 3A3A(V58) | First Microcode level shipped.
|
| 18P7082 | 18P7083 | A17002A9 | 5656(V86) | Improved handling of the tape drives leader to reduce chances of s
a leader being dropped during loading or unloading of a tape.
Fix to eject expired cleaning cartridge. Improved read margins that improves a users ability to read a marginal tape. Improved error recovery. The cleaning required LED will go off without the need to clean the drive if the next tape inserted into the drive goes through a successful re-calibration. Cleaning LED will be illuminated for some errors where previously the Cleaning LED was not illuminated on space or locate commands. This is done to have the user clean the tape drive head when needed. Improve retries on tape unload. Time since drive last cleaned now reported in minutes, previously reported in hours. Reduce audible noise for some drives that occurred for several seconds following power on.
|
Note: In some cases you may already have this microcode update already installed. Instructions in the package will show you how to check your system to see if it requires the updated microcode to be installed. This can be checked by doing the AIX command listed in these instructions.
To display the level of microcode in the 7205-550 tape
drive do the following AIX command:
lscfg -vl rmt0 <--- change the drive number to reflect
the actual rmt address of the 160GB
DLT tape drive.
The output of the lscfg command will look similar to the following where the Device Specific.(Z1)........ indicates the current microcode level in the tape drive.
DEVICE LOCATION DESCRIPTION
rmt0 17-09-00-4,0 SCSI DLT Tape Drive (160000 MB)
Manufacturer................QUANTUM
Machine Type and Model......SDLT320
Device Specific.(Z1)........5656
Serial Number...............C05Y0059
Device Specific.(LI)........A17002A9
Part Number.................18P7082
FRU Number..................18P7083
EC Level....................H80320
Device Specific.(Z0)........0180020283000138
Device Specific.(Z3)........L1
There are 2 ways a user can get the microcode files. Each of these will put the microcode on the user's system but the user may have to move the files to appropriate directory for system use.
When the user downloads the microcode files from the IBM web site the packaged microcode files will be put into the /tmp directory.
Note:
AIX commands and file names are case sensitive.
If the users AIX permission does not allow the copy to the above stated
directory or file then the user will be prompted for a new location.
To insure the file was downloaded without error do the following:
You need to determine how you are going to download the microcode:
AIX diagnostics and Genucode use different naming conventions for the naming and supported directory for the microcode and dsdata file.
Copy the Dsdata and Microcode files to appropriate directory for use by either AIX diagnostics or Genucode.
Note: The copy command copies the file to the new directory with the same name when you use the period(.) after new directory name.
If you downloaded the
RPM
file and executed it the microcode is in
the correct directory with the correct name for AIX diagnostic use.
If you downloaded the .bin
file and executed it then you need to do
the following AIX commands:
cd /tmp/160GBDLT_WEB
cp SDLT320.A17002A9.5656 /etc/microcode/.
cp SDLT320.A17002A9.dsdata /etc/microcode/.
Do the following AIX commands:
cd /tmp/160GBDLT_WEB
cp dsdata /tmp/.
cp SDLT320.5656.A17002A9 /tmp/.
There are 2 ways to do the microcode download using the AIX diagnostics.
To use the AIX 5.1 diagnostics menu for microcode download do the
following:
diag (enter)
Task Selection (enter)
Download Microcode (enter)
Select the drive you wish to download microcode to and follow the system instructions.
Note: When the system asks where the microcode file is to be found select /etc/microcode, not diskette.
The command line to download microcode will use the highest level of microcode in the /etc/microcode directory for the device selected. To use the AIX 5.1 diagnostics command line input for microcode download do the following:
Note: If the previous level of microcode is not in the /etc/microcode
directory you will need to use the -f option(force) as the diagnostics
expect the previous level to be present in the /etc/microcode directory.
diag -c -d rmt0 -T "download" (enter)
Once you have completed the diagnostic commands the
drive will be at the current microcode level and the microcode update
is complete.
You now need to use the instructions in the Genucode package
to complete the install of the microcode.
Once you have completed the instructions in the genucode package the
drive will be at the current microcode level and the microcode update
is complete.