README: 50GB SLR100 Tape Drive Microcode


Table of Contents

README: 50GB SLR100 Tape Drive Microcode

  • Version: 0620 & 0750
  • Date: March 21, 2007
  • General information
  • Subject: 50GB SLR100 Tape Drive Microcode Update
  • Operating System levels supported:
  • Installation Time:
  • Can microcode be installed Concurrently?
  • Is system reboot needed to activate the microcode
  • Additional Cautions
  • Machines Affected:
  • Microcode History
  • Display Microcode Level
  • Putting the microcode on the system
  • From the IBM WEB site via the user downloading the files.
  • From a CD-ROM.
  • Packaged Microcode Files
  • AIX bin file
  • RPM file
  • Verifying the Microcode
  • Updating the microcode in the drive
  • Copy Dsdata and Microcode to appropriate directory
  • To use AIX Diagnostics
  • To use Genucode

  • README: 50GB SLR100 Tape Drive Microcode

    Version: 0620 & 0750

    Date: March 21, 2007


    General information

    Subject: 50GB SLR100 Tape Drive Microcode Update

    ******* PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE *********

    This package is being provided to allow the update of older 50GB SLR100 Tape Drives to the latest level of microcode that is currently shipping from IBM.

    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:
    http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/firmware/gjsn


    Operating System levels supported:

    All levels of AIX that this product was announced on.


    Installation Time:

    The typical time to install this microcode is .3 hrs.
    The microcode becomes active when installed and does not require a system reboot to become active.


    Can microcode be installed Concurrently?

    Yes, but the tape drive must be available with no tape in the drive, and no other processing running to the tape drive.


    Is system reboot needed to activate the microcode

    A reboot is not needed as the microcode is active in the drive when the drive completes microcode download.
    If you use Genucode to download the microcode to the tape drive you will use the AIX rmdev and mkdev commands to have the Vital Product Data show the new microcode level.


    Additional Cautions

    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.


    Machines Affected:

    All 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.


    Microcode History

    There are 3 functionally equivalent tape drives(hardware level differences internal to the drive). In order to support the hardware differences there are 3 different microcode files. The history of each tape drive hardware level is detailed in the following charts.


    Table 1. Microcode History

    Device Specific.(LI)........A170029B
    and
    Device Specific.(LI)........A0B00E31

    The microcode update will bring the 50GB SLR100 tape drive up to the current level of microcode which is:
    0620

    Tape Drive P/N Tape Drive FRU P/N Microcode Level What does this microcode change

    09L2576 09L2577 0535 First Microcode level shipped.

    09L2576 09L2577 0610 Fix reset caused by hard read error.
    Fix false diagnostic failure and improved diagnostic processes.
    Enhance some internal calibrations
    Enhance track turn processing.
    Enhance read handling to prevent trap errors.
    Enhance beginning of tape handling for error recovery.
    Enhance tape tensioning for possible loose tape conditions.
    Enhance cartridge date handling.
    Enhance handling of un-formatted tapes.
    Enhance write processing in reverse direction.
    Additional error logging for Load/Unload failures.

    09L2576 09L2577 0620 This level of microcode reduces the chance of damage to the tape drive from an Electron Static Discharge(ESD) strike to the tape drive head that can occur if the tape cartridge is put in upside down and there is an ESD discharge. This is done by repositioning the tape drive head when there is no cartridge in the drive.
    Improve SCSI bus handling during system power up process.


    Table 2. Microcode History

    Device Specific.(LI)........A1700D56

    The microcode update will bring the 50GB SLR100 tape drive up to the current level of microcode which is:
    0750

    Tape Drive P/N Tape Drive FRU P/N Microcode Level What does this microcode change

    95P1868 95P1869 0720 First Microcode level shipped.

    95P1868 95P1869 0740 Fix Interchangeability failures: SLR fails to read some data files written on a MLR3 25GB tape drive and MLR3 25GB data cartridges.
    Fix "Seek Reference Burst" errors: When old (incompatible) format tapes are loaded into an SLR100 drive immediately after power-on, the head actuator is not properly initialized. The drive may not be able to find reference tracks on a good tape loaded later resulting in I/O errors.
    Fix "Sensor" Errors: A firmware logic error can allow the drive to miss a tape ID hole, which is used to identify physical position on tape. With current firmware, this error will not repeat if a customer simply reloads the same cartridge into the same drive. New firmware corrects this logic error.
    Add "Automatic Snap Dump" feature: With new firmware, a drive will automatically capture trace data and place it into NV storage. This will help us improve our failure analysis of future field returns.

    95P1868 95P1869 0750 Reduce effects of Electro Static Discharge(ESD) on the drive by resetting the drive at tape insertion.
    Reduce effects of errors at tape insertion by reseting the drive.


    Display Microcode Level

    Note: In some cases you may already have the most current level of microcode already installed. The following instructions show you how to check the tape drive microcode level.

    There are 3 levels of functionally equivalent tape drives(hardware level differences internal to the drive). In order to support the hardware differences there are 3 different microcode files.

    To display the level of microcode in the IBM 7212-102 or the internal 50GB SLR100 tape drive do the following AIX command:

     lscfg -vl rmt0               <--- change the drive number to reflect
                                       the actual rmt address of the 50GB
                                       SLR100 tape drive.
    

    The output of the lscfg command will look like the following with the "Device Specific.(Z1)" showing the microcode level:

       rmt0             17-09-00-0,0      SCSI 1/4-Inch Tape Drive (50000 MB)
            Manufacturer................TANDBERG
                    Machine Type and Model......SLR100G
                    Device Specific.(Z1)........0620
                    Serial Number...............20020623
                    Device Specific.(LI)........A170029B
                    Part Number.................09L5276
                    FRU Number..................09L5277
                    EC Level....................H27535
                    Device Specific.(Z0)........0180020283000139
                    Device Specific.(Z3)........L1
    
    OR
       rmt0      17-09-00-1,0      SCSI 1/4-Inch Tape Drive (50000 MB)
     
                    Manufacturer................TANDBERG
                    Machine Type and Model......SLR100
                    Device Specific.(Z1)........0620
                    Serial Number...............20005018
                    Device Specific.(LI)........A0B00E31
                    Part Number.................09L5276
                    FRU Number..................09L5277
                    EC Level....................F24292
                    Device Specific.(Z0)........0180020283000139
                    Device Specific.(Z3)........L1
    
    OR
       rmt0      17-09-00-1,0      SCSI 1/4-Inch Tape Drive (50000 MB)
     
                    Manufacturer................TANDBERG
                    Machine Type and Model......SLR100
                    Device Specific.(Z1)........0750
                    Serial Number...............20255572
                    Device Specific.(LI)........A1700D56
                    Part Number.................95P1868
                    FRU Number..................95P1869
                    EC Level....................H81464
                    Device Specific.(Z0)........0180020283000139
                    Device Specific.(Z3)........L1
    

    Note: The 3 levels are functionally equivalent tape drives(hardware level differences internal to the drive). In order to support the hardware differences there are 3 different microcode files.
    To determine which drive is installed it is necessary to look at the
    Device Specific.(LI)........
    Device Specific.(LI)........A170029B
    or
    Device Specific.(LI)........A0B00E31
    or
    Device Specific.(LI)........A1700D56
    Use the DSDATA file and microcode file that corresponds to the
    Device Specific.(LI)........
    name in the tape drive VPD data you just displayed.


    Putting the microcode on the system

    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.

    From the IBM WEB site via the user downloading the files.

    When the user downloads the microcode files from the IBM web site the packaged microcode files will be put into the /tmp directory.

    From a CD-ROM.

    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.


    Packaged Microcode Files

    AIX bin file

    RPM file


    Verifying the Microcode

    To insure the file was downloaded without error do the following:


    Updating the microcode in the drive

    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 Dsdata and Microcode to appropriate directory

    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.

    For AIX Diagnostics

    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 50GBQTR.bin file and executed it then you need to do the following AIX commands:

    cd /tmp/50GBQTR

    If the Device Specific information in the tape drive is:
    Device Specific.(LI)........A170029B
    then do the following AIX commands:
    cp SLR100.A170029B.dsdata /etc/microcode/.
    cp SLR100.A170029B.0620 /etc/microcode/.

    If the Device Specific information in the tape drive is:
    Device Specific.(LI)........A0B00E31
    then do the following AIX commands:
    cp SLR100.A0B00E31.dsdata /etc/microcode/.
    cp SLR100.A0B00E31.0620 /etc/microcode/.

    If the Device Specific information in the tape drive is:
    Device Specific.(LI)........A1700D56
    then do the following AIX commands:
    cp SLR100.A1700D56.dsdata /etc/microcode/.
    cp SLR100.A1700D56.0750 /etc/microcode/.

    For Genucode

    Do the following AIX commands:
    cd /tmp/50GBQTR

    If the Device Specific information in the tape drive is:
    Device Specific.(LI)........A170029B
    then do the following AIX commands:
    cp SLR100.A170029B.dsdata /tmp/dsdata
    cp SLR100.A170029B.0620 /tmp/SLR100.0620.A170029B

    If the Device Specific information in the tape drive is:
    Device Specific.(LI)........A0B00E31
    then do the following AIX commands:
    cp SLR100.A0B00E31.dsdata /tmp/dsdata
    cp SLR100.A0B00E31.0620 /tmp/SLR100.0620.A0B00E31

    If the Device Specific information in the tape drive is:
    Device Specific.(LI)........A1700D56
    then do the following AIX commands:
    cp SLR100.A1700D56.dsdata /tmp/dsdata
    cp SLR100.A1700D56.0750 /tmp/SLR100.0750.A1700D56

    To use AIX Diagnostics

    There are 2 ways to do the microcode download using the AIX diagnostics.

    Using the AIX Diagnostics menu

    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.

    Using the AIX Diagnostics via command line input.

    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)

    or

    diag -c -d rmt0 -T "download -f" (enter)

    To use Genucode

    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.