RS/6000 7043-150 System Firmware Update

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

Contents

• 1.0 Systems Affected
• 2.0 Firmware Description and Revision History
• 3.0 Cautions and Important Notes
• 4.0 How to Determine Currently Installed Firmware Level
• 4.1    Using AIX to Read Currently Installed Firmware Level
• 4.2 Using SMS Utilities to Read Currently Installed Firmware Level
• 5.0 Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package
• 5.1     Internet Package
• 5.1.1    AIX Format File
• 5.1.2    DOS Format File
• 5.2    CORE (Current Object REpository) Package
• 5.3    Downloading from the Microcode Update Files and Discovery Tool CD
• 5.4    Remote Installation of Firmware
• 6.0  Updating the Firmware
• 6.1     Using the AIX Command-Line Method
• 6.2     Using the SMS Utilities Method
• 6.3     Verifying the Update
• 6.4     Archiving the Update Files
• 7.0  Machine Records

1.0  Systems Affected

The firmware level contained in this update is:

• System FW:  TCP05287

2.0  Firmware Description and Revision History

3.0  Cautions and Important Notes

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.

Firmware Update Installation Is Not Concurrent

Avoid Potential Firmware Update Corruption

Never power off the system during the firmware update process!
The update will be incomplete and will fail.  Depending on where in the update process the power was lost, a recovery attempt will often succeed.  One recovery attempt is worthwhile.

Replacement Parts May Require Updating

AIX Instructions are CASE SENSITIVE

How to Determine the Firmware Release Date

4.0  How to Determine Currently Installed Firmware Level

Two methods for reading the firmware levels are described below.

• If the operating system is running, you will use the AIX command-line method.  Continue to paragraph 4.1.
• If the operating system is not running, you will use the SMS Utilities method.  Skip to paragraph 4.2.

4.1  Using AIX to Read Currently Installed Firmware Levels

    Enter:

        lscfg  -vp |  grep  -p  openprom

This command will produce a system configuration report containing a section similar to the following.

     Name: openprom
      Model: IBM, TCP03126                 <== System FW level
      Node: openprom
      Physical Location: P1

If you find the firmware must be updated, proceed to Section 5.0. If no update is needed, installation is complete.

4.2  Using SMS Utilities to Read Currently Installed Firmware Levels

• If using an ASCII terminal, continue to paragraph 4.2.1.
• If using a graphics console, skip to paragraph 4.2.2.

4.2.1  If Using an ASCII Terminal

The current System FW level can be found in the top left hand corner of the display.  You will see something similar to:

     RS/6000 Firmware
     Version TCP03126

The Version line lists the level of the currently installed System Firmware. If the right-most five characters (date) of the firmware level are earlier than 05287 you should consider installing the update.

When you have read the current FW level, exit SMS as directed on the menu screens.

If you find the firmware must be updated, proceed to Section 5.0.   If no update is needed, installation is complete.
 

4.2.2  If Using a Graphics Console

          Firmware Version  TCP03126

The Version line lists the level of the currently installed System Firmware. If the right most five characters (date) of the firmware level are earlier than 05287 you should consider installing the update.

When you have read the current FW level,  exit SMS as directed on the menu screens.

If you find the firmware must be updated, proceed to Section 5.0.   If no update is needed, installation is complete.

5.0  Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package

5.1 Internet Package

         download.html

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

In the table for System Microcode, scroll down to the entry for 7043-150 and 7046-B50.

The download choices at that entry are:

• Description       (Instructions document)
• AIX format       (For downloading to an AIX system )
• DOS format      (For downloading to a Windows workstation)

• By downloading files directly to the target system.
• By downloading files to an intermediate AIX system and then using either ftp or diskettes for transferring the target system.
• By downloading files to a Windows workstation from which you will use diskettes for transferring  to the target system.

• If using an AIX system for downloading, continue to paragraph 5.1.1.
• If using a Windows workstation for downloading, skip to paragraph 5.1.2.

5.1.1 Downloading the AIX Format File

       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 format file.

      Enter:
        mkdir  /tmp/fwupdate

        Note:  If the directory /tmp/fwupdate already exists,
           make sure it is empty before  proceeding.

   b) Transfer the AIX format file to the /tmp/fwupdate directory (using  "Save as ...").
       You'll see that the filename is 7043150I.BIN.

   c) Unpack file by executing the instructions below.

      Enter the commands:

        cd   /tmp/fwupdate
        chmod   +x   7043150I.BIN
        ./7043150I.BIN

      [Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

      These files will be added to  /tmp/fwupdate.

            TCP05287.img
            ReadMe.TXT

If you used the above procedure to transfer the AIX format file directly to the target system,  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 system.

• To transfer files to the target system via the ftp method, continue toparagraph, 5.1.1.1.
• To transfer files to the target system via the diskettes method, skip to paragraph 5.1.1.2.

5.1.1.1 The FTP Transfer Method

On the intermediate AIX system,

     Enter the commands:

        ftp  {name of target system}
        {Login with a valid userid and password}

        bin
        lcd  /tmp/fwupdate
        mkdir   /tmp/fwupdate
        cd   /tmp/fwupdate
        put  TCP05287.img
        quit

Proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.

5.1.1.2 The Diskette Transfer Method

• If the target system can boot AIX, then continue to paragraph 5.1.1.2.1.
• If the target system cannot boot AIX, then skip to paragraph 5.1.1.2.2.

5.1.1.2.1 Diskette for AIX Command-Line Update Method

With the diskette loaded in the drive,

     Enter the commands:

        cd  /tmp/fwupdate
        ls   TCP05287.img  |  backup  -i  -v  -f/dev/rfd0

This will produce an AIX backup diskette.  Label this diskette

        "AIX Backup: System (TCP05287) FW for IBM 7043-150 and 7046-B50"

Proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.

5.1.1.2.2  Diskettes for SMS Utilities Update Method

This method is recommended only for systems that will not boot AIX.

If you must use SMS (i.e. the system will not boot AIX), proceed as follows.

A 2MB (HD) new or freshly formatted DOS diskette (or use the AIX dosformat command) is required.

With the diskette loaded in the drive,

   Enter the commands:

      cd /tmp/fwupdate
      doswrite TCP05287.img  TCP05287.img

   Label the resulting diskette,

        "Image: System (TCP05287) FW for IBM 7043-150 and 7046-B50".

Proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.

5.1.2 Downloading the DOS Format File

   a) Prepare a directory for receiving the DOS format file.
       This directory can be in any partition with 3MB available space.
       Executing in such a partition, called [path] in these instructions
       (ex.  c:\download),

      Enter:
        md  [path]\fwupdate

      Note:  If the directory [pa th]\fwupdate already exists,
                   make sure it is empty before proceeding.

   b) Transfer the DOS format file to the [path]\fwupdate directory (using "Save as ...").
       You'll see the filename is 7043150I.EXE.

   c) Unpack the file by executing the  instructions below.

       Enter the commands:

         cd  [path]\fwupdate
         7043150I

These files will be added to the fwupdate subdirectory:

          150SYS_B.exe
          TCP05287.img
          readme.txt

• If the target system can boot AIX, continue to paragraph 5.1.2.1.
• If the target system cannot boot AIX, skip to paragraph 5.1.2.2.

5.1.2.1 Diskette for AIX Command-Line Update Method [Recommended]

With the diskette loaded in the drive,

   Enter the commands:

        cd  [path]\fwupdate
        150SYS_B

      Label the resulting diskette,

       "AIX Backup: System (TCP05287) FW for IBM 7043-150 and 7046-B50"

            Note:  Any diskette labeled: 'AIX Backup: . . . .' is in a format that can be used
                        directly with a computer running AIX as it's operating system.  This
                        diskette cannot be read using PC tools or command line operations.

Proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.

5.1.2.2 Diskettes for SMS Utilities Update Method

A 2MB (HD) new or freshly formatted DOS diskette is required.

With the diskette loaded in the drive,

   Enter the commands:

        cd  [path]\fwupdate
        copy  TCP05287.img  a:

      Label the resulting diskette,

       "Image: System (TCP05287) FW for IBM 7043-150 and 7046-B50"

Proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.
 

5.2 CORE Package

You will want to read the update description and the latest installation instructions.

When you launch the firmware update selection in CORE, follow the instructions on the screen to access the instructions and make diskettes.

  Note: Any diskette labeled: 'AIX Backup: . . . .' is in a format that can be used
            directly with a computer running AIX as it's operating system.  This
            diskette, once made on the MoST platform, cannot be read using normal
            platform tools or command line operations.

After reading the instructions and making the diskettes from CORE, proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.
 

5.3  Downloading from the Microcode Update Files and Discovery Tool CD

If you are installing the code manually:

      Enter:
        mkdir /tmp/fwupdate

        Note:  If the directory /tmp/fwupdate already exists,
                    make sure it is empty before proceeding.

Copy the TCP05287.img file to the /tmp/fwupate directory.  Proceed to Section 6.0 Updating the Firmware.
 

5.4 Remote Installation of Firmware

6.0  Updating the Firmware

***
WARNING:

Do not power off the target system at any time before the update process completes.
***

Note:  Checksums can be used to verify files have not been corrupted or altered during transmission.

            At the AIX command line, enter:

            sum TCP05287.img

          This command will produce the following output:

             25767  1024  TCP05287.img

             The checksum is ------->  25767

Two update methods are described below.

• If using the AIX command-line method (recommended), continue to paragraph 6.1.
•  If using the SMS utilities method (the target system cannot boot AIX), skip to paragraph 6.2.

6.1  Using the AIX Command-Line Method [Recommended]

This method allows updating either from files already loaded into the target system or from diskettes.

• If the files are loaded in the target system, continue to paragraph 6.1.1.
• If the files are on AIX backup diskettes, skip to paragraph 6.1.2.

6.1.1 Updating with Files Already Loaded in the Target System

  Enter the commands:

        cd  /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin
        ./update_flash  -f  /tmp/fwupdate/TCP05287.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 system will apply the new firmware, reboot and return to the AIX prompt.  This may take one to ten minutes, depending on the configuration of the target system.

The firmware update is complete.  You will want to verify the update as described in paragraph 6.3.

6.1.2 Updating from AIX Backup Diskettes

     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  {follow the instructions from the prompt}
        cd  /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin
        ./update_flash  -f  /tmp/fwupdate/TCP05287.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 system will apply the new firmware, reboot and return to the AIX prompt.  This may take one to ten minutes, depending on the configuration of the target system.

The firmware update is complete. You will want to verify this update as shown in paragraph 6.3.

Don't forget to retrieve and file any firmware update diskette that may still be in the system's diskette drive.  A good time to do this is after the reboot has completed.

6.2  Using the SMS Utilities Method

• If using an ASCII terminal, continue to paragraph 6.2.1.
• If using a graphics console, skip to paragraph 6.2.2.

6.2.1  If Using an ASCII Terminal

    b. At checkpoint E1F1 on the operator panel, watch the terminal for the time to press the "1" key.
        An indicator appears on the terminal as each system component is self-tested.  When the  word
        "keyboard" appears, quickly press the "1" key.  The SMS menu will appear when the startup tests
         have completed.

    c. Into the drive, insert diskette labeled,

               "Image: System (TCP05287) FW for IBM 7043-150 and 7046-B50"

    d. Choose 3 for Utilities.

    e. Choose 6 for Update System Firmware. (the system asks for confirmation)

    f.  Choose TCP05287.img

    g. Follow on-screen update steps as they are presented, until you see the message
        that begins, "System firmware updated...".

• If the system firmware level is TCP01176 or later,  press  <Enter> to reboot the system.
• If the system firmware level is earlier than TCP01176, the system will automatically reboot.

The firmware update is complete. You will want to verify this update as shown in paragraph 6.3.

6.2.2  If Using a Graphics Console

    a. Power on or shutdown and restart the system.

    b. At checkpoint E1F1 on the operator panel, watch the console for the time to press the
         "F1" key or the "1" key.   An indicator appears on the console as each system component
        is self-tested. When the keyboard icon appears, quickly press the "F1"  key or "1" key.
        The SMS menu will appear when the startup tests have completed.

    c. Use arrow keys to move to Utilities.  <Enter>

    d. Use arrow keys to move to Update.  <Enter>

    e. Insert diskette labeled "Image: System (TCP05287) FW for IBM 7043-150 and 7046-B50"  in the
        drive.

    f. Use arrow keys to move to Yes if the image display is correct.   <Enter>

    g. Follow on-screen update steps as they are presented.

The flash update should complete in about one minute.

Following a successful firmware update, the system will automatically reboot.

Don't forget to retrieve and file any firmware update diskette that may still be in the system's diskette drive.  A good time to do this is after the reboot has completed.

The firmware update is complete. You will want to verify this update as shown in paragraph 6.3.

6.3  Verifying the Update

To check the System Firmware level

    Enter:

        lscfg  -vp |  grep  -p  openprom

This command will produce a system configuration report containing sections similar to the following.

    Name: openprom
  Model: IBM, TCP05287                     <== System FW level
  Node: openprom
  Physical Location: P1

The right-most five characters (date) of the FW level should match the level you just installed, namely, 05287.
 

6.4  Archiving the Update Files

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 file for convenient retrieval.

7.0  Machine Records