RS/6000 7044-x70 System and Service Processor 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 Levels
• 4.1     Using AIX to Read Currently Installed Firmware Levels
• 4.2     Using SMS Utilities to Read Currently Installed Firmware Levels
• 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 Verifying the Updates
• 6.3 Archiving the Update Files
• 7.0 Machine Records

 1.0 Systems Affected

The firmware levels contained in this update are:

• Sys FW:  SPH05195
• SvP FW:  sh040616

The typical time to install this firmware is 0.8 hours. The firmware does not become active when installed and requires a system reboot to become active. This reboot time will vary depending on the system and the amount of features installed. This estimate is for an average system.

2.0  Firmware Description and Revision History

3.0  Cautions and Important Notes

The System and Service Processor firmware are combined into a single file.  This allows all the firmware to be updated together and assures they are companion levels.

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 Levels

Two methods for reading the firmware levels are described below.

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

4.1  Using AIX to Read Currently Installed Firmware Levels

    Enter:
        lscfg  -vp |  grep  alterable

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

   ROM Level.(alterable).......sh030819    <== Service Processor FW level
   ROM Level.(alterable).......SPH03232    <== System FW Level

The ROM Level lines list the levels of the currently installed firmware.  In the above example, the current System firmware level is SPH03232, and the current Service Processor firmware level is sh030819.

If the right-most five characters (date) of the current System FW level are earlier than 05195 you should consider installing the update.

If the right-most six characters (date) of the current Service Processor FW level  are earlier than 040616, you should consider installing the update.

If you find the firmware levels are not correct companions, or that they must be updated, proceed to Section 5.0.   If the firmware levels are correct companions and 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 and Service Processor firmware levels can be found under the "Display Configuration" selection on the SMS main menu.  The System firmware level is shown under "System Information" on the line "Firmware Level", and the Service Processor firmware level is shown under "Service Processor Information" on the line "ROM Level."

When you have read the current firmware levels,  exit SMS as directed on the menu screens.

If the right-most five characters (date) of the current System FW level are earlier than 05195 you should consider installing the update.

If the right-most six characters (date) of the current Service Processor FW level  are earlier than 040616, you should consider installing the update.

If you find the firmware levels are not correct companions, or that they must be updated, proceed to Section 5.0.   If the firmware levels are correct companions and no update is needed, installation is complete.

4.2.2  If Using a Graphics Console

The current System and Service Processor firmware levels can be found under the "Config" selection on the SMS main menu.  The System firmware level is shown under "System Information" on the line "Firmware Level", and the Service Processor firmware level is shown under "Service Processor Information" on the line "ROM Level."

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

If the right-most five characters (date) of the current System FW level are earlier than 05195 you should consider installing the update.

If the right-most six characters (date) of the current Service Processor FW level  are earlier than 040616, you should consider installing the update.

If you find the firmware levels are not correct companions, or that they must be updated, proceed to Section 5.0.   If the firmware levels are correct companions and 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 page.  You must read and agree to the license agreement to obtain the firmware packages.

In the table for System/Service Processor Combined Microcode, scroll down to the entry for 7044-170, 7044-270 and 7043-270.

The download choices at that entry are:

• Description        (Instructions document)
• AIX Format       (For downloading to an AIX system or workstation)
• 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 to 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 the filename is 7044x70F.BIN

   c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.

      Enter the commands:

        cd   /tmp/fwupdate
        chmod   +x   7044x70F.BIN
        ./7044x70F.BIN

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

      These files will be added to  /tmp/fwupdate.

          sx05195.img
         ReadMe.TXT

If the above procedure was used to transfer files directly to the target system, you are ready to use the combined update process.  Proceed to Section 6.0, Updating the Firmware.

Otherwise, on the intermediate AIX system, choose one of  the following methods for transferring to the target system.

• To transfer files to the target system via the ftp method, continue to paragraph 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  sx05195.img
        quit

Proceed to Section 6.0, Updating the Firmware.

5.1.1.2 The Diskette Transfer Method

Two 2MB (HD) new or freshly formatted diskettes are required.

With the first diskette loaded in the drive,

     Enter the commands (this process will request additional diskettes as each is filled):

        cd  /tmp/fwupdate
        ls  sx05195.img   |  backup  -i  -v  -f/dev/rfd0

This will produce AIX backup diskettes.  Label these diskettes, respectively,

   "Volume 1:  AIX Backup: Combined System (SPH05195) and SvP (sh040616) FW
                       for IBM 7044-x70 and 7043-270"

   "Volume 2:  AIX Backup: Combined System (SPH05195) and SvP (sh040616) FW
                       for IBM 7044-x70 and 7043-270"

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 6MB available space.
       Executing in such a partition, called [path] in these instructions
       (ex.  c:\download),

      Enter:
        md  [path]\fwupdate

            Note: If the directory [path]\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 7044x70F.EXE

   c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.

       Enter the commands:

         cd  [path]\fwupdate
         7044x70F

These files will be added to the fwupdate subdirectory:

      44x70_B1.exe
      44x70_B2.exe
      readme.txt

5.1.2.1 Diskettes for AIX Command-Line Update Method

a) With the first diskette loaded in the drive,

     Enter the commands:

          cd  [path]\fwupdate
         44x70_B1

      Label this diskette,

        "Volume 1:  AIX Backup: Combined System (SPH05195) and SvP (sh040616) FW
                             for IBM 7044-x70 and 7043-270"

b) With the second diskette loaded in the drive,

     Enter the commands:

          cd  [path]\fwupdate
         44x70_B2

      Label this diskette,

        "Volume 2:  AIX Backup: Combined System (SPH05195) and SvP (sh040616) FW
                           for IBM 7044-x70 and 7043-270"

            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.

5.2 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 sx05195.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  sx05195.img

          This command will produce the following output:

              56812  1564     sx05195.img

           The checksum is -----> 56812

 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.

6.1  Using the AIX Command-Line Method

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/sx05195.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 up to ten minutes, depending on the configuration of the target system.

While the update is in progress, you will see "Rebooting  . . ." on the display for as long as three minutes.

The firmware update is complete.  You will want to verify the update as described in paragraph 6.2.

6.1.2 Updating from AIX Backup Diskettes

 On the target system,

     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

You will be prompted to mount volume 1 on /dev/rfd0

In the drive of the target system, put the AIX backup diskette labeled,

 "Volume 1: AIX Backup: Combined  System (SPH05195) and SvP (sh040616) FW
                                           for 7044-x70 and 7043-270"

When prompted for volume 2,

In the drive of the target system, put the AIX backup diskette labeled,

  "Volume 2: AIX Backup: Combined  System (SPH05195) and SvP (sh040616) FW
                                            for 7044-x70 and 7043-270"

The file is now located in the /tmp/fwupdate subdirectory.

      Enter the commands:

        cd  /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin
        ./update_flash  -f  /tmp/fwupdate/sx05195.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 up to ten minutes, depending on the configuration of the target system.

While the update is in progress, you will see "Rebooting  . . ." on the display for as long as three minutes.

The firmware update is complete. You will want to verify this update as shown in paragraph 6.2.

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  Verifying the Updates

To check the firmware levels

    Enter:
        lscfg  -vp |  grep  alterable

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

  ROM Level.(alterable).......sh040616    <== SvP FW level
  ROM Level.(alterable).......SPH05195    <== System FW level

6.3  Archiving the Update Files

If the download process produced diskettes, label and store them in a safe place.

If the download process produced files, archive and identify the files for convenient retrieval.

7.0  Machine Records