Table of Contents

1.0 Microcode Change History

2.0.0 General Information
2.0.1 Installation Time

3.0 Determine the Current Microcode Level

4.0.0 Downloading and Unplacking the Firmware Update Package from the WEB
4.0.1 Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package from CORE
4.0.2 Downloading the RPM Format File to the Target Server
4.0.3 Downloading File from the Microcode CD-ROM

5.0 Microcode Download Procedure-SCSI Enclosure Services

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1.0 Microcode Change History:
 

0015	Downloading previous levels of microcode to the HSBP2M backplane (one of two types of backplanes existent in the 7038-6M2) causes a SCSI_ERR10 to be logged, a SCSI Bus Reset.  Level 0015 prevents this condition.
0014	Fixes two things:     1.  VPD checksum error logged by SPCN during boot.     2.  Inability to reset fault LED when connected to FC2498.

 

2.0.0 General information

NOTE: Please verify the following values for this microcode file:
            ses.0015.rpm
          Filesize:  12731 bytes
          Checksum:  02900
 

2.0.1 Installation Time:
     Approximately 30 minutes
 

3.0 Determine the Current Microcode Level:

Before you install the microcode, it is important to determine the microcode level of the backplane installed in the target system. Use

the following instructions to read the ROS Level and ID stored in the backplane's VPD.

1)  List the backplanes adapters installed in the system by typing:

    lsdev -C | grep ses

Note: All of the backplanes addresses that are installed will bedisplayed. The backplane names will be sesX, where X is 0, 1, etc.

2) To check the current microcode level for the adapter enter the following command

   lscfg -vl sesX

Where X is the number/s of the previous command. The Command will produce output similar to

    DEVICE       LOCATION         DESCRIPTION

    ses          37-08-00-15,0    SCSI Enclosure

    Manufacturer................IBM

    Machine Type and Model......HSBPD6X PU4SCSI

    ROS Level and ID............XXXX

    Device Specify.(Z0).........0D00020232004000

    Device Specify. (Z1)........FN  53P0257

If the ROS Level and ID XXXX is less than 0015 then you should update the microcode.

b) Transfer the AIX format file to the /etc/microcode directory (using "Save as ...").
You'll see the filename is ses0015.bin

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below. You will be asked for the password from the license agreement.
Enter the commands:
cd /etc/microcode
chmod +x ses0015.bin
./ses0015.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory ses0015 with these files will be added to /etc/microcode.
1) A0900724.0015 (Microcode Image)

Enter the following command to copy the microcode files to " /etc/microcode " directory :
cp /etc/microcode/ses0015/A0900724.0015  /etc/microcode

Enter the following commands to copy these file onto a diskette:
ls /etc/microcode/A0900724.0015 | backup -i -v -f/dev/rfd0

This will produce AIX backup diskettes. Label the diskettes:
" SCSI Enclosure Services Microcode Level 0015"
 

4.0.1 Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package from CORE

With the machine powered ON and AIX operational but no activity,
perform the following steps to install the FLASH code into the
4 pack backplane.

1.  Insert diskette with the file downloaded from CORE into the floppy diskette drive of the Media Bay.

NOTE:  If the system is running LPAR, you must determine what partition has the media bay assigned.

How to determine what partition has the diskette drive assigned when running LPAR:
    A.  Log onto the Hardware Management Console (HMC).
    B.  On the opening screen, in the Navigation Area, select Partition Management.
    C.  In the Partition Management window, right-click on the top device listed in the window.  Select Properties.
    D.  Select the IOSLOT tab.
    E.  In the IOSLOT field, find the drawer labeled 7311-D20, 7038-6M2 or 7038-6C4/6E4.
    F.  Click on the + sign next to the I/O Group associated with the 7311-D20, 7038-6M2 or 7038-6C4/6E4.  This will display the partition associated with the diskette drive.

2.  Log into the target system (or LPAR that has the media bay assigned) as root.

3.  Type: tar -xvf /dev/rfd0
 

4.0.2 Downloading the RPM Format File to the Target Server
Use this method to download to an AIX system:

Note: The instructions that follow are specific AIX commands. AIX commands are CASE (lower and upper) SENSITIVE, and must be entered exactly as shown, including filenames.

a) Make a directory on an AIX system to receive the RPM format file.
    Enter:      mkdir /etc/microcode

b) Transfer the RPM format file to the /etc/microcode directory (using "Save as ...").
    You'll see the filename is ses.0015.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos ses.0015.rpm

The file size and checksum will be verified.

The microcode files will be added to /etc/microcode/
 

4.0.3 Downloading File from the Microcode CD-ROM

Copy microcode updates from the CD-ROM to standard locations on your local disk:

1. RPM packaged microcode files will be copied to "/tmp/microcode/RPM"
2. Microcode files will be copied to "/usr/lib/microcode".

Notes:
 - "/etc/microcode" is a symbolic link to "/usr/lib/microcode".
 - If permission does not allow the copy to the above stated directory
                  or file then the user will be prompted for a new location.
 

5.0 Microcode Download Procedure-SCSI Enclosure Services

NOTE: Microcode download must be performed seperately for SES enclosures under distinct Logical Partitions (LPAR's).
              Please save current and older versions of the microcode update files in case you need to restore your system.

Warning: After updating the microcode, the system will need to be power cycled.  A "reboot" via the shutdown command is not adequate.  That means that a complete system power off then on via the UEPO switch is required.
Warning: Do not power off the system during microcode download as this may permanently damage the backplane.

Caution: The microcode download process is nondestructive to the backplane; however, as a precaution, ensure that a backup operation has been performed on the affected systems PRIOR to the microcode installation.

Can microcode be installed Concurrently?
No, since a power cycle (with the UEPO switch) will be necessary at the end of the process.  Downloading microcode to the ses does not affect I/O transactions.  ses controlls Hot Swapping.  Do not Hot Swap while you are enacting the microcode download procedure.

Is system power cycle (with the UEPO switch) needed to activate the microcode: Yes

Installation Time:  Approximately 1 hour System Time.

Procedure:
1. Stop all applications.
2. Enter diag
3. Select the "Task Selection" from diagnostics menu.
4. Select "Microcode Download" from "Task Selection" menu.
5. Select SES (backplane) that needs to be updated from the list of devices.
6. Select filesystem.
NOTE:  If this level of ucode is already installed in the backplane you will receive a message that will let you know. A message may also be displayed if the /etc/microcode directory does not have the previous level microcode. This is true and is not required to complete the download. Hit enter to continue.
7. The following message will appear on the screen when download is completed: "The microcode download has completed successfully, run diagnostics on the SES device". Please ignore the "run diagnostic" message and do NOT run diagnostics on the SES device at this time.
8. Return to the Tasks Selection menu and repeat this procedure for each SES that requires this microcode.
9. Exit diagnostics.
 

10. For systems that have LPAR installed, the microcode file must be placed on all partitions that have a SES device in order to update the code.  Follow this procedure for each partition:

    A.  Log into the target partition.
    B.  Type: cd /etc/microcode
    C.  FTP to the partition that has the media bay assigned. (ie.  ftp partition1.ibm.com)
    D.  Type: cd /etc/microcode
    E.  Type: bin
    F.  Type: get A0900724.0015
    G.  Type: quit
    H.  Verify the checksum of the file by typing: sum A0900724.0015  The checksum should be 02900.
    I.   Follow the above procedure to download the microcode to all SES devices in the partition.
 

11. The final step in the process is to power cycle the machine with the UEPO switch.  After the machine boots, type "lscfg -vl ses#" for each ses updated.  Verify that the code level is 0015. <Where # is the number ses device>