IBM Power Subsystem Microcode Update for:


pSeries 655 Model 651 (7039-651)
pSeries 655 Model 651 (7039-651) with High Performance Switch (7045-SW4)
 pSeries 670 Model 671 (7040-671) with High Performance Switch (7045-SW4)
pSeries 690 Model 681 (7040-681) with High Performance Switch (7045-SW4)
7045-SW4 High Performance Switch Rack

DATE: December 24, 2002
REVISED: March 1, 2006







Table of Contents

1.0 Microcode Change History

2.0.0 General Information
2.0.1 Cautions and Important Notes

3.0 Determining the Current Microcode Level

4.0.0 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Web
4.0.1 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Microcode CD-ROM

5.0.0 Updating the Microcode via the HMC
5.0.1 Receive Corrective Service
5.0.2 Install Corrective Service

1.0 Microcode Change History

Code Level Creation Date Description
26a9
 January 16, 2006
  • Fix for a problem on 7045-SW4 High Performance Switch where a defective JTAG interface on a single switch riser card resulted in all switch riser cards in that switch being erroneously reported as defective.
26a8
 May 6, 2005
  • Support for new I/O drawer power supply (DCA-BCS).
26a7
 December 23, 2004
  • Fix for a problem in reporting of links in the 'No Signal' state on a 7045-SW4 High Performance Switch.
26a6
 November 11, 2004
  • Enhancement to assist the Federation Network Manager in handling of links in the 'No Signal' state on a 7045-SW4 High Performance Switch.
26a4
 October 23, 2004
  • Fix to prevent system crash during concurrent replacement of a CEC DCA on p690 Systems with 1.9GHz processors.
  • Support to provide a new Async to the Federation Network Manager when the power subsystem detects a link in the 'No Signal' state on a 7045-SW4 High Performance Switch.
2678
 September 21, 2004
  • Fix for corruption of the High Performance Switch blower firmware during code update. This fix was first released in the 2665 build but was unintentionally removed in the 2676 build.
2677
 July 30, 2004
  • Enhancement to report a Switch Chip Attention loss in a 7045-SW4 High Performance Switch to the Federation Network Management software.
2676
 July 14, 2004
  • Improvements to fault isolation of a DCA that has a defective current sensor.
  • Improvements to the Thermal Calibration function used on p655 systems (nodes) to help eliminate the condition where a node fails to power up after the Service Processor is reset from the HMC menu or the entire p655 frame is power off via the UEPO (red) switch and . A new feature of these improvements is a noticeable increase in fan speed during the Thermal Calibration process.
  • Fix for a problem where the 7045-SW4 Vital Product Data (VPD) could be lost if both DCAs were replaced.
2665
 June 11, 2004
  • Fix for corruption of the High Performance Switch blower firmware during code update.
  • Fix to function that reads Frame Numbers. This function was not working correctly when the Frame Number was set to 0 (i.e., un-initialized).
2658
 May 17, 2004
  • Support for new 1.9GHz MCMs on p690+ Systems.
  • Fix to prevent Frame Numbering errors on systems that do NOT contain BPDs.
263c
 March 26, 2004
  • Fix to prevent I/O drawer from shutting down due to faulty current sensors in the DCA.
  • Improvement in reporting Power Subsystem errors to the HMC, including Loss of AC Power warnings.
2635
 March 9, 2004
  • Fix to prevent a system crash when concurrently upgrading Power Subsystem Microcode (i.e. while system is booted) on p670 and p690 systems that currently have Microcode level 1b64 (released in June 2002) or older installed.
  • Fix for communication faults between the SPCN processor and the BPC on p655 Turbo nodes.
2618
 January 16, 2004
  • Support for pSeries p690 Turbo Model
25C1
 December 4, 2003
  • Improved reporting of Voltage and Current faults
  • Fix to verify that I/O planar voltage is set correctly
  • Fix to prevent "Invalid I/O Planar Type" SRCs (101x5931, 101x5941) from being falsely posted when upgrading p670 and p690 systems from older Power Subsystem code levels (1xxx code levels)
  • Fix to prevent all HPS (7040-SW4) Riser Cards from resetting after a BPC reboot or code load
25A8
 November 19, 2003
  • Fix for intermittent problem where one I/O planar (out of two in an I/O drawer) was not turning on
25A7
 October 14, 2003
  • Support for adding a High Performance Switch (7045-SW4) to p655, p670 or p690 systems
  • Fix for false "BPJ installed but not required"  SRC (101A25C1 or 101B25C1) that is posted on p655 systems that both require and contain a BPJ (Bulk Power Jumper)
  • Improved software handling of power line disturbances
2571 July 3, 2003
  • Fix for problem which prevented various I/O drawer error reporting
2566 June 30, 2003
  • Verify minimum DCA code levels before powering on logic levels
2552 May 5, 2003
  • Fix for a problem in which pressing the white Service Complete button (located on the UEPO panel) causes the power subsystem to de-configure nodes
2532 March 6, 2003
  • Improved recovery after power line disturbances
  • Change to remove the reporting of extraneous 101xE831 and 101xE841 SRCs on I/O Drawers
  • Fix for erroneous flashing of "Pwr Out" LEDs on I/O drawer DCAs
2511 January 2, 2003
  • Fix to enable power subsystem microcode update to work on large configurations that require a BPJ (Bulk Power Jumper). See WARNING below in 2.0.1 Cautions and Important Notes. Systems containing either of the following require a BPJ:
    • 10 nodes with 2 or more I/O drawers
    • 11 or more nodes
  • Fix for error reporting of DCA Over Temperature SRC 101C1C06
  • Fix for servicing of an IBF unit (Integrated Battery Feature): the white Service Complete button (located on the UEPO panel) will now enable the replacement of an IBF unit
24C7 December 14, 2002 Original level for General Availability. 

The Power Subsystem Microcode level contained in this update is:   26a9

2.0.0 General Information

This package provides updated Power Subsystem Microcode for use on the following systems only:

Do not use on any other systems. The package contains downloadable microcode for some or all of the following power subsystem components: BPC (Bulk Power Controller), BPR (Bulk Power Regulator), DCA (Distributed Converter Assembly and MDA (Motor Drive Assembly).

Customers are encouraged to install the latest microcode level themselves. The microcode and instructions are available at the IBM external web site: download.html

NOTE: Keep in mind that portions of the p655 Power Subsystem reside in the 7040-W42 (frame) and the 7040-61D (I/O drawer) of the p655 system.

2.0.1 Cautions and Important Notes

Power Subsystem Microcode Update Installation Is Concurrent (see WARNING below)

Installation of the Power Subsystem Microcode is a completely concurrent process that can be performed at any time that the system UEPO switch (red switch) is in the on (up) position.

Never Turn Off the UEPO switch (red switch) During the Power Subsystem Microcode Update Process

The update will fail, and the process must be repeated. Also, the power component being loaded could be permanently disabled.

Never Log Off of the HMC During the Power Subsystem Microcode Update Process

The update will fail, and the process must be repeated.

To install the corrective service on a frame, you must be a system administrator or a service representative

For information about system administrator or service representative roles, refer to the IBM Hardware Management Console for pSeries Installation and Operations Guide.

Replacement Parts Require Updating

When a power component is replaced, the Power Subsystem Microcode update process (see Section 5.0.0 Updating the Microcode via the HMC for instructions) must be executed to bring the component up to the correct level.

WARNING: Updating Power Subsystem Microcode From Level 24BB or From 24C7 on Systems with a BPJ (Large Configurations only) is NOT Concurrent

When updating microcode from level 24BB (shipped from factory during early GA) or 24C7 (first level released to the field) on large configuration systems that contain a BPJ, the following procedure must be followed before attempting to load this code via the HMC:

  1. Count the number of nodes and I/O drawers in the frame.
  2. If the frame contains a BPJ (Bulk Power Jumper) then power off as many nodes as required so that only 9 nodes are powered on.
  3. For each node that is now powered off (1 for a 10 node system, 2 for an 11 node system, 3 for a 12 node system, etc..) use the HMC to DEACTIVATE those nodes (listed under the "Deactivate" >>> "Service Processor" menu after right-clicking on the frame icon).
  4. Press the Service Complete (white) button on the UEPO panel.
  5. Proceed with the normal Power Subsystem Microcode update procedure as documented in the readme file.
  6. After the microcode update has completed, use the HMC to ACTIVATE those nodes (listed under the "Activate" >>> "Service Processor" menu after right-clicking on the frame icon).

A faster alternative to the above procedure is to power off ALL nodes in the frame and then turn off the UEPO (red) switch. With the switch in the OFF position, perform the normal Power Subsystem Microcode update procedure as documented in the readme file. Turn the UEPO switch back on and re-run the Power Subsystem Microcode update procedure.

*NOTE: Systems containing either of the following require a BPJ:

3.0 Determining the Current Microcode Level

From the Navigation area (left side) of the main HMC (Hardware Management Console) window, select the "Software Maintenance" folder icon. In the right side of the main window "Frame" and "HMC" icons will appear. Double-click on the "Frame" icon. The contents of the right side of the main window will change and two titles will appear in the center of the window with the word "TASKS" to the left of these two titles. Click on the "Install Corrective Service" title next to the word "TASKS" and a new window will pop up. The upper half of this window will list all of the packages currently loaded on the HMC. The lower half of the window will list all of the frames which contain a Power Subsystem that can be downloaded from this HMC. The frames will be listed by their MTMS (Machine Type, Model and Serial number) which will begin with 7040-W42. Listed next to each frame will be the current power microcode package installed on that frame. To the right of the version will be a status message. If all Power Subsystem components in the frame are up to date (with respect to the version to the left) then the message "Ok" will be shown in this status field. Click on "Cancel" at the bottom of this window and this window will disappear.

4.0.0 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Web

From the IBM website (download.html), click on the RPM file name and save the RPM file to a diskette (using "Save as..."). On the diskette, please verify that the file name is ptcode-1.78.26a9-1.i386.rpm and that the file size is 489,533 bytes. Next, proceed to Section 5.0.0 Updating the Microcode via the HMC.

4.0.1 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Microcode CD-ROM

From the Microcode CD-ROM, the MDS application will copy the RPM file to the "/tmp/microcode/RPM" directory on your local disk. When this is complete, please verify that the file name is ptcode-1.78.26a9-1.i386.rpm and that the file size is 489,533 bytes and then copy the RPM file from the "/tmp/microcode/RPM" directory to a diskette. Next, proceed to Section 5.0.0 Updating the Microcode via the HMC.

5.0.0 Updating the Microcode via the HMC

5.0.1 Receive Corrective Service

If the HMC has a Diskette Drive:

Insert the diskette that was just created (see 4.0.0 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Web or 4.0.1 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Microcode CD-ROM ) into the diskette drive of the HMC (Hardware Management Console). From the Navigation area (left side) of the main HMC window, select the "Software Maintenance" folder icon. On the right side of the main window "Frame" and "HMC" icons will appear. Double-click on the "Frame" icon. The contents of the right side of the main window will change and two titles will appear in the center of the window with the word "TASKS" to the left of these two titles. Click on the "Receive Corrective Service" title and a new window will pop up. On this window click on the radio button next to "Upload corrective service from diskette" and then click on "OK" at the bottom of the window. A smaller "Working" window will pop up briefly while the package is copied from the diskette to the HMC. When the copy operation has completed the "Working" window will disappear and another small window will pop up stating that the file was copied successfully. Click on "OK" at the bottom of this window and this window will disappear.


If the HMC DOES NOT have a Diskette Drive:

If the HMC (Hardware Management Console) does NOT have a diskette drive, copy the RPM file from the diskette that was just created (see 4.0.0 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Web or 4.0.1 Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package from the Microcode CD-ROM ) to a computer that is on the same network as the HMC and has FTP enabled. From the Navigation area (left side) of the main HMC window, select the "Software Maintenance" folder icon. On the right side of the main window "Frame" and "HMC" icons will appear. Double-click on the "Frame" icon. The contents of the right side of the main window will change and two titles will appear in the center of the window with the word "TASKS" to the left of these two titles. Click on the "Receive Corrective Service" title and a new window will pop up. On this window click on the radio button next to "Download the corrective service file from a remote system" and then fill in the requested information:

and then click on "OK" at the bottom of the window. A smaller "Working" window will pop up briefly while the package is copied from the diskette to the HMC. When the copy operation has completed the "Working" window will disappear and another small window will pop up stating that the file was copied successfully. Click on "OK" at the bottom of this window and this window will disappear.

5.0.2 Install Corrective Service

The next step is to download the microcode to the power subsystem from the HMC. Click on the "Install Corrective Service" title next to the word "TASKS" from the center of the right side of the HMC main menu (see 5.0.1 Receive Corrective Service above for more details) and a new window will pop up. The upper half of this window will list all of the packages currently loaded on the HMC. Click on the package that you would like to install. The lower half of the window will list all of the frames which contain a Power Subsystem that can be downloaded from this HMC. The frames will be listed by their MTMS (Machine Type, Model and Serial number) which will begin with 7040-W42. Listed next to each frame will be the current power microcode package installed on that frame. Click on the frame to which the microcode will be installed. Next, click on "Install" at the bottom of the window and a new window will pop up asking for confirmation of the install. Click on "Install" at the bottom of this window.

The install can take from about 2 to 4 minutes (if only one component is being updated) to approximately 1.5 hours if every power component in a fully configured system requires updating (extremely unlikely). It is important to note that NOT all Power Subsystem components are updated in every release.  If all Power Subsystems components are at the proper microcode level then the install will complete in only a few seconds.

If the installation fails, click the "Reason for Failure" button.  If you are able to correct the problem(s), click Cancel and go to the previous step to run Install again.
If you are given a service request code (SRC), contact IBM support.

When the install has completed the words on this pop-up menu will be updated to state that the install has completed successfully. Click on "Cancel" at the bottom of this window and this window will disappear. Click on "Cancel" at the bottom of the previous window (Install Corrective Service window) and this window will disappear. This completes the update process of the Power Subsystem Microcode.


End of Installation Instructions