DATE: Apr 07, 2008

Table of Contents

1.0 Microcode Change History

2.0 General Information
2.1 Installation Time
2.2 Machine's Affected
2.3 AIX Requirements
2.4 Linux Requirements

3.0 Determine the Current Microcode Level for AIX
3.1 Determine the Current Microcode Level for Linux

4.0 Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package from CORE
4.1 Downloading the RPM Format File to the Target Server
4.2 Discovery Tool Microcode CD-ROM creation and download instructions

5.0 Verifying microcode before download and notes
5.1 Microcode Download Procedure-SAS Enclosure Services for 7214-1U2 for AIX
5.2 Microcode Download Procedure-SAS Enclosure Services for 7214-1U2 for Linux

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1.0 Microcode Change History:
 

0016	Port expander PHYs tuned for best signal quality on the SAS cables to the adapter
0015	Fix for DVD not showing up in Linux
0014	GA Level

 

2.0 General information

NOTE:  Since there is only 1 SAS expander in the 7214-1U2, microcode can not be updated while activity is occurring on the SAS links.  If microcode update is attempted while I/O activity is present, the update will fail and an error will be displayed to screen.

2.1 Installation Time:
Approximately 30 minutes
 
2.2 Machine's Affected:
7214-1U2

2.3 AIX Requirements:
For support:

AIX 5.3 TL_06 w/ SP4 (Sevice Pack 4), AIX 5.3 TL_07, AIX 6.1 or above

2.4 Linux Requirements:

For support:

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10-SP1 for POWER or above
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS for POWER Version 4 Update 5, RHEL 5 or above

3.0 Determine the Current Microcode Level for AIX:

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

the following instructions to read the ROM level stored in the Adapter's VPD.

1)  List the SES installed in the system by typing:

    lsdev -C | grep ses

Note: All of the SAS RAID initiators addresses that are installed will be displayed. The names will be sesX, where X is 0, 1, etc.

2) To check the current microcode level for the adapter or controller 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

ses3           U7214.1U2.7DVT017-P1             SAS Enclosure Services Device
Manufacturer................IBM
Machine Type and Model......7214-1U2
ROS Level and ID............0011
Serial Number...............27DVT017
Hardware Location Code......U7214.1U2.7DVT017-P1

If the ROS Level and ID is less than 0016 then you should update the microcode.

3.1 Determine the Current Microcode Level for Linux:
1) Type "iprconfig"
2) Select "Display hardware status"
3) Select SES by typing a "1" in front of it and pressing Enter.
4) The Command will produce output similar to
"Firmware Version . . . . . . . . . . . . : 0016"

If the Firmware Version is less than 0016 then you should update the microcode.

4.0 Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package from CORE

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

1) Make a directory on an AIX/Linux system to receive the RPM format file.

    Enter: "mkdir /tmp/microcode"

    Enter: "mkdir /tmp/microcode/RPM"

2) Transfer the RPM format file to the /tmp/microcode/RPM directory (using "Save as ...").  Change to that directory, "cd /tmp/microcode/RPM".

You'll see the filenames for the RPM files.
    A) For AIX:  The filename is ses.7214-1U2-0016-1.aix5.1.noarch.rpm
    B) For Linux:  The filename is ses.7214-1U2-0016-1.Linux.noarch.rpm
3) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    A) For AIX:  Type "rpm -ihv --ignoreos --force ses.7214-1U2-0016-1.aix5.1.noarch.rpm"
    B) For Linux:  Type "rpm -ihv --ignoreos --force ses.7214-1U2-0016-1.Linux.noarch.rpm"
4a) For AIX:  The microcode files will be added to /usr/lib/microcode/.
4b) For Linux:  The microcode files will be added to /lib/firmware/.
 

4.2 Discovery Tool Microcode CD-ROM creation and download instructions

To obtain information how to burn a CD-ROM and run the Discovery Tool for an AIX System please go to: CDROMhelp.html
1) After running the Discovery Tool successfully the "/tmp/microcode/RPM" directory was created and your rpm files are copied from the CD-ROM.

2) Change to that directory, "cd /tmp/microcode/RPM".

3) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos --force ses.7214-1U2-0016-1.aix5.1.noarch.rpm
4) Microcode files will be copied to "/etc/microcode".  The file size and checksum of the microcode image will be verified in Section 5.0

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 Verifying microcode before download and notes

NOTE:  Microcode download must be performed separately for each "ses" 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.

NOTE:  Since there is only 1 SAS expander in the 7214-1U2, microcode can not be updated while activity is occurring on the SAS links.  If microcode update is attempted while I/O activity is present, the update will fail and an error will be displayed to screen.

Installation Time:  Approximately 30 min System Time.

Please verify the file size and checksum of the raw microcode files matches the below.
Filesize:  647836
Checksum:  45422
For AIX:  "ls -l /usr/lib/microcode/A170027F.0016" to verify Filesize. 
                "sum /usr/lib/microcode/A170027F.0016" to verify Checksum.
For Linux:  "ls -l /lib/firmware/IBM-A170027F.0016" to verify Filesize.
                 "sum /lib/firmware/IBM-A170027F.0016" to verify Checksum.

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:

For AIX:
    A)  Log into the target partition.
    B)  Type: "cd /usr/lib/microcode"
    C)  FTP (for AIX) or SFTP (for Linux) to the partition that has the media bay assigned. (ie.  ftp/sftp partition1.ibm.com)
    D)  Type: "cd /usr/lib/microcode"
    E)  If using FTP then Type: "bin"
    F)  Type: "get A170027F.0016"
    G)  Type: "quit"

For Linux:
    A)  Log into the target partition.
    B)  Type: "cd /lib/firmware"
    C)  SFTP to the partition that has the media bay assigned. (ie.  "sftp partition1.ibm.com")
    D)  Type: "cd /lib/firmware"
    E)  Type: "get IBM-A170027F.0016"
    F)  Type: "quit"

5.1 Microcode Download Procedure-SAS Enclosure Services for 7214-1U2 for AIX

Procedure:
1) It is advised, but not necessary to stop all applications.
2) Enter diag
3) Select the "Task Selection" from diagnostics menu.
4) Select "Download Microcode" or "Microcode Tasks -> Download Microcode" from "Task Selection" menu.
5) Select all of the SAS Enclosure Services for 7214-1U2s that need to be updated from the list of devices by pressing "Enter".  The devices will be displayed as ses#, where # is the number of the device.  Press "F7".
6) A dialogue box will be displayed on screen.  Press "Enter" to continue.
7) Select "/usr/lib/microcode".
8) A dialogue box will may be displayed on screen.  It will state that the current microcode level on the adapter is not in the /usr/lib/microcode directory.  This is acceptable as you will be flashing new microcode onto the adapter.  Also, incorrect code will automatically be rejected.  Press "Enter" to continue.
9) An "M" will be displayed next to the latest level of microcode in the /usr/lib/microcode directory.  Select that level and press "Enter".
10) The following message will appear on the screen when download is completed: "Microcode download complete successfully.  The current microcode level for the device ses# is .....  Please run diagnostics on the adapter to ensure that it is functioning properly."  DO NOT run diagnostics on the device at this time.
11) Exit diagnostics.
12) Verify the code level is 0016 by typing "lscfg -vl ses#" for each SES device updated. <Where # is the number ses device>

5.2 Microcode Download Procedure-SAS Enclosure Services for 7214-1U2 for Linux

Procedure:
1) Stop all applications.
2) Type "iprconfig" and press "Enter".
3) Select "Download Microcode" and press "Enter".
4) Select all of the SAS Enclosure Services for 7214-1U2s that need to be updated from the list of devices by pressing "1". Then press "Enter".
5) Select the appropriate microcode image to flash by pressing "1".  (The image will end in 0016).  Press Enter.  Press Enter again to confirm.
6) If multiple devices were selected in step 4, then repeat step 5 until finished.

6.0 Microcode Readme Change History