PCI Token-Ring Adapter F/C 2920 Microcode Update

Overview
Revision History
Dependencies
To Determine Adapter Part Numbers and Microcode/Firmware Levels
Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package
Updating the Adapter's Microcode

Overview

This package provides new microcode for the IBM PCI Token-Ring Adapter, Feature Code 2920. To perform this update, please read these instructions completely. It is also recommended that you print them for quick reference.

NOTE: Before attempting this update, please ensure that you satisfy the dependencies listed in this document.

Back to Contents

Revision History

Microcode Level

Level	Description
001PX14CN	Functional and performance improvements.
001PX11B2	Original (GA) Adapter Microcode level.

Open Firmware Level

Level	Description
001PXRS03	Minor code clean-up.
001PXRS02	Fixed packet size for bootp/tftp functions to accept variable lengths.
001PXRS01	Original (GA) Open Firmware level.

The levels contained in this update are:

Microcode Level: 001PX14CN
Open Firmware Level: 001PXRS03

Both are contained within the files provided and are flashed concurrently onto the same component on the adapter.

Back to Contents

Dependencies

This new microcode can be installed only if the following dependencies are met:

Adapter is installed in one of the supported models listed in table below.

Table 1. List of Supported Machine Types and Models
M/T	Models
7013	S70, S7A (upgrades)
7015	S70, S7A (upgrades)
7017	S70, S7A
7025	F40, F50
7026	H10, H50, H70
7043	140, 150, 240, 260

The adapter must be at any one of the part number levels listed below. Use the instructions in the next section to determine the part number installed in the system.

P/N: 93H9181 07L8904 94H1020
FRU: 93H6594 94H1038

Minimum AIX level supported is 4.1.5.

Back to Contents

To Determine Adapter Part Numbers and Microcode/Firmware Levels

It is not necessary to physically remove the adapter from the system to determine its part number. Please follow the instructions below to electronically read it from its nonvolatile memory.

Step 1. Reading Adapter's Part Number and Microcode Level from AIX

The adapter part number resides in its Vital Product Data (VPD) area. These instructions will also read the adapter's microcode level, but not the revision of Open Firmware. If the microcode is at a previous version, it is not necessary to proceed to Step 2, since the Firmware Level will also be downlevel.

1) List the PCI Token-Ring adapters installed in the system by typing:

lsdev -C | grep 14103e00

The output should look like:

tok0 Available 00-03 PCI Token-Ring Adapter (14103e00)
tok1 Available 00-04 PCI Token-Ring Adapter (14103e00)

The PCI Token-Ring Adapter(s), if present, will be identified as tok0, tok1, ...tok(x).

2) To read the VPD, execute the following command, where (x) corresponds the adapter's identifier:

lscfg -l tok(x) -v

The output should be similar to the example below:

DEVICE LOCATION DESCRIPTION

tok1 04-02 IBM PCI Tokenring Adapter (14103e00)

        Loadable Microcode Level....001PX11B2
        Part Number.................094H1020
        EC Level....................00E78566
        Serial Number...............09526002
        FRU Number..................094H1038
        Manufacturer................IBM982
        Network Address.............0020357AEDEF
        Displayable Message.........IBM PCI Token-Ring

Step 2. Verifying Adapter's Microcode and Firmware Levels from AIX

Since the flash program tests, then flashes the adapter, and retests it, it is not necessary to verify the adapter's microcode/firmware levels after updating. Instructions are provided here for future reference.

The Open Firmware Level (as well as the microcode level) can be accessed with the following command:

tokstat -d tok(x)

A screenful of information will flash before your eyes. However, the desired information is contained in the last four lines of the last section of the Token-Ring Adapter Statistics which should look like the following:

IBM PCI Tokenring Adapter (14103e00) Specific Statistics:
---------------------------------------------------------
Media Speed Running: 16 Mbps Half Duplex
Media Speed Selected: Auto Sense / Half Duplex
Receive Overruns : 0
Transmit Underruns : 0
ARI/FCI errors : 0
Microcode level on the adapter :001PX14CN
Num pkts in priority sw tx queue : 0
Num pkts in priority hw tx queue : 0
Open Firmware Level : 001PXRS03

Back to Contents

Downloading and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package

Instructions for downloading and unpacking the firmware update package follow.

Note: AIX Instructions are CASE (lower and UPPER) SENSITIVE, and must be entered exactly as shown, including the filenames. DOS commands are not.

This microcode update package, in AIX and DOS formats is located at web site:

http://www.rs6000.ibm.com/support/micro

NOTE: Once at the web site above, you must read and agree to the license agreement to obtain the password (case sensitive) for unpacking the microcode update package.

After obtaining the password, return to this web site, locate the table of contents, and click on the entry labeled "RS/6000 Adapter Microcode." At the table labeled "RS/6000 Adapter Microcode," find the entry for the IBM PCI Token-Ring Adapter (Feature Code 2920). You are presented with a choice of three files to download under column heading "Files to read/download." Your selection will depend on the type of system you're using to access and download these files.

To assist you making the correct choice, the next paragraph contains four sets of instructions for transferring the update files to your target system. Make this decision first and then download the description file and the appropriate self exploding file (described below).

Description (This document with complete instructions)
AIX Format (Self-exploding file for downloading to an AIX server or system)
DOS Format (Self-exploding for downloading to a DOS, OS/2 or Windows workstation)

The update files may be transferred to the target system in one of several ways. Please click on your preference below for a complete set of instructions.

Downloading the update files directly to the target AIX system.

Downloading the update files to an intermediate AIX system and using ftp to transfer the files to the target system.

Downloading the update files to an intermediate AIX system and using a diskette to transfer the files to the target system.

Downloading the update files to a DOS, OS/2 or Windows PC and using a diskette to transfer the files to the target system.

Back to Contents

Downloading directly to the target system

To download directly to the system in which the adapter you intend to update resides.

1) Provide a directory on your AIX system to receive the download.

Enter:

mkdir /tmp/flash2920

2) Transfer the AIX format file to the /tmp/flash2920 directory (using "Save as ..."). The name of the file is flash2920.bin.

3) Unpack the microcode package by executing the flash2920.bin file as shown below. You'll be asked for the password from the license agreement.

Enter the commands:

cd /tmp/flash2920
chmod +x flash2920.bin
./flash2920.bin

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

These files are unpacked into the working directory /tmp/flash2920.

flsh2920.txt        Instructions for working w/files from AIXTOOLS
flash2920.txt      Instructions for working w/files from the web
core2920.htm    Instructions for wokring w/files from CORE
flash                   script file for walking the bus, testing, and flashing the adapter
hxepit                 test case used to flash code onto adapter
loadkernext        system function to load kernel extension
microcode.amd actual microcode image that gets FLASHed onto adapter
pdiagex              diagnostics executable module
pit_intr                adapter interrupt handler
rule.load             test case sequencer
unloadkernext     system function to unload kernel extension

Proceed directly to Updating the Adapter's Microcode.

Downloading to an intermediate AIX system and using ftp

1) Provide a directory on your intermediate AIX system to receive the download.

Enter:

mkdir /tmp/flash2920

2) Transfer the AIX format file to the /tmp/flash2920 directory (using "Save as ..."). The name of the file is flash2920.bin.

3) Transfer this file to the target system via ftp, provided you have access to the target system. From your intermediate AIX system, enter the following commands:

ftp {name of target system}
{Login with a valid userid and password}
bin
lcd /tmp/flash2920
mkdir /tmp/flash2920
cd /tmp/flash2920
put flash2920.bin
quit

4) On the target system, unpack the update file by executing the flash2920.bin file as shown below. You'll be asked for the password from the license agreement.

Enter the commands:

cd /tmp/flash2920
chmod +x flash2920.bin
./flash2920.bin

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

These files are unpacked into the working directory /tmp/flash2920.

flsh2920.txt       Instructions for working w/files from AIXTOOLS
flash2920.txt     Instructions for working w/files from the web
core2920.htm    Instructions for wokring w/files from CORE
flash                   script file for walking the bus, testing, and flashing the adapter
hxepit                 test case used to flash code onto adapter
loadkernext        system function to load kernel extension
microcode.amd actual microcode image that gets FLASHed onto adapter
pdiagex              diagnostics executable module
pit_intr                adapter interrupt handler
rule.load             test case sequencer
unloadkernext     system function to unload kernel extension

Proceed directly to Updating the Adapter's Microcode.

Downloading to an intermediate AIX system and using a diskette

1) Provide a directory on your intermediate AIX system to receive the download.

Enter:

mkdir /tmp/flash2920

2) Transfer the AIX format file to the /tmp/flash2920 directory (using "Save as ..."). The name of the file is flash2920.bin.

3) Create a diskette to transfer this file to your target system. Insert a blank, 2MB (HD) diskette in your intermediate AIX system diskette drive and enter the following commands:

cd /tmp/flash2920
ls flash2920.bin | backup -ivr

Label the resulting diskette "PCI Token-Ring Adapter F/C 2920 Microcode Update."

4) Place the "PCI Token-Ring Adapter F/C 2920 Microcode Update" diskette in diskette drive of target machine and enter the following commands:

mkdir /tmp/flash2920
cd /tmp/flash2920
restore -xq

5) Unpack the update file by executing the flash2920.bin file as shown below. You'll be asked for the password from the license agreement.

Enter the commands:

cd /tmp/flash2920
chmod +x flash2920.bin
./flash2920.bin

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

These files are unpacked into the working directory /tmp/flash2920.

flsh2920.txt       Instructions for working w/files from AIXTOOLS
flash2920.txt     Instructions for working w/files from the web
core2920.htm    Instructions for wokring w/files from CORE
flash                   script file for walking the bus, testing, and flashing the adapter
hxepit                 test case used to flash code onto adapter
loadkernext        system function to load kernel extension
microcode.amd actual microcode image that gets FLASHed onto adapter
pdiagex              diagnostics executable module
pit_intr                adapter interrupt handler
rule.load             test case sequencer
unloadkernext     system function to unload kernel extension

Proceed directly to Updating the Adapter's Microcode.

Downloading to a DOS, OS/2 or Windows workstation and using a diskette

1) Prepare a directory for receiving the DOS format file.

Enter:

md c:\temp\flsh2920

Note: c:\temp\flsh2920 is an example, you can choose any name you want as long as you remember the name of the directory into which you are downloading the files. Also, in this example, you might have to create the temp directory first if it doesn't already exists.

2) Transfer the DOS format file to the c:\temp\flsh2920 directory (using "Save as ..."). The name of the file is make2920.exe.

3) Unpack the file by executing the following instructions. You'll need the password from the license agreement.

Enter the commands:

cd c:\temp\flsh2920
make2920.exe

These files are unpacked to your subdirectory:

README.TXT These instructions
FLSH2920.EXE Self-exploding image of AIX microcode update diskette

4) Reconstruct the AIX microcode diskette by executing the self exploding file. Insert a blank, 2MB (HD) diskette in your diskette drive and type:

FLSH2920.EXE

Label the resulting diskette "PCI Token-Ring Adapter F/C 2920 Microcode Update."

5) Place resulting diskette in diskette drive of target machine and enter the following commands:

mkdir /tmp/flash2920
cd /tmp/flash2920
restore -xq

These files are copied into the working directory /tmp/flash2920.

Updating the Adapter's Microcode

Please Note:

The flash update program in this package automatically detects every PCI Token-Ring Adapter in the system and updates their microcode one adapter at a time.
Do not power down or reset the system while the update is in progress. If process is interrupted, the adapter may be left in an indeterminate state and may become inoperable.
Since the adapter will be temporarily unavailable, communications to the Token Ring LAN(s) will be automatically disabled by the flash utility.
After the update is complete, please use smit to reactivate the interface and reestablish your link to the network.

With the machine powered ON and AIX operational, perform the following steps to install the FLASH code into your adapter.

1) Ensure you're logged in as root, if not issue the following command and enter the password

su

2) If you haven't already done so, cd to the temporary directory by typing:

cd \tmp\flash2920

3) Change file permissions to allow their execution:

chmod 777 *

4) You are now ready to FLASH the EEPROM in the token ring adapter using the single command:

./flash

The update procedure should take less than 2 minutes per adapter. Also, since the utility tests, flashes the adapter, and retests it, it is not necessary to verify the microcode level. However, if you would like to do so, follow this link for instructions.

Back to Contents