SCSD Tape/Optical Ucode Download Application


Table of Contents

SCSD Tape/Optical Ucode Download Application

  • Date: March 19, 2007
  • Version: 1.30
  • Description of Genucode
  • Current Genucode supported devices:
  • Overview:
  • Step 1: Download the microcode for the drive
  • Step 2: Putting Genucode on the system
  • From the IBM WEB site via the user downloading the files.
  • From a CD-ROM.
  • Packaged Microcode Files
  • AIX bin file
  • Check File Checksum
  • Copying Files
  • Step 3: Install Genucode
  • Step 4: Updating the drive microcode
  • Special Notice for 7205-311
  • Microcode update instructions:
  • Step 5: Update the Vital Product Data(VPD)
  • Genucode Return Codes
  • Sample DSDATA files:
  • 13GB 1/4"(QIC-5010) Tape Drive
  • 60GB 8mm Tape Drive

  • SCSD Tape/Optical Ucode Download Application

    Date: March 19, 2007

    Version: 1.30


    Description of Genucode

    The Generic SCSI microcode download utility for Self Configuring SCSI Devices(SCSD), genucode, is a tool for downloading over the SCSI bus microcode for IBM SCSD devices such as tape and optical drives on a eServer pSeries or RS/6000.


    Current Genucode supported devices:

    Additional supported SCSD devices may be defined in the microcode package for that device.


    Overview:

    The Genucode Utility has been integrated into AIX Diagnostics for most devices since AIX 5.1., which means if your system has AIX 5.1 or higher, you don't need to download the Genucode Utility. However 32x and 40x CD-ROM still requires the standalone Genucode Utility for microcode updating process.

    The dsdata and microcode files are still necessary for all the microcode update processes (through AIX Diagnostic or the Genucode Utility).

    There are 5 separate steps to the download and installation of both Genucode and the microcode you wish to download:

         Step 1 - Download the microcode for the drive using the instructions
                  in the microcode package for the specific drive you are
                  working with.
     
         Step 2 - Download Genucode or Copy Genucode from CD-ROM.
     
         Step 3 - Install Genucode.
     
         Step 4 - Update the microcode in the drive.
     
         Step 5 - Update the Vital Product Data(VPD) in the system for the
                  drive.
    


    Step 1: Download the microcode for the drive

    Follow the instructions in the microcode package for the drive.


    Step 2: Putting Genucode on the system

    Note: The "Genucode: Generic SCSI microcode download utility for SCSD devices" program is found at the bottom of the IBM web page for the microcode downloads. It is also found in the "media" section of same IBM web page. You must download this manually.

    There are 2 ways a user can download the Genucode files. Each of these will put Genucode on the user's system but the user will have to move the files to appropriate directory for system use.

    From the IBM WEB site via the user downloading the files.

    When the user downloads the Genucode files from the IBM web site the packaged Genucode files should be put into the /tmp directory.

    Note: Sign on the eServer pSeries or RS/6000 with root authority as you need root authority to do the microcode install.

    From a CD-ROM.

    Note: AIX commands and file names are case sensitive.
    If the users AIX permission does not allow the copy to the above stated directory or file then the user will be prompted for a new location.

    Packaged Microcode Files

    AIX bin file

    Check File Checksum

    To insure Genucode downloaded correctly to the system do the following AIX command:  
    sum /tmp/web_microcode/genucode
    The output of the command will be the checksum and it must match the following, if it does not match then redo the download and file extraction.
    28882 21 /tmp/web_microcode/genucode

    Copying Files

    Note: All AIX commands and file names are case sensitive, be sure to use the commands and file names exactly as listed here. Errors in spelling or case will cause the commands or Genucode not to work properly.

    Copy cpcat, genucode.cat, and genucode to the /tmp directory by executing the following AIX commands:
    cp /tmp/web_microcode/cpcat /tmp/cpcat
    cp /tmp/web_microcode/genucode.cat /tmp/genucode.cat
    cp /tmp/web_microcode/genucode /tmp/genucode


    Step 3: Install Genucode

    Genucode requires a catalog entry that is not standard with AIX. To add this catalog entry the script cpcat will copy the required entry to the appropriate catalog.


    Step 4: Updating the drive microcode

    Note: Do not power the drive off immediately after the microcode says it is complete as the drive may be still doing internal processing that will take a few minutes to complete.

    If the drive has just been powered on and no other AIX commands have been issued to the drive genucode may indicate a failure to download the microcode. The workaround to this is to retry the microcode download.
    If genucode returns an error on completion, retry the command as this may clear the error condition.

    Special Notice for 7205-311

    Before doing a microcode update to the tape drive remove any tape cartridge from the drive and close the tape drive door.

    When genucode indicates successful completion of the microcode download on the 7205-311, wait until all LEDs stop flashing and the Green Open Door LED is the only LED on before powering off or using the drive.

    Microcode update instructions:


    Step 5: Update the Vital Product Data(VPD)

    Update the Vital Product Data(VPD) data in the system for the drive.

    To update the systems VPD data to show the microcode in the drive do the following AIX commands:
    rmdev -l rmt0
    mkdev -l rmt0

    Where the rmt0 is the drive to be updated. If the drive is other than rmt0, change the name to the appropriate drive name, such as rmt2 or cd1, etc..

    Note: For most drives is not necessary to recycle the system or the drive to have the drive microcode active. If it is necessary to recycle the drive this will be in the information provided with the drive microcode.
    If you are going to recycle the system or the drive, MAKE SURE the microcode download IS COMPLETE before recycling the system or the drive.


    Genucode Return Codes

    Program failed with Return_code: -xx

     NO INIT ODM     (-1)
     EXIT MAIN PANEL (-2)
     EXIT SELECT RES (-3)
     NO OPEN DSDATA  (-4)
     DSDATA ERROR    (-5)
     EXIT SELECT DEV (-6)
     INQUIRY FAILED  (-7)
     MISMATCHED PARM (-8)
     EXIT CONF DL    (-9)
     DOWNLOAD FAILED (-10)
     NO RES DEVS     (-11)
     EXIT CFGRES DEV (-12)
     CFGREQ FAIL     (-13)
     EXIT RES FAIL   (-14)
     RESTORE FAIL    (-15)
     NO DL DEVS      (-16)
     NO OPEN DEV     (-17)
     BAD INPUT PARM  (-18)
    


    Sample DSDATA files:

    Dsdata files are unique to each drive. The attached samples show the dsdata file for some of the eServer pSeries and RS/6000 drives.

    Note: The * at the front of the line in the dsdata file denotes this is a comment only, the information in the line is not used by the program. The comments are used to provide information for the user.

    13GB 1/4"(QIC-5010) Tape Drive

    * dsdata - Drive Specific Data for microcode download
    * Format
    * LINE1:(continued) timeout_value(decimal) write_buffer_type{4 or 7}
    * LINE1:(continued) {PdDVLn string found from odmget -qname=devicex CuDv}
    * LINE2: (vendorname) inquiry_page page_offset field_length value
    * LINE3: (firmware level) inquiry_page page_offset field_length value
    * LINE4: (loadid) inquiry_page page_offset byte_length hexvalue
    008000 000000 524464 0180 07 tape
    00 10 08 IBM-6100
    00 20 04 0106
    00 2C 04 A0B00E11
    

    The microcode file name would be: IBM-6100.0106.A0B00E11

    60GB 8mm Tape Drive

    * Mammoth 2 Dsdata File   60GB 8mm Tape Drive
    * September 6, 2002 V:01
    * dsdata - Drive Specific Data for microcode download
    *
    * The dsdata file is used by both AIX Diagnostics, level 5.1 and higher,
    * and the separate program "Genucode" available from the IBM pSeries
    * external WEB site.
    *
    * Format of the data:
    * LINE1: blocksize(3-hex) buffer_offset(3-hex) binary_filesize(decimal)
    * LINE1:(continued) timeout_value(decimal) write_buffer_type{4 or 7}
    * LINE1:(continued) {PdDVLn string found from odmget -qname=devicex CuDv}
    * LINE2: (vendorname) inquiry_page page_offset field_length value
    *
    * Note:
    *      "Genucode" requires the firmware level in line 3 to match the
    *        firmware level you wish to download.
    *
    *        Naming conventions for Genucode are:
    *        Microcode file:   /tmp/Mammoth2.07pR.A1700295
    *        dsdata    file:   /tmp/dsdata
    *
    *      AIX Diagnostics "Microcode Download" does not require the firmware
    *      level to match the firmware level you wish to download.
    *
    *        Naming conventions for AIX diagnostics are:
    *        Microcode file:   /etc/microcode/Mammoth2.A1700295.07pR
    *        dsdata    file:   /etc/microcode/Mammoth2.A1700295.dsdata
    *
    * LINE3: (firmware level) inquiry_page page_offset field_length value
    * LINE4: (loadid) inquiry_page page_offset byte_length hexvalue
    *
    008000 000000 1201664 0600 07 tape
    00 10 08 Mammoth2
    00 20 04 07pR
    00 2C 04 A1700295
    

    The microcode file name would be: Mammoth2.07pR.A1700295