OPTIONAL FULL DUPLEX FUNCTION FOR F/C 2972 (Microcode Update) Contents * Overview * Dependencies * To Determine Adapter Part Numbers and Microcode Levels * Updating the Adapter's Microcode * APAR Information * Important Information about Performance Overview The IBM RISC System/6000 Auto Token-Ring LANStreamer MC 32 Adapter (Feature Code 2972) has been enhanced to operate in full duplex mode on the selected models listed in Table 1. To enable this optional function, the adapter must be loaded with new microcode and its AIX device driver must be updated. Subject to the dependencies listed below, this function is intended for use on new system installations, as well as on existing ones. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dependencies This new optional full duplex feature for the Auto Token-Ring LANStreamer MC 32 Adapter 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 Suported Machine Types and Models M/T Models 7012 380, 390, 39H, 397, G30, G40 7013 580, 58H, 590, 591, 595, 59H, J30, J40, J50 7015 980, 98B, 98E, 98F, 990, 99E, 99F, 99J, 99K, R20, R21, R24, R30, R40, R50 7030 3AT, 3BT, 3CT, 397 * 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. o P/N 86H2117, 92G8711, or 73G9782 o FRU 83H2123, 60G1593, or 60G1593 * Minimum AIX level supported is 4.1.5. Also, please install the APAR that corresponds to the level of AIX installed in the target system. * Full Duplex capable Token Ring Switch. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To Determine Adapter Part Numbers and Microcode Levels Before you install the microcode, it is important to determine the Part Number level of the adapter installed in the target system. If the part number read does not match at least one of the numbers above, please contact your IBM service representative to obtain the right level of adapter before proceeding. Use the following instructions to read the part number stored in the adapter's non-volatile memory. 1) List the token ring adapters installed in the system by typing: lsdev -C | grep 8fa2 The output should look like: tok0 Available 00-03 Token-Ring High-Performance Adapter (8fa2) tok1 Available 00-04 Token-Ring High-Performance Adapter (8fa2) The Auto Token-Ring LANStreamer MC 32 Adapter(s), if present, will be identified as tok0, tok1, ...tok(x). 2) Detach the adapter(s) you want to check using: ifconfig tr(x) detach 3) In order to read the microcode level information from the adapter, it must be set to "autosense" with: chdev -l tok(x) -a ring_speed=autosense 4) To refresh and read the VPD, execute the following three commands: rmdev -l tok(x) mkdev -l tok(x) lscfg -l tok(x) -v Your output should be similar to: DEVICE LOCATION DESCRIPTION tok1 00-04 Token-Ring High-Performance Adapter (8fa2) Loadable Microcode Level.......WW1AD0 <--- Full Duplex Level (after updating) Part Number..................................092G8711 <--- Adapter P/N EC Level.........................................00E43926 Serial Number...............................002567LC FRU Number.................................060G1593 <--- FRU P/N Manufacturer................................IBM982 Network Address.........................08005A0CBE27 Displayable Message..................Token-Ring High-Performance Adapter (8fa2) Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Updating the Adapter's Microcode To update the microcode on the Auto Token-Ring LANStreamer MC 32 Adapter (Feature Code 2972), please read these instructions completely. It is also recommended that you print them for quick reference. With the machine powered ON and AIX operational, perform the following steps to install the FLASH code into your adapter. 1) Log in as root 2) Create a directory in /tmp using: mkdir /tmp/download 3) Change directory to this newly created directory: cd /tmp/download 4) Download and unpack the files into this directory, being careful to follow the RS/6000 microcode download procedure. 5) Change file permissions to allow their execution: chmod 777 * 6) You are now ready to FLASH the EEPROM in the token ring adapter using the single command: ./load NOTE: The update utility will automatically "walk the bus" searching all of the adapters installed in the system. It will FLASH them, one by one, until done. Since the utility tests, then flashes the adapter, and tests it again, it is not necessary to verify the adapter microcode level. However, if you would like to do so, follow the instructions in the previous section. The MicroCode level should read WW1AD0. This concludes the required hardware modification to enable the full duplex function on this adapter. Now you must update your device driver by installing the appropriate APAR for the AIX level you are currently using. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ APAR Information The appropriate APAR should now be installed per standard AIX APAR installation procedures for the applicable operating system level. For AIX Level Install APAR 4.1.5 IX73869 4.2.X IX72837 4.3.X IX72862 To begin using this new funciton, please reboot your system. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Important Information about Performance While this new function for the MCA Token Ring Adapter provides the means for simultaneous data transfers to the local area network (LAN), it must be noted that the MicroChannel bandwidth is still the same. The adapter can communicate more efficiently to the LAN, but it must transfer the data via the same bus interface to the system. Therefore, not all applications can take advantage of this new optional function. Also, for optimal performance, if the adapter is expected to operate in a heavy load environment where a larger number of I/O's are being done to disk(s) and/or other adapter(s), it is recommended that the following system maximums be adhered to. Table 2. Recommended Max No of Adapters per Machine Type (M/T) M/T Model Performance Connectivity 7012 ALL 2 4 7013 JXX 2 per bus 4 per bus 7013 ALL OTHER 4 8 7015 ALL 2 per bus 4 per bus 7030 ALL 2 4 In the table above, the Connectivity column specifies the number of adapters that are allowed in a given MicroChannel bus. The Performance column is the recommended maximum number of adapters for optimum system performance in heavy load environments. For machine types 7013 and 7015, these numbers are shown on a per bus basis because some models have more than one MicroChannel bus. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Privacy | Legal | Contact IBM