IBM recently identified an isolated scenario, which can cause incorrect data to be stored on disk drives during a hung command. These disk drives that were shipped from November 2007 to June 2008 may still be running FW Levels A2C0 and A2C2. A fix was released on June 2008 to handle the underlying hang scenario and it has been determined that the same fix properly resolves this newly identified issue. All firmware at the A400 level (or higher) would address this issue.

1.1 Disk Drives Affected

Below is the list of microcode files in this package:

NOTE: To insure the integrity of microcode files, please make sure the checksum value is correct after extraction

Size Disk Drive Model FRU# P/N (VPD) Microcode File Name Checksum
-------- ----------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------------------------------- -----------

73GB HUS153073VLS300 10N7230 42R4233 HUS1530.A1700D13.41343239 54068

146GB HUS153014VLS300 10N7232 42R4234 HUS1530.A1700D13.41343239 54068

300GB HUS153030VLS300 10N7234 42R5648 HUS1530.A1700D13.41343239 54068

1.2 Microcode Change History

Release date	Code level	Change Description
February 23, 2012	A429	NOTICE – this update is to notify field about the importance of updating to this code. See section 1 General Information about notice.
November 9, 2011	A429	Fixed typos in microcode file name.
February 16, 2009	A429	Fixes an internal drive drive reset that occurs during some unique workloads.
March 20, 2009	A428	This release picks up all known minor fixes and enhancements.
August 28, 2008	A424	Picks new values for command time limit to addresses bus fairness issue.
June 2008	A414	Original Release

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2. AIX and VIOS (PowerVM Virtual I/O Server)

Note: For VIOS systems, microcode of shared physical I/O resources can only be updated from VIOS partition.

To update disk drive microcode, from VIOS partition, enter the following command:

oem_setup_env

Then follow the instruction in section 2.3 to transfer/extract the microcode file, and section 2.4.1 to update the disk drive code.

2.1 Installation Time

Approximately 20 minutes if using Diagnostics CD; Approximately 5 minutes/drive using AIX concurrent diagnostics.

2.2 Determine Drive Model, FRU&PN and Current Microcode Level
To see the drive type and current microcode level, Execute the following command:
lscfg -vl hdisk* |pg ; For drives NOT configured for RAID

lscfg –vl pdisk* |pg ; For drives configured for RAID

DEVICE LOCATION DESCRIPTION

hdisk2 U789D.001.DQ12345-P3-D3 SAS Disk Drive (73400 MB)

Manufacturer................IBM

Machine Type and Model......HUS153073VLS300

FRU Number..................10N7230

ROS Level and ID............41343239

Serial Number...............J2V1X9DA

EC Level....................H17923Y

Part Number.................42R4233

Device Specific.(Z0)........000005329F001002

Device Specific.(Z1)........VBIPA429

Device Specific.(Z2)........0068

Device Specific.(Z3)........07159

Device Specific.(Z4)........

Device Specific.(Z5)........22

Device Specific.(Z6)........H17923Y

Hardware Location Code......U789D.001.DQ12345-P3-D3

If the data returned in the “Part Number”, “FRU Number”, and “Machine Type and Model” fields match the one listed in section 1.1 AND the "ROS Level and ID...." field of that data is below "41343239", this microcode applies.

Note: Drive microcode level in “ROS Level and ID …” field is displayed in Hex value of ASCII characters in VPD data. Each alpha-numeric ASCII character converts to a 2-digit hex number. For example in VPD displayed above, 41Hex= ASCII character "A"; 34 Hex= ASCII character "4"; 32 Hex=ASCII character "2"; 38 Hex=ASCII character "9", microcode level is "A429". Also note that the microcode level "A429" is displayed in “Z1” field.

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2.3 Transferring and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package

2.3.1 Internet AIX self extracting file (.bin)

a) Make a directory on AIX system to receive the AIX format file.
Enter: mkdir /tmp/fwupdate
b) Transfer the AIX format file to /tmp/fwupdate directory (using "Save as ...").
You'll see the filename is SAS15K300-A429.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
Enter the commands:
cd /tmp/fwupdate
chmod +x SAS15K300-A429.bin
./SAS15K300-A429.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in above command.]

The directory A429 with microcode files listed in section 1.1 will be added to /tmp/fwupdate.

d-Enter the following command to copy the microcode files to "/etc/microcode" directory:
cp /tmp/fwupdate/A429/HUS* /etc/microcode

2.3.2 Internet RPM package

Note: The instructions that follow are specific AIX commands. AIX commands are CASE (lower and upper) SENSITIVE,

and must be entered exactly as shown, including filenames.

a) Make a directory on an AIX system to receive the RPM format file.
Enter: mkdir /tmp/microcode

b) Transfer the RPM format file to the /tmp/microcode directory.
You'll see the filename is SAS15K300-A429-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
Enter the commands:
rpm -ihv --ignoreos --force SAS15K300-A429-AIX.rpm

The file size and checksum will be verified.

The microcode files will be added to /etc/microcode/

2.3.3 CD-ROM

Copy microcode updates from the CD-ROM to standard locations on your local disk:

1. RPM packaged microcode files will be copied to "/tmp/microcode/RPM"
2. Microcode files will be copied to /usr/lib/microcode

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.
========================================================

2.4 Microcode Download Procedure

Warning: Do not power off the system or the drive during microcode download as this may permanently damage the disk drive

NOTE: Please save current and older versions of the microcode update files in case you need to restore your system.

Caution: The microcode download process is nondestructive to the hard disks; however, as a precaution, ensure that a backup operation has been performed on the affected systems PRIOR to the microcode installation.

Can microcode be installed Concurrently? YES
Is system reboot needed to activate the microcode: Yes if stand alone diagnostics CD is used, NO if concurrent diagnostics is used.

Installation Time: Approximately 20 minutes/drive if stand alone diagnostics is used(using Diagnostics CD); Approximately 5 minutes/drive if concurrent diagnostics is used.

2.4.1 Concurrent Download

1. Type diag at the prompt.
2. Select the "Task Selection" from diagnostics menu.
3. Select "Microcode Download" from "Task Selection" menu.
4. Select resource that microcode will be applied to(hdisk? For physical disk, pdisk for RAID configured disks) and press ENTER, then press "F7" to commit..
5- A small screen displays the message " *** NOTICE*** The microcode installation occurs while the attached drives are available for use..... "
    Press enter to continue
6. Select the source for microcode, use arrow key to go up/down, Enter to continue.
                      /etc/microcode
                      optical media (ISO 9660 file system format)

cd0

- Use /etc/microcode if microcode files were added to /etc/microcode directory
- Use “optical media” if code are in CD/DVD

NOTE: A prompt will ask you to insert the microcode diskette in diskette drive(if Diskette is selected above). Insert the diskette and press ENTER

7- Display shows a list of microcodes available for the selected drive, highlight option "M ST3xx...", the latest microcode for the drive and press ENTER. A message may warn you that current level of microcode is not available on the media, press ENTER to continue.

8. You will receive a msg. "Current Microcode is...." and "Download has completed successfully"
(this may take a few minutes)
9. Return to the Tasks Selection menu and repeat this procedure for each hard disk that requires this microcode.
10. Exit diagnostic(and reboot if needed).

2.4.2 Standalone (Service Mode) Download

This procedure is used for all drives including rootvg or paging space drives
1. Properly shutdown the system.
2. Boot up the system in standalone diagnostics mode with the CDROM diagnostics(Use diagnostics level 4.21 or above; It is recommended to use the same level
    of Diagnostic CD as the AIX ).
3. Select the "Task Selection" from diagnostics menu.
4. Select "Microcode Download" from "Task Selection" menu.
5. Select resource that microcode will be applied to(hdisk?) and PRESS ENTER.
6. Press "F7" to commit.
      (The current microcode level of the resource you selected earlier will be displayed at the top of the screen)
7. Make the following selections on the next screen:
    Select Input Device --------------------------------------- [ diskette]
    Microcode level to download -----------------------------[ latest]
    Download latest level even if -----------------------------[ yes]
    current is missing

NOTE: A prompt will ask you to insert the microcode diskette into the floppy drive. Insert the diskette which accompanies these instructions. If this level is already installed in the drive you've selected a message will let you know. A message also may come up to let you know that the Diskette(or Disk) does not have the previous level microcode file. This is true and is not required to complete the download.
PRESS "F7" to commit
8. You will receive a msg. "Current Microcode is...." and "Download has completed successfully"
(this may take a few minutes)
9. Return to the Tasks Selection menu and repeat this procedure for each hard disk that requires this microcode.
10. Exit diagnostic and reboot system in normal mode.

======================================================

3. Linux Operating System

3.1 Linux 2.6 kernel(such as SuSE SLES 9 or RHEL 4)

Microcode can be updated using the iprconfig utility. The iprconfig utility

allows for multiple levels of adapter and device microcode to exist on the

system at the same time. After the device to update microcode is

selected, all available microcode levels are presented to choose to download.

a) If using SLES 9 base, install the package by typing:

rpm -ivh --ignoreos SAS15K300-A429-LINUX.rpm

b) If using SLES 9 SP1 or better or RHEL 4 or better, install the package by typing:

rpm -ivh SAS15K300-A429-LINUX.rpm

2. Update the microcode by typing:

iprconfig

Press Enter.

3. Select Download microcode and press Enter.

4. Select the device you wish to update by typing a 1 then pressing Enter. Multiple devices may be selected.

5. Select the microcode image to be downloaded to the device by typing a 1 then pressing Enter.

6. Press Enter again to confirm the download (display shows “Microcode Download in Progress” with elapsed time)

7. If multiple devices were selected, repeat from Step 5 for the next device.

To check the microcode level:

1. Start iprconfig utility,

2. Select "Display hardware status" option.

3. Select disk to query by typing a 1 next to it and pressing "Enter"

4. Look at the "Firmware Version" field

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.2 RHEL 3:

Microcode can be updated using the iprupdate utility. If iprupdate finds newer

microcode on the system it will be downloaded to the disk.

1. Install the package by typing:

rpm -ivh --ignoreos SAS15K300-A429-LINUX.rpm

Press Enter.

2. Update the microcode by typing:

iprupdate

Press Enter.

To check the microcode level:

1. Start iprconfig utility,

2. Select "Display disk hardware status" option.

3. Find the disk you wish to query and note its serial number.

4. Type "d" to get to the "Display disk unit details" screen.

5. Select disk to query by typing a 5 next to it and pressing "Enter"

6. Look at the "Firmware Version" field

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.3 SLES 8 SP4

Microcode can be updated using the sisupdate utility. If sisupdate finds newer

microcode on the system it will be downloaded to the disk.

1. Install the package by typing:

rpm -ivh --ignoreos SAS15K300-A429-LINUX.rpm

Press Enter.

2. Update the microcode by typing:

sisupdate

Press Enter.

To check the microcode level:

1. Start sisconfig utility,

2. Select "Display disk hardware status" option.

3. Find the disk you wish to query and note its serial number.

4. Type "d" to get to the "Display disk unit details" screen.

5. Select disk to query by typing a 5 next to it and pressing "Enter"

6. Look at the "Firmware Version" field