IBM pSeries Servers
Microcode Update for Hurricane 73/146/300/450 GB
SAS Hard Disk Drive
Microcode Level E614

DATE: February 28,  2011




Table of Contents

1.   General Information

1.1 Disk Drives Affected

1.2 Microcode Change History

2.  AIX Operating System

2.1 Installation Time

2.2 Determine Drive Model, FRU&PN and Current Microcode Level

2.2.2  SCSI Drives attached to PCI SCSI RAID Controllers

2.3 Transferring and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package

2.3.1 Internet AIX self extracting file (.bin)

2.3.2 Internet RPM package

2.3.3 CD-ROM

2.4 Microcode Download Procedure

2.4.1 SCSI Drives Attached to SCSI Adapter

2.4.2 SCSI Drives Attached to PCI RAID Adapter

2.4.3 SP systems

 

3.   Linux Operating System

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

3.2 RHEL 3

3.3 SLES 8 SP4

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1.   General Information

The Microcode files provided in this package are for SAS disk drives used in IBM

System P with AIX or Linux operating systems

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      ST373455SS           10N7200     10N7199       ST31463.A1700D21.45363134     37921

146GB    ST3146356SS         10N7204      10N7203       ST31463.A1700D21.45363134     37921

300GB    ST3300656SS         10N7208      10N7207       ST33006.A1700D21.45363134     37921

450GB    ST3450856SS         44V4432      44V4433        ST34508.A1700D21.45363134     37921

1.2 Microcode Change History

Release date

Code level

Change Description

February 28, 2011

E614

Fixed CREDIT_BLOCKED and Initiator Response Timeout on Write commands

January 2011

E612

Fixed the following bug: In rare situations, drive reports 0B/4B/06 (Initiator Response Timeout)

September 15, 2010

E610

Fixed the following microcode bug: In rare situations when drive is left idle for extended period of time, it could damage the media

February 24 2010

E60F

This microcode is released to support the newly built disk drives with new version of chip, no functional change in this code for existing disk drives.

November 11 2009

E60E

Added 73GB PN for IBM system i, this change does not effect IBM system p (systems using AIX/Linux)

September 30, 2009

E60D

Fixed code bug which resulted in 04/80/87 “IOEDC” error. Modified the firmware to correctly handle an intermediate burst of received write data when a credit timeout occurs on an attempt to send status for a different command.

- Other minor fixes and enhancements.

May 22, 2009

E60C

Problem Fixed: For the part numbers listed above, an undetected loss of data can occur if drive experiences mechanical servo problem.  The probability of  this happening is low, but the code update should be applied to prevent the event from occurring

December 19, 2008

E609

For the part numbers listed above, an undetected loss of data can occur.  The probability of  this happening is low, but the code update should be applied to prevent the event from occurring

November 14,  2008

E608

Original Release

 

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2.  AIX Operating System

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 non-RAID drives

lscfgvl pdisk* |pg     ; For RAID drives

 

   DEVICE            LOCATION          DESCRIPTION

 hdisk4           U5886.001.P81T030-P1-D1  SAS Disk Drive (450000 MB)

 

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

        Machine Type and Model......ST3450856SS    

        FRU Number..................44V4432    

        ROS Level and ID............45363134

        Serial Number...............3QQ0098A

        EC Level....................L35857   

        Part Number.................44V4433    

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

        Device Specific.(Z1)........0925E614   

        Device Specific.(Z2)........0021

        Device Specific.(Z3)........07360

        Device Specific.(Z4)........

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

        Device Specific.(Z6)........L35857   

        Hardware Location Code......U5886.001.P81T030-P1-D1

 

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 "45363134", this microcode applies. If this level is already installed then the "ROS Level and ID...."  shows:  "45363134"
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, 45Hex= ASCII character "E";  36 Hex= ASCII character "6"; 31 Hex=ASCII character "1"; 32 Hex=ASCII character "2",  microcode level is "E614". Also note that the microcode level "E614" 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 an 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 SAS15K6.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
  Enter the commands:
  cd /tmp/fwupdate
  chmod +x SAS15K6.bin
  ./SAS15K6.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory SAS15K6 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/ SAS15K6/ST3*  /etc/microcode

e- If transferring files to a different system using floppy diskettes, use the following procedure to copy files to diskette
   Note: Don't overlook the complete path of microcode files, AIX Diag microcode download

  will not work if files are not copied with complete path onto the diskette

Enter the following command to copy microcode file(s) onto a floppy diskette
ls /etc/microcode/ microcodefilename  | backup -ivf /dev/rfd0
where microcodefilename is  microcode file that is needed, for example:
ls /etc/microcode/ ST34508.A1700D21.45363132  | backup -ivf /dev/rfd0

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 SAS15K6-E614-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos  --force SAS15K6-E614-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.
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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.

2.4.1.2.1 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
                      diskette

   - Use /etc/microcode if "restore" command is used to copy files from diskette onto the disk
   - Use diskette if using diskette as the source for download

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).

2.4.1.2.2 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.

 

1.

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

         rpm -ivh --ignoreos SAS15K6-E614-AIX.rpm

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

                        rpm -ivh SAS15K6-E614-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

 

 

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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 SAS15K6-E614-AIX.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

 

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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 SAS15K6-E614-AIX.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