*IBM pSeries Servers Microcode Update for **73/146/300GB Ultrastar 15K300 SAS Drive for BC-S SAS Hard Disk Drive Microcode Level A496*** DATE: June 16, 2008 *Table of Contents* 1. General Information <#_Toc224443365> 1.1 Disk Drives Affected <#_Toc224443366> 1.2 Microcode Change History <#_Toc224443367> 2. AIX Operating System <#_Toc224443368> 2.1 Installation Time <#_Toc224443369> 2.2 Determine Drive Model, FRU&PN and Current Microcode Level <#_Toc224443370> 2.3.1 Internet RPM package <#_Toc224443371> 2.3.2 CD-ROM <#_Toc224443372> 2.4 Microcode Download Procedure <#_Toc224443373> 3. Linux Operating System <#_Toc224443374> 3.1 Linux 2.6 kernel(such as SuSE SLES 9 or RHEL 4) <#_Toc224443375> 3.2 RHEL 3 <#_Toc224443376> 3.3 SLES 8 SP4 <#_Toc224443377> *===============================================================* 1. General Information The Microcode files provided in this package are for SAS disk drives used in IBM BladeCenter–S (BC-S) *With Blade JS21, JS22, and JS12 *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 VPBA073C3ETS11 43W7525 41Y8420 VPBA073.42524241.41343936 38912 146GB VPBA146C3ETS11 43W7526 41Y8421 VPBA146.42524241.41343936 38912 300GB VPBA300C3ETS11 43X0805 41Y8422 VPBA300.42524241.41343936 38912 1.2 Microcode Change History *Release date* *Code level* *Change Description* June 16, 2008 A496 Performance Enhancement – NACA Enabled to improve Write performance under AIX Feb 2008 A2EE Initial Release =============================================================== 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 drives NOT configured for RAID lscfg -vl pdisk* |pg ; For drives configured for RAID Manufacturer................IBM-ESXS Machine Type and Model......VPBA073C3ETS11 N FRU Number..................*43W7525* ROS Level and ID............41343936 Serial Number...............J2V1Y0TA EC Level....................H17923Y Part Number.................*41Y8420* Device Specific.(Z0)........000005329F001002 Device Specific.(Z1)........VBXSA496 Device Specific.(Z2)........0068 Device Specific.(Z3)........07159 Device Specific.(Z4)........0001 Device Specific.(Z5)........22 Device Specific.(Z6)........H17923Y Hardware Location Code......U4545.001.07CM0TG-P1-D2 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 "41343936", this microcode applies. If this level is already installed then the "ROS Level and ID...." shows: "41343936" *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, 41 Hex= ASCII character "*A*"; 34 Hex= ASCII character "*4*"; 39 Hex=ASCII character "*9*"; 36 Hex=ASCII character "*6*", microcode level is "*A496*". Also note that the microcode level "*A496*" is displayed in “Z1” field. =============================================================== *2.3 Transferring and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package*** 2.3.1 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 *15K300_XP-A496-AIX.rpm* c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below: Enter the commands: *rpm -ihv --ignoreos **15K300_XP-A496-AIX.rpm *;(please note, there are two dashes) The file size and checksum will be verified. The microcode files will be added to /etc/microcode/ 2.3.2 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. *2.4.1.2.1 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 ...", 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 *15K300_XP-A496-LINUX.rpm* b) If using SLES 9 SP1 or better or RHEL 4 or better, install the package by typing: rpm -ivh *15K300_XP-A496-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 *15K300_XP-A496-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 *15K300_XP-A496-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