IBM pSeries Servers
Microcode Update for SAV-15K.3

146/300 GB
SAS Hard Disk Drive
Microcode Level 7420

 

April 7, 2020

Revised June 16, 2021



Table of Contents

1.   General Information

1.1 Disk Drives Affected

1.2 Microcode Change History

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

2.1 Installation Time

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

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

3.   Linux Operating System

3.1 ReadHat (RHEL) and SLES

3.2 Ubuntu

4.   Revisions

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

1.   General Information

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

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

ST9146853SS

44V4426

74Y9206

ST91468.A1700D32.37343230

14847

146GB

ST9146853SS

44V6845

74Y6485

46K4806

74Y6491

00E6169

74Y6485

00E6173

74Y6491

00FX876

00FX871

300GB

ST9300653SS

74Y6496

74Y6486

ST93006.A1700D32.37343230

74Y6497

74Y6492

00E9912

00E9927

 

1.2 Microcode Change History

Release date

Code level

Impact/Severity

Change Description

April 2021

7420

Function/

ATT

- Performance Improvement
- Drive goes offline because of CRC errors during Write Same Operation
- Port Switch causes host to see a drive timeout

April 2019

7419

Function/

ATT

FW fix to prevent failure due to corrosion interference between the pins
 Other fixes and enhancements

March 2018

7418

Function/

ATT

Modified the Smart Trip behavior by discarding the Invalid

Temperature Readings and considering

only In-Range values.

July 2017

7417

Function/

ATT

Disable BMS (Background Media Scan) causing premature PFA trip

Nov. 2016

7416

 

FW change to disable/ignore Serial Port data when pins are shorted (as result of corrosion)

April 2014

7414

 

- Fixed SMART seek counter leading to premature SMART trip

- Fixed BGMS (Background Media Scan) returning incorrect data in log sense
- Other fixes and enhancements

Nov 2013

7411

 

Added new PN, fixed unexpected SMART trip, fixed excessive read look ahead for

back to back verify commands

July 2013

740F

 

Added a function to trip PFA (SMART) for excessive recovered seek errors.

Network roll to pick up other fixes and enhancements

May 2012

740D

 

New RoHS FRU added – Modified idle Dithering - Network Roll

Oct 2011

740A

 

Initial Release

 

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

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

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

lscfgvl pdisk* |pg     ; For drives configured for RAID

 

   Vital Product Data (VPD)

  hdisk12          U5886.001.P81T030-P1-D10  SAS Disk Drive (73400 MB)

 

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

        Machine Type and Model......ST9300653SS    

        FRU Number..................74Y6496    

        ROS Level and ID............37343230

        Serial Number...............6XN01AMY

        EC Level....................N23780   

        Part Number.................74Y6486    

        Device Specific.(Z0)........000006329F001002

        Device Specific.(Z1)........04257420    

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

        Device Specific.(Z3)........11044

        Device Specific.(Z4)........

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

        Device Specific.(Z6)........N23780   

 

 

 

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 "37343230", 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, 37 Hex= ASCII character "7";  34 Hex= ASCII character "4"; 32 Hex=ASCII character "2"; 30 Hex=ASCII character "0",  microcode level is "7420 ". Also note that the microcode level "7420 " is displayed in “Z1” field.

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

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 SAV15K3.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
  Enter the commands:
  cd /tmp/fwupdate
  chmod +x SAV15K3.bin
  ./SAV15K3.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory SAV15K3 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/ SAV15K3/ST*  /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/
ST* | 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 SAV15K3–7420-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos  --force SAV15K3–7420-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/
 

2.3.3 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.

2.4.1.2.1 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 "STxx...", 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 ReadHat (RHEL) and SLES

 

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

         rpm -ivh --ignoreos SAV15K3–7420-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 Ubuntu

 

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.

NOTE: if iprconfig command is not found, install iprutils:

sudo apt-get install iprutils

 

1.  sudo tar -C / -xzvf SAV15K3–7420-LINUX.tgz

2. Update the microcode by typing:

                                 sudo 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

 

4.   Revisions

June 16, 2021: Added checksum