IBM Power Systems (AIX/Linux)
Microcode Update for Nytro 3732RI

Models: XS960SE70094 XS1920SE70094 XS3840SE70094 XS7680SE70094

960/1920/3840/7680 GB

2.5” SFF Read Intensive
SAS Solid State Drive (SSD)
Microcode Level 4084

 

DATE: January 15, 2022



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 Transferring and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package

2.3.1 Internet AIX self extracting file (.bin)

2.3.2 Internet RPM package

2.4 Microcode Download Procedure

3.   Linux Operating System

3.1 ReadHat (RHEL) and SLES

3.2 Ubuntu

3.3 HMC -  512e drive used in 7063-CR2

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1.   General Information

The Microcode files provided in this package are for SAS disk drives used in IBM system AIX/Linux Servers.

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

Sector Size

Disk Drive Model

FRU#

P/N (VPD)

Microcode File Name

Check

sum

960GB

4K

XS960SE70094

02YC646

02YC638

XS960SE.A1800022.34303834

27263

02YC642

02YC634

1920GB

4K

XS1920SE70094

02YC647

02YC639

XS1920S.A1800022.34303834

02YC643

02YC635

3840GB

4K

XS3840SE70094

02YC648

02YC640

XS3840S.A1800022.34303834

02YC644

02YC636

7680GB

4K

XS7680SE70094

02YC649

02YC641

XS7680S.A1800022.34303834

02YC645

02YC637

1920GB

512e-HMC

XS1920SE70094

03GM80

03GM801

XS1920S.A1800022.34303834

 

1.2 Microcode Change History

Release date

Code level

Impact/

Severity

Change Description

January 2022

4084

Function/

ATT

- Added 512e to 4K configuration
-Fixed command timeout after unrecoverable read error
-Fixed drive fail to come ready after FW download
-Fixed drive assert after power cycle
-Fixed drive hang in excessive read error condition

 November 2020

4083

NEW/

NEW

Initial Release

 

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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:     

#aix 

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)

        pdisk0          U78D2.001.WZS0SXU-P2-D4  Physical SAS 4K Read Intensive Solid State Drive

 

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

        Machine Type and Model......XS960SE70094

        FRU Number..................02YC646

        ROS Level and ID............34303834

        Serial Number...............HSN031JG

        EC Level....................P65469

        Part Number.................02YC638

        Device Specific.(Z0)........000007329F001002

        Device Specific.(Z1)........12284084

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

        Device Specific.(Z3)........20250

        Device Specific.(Z4)........

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

        Device Specific.(Z6)........

        Hardware Location Code......U78D2.001.WZS0SXU-P2-D4        Hardware Location Code......U78C7.001.1AQH376-P4-D3        Hardware Location Code......U78C9.001.WZS0KX3-P2-D7If 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 "34303834", 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, 34 Hex= ASCII character "4";  30 Hex= ASCII character "0"; 38 Hex=ASCII character "8"; 34 Hex=ASCII character "4",  microcode level is "4084". Also note that the microcode level "4084" 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 nytro3732RI.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
  Enter the commands:
  cd /tmp/fwupdate
  chmod +x nytro3732RI.bin
  ./nytro3732RI.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory nytro3732RI 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/nytro3732RI/XS*  /etc/microcode

e- If you are using stand alone AIX diag (bootable USB flash or CD/DVD) to update drive’s microcode, transfer microcode files to a USB drive and place it in “/etc/microcode” directory.
    Please refer to this page for USB flash drive usage  
   
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/using-and-taking-advantage-usb-devices-and-aix

 

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 nytro3732RI-4084-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos  --force nytro3732RI–4084-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/
d) If you are using stand alone AIX diag (bootable USB flash or CD/DVD) to update drive’s microcode, transfer microcode files to a USB drive and place it in “/etc/microcode” directory.
    Please refer to this page for USB flash drive usage  
   
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/using-and-taking-advantage-usb-devices-and-aix

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

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
                      usb mass storage

 

7- Display shows a list of microcodes available for the selected drive, highlight option "XSxx...", 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

Use similar steps as above when booting from a Diagnostics CD                             

 

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

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 nytro3732RI-4084-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.

 

1.  tar -C-xzvf nytro3732RI–4084-LINUX.tgz

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

 

 

3.3 HMC -  512e drive used in 7063-CR2

 

Install arcconf command line utility:

1.       Go to start.microsemi.com.

2.       Under “Find your product” select the controller you are using

3.       Select “Storage Manager downloads” under Storage Manager.

4.       Download the ARCCONF Command Line Utility installation package.

5.       When the download completes, extract the package contents to the installation directory on your machine. For example, if using Linux X64,the path to the file /linux_x64/arcconf

6.       Make sure file is executable by running chmod +x arcconf

 

Run Microcode Download Command

Assuming arcconf is located in /path/arcconf  and microcode file is located in /path/file

1.       The command to download microcode is:

 /path/arcconf imageupdate controller# device channel# device# chunksize# /path/file mode#

We need to find the controller# of your controller and the channel#, device#, and chunksize# of your disk. mode# = 7 if disk is SAS or 3 if it is SATA. In this case mode# = 7

2.       If you’re using one controller(which is most likely the case) controller# = 1.

3.       Now to find device# and channel#. This can be found by running another arcconf command. Plug in 1 for controller# and the serial number of your disk(case-sensitive) for serial#:

/path/arcconf getconfig controller# | grep “serial#”

You should see a line with the serial number of your disk, along with its channel and device number.

4.       ChunkSize# must be a multiple of 512. In the case for Skybolt512e, chunksize# = 512.

5.       Now that you’ve got your values, you can plug in and run the command. E.g Assuming controller# = 1,  channel# = 0, device# = 1, and chunksize# = 512, and it is a SAS disk, it would look like this:

/path/arcconf imageupdate 1 device 0 1 512 /path/file 7