Release date	Code level	Severity/ Impact	Change Description
February 2022	SN54	Function/ ATT	-Optimization Read Recovery Time for NAND WL -Optimization Patrol read for NAND -Revised Debug-ability Guide
November 2021	SN53 (1)	Function/ ATT	Fixed: -Device Hang due to LPN access -SRAM UECC -TCG Access Control Authority Check Error -Improve for HIL/Security Meta Mismatch at Read Only Mode Enhancements: -TryLimit: Debug capability added -Improvement Error mode for PLP Fail
August 2021	SN52	New/ New	Initial Release

Note 1: Microcode backlevel from SN54 or SN53 to previous level(s) is not allowed.

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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:

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 nvme type and current microcode level, execute the following command:
lscfg –vl nvme*

Vital Product Data (VPD)

# lscfg -vl nvme0

nvme0 U78D4.ND1.CSS1BH1-P2-C3 PCIe4 x4 NVMe Flash Adapter 800GB NVMe Gen4 U.2 Slim SSD :

Part Number.................01CM542

EC Level....................P45228

FRU Number..................02YC660

Product Specific.(AN).......02YC658

Feature Code/Marketing ID...EC7Q

Customer Card ID Number.....5948

Serial Number...............89YEU038

Product Specific.(Z0).......1014068E

Product Specific.(Z1).......2.4

Product Specific.(Z2).......800

Product Specific.(Z3).......3.50

Product Specific.(Z4).......0

Product Specific.(Z5).......00

Product Specific.(Z6).......A1800110

Product Specific.(Z7).......0YA

Product Specific.(Z8).......2900

Product Specific.(Z9).......08

Product Specific.(ZA).......005A

Product Specific.(ZB).......0081

Product Specific.(ZC).......00

Manufacture ID..............S6HHNE0R200107

ROM Level.(alterable).......REV.SN54

Product Specific.(RV)........

Hardware Location Code......U78D4.ND1.CSS1BH1-P2-C3

You can also use lsmcode to find the microcode level:

lsmcode –rd nvme0

A1800110.534e3534

Note that lsmcode output FW level is displayed as ASCII/Hex

53 = S

4e = N

35 = 5

34 = 4

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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 PM9A5.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
Enter the commands:
cd /tmp/fwupdate
chmod +x PM9A5.bin
./PM9A5.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory PM9A5 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/ PM9A5/* /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 PM9A5-SN54-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
Enter the commands:
rpm -ihv --ignoreos --force PM9A5-SN54-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

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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 storage device; 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. No system power cycle OR a partition reboot is required prior to microcode download is microcode download is done concurrently.

2. When system comes up, within 24 hours of reboot, Type diag at the AIX prompt.
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 (i.e.; nvme0), then press "F7" to commit..
6- A small screen displays the message " *** NOTICE*** The microcode installation occurs while the attached drives are available for use..... "
    Press enter to continue
7. Select the source for microcode, use arrow key to go up/down, Enter to continue.
                      /etc/microcode
                      usb mass storage

- Use /etc/microcode if microcode file is in the system
- Use “usb mass storage” if using usb flash drive

8- Display shows a list of microcodes available for the selected drive, highlight option "M 534e3533", 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.

9. You will receive a msg. "Current Microcode is...." and "Download has completed successfully"
(this will take a several minutes)
10. Return to the Tasks Selection menu and repeat this procedure for each nvme (in the same partition) that requires this microcode.
11. Exit diagnostic

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 AIX diag CD/DVD or USB Thumb drive
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 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:
    file system
      /etc/microcode
      usb mass storage    (ISO 9660 file system format)

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

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3. Linux Operating System

Note: The following procedure is for Red Hat Linux,

please use microcode file package PM9A5-SN52-LINUX.tgz for Ubuntu

tar -C-xzvf PM9A5-SN53-LINUX.tgz

Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM Power LE

3.1 Determine the Current Microcode Level for Linux:

These steps assume you are logged in with root permissions.

Prerequisites for Red Hat Linux:

Use the ibm-power-repo to configure the repositories and then use yum to download the nvme-cli package.

http://www14.software.ibm.com/support/customercare/sas/f/lopdiags/home.html

1. Download the IBM Linux on Power Tools Repository configuration RPM file available at:

http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/lopdiags/yum.html

2. Copy the file to the target system and install the RPM

# rpm -ivh ibm-power-repo-latest.noarch.rpm

3. To add the Tools Repository to the package management configuration, run the following command as root user (or with root privilege) and accept the Licensing agreement.

# /opt/ibm/lop/configure

Instructions for installing nvme-cli tool using Red Hat Enterprise Linux

To list the currently enabled repositories, enter:

# yum repolist enabled

Install the nvme-cli package, enter:

# yum install nvme-cli

After nvme-cli is installed on the system, to check the current microcode level for the adapter enter the following command:

# nvme list

Note: "nvme list" command uses libudev-devel, if it doesn't work, may need to install “libudev-devel"

1) Type "nvme list"
2) The column “FW Rev” will list the firmware version. For example:

# nvme list

Node SN Model Namespace Usage Format FW Rev

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

/dev/nvme0n1 S6HHNE0R200107 800GB NVMe Gen4 U.2 SSD 1 800 GB / 800 GB 4 KiB + 0 B REV.SN54

If the Firmware Version is below than SN54 then you should update the microcode.

3.2 Downloading and Unpacking the Firmware Update Package

1. Download feature code ES1E/ES1G/ES5V package from FixCentral, and transfer the file, to a temporary directory on the target server such as /tmp.

2. Unpack the package

rpm -ivh --ignoreos PM9A5-SN54-LINUX.rpm

3. The microcode package extracts the firmware file to the /lib/firmware/ directory

3.3 Verifying microcode before download and notes

NOTE: Microcode download must be performed separately for each nvme under distinct Logical Partitions (LPAR's).
Please save current and older versions of the microcode update files in case you need to restore your system.

Please verify the file size and checksum of the raw microcode files matches the below.
Filesize: 3145728
Checksum: 33792
For Linux: "ls -l /lib/firmware/A1800110.534e3534" to verify Filesize.
"sum /lib/firmware/A1800110.534e3534" to verify Checksum.

For systems that have LPAR installed, the microcode file must be placed on all partitions that have(owns) an NVMe device in order to update the code.
Follow this procedure for each partition:

1. Log into the target partition.

2. Type: "cd /lib/firmware"

3. SFTP to the partition that has the media bay assigned. (ie. "sftp partition1.ibm.com")

4. Type: "cd /lib/firmware"

5. Type: "get A1800110.534e3534"

6. Type: "quit"

3.4 Microcode Download Procedure-NVMe Adapters for Linux

1) Type "nvme list" and press "Enter". This will list all of the NVMe adapters in your partition. In the Node column, the NVMe adapters will be listed as /dev/nvme#n1 where # is the number of the device.
2) For each NVMe adapter to be update, issue the following commands:

a) Type “nvme fw-log /dev/nvme<#>” and press “Enter”, where <#> is the number of the device.

For example, for device /dev/nvme0n1, type

“nvme fw-log /dev/nvme0” and press “Enter”. This will list the firmware level currently loaded on the adapter as well as the number of slots in the adapter.
These 3 slots are listed as frs1, frs3.

b) Download and activate firmware to the adapter by typing:

Note that there are 4 FW “slots” in this nvme, each slot must be updated AND activated, example below is for nvme0

nvme fw-download /dev/nvme0 --fw=/lib/firmware/A1800110.534e3534

nvme fw-activate /dev/nvme0 -a 0 –s 1

Repeat for all slots (-s 2; -s 3)

nvme fw-activate /dev/nvme0 -a 3 –s 3 ß this step may be omitted if the nvme device does not support the function

nvme reset /dev/nvme0