IBM Power Systems AIX/Linux
Microcode Update for HDD10KV8

600/900/1200/1800GB
SAS Hard Disk Drive
Microcode Level 9F26

 

DATE: August 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

2.3.1 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

4.  Revision History

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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

1.8TB

ST1800MM0139

 

00E9946

01LU754

ST1800M.A1800017.39463233

42561

00E9962

01LU742

00LY426

01LU758

1.2TB

ST1200MM0139

 

00E9945

01LU753

ST1200M.A1800017. 39463233

00E9961

01LU741

600GB

ST600MM0109

 

00E9943

01LU752

ST600MM.A1800017. 39463233

00E9959

01LU740

1.2 Microcode Change History

Release date

Code level

Severity/

Impact

Change Description

August 2022

9F26

Function/

ATT

-Implement support for new humidity sensor - Including downlevel download blockpoint.

-Other fixes and enhancements

Dec 2021

9F23

Function/

ATT

-This level of microcode is required to support new NAND component, the change is in controller FW.

-Other fixes and enhancements

April 2021

9F21

Function/

ATT

Drive hang condition, power cycle required:

Fixed a bug within the error handling code for NAND programs and erases that could cause the firmware to get stuck in an infinite loop, which in effect would hang the drive.

November 2020

9F19

Function/

ATT

Too many 'Skip Mask" commands in a short causes drive to become unresponsive.
- Drive may become unresponsive during "Hard Reset" activity
-Other fixes and enhancements

January 2020

9F16

Availability/

ATT

No functional change, change is made for MFG process to add new V4 NAND

August 2018

9F14

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)

pdisk6           U5887.001.G4CF00G-P1-D2   Physical SAS Disk Drive

 

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

        Machine Type and Model...... ST600MM0009

        FRU Number.................. 00E6167

        ROS Level and ID............ 39463236

        Serial Number...............S4100RHB

        EC Level....................N46243

        Part Number................. 01LU696

        Device Specific.(Z0)........000006329F003002

        Device Specific.(Z1)........05289F26

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

        Device Specific.(Z3)........14283

        Device Specific.(Z4)........

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

        Device Specific.(Z6)........N46243

 

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 "39463236", 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, 39 Hex= ASCII character "9";  46 Hex= ASCII character "F"; 32 Hex=ASCII character "2"; 36 1Hex=ASCII character "6”,  microcode level is "9F26 ". Also note that the microcode level "9F26 " 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 HDD10KV9-4K.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
  Enter the commands:
  cd /tmp/fwupdate
  chmod +x HDD10KV9-4K.bin
  ./HDD10KV9-4K.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory HDD10KV9-4K 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/ HDD10KV9-4K/ST*  /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
HDD10KV9-4K-9F26-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos  --force
HDD10KV9-4K-9F26-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 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 "M  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). 

2.4.2 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 HDD10KV9-4K-9F26-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 HDD10KV9-4K-9F26-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

 

4.  Revision History