IBM Power Systems (AIX/Linux)
Microcode Update for PM6-ME

Models: KPM6VMUG400G KPM6VMUG800G KPM6VMUG1T60

400/800/1600 GB

2.5” SFF
SAS Solid State Drive (SSD)
Microcode Level 9007

 

DATE: May 19, 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

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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

400GB

4K

KPM6VMUG400G

02YC680

02YC668

KPM6VMU.A1800023.39303037

58519

02YC677

02YC665

5xx

02YC673

02YC718

02YC675

02YC717

800GB

4K

KPM6VMUG800G

02YC681

02YC669

02YC678

02YC666

5xx

02YC674

02YC719

02YC676

02YC664

1600GB

4K

KPM6VMUG1T60

02YC682

02YC670

02YC679

02YC667

 

1.2 Microcode Change History

Release date

Code level

Impact/

Severity

Change Description

May

2022

9007

Data/

HIPER

This Firmware update is required on the listed drives to prevent undetected data loss. Undetected data loss can occur in rare cases when data on a drive is being cleared.

While there is no known occurrence on IBM systems for data corruption for this issue, due to the possibility of undetected data corruption, it is recommended that this code be loaded immediately

February 2022

9006

Availability/

ATT

The change in this level of microcode only affects IBM MFG process, no functional change in this code level

Fix SN: changed Bytes 98-101 in Standard Inquiry Data from "11S " to "11S0"

 Dec  2021

9005

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

lscfg –vl pdisk* |pg     ; For drives configured for RAID

 

   Vital Product Data (VPD)

        hdisk1           U5887.001.G1AR010-P1-D9  SAS Solid State Drive (400000 MB)

 

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

        Machine Type and Model......KPM6VMUG400G

        FRU Number..................02YC673

        ROS Level and ID............39303037

        Serial Number...............TSJNKFJ2

        EC Level....................P65470

        Part Number.................02YC718

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

        Device Specific.(Z1)........900790079007

        Device Specific.(Z2)........11S

        Device Specific.(Z3)........21014

        Device Specific.(Z4)........

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

        Device Specific.(Z6)........P65470

        Hardware Location Code......U5887.001.G1AR010-P1-D9

 

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 "39303034", 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";  30 Hex= ASCII character "0"; 30 Hex=ASCII character "0"; 37 Hex=ASCII character "7",  microcode level is "9007". Also note that the microcode level "9007" is displayed in “Z1” field.

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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 PM6-ME.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
  Enter the commands:
  cd /tmp/fwupdate
  chmod +x PM6-ME.bin
  ./PM6-ME.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory PM6-ME 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/PM6-ME*  /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 PM6-ME-9007-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos  --force PM6-ME-9007-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  KP...", 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 PM6-ME-9007-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 PM6-ME-9007-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