Microcode Update for
ST4000NM009A
ST8000NM007A
4/8 TB
SAS Hard Disk Drive
Microcode Level AB18
DATE: May 20, 2022
Table of Contents
2. AIX and VIOS(PowerVM Virtual I/O Server)
Operating System
2.2 Determine Drive Model,
FRU&PN and Current Microcode Level
2.3 Transferring and Unpacking
the Microcode Update Package
2.3.1 AIX self extracting file
(.bin)
2.4 Microcode Download
Procedure
2.4.2 Standalone (Service
Mode) Download
===============================================================
The Microcode
files provided in this package are for SAS disk drives used in
with AIX or
Linux operating systems
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 |
4TB |
ST4000NM0155 |
00LY299 |
01LU960 |
ST4000N.A180001F.41423138 |
07422 |
8TB |
ST6000NM0105 |
00LY301 |
01LU961 |
ST8000N.A180001F.41423138 |
Release date |
Code level |
Impact/ Severity |
Change Description |
May 2022 |
AB18 |
Function/ ATT |
-Performance
Enhancements |
August 2020 |
AB17 |
New/ New |
Initial Release |
===============================================================
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.
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)
pdisk5 UESLL.001.G5BR001-P1-D2
Physical SAS 4K Disk Drive
Manufacturer................IBM
Machine Type and Model......ST4000NM009A
FRU Number.................. 00LY299
ROS Level and ID............41423138
Serial Number...............ZAD017R0
EC Level....................N98140
Part Number................. 01LU960
Device Specific.(Z0)........000006329F003002
Device Specific.(Z1)........0912AB18
Device Specific.(Z2)........0021
Device Specific.(Z3)........16132
Device Specific.(Z4)........
Device Specific.(Z5)........22
Device Specific.(Z6)........N98140
Hardware Location Code......UESLL.001.G5BR001-P1-D2
If the
data returned in the “Part Number”, “FRU Number”, and
“Machine Type and Model”
fields match the one
listed in section 1.1
Note: Drive microcode level in “
===============================================================
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 exos7e8.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
Enter the commands:
cd /tmp/fwupdate
chmod +x exos7e8.bin
./exose8.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]
The
directory exos7e8 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/
exos7e8/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
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 exos7e8-AB18-AIX.rpm
c) Unpack the file by executing
the instructions below:
Enter the commands:
rpm -ihv --ignoreos --force exos7e8-AB18-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
========================================================
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.
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).
Use similar steps as
above when booting from a Diagnostics CD
======================================================
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 exos7e8-AB18-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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 exos7e8-AB18-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