Release date	Code level	Impact/ Severity	Change Description
June 2022	8F1H	Function/ ATT	The change in this microcode only affects disk drive supplier’s MFG process, no effect on drive’s function in customer systems
Dec 2021	8F1G	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	8F1F	Function/ ATT	- Drive become unresponsive during write same command processing - Drive become unresponsive following hard reset during write command - Single SAS port become unresponsive
Sep 2019	8F1B	Function/ ATT	-Fixed a fw bug that causes drive to fail when there are too many back to back “skip” commands, this only affects raid member drives only (pdisk), not JBOD (hdisk) -Other fixes and enhancements
Nov. 2018	8F19	Performance/ ATT	Performance Improvement (Improved random read with q-depth=1)
Oct 2017	8F17	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:

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 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)

hdisk4 U5887.001.G232002-P1-D10 SAS 4K Disk Drive (300000 MB)

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

Machine Type and Model......ST300MP0116

FRU Number..................00E9972

ROS Level and ID............38463148

Serial Number...............SAE00F2M

EC Level....................P02080

Part Number.................00LY532

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

Device Specific.(Z1)........10318F1H

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

Device Specific.(Z3)........16228

Device Specific.(Z4)........

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

Device Specific.(Z6)........P02080

Hardware Location Code......U5887.001.G232002-P1-D10

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 "38463148", 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, 38 Hex= ASCII character "8"; 46 Hex= ASCII character "F"; 31 Hex=ASCII character "1"; 48 Hex=ASCII character "H", microcode level is "8F1H". Also note that the microcode level
"8F1H " 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 KS4K15KV6.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
Enter the commands:
cd /tmp/fwupdate
chmod +x KS4K15KV6.bin
./KS4K15KV6.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory KS4K15KV6 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/ KS4K15KV6/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 KS4K15KV6–8F1H-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
Enter the commands:
rpm -ihv --ignoreos --force KS4K15KV6–8F1H-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/

2.3.3 CD-ROM

Copy microcode updates from the CD-ROM to standard locations on your local disk:

1. RPM packaged microcode files will be copied to "/tmp/microcode/RPM"
2. Microcode files will be copied to /usr/lib/microcode

Notes:
- "/etc/microcode" is a symbolic link to "/usr/lib/microcode".
- If permission does not allow the copy to the above stated directory
or file then the user will be prompted for a new location.
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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.

2.4.1.2.1 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
                      diskette

- Use /etc/microcode if "restore" command is used to copy files from diskette onto the disk
- Use diskette if using diskette as the source for download

NOTE: A prompt will ask you to insert the microcode diskette in diskette drive(if Diskette is selected above). Insert the diskette and press ENTER

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).

2.4.1.2.2 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 CDROM diagnostics(Use diagnostics level 4.21 or above; It is recommended to use the same level
    of Diagnostic CD as the AIX ).
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(hdisk?) 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:
    Select Input Device --------------------------------------- [ diskette]
    Microcode level to download -----------------------------[ latest]
    Download latest level even if -----------------------------[ yes]
    current is missing

NOTE: A prompt will ask you to insert the microcode diskette into the floppy drive. Insert the diskette which accompanies these instructions. If this level is already installed in the drive you've selected a message will let you know. A message also may come up to let you know that the Diskette(or Disk) does not have the previous level microcode file. This is true and is not required to complete the download.
PRESS "F7" to commit
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

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 KS4K15KV6–8F1H-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

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3.2 Ubuntu