PCIe3 4-Port 16Gb FC Adapter

PCIe3 2-Port 16Gb FC Adapter

******* PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE *********

 

DATE: December 13, 2024

Table of Contents

1.0 Microcode and Document Revision History:

2.0 General information

3.0 Installation time

4.0 Machine's Affected:

5.0 Cautions and Important Notes

6.0 Determine the Current Microcode Level

6.1 AIX Systems:

6.2 Linux Systems:

7.0 Downloading the RPM Format File to the Target Server

7.1 Downloading AIX RPM Package

7.2 Downloading Linux RPM Package

8.0 Discovery Tool Microcode CD-ROM creation and download instructions

9.0 Verifying microcode image before download

10.0 Microcode Download Procedure for AIX:

10.1 Setting up for Microcode download

10.2 Downloading Microcode to the Adapter

10.3 Verify Update

11.0 Microcode Download Procedure for Linux using QConvergeConsole CLI utility

11.1 Download and Install QConvergeConsole CLI

11.2 Download Code to Adapter

11.3 Verify

 

 

 

1.0 Microcode and Document Revision History:
 

Microcode Level

Changes

070205

Impact: Data   Severity: HIPER

* Potential undetected data loss can occur on LPARs using NPIV with Fibre Channel.

 

This issue can occur when the LPAR boots or when one of the LPAR targets on the SAN is removed. The port login process can cause login collisions, invalid MPIO configurations, or potentially undetected data loss.
FCA_ERR6 and FCA_ERR4 will be seen in the errpt on the VIOS if this issue occurred. Please refer to the following HIPER:

 

High Impact / Highly Pervasive (HIPER) Issue Potential undetected data loss can occur on LPARs using NPIV with certain Fibre Channel adapters

The Firmware Levels Below Are No Longer Supported by IBM.

It is best practices to update to the latest FW level not only for IBM support of these products, but for optimal performance and to ensure that all of the required HW/FW fixes are installed.

Please Update to The Latest Level At Your Earliest Convenience

Microcode Level

Changes

070203

Impact: Usability   Severity: ATT

* FC Tape handling improvements.

070202

Impact: Usability   Severity: ATT

 

* Merge microcode image for EN1E, EN1F, EN1G & EN1H to support a common image.

* While scanning devices to build boot-list a DSI can occur; Detected bad memory access to address: xxx

* Interrupt timeout, IOCB, Type 18 seen during boot

* Adapter links may fail during SMS scan

* SCR timed out in "Report ID Acquisition IOCB" with LPM

070006

Impact: New   Severity: New

* This is the level of microcode that initially shipped with the EN1E & EN1F adapters when they became generally available

026005

Impact: New   Severity: New

* This is the level of microcode that initially shipped with the EN1G & EN1H adapters when they became generally available

 

Document Revision History

Description

12/13/2024

Updated readme for 070205 microcode release

07/29/2023

Updated readme for 070203 microcode release.

01/23/2023

Updated readme for 070202 microcode release.

Merged EN1E, EN1F, EN1G, EN1H readme.

04/20/2021

Created initial readme file for FC EN1E, EN1F. Initial microcode 070006 released

06/09/2020

Created initial readme file for FC EN1G, EN1H. Initial microcode 026005 released


2.0 General information

This Readme file is intended to give directions on how to update the microcode found on the following adapters:

PCIe3 4-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579A with FC: EN1E and EN1F)

·       7710712014109e06

 

PCIe3 2-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579B with FC: EN1G and EN1H)

·       7710612214105006

 

3.0 Installation time

Approximately 20 minutes.

 

4.0 Machine's Affected: 

IBM Power

 

5.0 Cautions and Important Notes

·       Concurrent Download

The microcode installation supports concurrent download while the adapter and attached storage devices are available for use. HOWEVER, it is highly recommended that installation be scheduled during a maintenance window or during non-peak production periods.

·       AIX Diag and Standalone Diag CD

Please also use the latest AIX Standalone Diagnostics CD found here https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6474531

Important Notice: 

·       EEH error entries in AIX system errlog are expected when updating adapter FW.

·       Quiesce loads on adapter doing updates or long timeouts may result.  

6.0 Determine the Current Microcode Level

 6.1 AIX Systems:

Before you install the microcode, it is important to determine the microcode level of the Adapter installed in the target system.

Use the following instructions to read the ROM level stored in the adapter's VPD.

1)     List the Fiber Channel adapters in the system by typing:

# lscfg -l fcs*

Note: All of the Fiber Channel ports that are installed will be displayed. They will be listed as fcsX, where X is 0, 1, etc. Locate the fcsX instances associated with the adapter planned for update.

2)     To check the current microcode level for the adapter or controller enter the following command

# lsmcode -cd fcsX <Where “X” is the instance of the adapter>

The command will produce output similar to:

The current microcode level for fcsX is 070205

If the ROM Level is less than 070205, you should update the microcode.
 

 6.2 Linux Systems:

Download and install the latest QConvergeConsole CLI package from the Marvell Driver Download site: https://www.marvell.com/support/downloads.html

To locate the correct QConvergeConsole CLI Search for the following:

·       CATEGORY: Fibre Channel Adapters

·       PLATFORM/OS: Linux

·       KEYWORDS: PPC

To verify firmware version running on the adapter run: # qaucli

Select: “1: Adapter Information”

If the “Firmware Version” is not 070205, then the microcode should be update.
 

7.0 Downloading the RPM Format File to the Target Server

7.1 Downloading AIX RPM Package

Use this method to download to an AIX system:  

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.

1)     Make directories on your AIX system to receive the RPM format file.

"mkdir -p /tmp/microcode/RPM”

2)     Transfer the RPM format file to the /tmp/microcode/RPM directory (using "Save as ...").  Change to that directory, "cd /tmp/microcode/RPM".

For PCIe3 4-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579A with FC: EN1E and EN1F)

 

rpm -ihv --ignoreos7710712014109e06.070205.aix.rpm

 

For PCIe3 2-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579B with FC: EN1G and EN1H)

 

rpm -ihv --ignoreos7710612214105006.070205.aix.rpm

3)     For AIX:  The microcode files will be added to /etc/microcode/. 

NOTE:
 - "/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.

 

7.2 Downloading Linux RPM Package

Follow these steps to install the Linux RPM package on a Linux system. Note that the Linux commands are case sensitive and must be entered exactly as shown, including file names.

1)     Transfer the Linux rpm file to a temporary directory on the target server such as /tmp.

2)     Change the current directory to the temporary directory.

3)     Unpack the rpm file:

For PCIe3 4-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579A with FC: EN1E and EN1F)

rpm -ihv --ignoreos7710712014109e06.070205.grp.linux.rpm

For PCIe3 2-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579B with FC: EN1G and EN1H)

rpm -ihv --ignoreos7710612214105006.070205.grp.linux.rpm

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

If a message is displayed saying the "package <package_name> is already installed", you will need to uninstall the rpm package. On the command line type:

# rpm -e <package_name>

where <package_name> is the name of the package that was returned in the message.

Return to Step 2 and attempt to unpack the file again.

4)     Verify the microcode image in Section 10.2

 

8.0 Discovery Tool Microcode CD-ROM creation and download instructions

To obtain information how to burn a CD-ROM and run the Discovery Tool for an AIX or Linux System please go to: http://www14.software.ibm.com/support/customercare/mds/

1) After running the Discovery Tool successfully, the "/tmp/microcode/RPM" directory was created, and your rpm files are copied from the CD-ROM.

2) Change to that directory, "cd /tmp/microcode/RPM".

3) Unpack the rpm file/s by executing the instructions as in the previous section.
     

9.0 Verifying microcode image before download

Please verify the file size and checksum of the raw microcode files matches what is listed below:

Directory for AIX: /etc/microcode

Directory for LINUX: /lib/firmware

 

 

For PCIe3 4-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579A with FC: EN1E and EN1F)

# ls -l 7710712014109e06.070205

# sum 7710712014109e06.070205

For PCIe3 2-Port 16G FC Adapter (CCIN: 579B with FC: EN1G and EN1H)

# ls -l 7710612214105006.070205

# sum 7710612214105006.070205

 

Expected file size: 1085768

Expected checksum: 16976  1061

 

10.0 Microcode Download Procedure for AIX:

Microcode download must be performed separately for each Adapter under each Logical Partitions (LPAR's).

10.1 Setting up for Microcode download

1)     Stop all applications that use this interface/adapter

2)     You only need to pick one of the fcs#s per adapter for microcode update.

Diag will update microcode for all ports.

 

10.2 Downloading Microcode to the Adapter

1)     At the command line type “diag

2)     Select the "Task Selection (Diagnistics, Advanced Diagnostics, Service Aids, etc.)" from diagnostics menu.

3)     Select "Microcode Tasks” then selectDownload Latest Available Microcode" from the menu.

4)     Select all the Fibre Channel Adapters that need to be updated from the list of devices

5)     If a source selection menu is displayed, Select “/etc/microcode”.

The following message will appear on the screen when download is completed: "Installation of the microcode has completed successfully on the following instances of the adapter: …  The current microcode level ……   Please run diagnostics on these resources to ensure that the adapter is functioning properly."

 

10.3 Verify Update

Check & verify the firmware version as described in Section 6.1

If, firmware version is not the version you are expecting, carefully retrace steps for omissions and examine console output for errors.  Contact IBM support if you need further assistance.

  

11.0 Microcode Download Procedure for Linux

Microcode download must be performed separately for each Adapter under each Logical Partitions (LPAR's).

Download and Install QConvergeConsole CLI

Microcode updates on Fibre Channel adapters installed in a Linux system require the use of the “qaucli” utility. The “qaucli” utility is included in the QConvergeConsole CLI tool found on the Marvell Public Driver Downloads web page located at:

https://www.marvell.com/support/downloads.html 

·       CATEGORY: Fibre Channel Adapters

·       PLATFORM/OS: Linux

·       KEYWORDS: PPC

Ensure that all I/O activity to storage devices controlled by the adapter is stopped prior to proceeding with firmware update as the adapter will be reset after firmware update.

Download the code to the adapter following the qaucli menus.

11.2  Verify

After reboot, check and verify firmware version as described in Section 6.2

If the firmware version is not the version you are expecting, carefully retrace steps for omissions and examine console output for errors.  Contact IBM support if you need further assistance.

11.3 Feedback

Contact IBM Hardware Support at https://www.ibm.com/support to provide feedback regarding corrections/updates to the README file.