Power6 High-End Power Subsystem Firmware

Applies to:  9125-F2A

This document provides information about the installation of Licensed Machine or Licensed Internal Code, which is sometimes referred to generically as microcode or firmware.

Contents

1.0 Systems Affected

This package provides firmware for Power 575 (9125-F2A)  Servers only.  Do not use on any other systems.
 

The firmware level in this package is:

2.0 Important Information

HMC-Managed Systems

This firmware level requires  HMC V7  R3.4.0.

Go to the following URL to access the HMC code packages:

NOTE:   You must be logged in as hscroot in order for the firmware installation to complete correctly.


Installing Power Subsystem Firmware and System Firmware

Atention: 9125-F2A servers should be evaluated for ECA845 installation prior to performing firmware upgrades. Contact your service provider for more information about ECA845. If firmware must be upgraded prior to the installation of ECA845, use the following special instructions:

Firmware installations should be performed on an entire managed frame, and all managed systems
housed in that frame, at one time.  The following instructions can be used to install firmware on
one managed frame and all of the managed systems that it houses.  The instructions can be
repeated as many times as needed until all firmware has been installed on all managed frames.

1) Power off all managed 9125-F2A systems in the managed frame.

2) Reinstall the current system firmware level on all managed systems in the managed frame:
   
   The following command can be used to determine the current firmware level:

      lslic -t sys -m <managedsystem_1> -F activated_level

   The following command will retrieve and reinstall the current firmware level on
   one managed system:

      updlic -o a -m <managedsystem_1> -t sys -l <current_fsp_level> -r <repos>
      
      <current_fsp_level> is the level determined with the lslic command.

      <repos> is the location of the firmware such as "-r dvd", "-r ibmwebsite", etc.
      Additional parameters might be required, depending on the repository selection.
      If the firmware has already been copied onto the HMC, the HMC hard drive (-r disk)
      should be used as the repository.

   After the firmware has been copied onto the HMC, the HMC hard drive (-r disk) should
   be used as the repository to update the remaining managed systems:

      updlic -o a -m <managedsystem_2> -t sys -l <current_fsp_level> -r disk
      updlic -o a -m <managedsystem_3> -t sys -l <current_fsp_level> -r disk
      ......
      updlic -o a -m <managedsystem_N> -t sys -l <current_fsp_level> -r disk

   These commands can be run in the background in parallel to speed up the installation of the firmware.

   Wait for all updlic commands to complete before proceeding to step 3.

3) Clear any locks that are held on the managed frame by issuing this command:

      rmlock -e <managedframe>
   
4) Reboot the HMC.

5) Install and activate new firmware on the managed frame and all managed systems in that frame.
   
   Using the HMC GUI interface, click on "Updates" in the navigation (left-hand) pane.  Click on the
   checkbox beside all managed systems in the same managed frame, and click on "Upgrade Licensed
   Internal Code to a new release".

   After clicking "OK" on the readiness check panel, select the repository where the firmware files
   can be found and click "OK".  Select the new managed frame (02EP340_041) and managed system
   (01ES340_042) firmware levels from the selection panels that are displayed.
   
   Accept the license agreement and click on "OK" in the confirmation panels to start the firmware installation.  
   
6) Power on the managed systems.

3.0 Firmware Information and Description

Use the following example as a reference to determine whether your installation will be concurrent or disruptive.

Note:  The file names and service pack levels used in the following examples are for clarification only, and are not
             necessarily levels that have been, or will be released.

Power Subsystem firmware file naming convention:

     02EPXXX_YYY_ZZZ

NOTE:  Values of service pack and last disruptive service pack  level (YYY and ZZZ) are only unique
within a release level (XXX).  For example, 02EP330_067_045 and 02EP340_067_053 are different
service packs.

An installation is disruptive if:

              Example:  Currently installed release is EP330, new release is EP340                Example:  EP330_120_120 is disruptive, no matter what level of EP330  is currently
                                   installed on the system                  Example:  Currently installed service pack is EP330_120_120 and
                                     new service pack is EP330_152_130

An installation is concurrent if:

              Example: Currently installed service pack  is EP330_126_120,
                                 new service pack is EP330_143_120.
 

Firmware Information and Update Description

 
Filename Size Checksum
02EP340_041_041.rpm 15,265,092 33164
 
EP340_041_041

01/16/2009
 

 Impact:  Function        Severity:  ATT

New Features and Functions:
  • Support for concurrent processor node addition, as well as cold node repair or removal.
  • Enhanced fault reporting for the Integrated Battery Feature.
  • Overcurrent protection for the driver card on the Fill/Drain Tool.
  • Modular Water Unit performance enhancements

Other Changes:
  • Fixes for false System Reference Codes during UEPO cycling.
  • Fixes for false System Reference Codes during AC power outages.
  • Fix for I/O fans not going to the proper speed after concurrent I/O power supply replacement.
  • Fixes for false System Reference Codes during Concurrent Firmware Maintenance.
  • Fixes for various other false System Reference Codes.
  • Fix for problem syncing the HMC Service Lock between both Bulk Power Controllers.
  • Fix for BPC reset/reload problem on frames with large F2A configurations.
  • Fix for F2A CEC power supply failure during Concurrent Firmware Maintenance.
  • Fix for failing false 'transition to Low Power Mode failed' message when AC power is lost on one side.

4.0 How to Determine Currently Installed Power Subsystem Firmware Levels

You can view the frame's current firmware level on the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI) Welcome pane.  It appears in the top right corner.   Example:  EP330_029.

5.0 Downloading the Firmware Package

Follow the instructions on the web page. You must read and agree to the license agreement to obtain the firmware packages.

Note: If your HMC is not internet-connected you will need to download the new firmware level to a CD-ROM or ftp server.

6.0 Installing the Firmware

The method used to install new firmware will depend on the release level of firmware which is currently installed on your server. The release level can be determined by the prefix of the new firmware's filename.

Example: EPXXX_YYY_ZZZ

Where XXX =  release level

Instructions for installing firmware updates and upgrades can be found at  http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/systems/scope/hw/topic/ipha1/updateschapter.htm