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Power7 IT Elements (ITEs)
Applies to: POWER7 ITEs 1457-7FL, 7895-22X, and 7895-42X.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
- 1.1 Minimum FSM Code Level
- 2.0_Important_Information
- 3.0 Firmware Information and Description
- 4.0 How to Determine Currently Installed Firmware Level
- 5.0 Downloading the Firmware Package
- 6.0 Installing the Firmware
1.0 Systems Affected
This package provides firmware for POWER7 ITEs 1457-7FL, 7895-22X and 7895-42X only.The firmware level in this package is:
- AF743_100
1.1 Minimum FSM Code Level
This section is intended to describe the "Minimum FSM Code Level" required
by the system firmware to complete the firmware installation process. When
installing the system firmware, the FSM level must be equal to or higher
than the "Minimum FSM Code Level" before starting the system firmware update.
If the FSM managing the server targeted for the system firmware update
is running a code level lower than the "Minimum FSM Code Level" the firmware
update will not proceed. The Minimum FSM code level for this firmware is: 1.1.0.
For information concerning FSM releases and the latest PTFs, go to the following URL to access Fix Central.
http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/
For specific fix level information on key components of IBM Power7 ITEs running the AIX, IBM i and Linux operating systems, we suggest using the Fix Level Recommendation Tool (FLRT):
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/flrt/home
2.0 Important Information
Using the Update Manager in the FSM to manage firmware installations.IBM strongly recommends using the Update Manager (UM) in the FSM GUI to manage firmware installations. The UM will verify that FSM, CMM, and ITE firmware levels are compatible and will download and install additional updates if necessary.
Downgrading firmware from any given release level to an earlier release
level is not recommended.
If you feel that it is necessary
to downgrade the firmware on your system to an earlier release level, please
contact your next level of support.
IPv6 Support and Limitations
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is supported in the System Management
Services (SMS) in this level of system firmware. There are several limitations
that should be considered.
When configuring a network interface card (NIC) for remote IPL, only the most recently configured protocol (IPv4 or IPv6) is retained. For example, if the network interface card was previously configured with IPv4 information and is now being configured with IPv6 information, the IPv4 configuration information is discarded.
A single network interface card may only be chosen once for the boot device
list. In other words, the interface cannot be configured for the IPv6 protocol
and for the IPv4 protocol at the same time.
Memory Considerations for Firmware Upgrades
Firmware release level upgrades and service pack updates may consume additional system memory.Server firmware requires memory to support the logical partitions on the server. The amount of memory required by the server firmware varies according to several factors.
Factors influencing server firmware memory requirements include the following:
- Number of logical partitions
- Partition environments of the logical partitions
- Number of physical and virtual I/O devices used by the logical partitions
- Maximum memory values given to the logical partitions
Additional information can be found at:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/powersys/v3r1m5/topic/p7hat/iphatlparmemory.htm
3.0 Firmware Information and Description
Use the following examples as a reference to determine whether your installation will be concurrent or disruptive.Note: The concurrent levels of system firmware may, on occasion, contain fixes that are known as deferred and/or partition-deferred. Deferred fixes can be installed concurrently, but will not be activated until the next IPL. Partition-deferred fixes can be installed concurrently, but will not be activated until a partition reactivate is performed. Deferred and/or partition-deferred fixes, if any, will be identified in the "Firmware Update Descriptions" table of this document. For these types of fixes (deferred and/or partition-deferred) within a service pack, only the fixes in the service pack which cannot be concurrently activated are deferred.
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.
System firmware file naming convention:
01AFXXX_YYY_ZZZ
- XXX is the release level
- YYY is the service pack level
- ZZZ is the last disruptive service pack level
An installation is disruptive if:
- The release levels (XXX) are different.
- The service pack level (YYY) and the last disruptive service pack level (ZZZ) are the same.
- The service pack level (YYY) currently installed on the system is lower than the last disruptive service pack level (ZZZ) of the service pack to be installed.
An installation is concurrent if:
- The release level (XXX) is the same, and
- The service pack level (YYY) currently installed on the system is the same or higher than the last disruptive service pack level (ZZZ) of the service pack to be installed.
| Filename | Size | Checksum |
| 01AF743_100_100.rpm | 39798214 |
47388 |
| AF743 For Impact, Severity and other Firmware definitions, Please refer to the below 'Glossary of firmware terms' url: http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/power5cm/home.html#termdefs The complete Firmware Fix History for this Release Level can be reviewed at the following url: http://download.boulder.ibm.com/ibmdl/pub/software/server/firmware/AF-Firmware-Hist.html |
|
| AF743_100
05/21/12 |
Impact: New. New Features and Functions in AF743_100: - Support for IT Elements (ITEs) 1457-7FL, 7895-22X, and 7895-42X. |
4.0 How to Determine Currently Installed Firmware Level
You can view the server's current firmware level on the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI) Welcome pane. It appears in the top right corner. Example: AF743_100.5.0 Downloading the Firmware Package
Follow the instructions on Fix Central. You must read and agree to the license agreement to obtain the firmware packages.Note: If your FSM 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: AFXXX_YYY_ZZZ
Where XXX = release level
- If the release level will stay the same (Example: Level AF743_075_075 is currently installed and you are attempting to install level AF743_081_075) this is considered an update.
- If the release level will change (Example: Level AF743_081_075 is currently installed and you are attempting to install level AF743_096_096) this is considered an upgrade.
http://ralfss21.raleigh.ibm.com:8099/help/topic/com.ibm.acc.8731.doc/updating_firmware_and_software.html
See also:
http://ralfss21.raleigh.ibm.com:8099/help/topic/com.ibm.acc.7895.doc/updating_firmware.html