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October 22, 2011

Adapter Microcode Update

 

Contents

  1. Fibrechannel Adapter
  2. Ethernet Adapter
  1. Links
  2. Related Information

 

1. Fibrechannel Adapter

  1. Check type and microcode level of your fibrechannel adapters: 
     AIX# lsmcode -A | grep fcs
 fcs0!df1000fa.190104
 fcs1!df1000fa.190104
 fcs2!df1000fa.190104
 fcs3!df1000fa.190104

    Conclusion: All adpaters are of type df1000fa and are on the same micorode level 190104.

  2. Download the microcode from IBM's download center Fix Central. Select product and model type:

  3. Copy the file(s) to a place where AIX can access it

  4. Check for the existance of the directory /etc/microcode. If it doesn't exist create it.

  5. Install the microcode files: 
     AIX# rpm -ihv --ignoreos pci.df1000fa-1-91A5.aix.noarch.rpm
 Checking machine type 
 Machine type IBM,9117-570 is ok, 
 proceeding with installation.
 pci.df1000fa                ##################################################

    Note: Installing the rpm only places the files in the directory /etc/microcode. It doesn't install the microcode on the adapter and therefore doesn't affect the system at all.

  6. Download the microcode onto the adapter. This is done with diag: 
     AIX# diag -d fcs0 -T download

    After pressing the <ENTER> key twice the system automatically checks if it there is microcode available under /etc/microcode for the selected adapter. If so, it comes up with the following screen: 

     INSTALL MICROCODE                                                                    802116
 fcs0    FC Adapter

 The current microcode level for fcs0 is 190104.

 Available levels to install are listed below.
 Select the microcode level to be installed.

 Use Help for explanations of "M", "L", "C"
 and "P" .

 Make selection, use Enter to continue.

   M  191105

    Just accept the selection and press enter. The system now downloads the microcode onto the adapter. During the download procedure there is no service interruption. On success you'll see the screen below: 

     INSTALL MICROCODE                                                                   802118
 fcs0    FC Adapter

 Installation of the microcode has completed successfully.
 The current microcode level for fcs0 is 191105.

 Please run diagnostics on the adapter to ensure that it is
 functioning properly.

 Use Enter to continue.

    Checking again with lsmcode: 

     AIX# lsmcode -A | grep fcs
 fcs0!df1000fa.190105
 fcs1!df1000fa.190105
 fcs2!df1000fa.190104
 fcs3!df1000fa.190104

    You might have noticed that in the above output the new microcode is displayed for fcs0 and fcs1. That's because fcs0 and fcs1 are in fact two ports of the same adapter.

 

2. Ethernet Adapter

The procedure to update the microcode of an ethernet adapter is pretty much the same as for the fibrechannel adapters. But there is one important exception: It cannot be done while the adapter is in use!

  1. Check type and microcode level of your fibrechannel adapters: 
     AIX# lsmcode -A | grep ent
 ent0!14104003.EP0140
 ent1!14104003.EP0140
 ent2!14104003.EP0140
 ent3!14104003.EP0140

    Conclusion: All adpaters are of type 14104003 and are on the same micorode level EP0140.

  2. Download the microcode from IBM's download center Fix Central

  3. Copy the file(s) to a place where AIX can access it

  4. Check for the existance of the directory /etc/microcode. If it doesn't exist create it.

  5. Install the microcode files: 
     AIX# rpm -ihv --ignoreos pciex.14104003-EP0170-1.aix.noarch.rpm
 Checking machine type 
 Machine type IBM,9117-570 is ok, 
 proceeding with installation.
 pciex.14104003                ##################################################

  6. Detach the interface 
     AIX# ifconfig en0 detach

  7. Download the microcode onto the adapter. This is done with diag: 
     AIX# diag -d ent0 -T download

    Repeat the procedure for all adapters (but mind the note about dual/quad port adapters!) and check with lsmcode: 

     AIX# lsmcode -A | grep ent
 ent0!14104003.EP0170
 ent1!14104003.EP0170
 ent2!14104003.EP0170
 ent3!14104003.EP0170

  8. Bring the network up again: 
     AIX# smitty chinet
 AIX# mkdev -l inet0
 inet0 available

 

A. Links

 

B. Related Information