IBM pSeries Servers
Microcode Update for Ultrastar 15K147  36/73/146 GB
SCSI Hard Disk Drive
Microcode Level S43C

DATE: September 18, 2007

 




Table of Contents

1.   General Information

1.1 Disk Drives Affected

1.2 Microcode Change History

2.  AIX Operating System

2.1 Installation Time

2.2 Determine Drive Model, FRU&PN and Current Microcode Level

2.2.2  SCSI Drives attached to PCI SCSI RAID Controllers

2.3 Transferring and Unpacking the Microcode Update Package

2.3.1 Internet AIX self extracting file (.bin)

2.3.2 Internet RPM package

2.3.3 CD-ROM

2.4 Microcode Download Procedure

2.4.1 SCSI Drives Attached to SCSI Adapter

2.4.2 SCSI Drives Attached to PCI RAID Adapter

3.   Linux Operating System

3.1  Linux 2.6 kernel(such as SuSE SLES 9 or RHEL 4)

3.2 RHEL 3

3.3 SLES 8 SP4

 

4. Code level S370 (and below) Problem description and recovery procedure

===============================================================

1.   General Information

The Microcode files provided in this package are only for use when installing disk drive microcode to a disk drive installed in a pSeries Server or 2104 drawer

using the AIX or Linux Operating System.

1.1 Disk Drives Affected 

Below is the list of microcode files in this package, these files are for use with the following pSeries SCSI hard disk drive ONLY:

NOTE: To insure the integrity of microcode files, please check the checksum value of each file after extraction

Size     Disk Drive Model        FRU#       P/N (VPD)         Microcode File Name                 Checksum
-----    --------------------------   ----------      ----------       -------------------------------------       -------------
36GB  HUS151436VL3800    80P3159    26K5178      HUS1514.56503031.53343343        64382

36GB  HUS151436VL3800    80P3161    26K5179      HUS1514.56503032.53343343        64382
36GB 
HUS151436VL3800    97P1663    26K5128      HUS1514.56503033.53343343        64382
36GB 
HUS151436VL3800    80P6422    26K5164      HUS1514.56503034.53343343        64382

36GB  HUS151436VL3800    55P4098    26K5126      HUS1514.56503035.53343343        64382

36GB  HUS151436VL3800    03N5275    26K5530      HUS1514.56505230.53343343        64382

36GB  HUS151436VL3800    03N5277    26K5570      HUS1514.56505230.53343343        64382

 

73GB   HUS151473VL3800    80P3163    26K5180     HUS1514.56503031.53343343        64382
73GB   HUS151473VL3800   
80P3165    26K5181     HUS1514.56503032.53343343        64382

73GB   HUS151473VL3800    97P1665    26K5129     HUS1514.56503033.53343343        64382
73GB   HUS151473VL3800   
80P6424    26K5165     HUS1514.56503034.53343343        64382

73GB   HUS151473VL3800    55P4103    26K5127     HUS1514.56503035.53343343        64382

73GB   HUS151473VL3800    03N5765   26K5566     HUS1514. 56505230.53343343        64382

73GB   HUS151473VL3800    03N5280   26K5531     HUS1514. 56505230.53343343        64382

73GB   HUS151473VL3800    03N5282   26K5571     HUS1514. 56505230.53343343        64382

 

146GB  HUS151414VL3800   80P3911    26K5182      HUS1514.56503031.53343343        64382
146GB  HUS151414VL3800  
97P1667    26K5130      HUS1514.56503033.53343343        64382

146GB  HUS151414VL3800   80P6426    26K5166      HUS1514.56503034.53343343        64382

146GB  HUS151414VL3800   97P1667    26K5130      HUS1514.56503033.53343343        64382

146GB  HUS151414VL3800   03N5766    26K5567     HUS1514. 56505230.53343343        64382

146GB  HUS151414VL3800   03N5285    26K5532     HUS1514. 56505230.53343343        64382

146GB  HUS151414VL3800   03N5288    26K5572     HUS1514. 56505230.53343343        64382

 

1.2 Microcode Change History

Release date

Code level

Change Description

Sept, 2007

S43C

For the part numbers listed above, an undetected loss of data can occur.  The probability of this happening is low, but the code update should be applied to prevent the event from occurring.  IBM strongly recommends that you apply this update.

July, 2007

S43A

Fixed a problem related to HACMP (High Availability, disk drive sub-system shared between two nodes). When primary node fails, HA backup takeover process fails to take over resources.

June 2, 2006

S430

Changed  read look ahead” routine to improve drive’s read performance in certain applications. The specific application does what is called disk "stride" or “skip” read; example of striding is to read 4KBytes of data, skip the next 4Kbytes, read the following 4KBytes, and so on. This change does not effect normal “random” or “sequential” read performance.

April 21, 2006

S3BD

Substantial performance improvement when drive is used in a multi-initiator (HACMP) environment. 

Also, shortened SCSI bus idle after SCSI bus reset.  With previous level of codes, SCSI host adapter waits about 7 seconds after SCSI bus reset to send command to the drive. This would cause performance degradation if there are many SCSI bus resets. This idle time is shortened to about 250msec.

Sept. 9, 2005

S3B0

Error recovery enhancements to improve drive’s reliability and performance

July 14, 2005

S3AA

In rare situations, drive may not come ready when system is powered up after a sudden power lose (system power is removed without proper system shutdown).

May 20, 2005

S37A

Microcode bug fix: In some PCI-X Raid Array configurations, drives configured as Raid members may go missing “defined”.

A detailed description of this problem with microcode download procedure to the  missing” pdisks is available at the end of this document.

This level of code is an absolute minimum requirement if installing new PCI-X Raid Adapter.

May, 2005

S370

Changes made to “error recovery” and “idle sweep” functions to enhance drive reliability

Feb. 2005

S260

Initial Release

 

===============================================================

2.  AIX Operating System

2.1 Installation Time

Approximately 20 minutes if drive is part of rootvg(using Diagnostics CD); Approximately 5 minutes/drive if drive is not part of rootvg(using concurrent diagnostics).
 

2.2 Determine Drive Model, FRU&PN and Current Microcode Level

2.2.1  SCSI Drives attached to SCSI Controllers  and PCI-X RAID Adapters

To see the drive type and current microcode level, Execute the following command:
lscfg -vl hdisk* |pg      ; For drives NOT configured for RAID

lscfgvl pdisk* |pg     ; For drives configured for RAID

 

   DEVICE            LOCATION          DESCRIPTION

   hdisk10           3S-08-00-9,0      16 Bit LVD SCSI Disk Drive (146800MB)

 

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

        Machine Type and Model......HUS1514VL3800

        FRU Number.................. 80P3911    

        ROS Level and ID............ 53343343

        Serial Number...............008010B1

        EC Level....................00000Q1A10

        Part Number................. 26K5182    

        Device Specific.(Z0)........000004129F00013E

        Device Specific.(Z1)........S43C       

        Device Specific.(Z2)........0068

        Device Specific.(Z3)........04047

        Device Specific.(Z4)........0001

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

        Device Specific.(Z6)........00000Q1A10

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 "53343343", this microcode applies. If this level is already installed then the "ROS Level and ID...."  shows  "53343343"
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, 53 Hex= ASCII character "S";  34Hex= ASCII character "4"; 33 Hex=ASCII character "3"; 43 Hex=ASCII character "C",  microcode level is "S43C". Also note that the microcode level "S43C" is displayed in “Z1” field.

 

2.2.2  SCSI Drives attached to PCI SCSI RAID Controllers

At AIX command line, type:
Diag
Select "Task Selection" from diagnostics menu.
Select "PCI RAID Physical Disk Identify"
Select SCSI RAID Adapter (press enter, then F7 to Commit)
This will display the Vital Product Data for Physical Disk drives attached to the RAID adapter.

===============================================================

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 15k147.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
  Enter the commands:
  cd /tmp/fwupdate
  chmod +x 15k147.bin
  ./15k147.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory 15k147 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/15k147/HUS1514*  /etc/microcode

e- If transferring files to a different system using floppy diskettes, use the following procedure to copy files to diskette
   Note: Don't overlook the complete path of microcode files, AIX Diag microcode download will not work if files are not copied with complete path onto the diskette.  Enter the following command to copy microcode file(s) onto a floppy diskette
ls /etc/microcode/ microcodefilename  | backup -ivf /dev/rfd0
where microcodefilename is  microcode file that is needed, for example:
ls /etc/microcode/
HUS1514.56503031. 53343343| backup -ivf /dev/rfd0

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 (using "Save as ...").
    You'll see the filename is 15k147-S43C-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihvignoreos  15k147- S43C-AIX.rpm

The file size and checksum will be verified.

The microcode files will be added to /etc/microcode/
 

2.3.3 CD-ROM

Create microcode CD using instruction and tool available on IBM web site (CD-ROM Image):

http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/mdownload2/cdimage.html

Once CD is created, use concurrent or stand alone microcode download procedure in section 2.4, 

or copy files onto your local disk.

Notes:

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

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

========================================================

2.4 Microcode Download Procedure

2.4.1 SCSI Drives Attached to SCSI Adapter

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?
AIX level 5.1 and above supports concurrent microcode download on all drives, including drives that are part of rootvg.
AIX level 4.33 and below does not support concurrent microcode download if drive is part of rootvg, microcode download can ONLY be performed in service mode(stand alone) using diagnostics CD. If disk is not part of rootvg, microcode download can be performed cuncurrently as long as drive is not in use.

Is system reboot needed to activate the microcode: Yes if stand alone diagnostics 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 consurrent diagnostics is used.

2.4.1.1 AIX level 5.1 and above

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
                      cd0

                      fd0

   - Use /etc/microcode if "restore" command is used to copy files from diskette onto the disk
   - Use cd0 (if CD-ROM is used) or fd0 (if  floppy diskette is used)

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 microcode files available for the selected drive, highlight option "M  HUS1514xx...", 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 AIX level 4.33:
 This procedure is for drives that are not part of rootvg or paging space:
1. This step is optional.  Microcode download can be performed either from Diskette or from Disk. To copy files from the diskette to disk, place the diskette containing microcode files into diskette drive A, at AIX Prompt type   restore
2- At AIX prompt, type   diag
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]  <---------- Disk can be used if  "restore" command is used in step 1
    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(if Diskette is selected above).  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.

 

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.

                             

2.4.2 SCSI Drives Attached to PCI RAID Adapter

NOTE: Please save current and older versions of the microcode update files in case you need to restore your system.

1. At AIX Command line type:
    diag
2. Select the "Task Selection" from diagnostics menu.
3. Select "Microcode Download" from "Task Selection" menu.
4. Select RAID controller from the list of resources, PRESS ENTER, then F7 to commit
5. Select "Physical Disks" and PRESS ENTER
6. A list of all Physical Disks will be displayed, select the disk that needs to be upgraded, PRESS ENTER and F7 to commit.
7. Select "Latest level"
8. Select "Disk" if files are copied to /etc/microcode directory. Select "Diskette" if microcode files are saved onto a diskette, PRESS ENTER
    (The current microcode level of the resource you selected earlier will be displayed at the top of the screen)

9.  You will receive a message "Download has completed successfully" and "Current Microcode is"   (this may take a few minutes).
10. Return to the Previous menu and repeat this procedure for each hard disk that requires this microcode.
11. Exit diagnostic and reboot system.

======================================================

3.   Linux Operating System

3.1  Linux 2.6 kernel(such as SuSE SLES 9 or RHEL 4)

 

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.

     a) If using SLES 9 base, install the package by typing:

         rpm -ivh --ignoreos 15k147- S43C-AIX.rpm

     b) If using SLES 9 SP1 or better or RHEL 4 or better, install the package by typing:

                        rpm -ivh 15k147- S43C-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

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.2 RHEL 3:

 

Microcode can be updated using the iprupdate utility. If iprupdate finds newer

microcode on the system it will be downloaded to the disk.

 

1. Install the package by typing:

                                 rpm -ivh --ignoreos 15k147- S43C-AIX.rpm

    Press Enter.

2. Update the microcode by typing:

                                 iprupdate

    Press Enter.

 

To check the microcode level:

 

1. Start iprconfig utility,

2. Select "Display disk hardware status" option.

3. Find the disk you wish to query and note its serial number.

4. Type "d" to get to the "Display disk unit details" screen.

5. Select disk to query by typing a 5 next to it and pressing "Enter"

6. Look at the "Firmware Version" field

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.3 SLES 8 SP4

 

Microcode can be updated using the sisupdate utility. If sisupdate finds newer

microcode on the system it will be downloaded to the disk.

 

1. Install the package by typing:

                                 rpm -ivh --ignoreos 15k147- S43C-AIX.rpm

    Press Enter.

2. Update the microcode by typing:

                                 sisupdate

    Press Enter.

 

To check the microcode level:

 

1. Start sisconfig utility,

2. Select "Display disk hardware status" option.

3. Find the disk you wish to query and note its serial number.

4. Type "d" to get to the "Display disk unit details" screen.

5. Select disk to query by typing a 5 next to it and pressing "Enter"

6. Look at the "Firmware Version" field

 

 

4. Code level S370 (and below) Problem description and recovery procedure

 

Problem Description:                                                       

When drives are configured as Raid Array members(pdisk, drives formatted to 522 Bytes/sector), after a cold IPL (system reboot), some members of disk array will go missing. If AIX operating system is installed on this Raid Array, system may not boot. If Raid array is used as non-OS, system will boot, but will not be able to access Raid Array.

 

Only the drives listed above in section 1.1 with code level S370(ROS Level and ID = 53333730) or below are affected.

 

Microcode Download procedure:

Since pdisks are in "defined" state, you can not download the latest microcode using normal procedure. You must follow the following procedure to first recover “defined” pdisks, and then download microcode.

Depending upon system's Raid Array configuration, one of these procedure will enable you to recover "defined" or

"missing" pdisks, and download new microcode.

 

A. System OS (AIX) is Not installed on Raid Array AND non of

   the Raid Array members are on the same SCSI bus as boot drive:

   1- Power on system

   2- Use “smitty” PCI-X Raid manager           

      smitty pxdam

      Diagnostics and recovery options ->

      Unconfigure an available PCI-X SCSI Raid Controller                                        

   3- Select proper PCI-X Raid Controller and press enter to un-configure it.

   4- Once Raid Controller is un-configured, then use “Configure a defined PCI-X

      SCSI Raid Controller” to configure the Raid Controller

   5- The above procedure will make all pdisks in available states.

   6- Use “Download Microcode to a Physical Disk”, and download

      microcode to pdisks.

   7- IPL the system, all pdisks will show up as available.

 

B. System OS (AIX) is installed on Raid Array OR

   Raid Array member(s) are on the same SCSI bus as OS drive:

   1- Boot system to a Diagnostics CD

   2- Choose “Task Selection”

   3- Choose “Raid Array Manager”

   4- Select “IBM PCI-X SCSI Disk Array Manager”

   5- Follow above procedure to un-configure and re-configure Raid Controller, 

      and load microcode to pdisks.

   6- IPL the system.