Readme for IBM Flex System EN2024 4-port 1Gb Ethernet Adapter Image 1 and Image 2

04/28/2014: See Document Change History for details on changes to this document.

 

Contents

·         1.0 Overview

·         2.0 Adapters Affected

·         3.0 Microcode Description and Revision History

·         4.0 Cautions and Important Notes

·         5.0 To Determine Adapter Microcode Levels

o    5.1 AIX Systems

o    5.2 Linux Systems

·         6.0 Install  RPM Package

o      6.1 AIX RPM Package

o      6.2 Linux using the Standalone Diagnostics CD

·         7.0 Installing the Adapter's Microcode

o    7.1 Using the Flex System Manager (FSM) update Method

o    7.2 Using the AIX Command-Line Method

o    7.3 Using the Diagnostic Service Aid Method

·         8.0 Verifying the Update

o    8.1 Verifying the Update on AIX

o    8.2 Verifying the Update on Linux

·         Document Change History

·         Apendix: Vendor Firmware Notice


1.0 Overview

This update contains the AIX RPM file (1 of 2 images) for the current level of microcode for the IBM Flex System EN2024 4-port 1Gb Ethernet Adapter, Feature Code 1763. This is a multiport adapter with two ASICs. Each ASIC requires it’s own microcode update and it’s own RPM package, either Image 1 or Image 2. To update the microcode for the entire adapter, all of the adapter resources (ports) need to be updated to ensure both ASICs are updated.

 

 

 Back to Contents


2.0 Adapters Affected

This microcode is for feature code 1763: PN 49Y7901: CCIN 2B5E

To determine the part number of the adapter on an AIX system, on the command line key the following command:

lscfg -vl entX              where entX represents the adapter

Affected adapters will be listed as:

 1GbE 4-port Mezzanine Adapter (e4145616e4140518)   and

 1GbE 4-port Mezzanine Adapter (e4145616e4140528)

To determine the presence of this adapter on a Linux system, on the command line key in:

lspci -nn

Affected adapters will be listed as: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5718 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe [14e4:1656]

The typical time to install the microcode is 0.4 hr.

 Back to Contents


3.0 Microcode Description and Revision History

Microcode Level

Changes

10050170

 Contains 170 level FCode and 1.58 Boot code. Fixes network boot and install problems in 150 level FCode.

The Firmware Levels Below Are No Longer Supported
Please Update To The Latest Level At Your Earliest Convenience

10010130

This is the level of microcode that is initially supported when it became generally available.

 

 

Back to Contents


4.0 Cautions and Important Notes

·         Concurrent Download

The microcode installation does NOT support concurrent download while the ent resources are in use. If the ent resources are in use, they must manually be released prior to starting the download. Failure to do so will result in a message instructing that the ent resource be freed.

NOTE: It is recommended that the installation be scheduled during a maintenance window or during non-peak production periods.

·         NOTICE FOR AIX CUSTOMERS INSTALLING 10050170 MICROCODE

o    AIX Requirements
Prior to installing the microcode, it is required that the following AIX Service Packs or later be installed.

§  AIX 5.3 TL12 SP8

§  AIX 6.1 TL6 SP12

§  AIX 6.1 TL7 SP8

§  AIX 6.1 TL8 SP3

§  AIX 7.1 TL0 SP10

§  AIX 7.1 TL1 SP8

§  AIX 7.1 TL2 SP3

 

The Service Packs can be obtained from the IBM Fix Central website located at http://www.ibm.com/eserver/support/fixes.

o    VIOS Requirements
If the adapter is running in a partition running VIOS, it is required that the following versions or later be installed.

§  VIOS 2.2.1.8

§  VIOS 2.2.2.3

 

o    Linux Requirements
RHEL 6.2 and SLES11 SP2 or later are supported Linux distributions.

Back to Contents


5.0 To Determine Adapter Microcode Levels

Before installing the microcode, it is important to determine the current microcode level of the adapter.

5.1 AIX Systems

1.  List the Ethernet adapters installed in the system by typing on the command line:

lsdev | grep -e ent

Note the names of all the Ethernet adapters installed. The adapters will be identified as 1GbE 4-port Mezzanine Adapter. The adapter names will be entX, where X is 0, 1, or some other number.

2.  Determine the current microcode level on the adapter by typing on the command line:

lsmcode -d entX

where X is the number of the adapter's port returned from the "lsdev" command above.

A screen similar to the following will be displayed:

DISPLAY MICROCODE LEVEL                               802111

ent2    1GbE 4-port Mezzanine Adapter (e4145616e4140528)

 

 

The current microcode level is 10050170.

 

 

Use Enter to continue.

 

F3=Cancel           F10=Exit            Enter

If the current microcode level is not 10050170, then the microcode image on the adapter is not at the latest level.

Back to Contents

5.2 Linux Systems

1)  List the Ethernet adapters installed in the system by typing:

    #ifconfig -a | grep eth

Note: All of the Ethernet adapters that are installed will be displayed. They will be listed as ethX, where X is 0, 1, etc.

2) Use ethtool –i ethX to display the microcode level for each device.

If the firmware-version is not  5718-v1.58 or higher , then the firmware on the adapter is not at the latest level.

Back to Contents


6.0 Install RPM Package

6.1 AIX RPM Package

Use this method to install both of the AIX RPM packages for this adapter on an AIX system. Note that the commands are case sensitive and must be entered exactly as shown, including file names. Installing the RPM  places the binary files e4145616e4140518.10050170 and e4145616e4140528.10050170 into the /etc/microcode directory.

1. If the /etc/microcode directory does not exist, make a directory to receive the RPM format file. On the command line type:

mkdir /etc/microcode

2. Transfer the RPM format files, e4145616e4140518.10050170.aix.rpm (Image 1) or e4145616e4140528.10050170.aix.rpm (Image 2) to any temporary directory on the target system.

3. Unpack the file. On the command line type:

rpm -ihv --ignoreos e4145616e4140518.10050170.aix.rpm

or

rpm -ihv --ignoreos e4145616e4140528.10050170.aix.rpm

4. If the microcode package unpacks successfully, the microcode files will be added to the /etc/microcode directory.

If a message is received 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 3 and attempt to unpack the file again.

            5. To complete the install go to section 7.0.

6. This RPM package checks the level of AIX diagnostics on the system before installing the adapter firmware files. If the RPM does not find the appropriate diagnostic level, it will fail to execute.

 

Error message when AIX not at the correct level: "Level of ubacent.c is less than 1.8.1.1. Level 1.8.1.1 or higher is required to load adapter firmware level 10050170. Check the readme documentation for adapter firmware 10050170 on what AIX levels are required. Execution of pciex.e4145616e4140518-10050170 script failed, exit status 255. " 

If the RPM encounters this error, install the following AIX levels, or later levels, then start again with Section 6.0.

 

AIX 5.3 Technology Level 12 with Service Pack  8

AIX 6.1 Technology Level 6 with  Service Pack 12

AIX 6.1 Technology Level 7 with Service Pack  8

AIX 6.1 Technology Level 8 with Service Pack 3

AIX 7.1 with Service Pack 10

AIX 7.1 Technology Level 1 with Service Pack  8

AIX 7.1 Technology Level 2 with Service pack 3

VIOS 2.2.1.8

VIOS 2.2.2.3 

 

Back to Contents

 

6.2 Linux using the Standalone Diagnostics CD

Below are references and the general flow on how to update microcode update via CD

1) Boot the system via a Standalone Diagnostic's CD

a) To create a bootable Diagnostic's CD go to the following URL.

         http://www.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/diags/home.html

b) After booting to Standalone Diagnostics, the Diagnostic's CD can be removed.

 

2) The Diagnostic's CD should be replaced by a CD containing the unpacked microcode image(s).

The CD containing the microcode images should be prepared prior. This can be done by taking the e4145616e4140518.10050170.aix.rpm and e4145616e4140528.10050170.aix.rpm files and unpacking them on a usable server. The unpacked files can then be burned on to the CD media.

 

 

Back to Contents

 

7.0 Installing the Adapter's Microcode

7.1 Using the Flex System Manager (FSM) update Method

Refer to the IBM Flex System InfoCenter website:

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/flexsys/information/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.ibm.acc.8731.doc%2Fupdating_firmware_and_software.html

 

Additional detail can be found in the IBM Flex System Firmware Update Guide:
            http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5091991

7.2 Using the AIX Command-Line Method

Login as root user. From the command line key in:

diag -d entX -T download

where X is the port on which you want to install the microcode.

Self-explanatory menus will step you through the microcode installation. All of the ent resources needs to be updated for the entire adapter to be updated.

7.3 Using the Diagnostic Service Aid Method

Login as root user.
From the command line key in:  diag
Select:  Task Selection (Diagnostics, Advanced Diagnostics, Service Aids, etc.)
Select:  Microcode Tasks
Select:  Download Latest Available Microcode
Select:  file system
          /etc/microcode
Select the device:  ent*
Press enter when prompted to download the microcode.
All of the ent resources needs to be updated for the entire adapter to be updated.

Upon completion, a message will state that the microcode has been successfully downloaded and that the new level is 10050170.

 

Back to Contents


8.0 Verifying the Update

8.1 Verifying the Update on AIX

1.  List the Ethernet adapters installed in the system by typing on the command line:

lsdev | grep -e ent

Note the names of all the Ethernet adapters installed. The adapters will be identified as 1GbE 4-port Mezzanine Adapter. The adapter names will be entX, where X is 0, 1, or some other number.

2.  Determine the current microcode level on the adapter by typing on the command line:

lsmcode -d entX

where X is the number of the adapter's port returned from the "lsdev" command above.

A screen similar to the following will be displayed:

DISPLAY MICROCODE LEVEL                               802111

ent2    1GbE 4-port Mezzanine Adapter (e4145616e4140528)

 

 

The current microcode level is 10050170.

 

 

Use Enter to continue.

 

F3=Cancel           F10=Exit            Enter

If the current microcode level is 10050170, then the microcode has been updated.
 

Back to Contents

8.2 Verifying the Update on Linux

1)  List the Ethernet adapters installed in the system by typing:

    #ifconfig -a | grep eth

Note: All of the Ethernet adapters that are installed will be displayed. They will be listed as ethX, where X is 0, 1, etc.

2) Use ethtool –i ethX to display the microcode level for each device.

If the firmware-version is  5718-v1.58 or higher, then the firmware on the adapter has been updated.

 

 Back to Contents



Document Change History

Date

Change

05/09/2012

Initial Document

05/28/2013

Update to 1.58 Boot Code and 170 FCode

04/28/2014

Update to AIX/VIOS Installation Requirements

 Back to Contents


Apendix: Vendor Firmware Notice

 
      NetXtreme and NetXtreme II Add-in Options for Flex Chassis 
      Product   Initial Release     Current Release     
      ----------------------------------------------------------
      49Y7900   Boot code  1.53       Boot code 1.58*     BCM5718.chg
                IMFW code  1.05       IMFW code 1.06*      IMFW-NX.chg
                fcode      3.0.1      fcode 7.0.1*         
                EFI code   15.2.7     EFI code 15.6.53*    UEFI-NX.chg
                PXE code   15.2.7     PXE code 15.6.50*    PXE-NX.chg
 
 
 
 
 


Privacy | Legal | Contact IBM