IBM Power Servers
Microcode Update for Aries 200GB SAS Solid State Drive used with Vega SAS/SATA Interposer
Microcode Level 0N6F

DATE: August 29, 2012

Revised Sept 5, 2012

 


Table of Contents

1.   General Information

1.1 Disk Drives Affected

1.2 Microcode Change History

2.  AIX and VIOS(PowerVM Virtual I/O Server) Operating System

2.1 Installation Time

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

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

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

4.0 Revisions

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***Warning – Never down level these drives. Always leave or use latest level available. Possible issues/problems may arise if this is done.***

1.   General Information

The Microcode file provided in this package is a combination image for SATA Solid State drive and Vega interposer chip SAS/SATA chip used in IBM system Power Server with AIX or Linux operating systems.

1.1 Disk Drives Affected 

Below is the list of microcode files in this package:

NOTE: To insure the integrity of microcode files, please make sure the checksum value is correct after extraction

 

Size            Disk Drive Model            FRU#           P/N (VPD)              Microcode File Name                Checksum        
--------        --------------------------      -------------      -------------          ------------------------------------------      ----------     

200GB     V1-SG9XCS1B200      43W7749     59Y1834           V1-SG9X.A1700D98.304E3646     48269

200GB      V1-SG9XCS1B200     74Y8234      74Y8233           V1-SG9X.A1700D98.304E3646     48269

 

1.2 Microcode Change History

 

Release date

Code level

Change Description

Sept 2010

093R

Initial GA Release

Oct 14, 2010

0A43

Fixes for hardware errors and power up problem seen.

Oct 20, 2010

0A44

Fixes for corner cases hardware errors occurred.

Oct 28, 2010

0A45

Fixes a specific Internal Buffer Coherency issue where a time out value was too long also on a corner test case which sometimes caused hard and soft  errors to occurred.

Feb 24, 2011

Notice

Added warning to not back level these type of drive. Always leave or update to latest available.

April 22, 2011

0D63

New code with all known fixes and compatible with all current SSDs in the field.

June 13, 2011

0E63

HIPER release…IBM testing has uncovered a potential undetected data corruption issue. The problem can occur in rare instances due to an issue in the SSD Storage Adapter firmware.   This issue was discovered during internal IBM testing, and has not been reported on any customer system. However, IBM recommends that  customers with adapter feature codes of  FC2053, FC2054, FC2055, and FC4367 install this firmware fix or later versions.  This issue can only occur with JBOD (non-RAID) configurations.

Oct 24, 2011

0E69

Roll up of all known error recovery issues/problems. Some cause the drive to not recover correctly.

Mar 14, 2012

0E69

Adding additional info for changes to code released on 10/24/11 - "This level of microcode contains fixes to prevent the SSD from entering a locked state and needing subsequent replacement."

August 28, 2012

0N6F

Fixed “Smart Parameter Update” routine that was causing recoverable “01/0B81” errors, other fixes and enhancements

 

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2.  AIX and VIOS(PowerVM Virtual I/O Server) Operating System

Note: For VIOS systems, microcode of shared physical I/O resources can only be updated from VIOS partition.

To update disk drive microcode, from VIOS partition, enter the following command:     

oem_setup_env   

Then follow the instruction in section 2.3 to transfer/extract the microcode file, and section 2.4.1 to update the disk drive code.

2.1 Installation Time

Approximately 20 minutes if using Diagnostics CD; Approximately 5 minutes/drive using AIX concurrent diagnostics.
 

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

  pdisk0           U789D.001.DQ12345-P1-C3-T1-L10000-L0  Physical SAS Solid State Drive

 

        Manufacturer............………IBM    

        Machine Type and Model.....V1-SG9XCS1B200 

        FRU Number................…...43W7749    

        ROS Level and ID.............. 304E3646      <-------- 0N6F is combo interface code

        Serial Number........……......503001SR

        EC Level.................……….12345         

        Part Number..........………...59Y1834    

        Device Specific.(Z0)..………000005329F001002      

        Device Specific.(Z1).......…..BRST0N6F   <---BR=Bridge, ST=SATA, 0N=Bridge level, 6F=SATA level  

        Device Specific.(Z2)......…...00TW

        Device Specific.(Z3)......…...10200

        Device Specific.(Z4)......……

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

        Device Specific.(Z6)......…….

        Hardware Location Code...….U5803.001.TRES003-P1-C8-T1-D2

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 "30453639", this microcode applies.

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, 30 Hex= ASCII character "0";  4E Hex= ASCII character "N"; 36 Hex=ASCII character "6"; 46 Hex=ASCII character "F",  microcode level is "0N6F". Also note that the microcode level " 0N6F " is displayed in “Z1” field.

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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 V1-SG9X-0N6F.bin
c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below.
  Enter the commands:
  cd /tmp/fwupdate
  chmod +x V1-SG9X-0N6F.bin
  ./V1-SG9X-0N6F.bin
[Don't overlook the periods (.) in the above command.]

The directory V1-SG9X-0N6F 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/ V1-SG9X-0N6F /V*  /etc/microcode

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.
    You'll see the filename is V1-SG9X-0N6F-AIX.rpm

c) Unpack the file by executing the instructions below:
    Enter the commands:
        rpm -ihv --ignoreos  --force V1-SG9X-0N6F-AIX.rpm     ;(please note, there are two dashes)

The file size and checksum will be verified.

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

2.3.3 CD-ROM

Copy microcode updates from the CD-ROM to standard locations on your local disk:

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

Notes:
 - "/etc/microcode"  is a symbolic link to   "/usr/lib/microcode".
 - 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

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?  YES
Is system reboot needed to activate the microcode: Yes if stand alone diagnostics CD 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 concurrent diagnostics is used.

2.4.1 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
                      diskette

   - Use /etc/microcode if "restore" command is used to copy files from diskette onto the disk
   - Use diskette if using diskette as the source for download

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 microcodes available for the selected drive, highlight option "M  30453633", 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).

2.4.2 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.

                             

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

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 V1-SG9X-0N6F-AIX.rpm

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

                        rpm -ivh V1-SG9X-0N6F-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

 

 

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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 V1-SG9X-0N6F-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

 

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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 V1-SG9X-0N6F-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

4.0 Revisions

Sept 5, 2012:  Corrected microcode level in section 1.2