Power7 Entry Systems Firmware
Applies to: 8233-E8B and 8236-E8C
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
This package provides firmware for Power 750 (8233-E8B) and Power
755 (8236-E8C) servers
only. Do
not use on
any other systems.
The firmware level in this package is:
2.0 Important
Information
HMC-Managed Systems
HMC level 7.1.0 with MH01214 is required for this firmware level.
NOTE: You must be logged in as hscroot in order for the
firmware
installation to complete correctly.
Concurrent Firmware Updates
Concurrent system firmware update is only supported on HMC - Managed
Systems
only.
Memory Considerations for Firmware Upgrades
The increase in memory used by the firmware is due to the additional
functionality
in later firmware releases.
3.0 Firmware
Information
and Description
Use the following examples as a reference to determine whether your
installation
will be concurrent or disruptive.
For systems that are not managed by an HMC, the installation of
system
firmware is always disruptive.
Note: The concurrent levels of system firmware may, on occasion,
contain
fixes that are known as deferred. These deferred fixes can be installed
concurrently, but will not be activated until the next IPL. Deferred
fixes,
if any, will be identified in the "Firmware Update Descriptions" table
of this document. For deferred fixes 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:
01ALXXX_YYY_ZZZ
- XXX is the release level
- YYY is the service pack level
- ZZZ is the last disruptive service pack level
NOTE: Values of service pack and last disruptive service pack
level
(YYY and ZZZ) are only unique within a release level (XXX). For
example,
01AL720_067_045 and 01AL740_067_053 are different service
packs.
An installation is disruptive if:
- The release levels (XXX) are different.
Example: Currently installed release is AL710, new release is AL720
- The service pack level (YYY) and the last disruptive
service
pack level (ZZZ) are the same.
Example: AL720_120_120 is disruptive, no matter what level of AL720 is
currently
installed on the system
- 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.
Example: Currently installed service pack is AL720_120_120 and new
service
pack is AL720_152_130
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.
Example: Currently installed service pack is AL720_126_120,
new
service pack is AL720_143_120.
Firmware Information and Update Description
| Filename |
Size |
Checksum |
| 01AL710_043_043.rpm |
24932179
|
35935
|
| AL710 |
AL710_043_043
02/19/10 |
Impact:
New
Severity: New
GA Level
|
4.0
How to Determine Currently Installed Firmware Level
For HMC managed systems:
From the HMC, select Updates in the navigation (left-hand) pane, then
view the current levels of the desired server(s).
For standalone system running IBM i
without an HMC:
From a command line, issue DSPFMWSTS.
For standalone system running IBM AIX
without an HMC:
From a command line, issue lsmcode.
Alternately, use the Advanced System
Management Interface (ASMI) Welcome pane. The current server
firmware appears in the top right
corner.
Example: AL710_yyy.
5.0
Downloading the Firmware Package
You must read and agree to the
license agreement to obtain the firmware packages.
Note: If your HMC 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: ELXXX_YYY_ZZZ
Where XXX = release level
- If the release level will stay the same (Example: Level
AL710_075_075
is
currently installed and you are attempting to install level
AL710_081_075)
this is considered an update.
- If the release level will change (Example: Level AL710_081_075 is
currently
installed and you are attempting to install level AL720_096_096) this
is
considered an upgrade.
For details on installing the firmware, perform the
following steps:
1. Go to the IBM Power System Hardware Information Center at:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/powersys/v3r1m5/index.jsp
2. Select the platform and model you are working with.
3. Select from the following options:
- For details on getting firmware fixes
through the HMC:
- select Working with consoles, terminals and interfaces >
Managing the Hard Management Console > Updates > Managed System
Updates.
- For details on getting firmware fixes
through AIX, IBM i, or
Virtual I/O Server:
- select Troubleshooting, Service, and support > Getting fixes
> Getting firmware fixes.
IBM i Systems
See "Server Firmware: Update
Policy Set to Operating System",
http://www-912.ibm.com/s_dir/slkbase.nsf/recommendedfixes
7.0 Change History
Date
|
Description
|
Feb 23, 2010
|
Corrected minor typos.
|