(contributions by Mohit Jain)

This web page describes how to download and upgrade AIX machine firmware. These instructions describe how to upgrade System and Service Processor (SvP) firmware (FW) for RS/6000 7044-170, 7044-270 and 7043-270 systems only.  Do not use on any other systems.

The instructions are for upgrading from firmware version SPH02066 to SPH02254

You can verify the version of the firmware by issuing the command "prtconf | grep Firmware". Before the execution of this procedure, the output should be "Firmware Version: IBM,SPH02066".
 
 
 
 

System Firmware Update Description For Firmware Version SPH02254

•    Change to allow modification to ethernet speed and duplex settings in SMS to apply immediately.
•    Corrected for problems booting from DASD connected to PCI Dual Channel Ultra3 SCSI Adapater (FC 6203, Type 4-Y).
•    Corrected problem booting from DVD RAM Drive. (FC 2623 and 2627).
•    Corrected auto configuration,  ping and NIM failures on ethernet adapters attached to a switch or router with Spanning Tree Algorithm enabled.
•    Corrected missing devices in SMS bootlist when bootlist set via AIX.
•    Added support for Ultra320 SCSI (FC 5702).

 

 

(FYI, for any "b80" machines, the appropriate firmware is NAN03029, which is available from the web site listed below. The instructions for installing the NAN03029 firmware should be similar to the subsequent instructions and corrects the following:
 

•     Corrected boot failure with checkpoint E1F6 displayed after bootlist is set via AIX and more than 5 devices are specified.
•     Corrected missing devices in SMS bootlist when bootlist set via AIX.
•     Parameter change to limit bootlist entries set via AIX to 5. )

1) Get the software from the web (http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/mdownload/download.html)

2) In this page, in the table "System/Service Processor Combined Microcode", for the model "7044-270", "Last Updated" is "11/20/2002",
"Sys Version SPH02254", "SvP Version sh020307", in the "Files to Read/Download" column, select "[ AIX format (969960B) ]"

3) In the resulting License Agreement page, READ IT ALL, then go to the bottom and click the "I have read and understood this license agreement...yada, yada,yada". This will initiate the download to your local machine. Save the file to your AIX box in the directory "/tmp/fwupdate".

4) Change directories to "/tmp/fwupdate", and assure that file "7044x70F.BIN" is the ONLY file in that directory.

5) Change the file mode to executable (i.e. "chmod   +x   7044x70F.BIN").

5) At the AIX command prompt, type "./7044x70F.BIN", and when prompted, enter the Password:  **RS/6000** (2 files will be extracted).

6) Change directories to "/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin", and execute the command "./update_flash  -f  /tmp/fwupdate/sx02254.img". You will be queried to continue, enter "1" and press "Enter". The machine will then reboot. Wait a minth.

7) You can verify the version of the firmware by issuing the command "prtconf | grep Firmware". After the execution of this procedure, the output should be "Firmware Version: IBM,SPH02254"