Power System Firmware Update (HMC)

© Copyright IBM Corporation 2013 TrademarksStep-by-step guide to IBM Power Systems firmware update Page 1 of 28

Step-by-step guide to IBM Power Systems firmwareupdateLicense Internal Code (LIC) upgrade process

Nitin Thorve ([email protected])Senior Associate IT Specialist - UNIXIBM China

Priyanka Jade ([email protected])Staff Software EngineerIBM China

Thirukumaran Vasantha Thananjayan([email protected])Senior Staff Software EngineerIBM China

26 March 2013

IBM® Power Systems™ firmware update, which is often referred to as Change LicensedInternal Code (LIC) procedure, is usually performed on the managed systems from theHardware Management Console (HMC). Firmware update includes the latest fixes and newfeatures. We can use the Change Licensed Internal Code wizard from the HMC graphical userinterface (GUI) to apply updates to the Licensed Internal Code (LIC) on the selected managedsystem.We can select multiple managed systems to be updated simultaneously. The wizard alsoallows us to view the current system information or perform advanced operations. This tutorialprovides the step-by-step procedure for the IBM Power Systems firmware update from theHMC command line, and the HMC GUI and is targeted for system administrators.This step-by-step instructions can prepare the newbie for what needs to be done and how itcould be done to stay on to the latest firmware level all the time. When you purchase a newhardware, the best practise is to upgrade all the firmware to the latest level.

BackgroundOverview of IBM Power Systems servers

• Hardware Management Console can be a desktop or a rack-mounted appliance that managesthe servers, and is used for partitioning and as a service tool.

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Step-by-step guide to IBM Power Systems firmware update Page 2 of 28

• A managed system is a single physical server. It can have I/O expansion units, towers,drawers, and storage area network (SAN) resources.

• HMC communicates to the managed system through the service processor.• The service processor is an embedded controller that monitors and controls the entire system

and is running the bare metal Linux.• The IBM POWER Hypervisor™is a layer of system firmware that supports virtualization

technologies, logical partitioning (LPAR), and dynamic resource movement across multipleoperating system environments.

Figure 1.

IntroductionThe flexible service processor (FSP) firmware provides diagnostics, initialization, configuration,run-time error detection, and correction. It is required to periodically update the firmware on thePower Systems server. Keeping the firmware up-to-date can help in attaining the maximumreliability and functionality from your systems.

Firmware releases enable new function and might also contain fixes or enhancements.

Firmware service packs provide fixes and enhancements within a specific release.

This tutorial provides the following information:

1. Current firmware details2. Different kinds of code download and update methods3. Steps to obtain the relevant firmware code updates or releases from the IBM FixCentral

website4. Steps to update the firmware concurrently using DVD media, that is, the fixes that can be

deployed on a running system without rebooting partitions or performing an initial programload (IPL) within a specific release

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5. Steps to update the firmware disruptively, that is, update requiring the system IPL within aspecific release

6. Advanced code update options from the Change Licensed Internal Code wizard7. Steps to upgrade to recent firmware releases disruptively using the File Transfer Protocol

(FTP) method8. Steps to upgrade the firmware disruptively through the IBM Service website to a required level

In the following sections, let's go through in detail covering all the topics highlighted above.

Section 1. View system information

We will use the View system information option to get the current system firmware information.

We will be using this information in IBM Fix Central to obtain information on the latest firmwareupdates or upgrades available for the system and proceed with the firmware update or upgrade tonewer release using the instructions described in the following sections.

Select the system under test, click Updates, and then click View system information to check thecurrently installed, activated, and accepted levels.

Figure 1.1

The following figure shows the currently installed firmware levels on the system.



Figure 1.2

Fields in figure 1.2 are described below:

EC Number

This displays the numerical identifier of the engineering change (EC) that shows the system andGA level. It has the format of PPNNSSS, where:

• PP is the two-character package identifier.• NN is the two-character name that identifies a set of platforms. This is the model-unique code

for the type of system.• SSS is the three-character service pack code stream identifier.

LIC Type

This displays the LIC types associated with the selected target.

Machine Type/Model/Serial Number

This displays the corresponding machine type, model number, and serial number.

Installed Level

This displays the LIC level that will be activated and loaded into memory at the next system restart.

Activated Level

This displays the LIC level that is activated and loaded into memory (for example, from a level 5 tolevel 7).

Accepted Level

This displays the LIC level that was committed. This refers to the updates selected on the system.

This is the backup level of code that you can return to, if necessary. Generally, this is the level ofcode on the permanent side (p-side).

Unactivated Deferred Level



This displays the latest or highest LIC level that contains unactivated deferred updates. This refersto the updates selected on the system.

A deferred update requires a system restart to activate.

Platform IPL Level

This displays the LIC level on which the hypervisor and partition firmware were last restarted.When concurrent LIC updates are performed, the activated level will change, but the platform IPLlevel will remain unchanged.

Update Control

This displays the current owner of LIC update control. It can be either HMC or operating system.

Section 2. Different kinds of “Code download and update” methods

Having known the current firmware levels on the system as described in Section 1 and in orderto move up to the necessary latest update that is available, we have various firmware update andupgrade methods as mentioned below. Select the one that is appropriate to your requirement.

• DVD methodWe can get the latest firmware code information from Fix Central. You need to download thecode (as described in Section 3). You will be able to download the file in the ISO format. Then,you need to burn it to a DVD media to perform the update/upgrade using the obtained DVD(and this is described in Section 4).Section 4 describes the concurrent firmware update procedure. We can also use the DVDmethod to perform code upgrades (to a new release). This can be used when the HMCcannot access Internet due to firewall.

• FTP methodDownload the required code levels using bulk FTP from Fix Central to a remote FTP-enabledsystem (also described in Section 3) Then, perform the code update/upgrade proceduresusing the FTP method, providing the login credentials and location of the update/upgradecode on your remote FTP-enabled repository system ( as described for firmware upgrade inSection 7.Section 7 describes the disruptive upgrade procedure using the FTP method. Similarly, theFTP procedure can also be used for concurrent code updates (within the same release).

• IBM service website method We can perform the Power Systems firmware update/upgradethrough the IBM service website to a required level (as described in Section 8).Section 8 describes the code upgrade procedure disruptively using the IBM website. A similarprocedure can be used for performing concurrent code updates as well.After selecting the required system from the HMC, ensure to select Change LicensedInternal Code in order to perform code updates (any updates within the same release) andselect Upgrade Licensed Internal Code in order to perform code upgrades (by installing thedifferent release).



Section 3. Power Systems firmware code location and downloadfrom Fix Central

Power Systems firmware fix packs or firmware releases can be obtained from the IBM Fix Centralwebsite.

Select the following categories for Power Systems firmware update and choose the appropriatemachine type and model of your system to be updated.

As per the example shown in Figure 3.0, the machine type and model used is: 8203-E4A. Selectthe appropriate machine type of your choice and continue.

Figure 3.0

Example in Figure 3.1 shown below is for the system firmware only. Similarly, you can exploreother options too.

http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/



Figure 3.1

If users are aware of the specific firmware level, then users can select the necessary optiondirectly. If not, users can also take help from the recommendations that the website can provideabout the latest and the best-suited firmware levels. If you need help, select the I need guidance.I am not sure what level of firmware is recommended option as shown in Figure 3.2.

Choose the specific level or get the recommended level as shown below:

Figure 3.2



Figure 3.3

Decide whether your system needs firmware update to the latest fix pack or upgrade to a newrelease based on the current levels installed on the system as obtained from View systeminformation in the above section.



Figure 3.4



Figure 3.5

As an example, let us continue to get the firmware service pack within the current release, asshown in Figure 3.6.



Figure 3.6



Figure 3.7

Similarly, users can get the upgrade code, that is, newer release using the second option. Notethat this will be a disruptive code install, that is, system power recycles.

Note:

Download the update code, if you are planning an update within the current release.

Download the upgrade code if you are planning for an upgrade to a newer release itself.

Figure 3.7 lists the latest, recommended, and available updates to your current release. Select theappropriate option and proceed further.

Continue with downloading the ISO file if you want burn it to a DVD to proceed with the firmwareupdate using the DVD media, or get the code to a remote FTP-enabled system to perform updateusing the FTP method. The firmware update procedure is explained in detail in the followingsections.



Figure 3.8

Figure 3.9



Figure 3.10

Section 4. Power Systems firmware concurrent update procedureusing the DVD method

You can update the firmware concurrently (that is, the fixes that can be deployed on a runningsystem without rebooting partitions or performing an IPL) within a specific release. Select theChange Licensed Internal Code option for the current release.

Figure 4.0



Figure 4.1

In the Specify LIC Repository section (as shown in Figure 4.2), select the location of the LICupdate repository.

Figure 4.2

Figure 4.3



Select the DVD-RAM drive option,where you have the DVD placed and proceed with code updateconcurrently, as shown in Figure 4.3.

Note: Place the DVD in the HMC's DVD drive (and not in the system's DVD drive).

Figure 4.4

Click OK to proceed further to the subsequent steps to perform code update. It verifies whetherthe system is ready for code update by performing the health check and if everything fine, we canproceed further.

The following screen captures show the step-by-step procedure to perform concurrentcode update.

Figure 4.5



Figure 4.6

Figure 4.7



Figure 4.8

Figure 4.9

Figure 4.10



Section 5. Steps to update the firmware disruptively (that is, updaterequiring the system IPL within a specific release)Firmware updates are usually concurrent. Disruptive update service packs are very rare. Theprocedure to perform disruptive update is quite similar to concurrent update (explained in Section4) but this process will prompt for system power cycle during the operation.

Section 6. Advanced code update options from Change LicensedInternal Code wizardWe use the Select advanced features option to perform advanced operations, such as Removeand activate and Reject fix.

Remove and activate option

The Remove and activate option brings the system back to the update level that is on thepermanent side. You can use this option to back off an update level.

Figure 6.0

Figure 6.1



Figure 6.2

Figure 6.3

Click OK and then Close to remove and activate the permanent side update level.

Figure 6.4

Reject Fix operation:

Boot the system in the Permanent Side mode (from ASMI -> Power/Restart Control -> PowerOn/Off System, and make sure that the Current firmware boot side option is displayedas Permanent) and only then the Reject Fix option gets enabled and the operation can beperformed. This operation copies the currently running level (permanent side) to the temporaryside. This can be used to reject a fix that has been applied.



Figure 6.5

Figure 6.6

Figure 6.7

Click OK to start this operation.

Section 7. Upgrade to newer firmware releases disruptively using theFTP methodInstalling a release or a disruptive fix pack causes system IPL. All release upgrades are disruptive.

We can obtain the upgrade code, that is, the disruptive fix pack from Fix Central and burn it to amedia drive and proceed with the upgrade process, which is quite similar to the concurrent updateprocess explained in the earlier sections (except that this operation is disruptive).



In this section, let us learn how to use the FTP method to upgrade the system using the firmwarecode stored in a remote repository.

The following screen captures shows the steps to upgrade to newer firmware releases disruptivelyusing the FTP method.

Figure 7.0

Figure 7.1

Figure 7.2

Figure 7.3



Figure 7.4

Figure 7.5

Figure 7.6



Figure 7.8

Figure 7.9

Clicking OK starts the disruptive upgrade. System will be on the applied release level after theupgrade operation completes.

Section 8. Steps to upgrade the firmware disruptively using the IBMservice website to the required levelAfter logging in to the HMC, click System Management > Servers > Target Server on the leftpane. Instead, you can also click the Updates icon on the same pane. All the available servers willbe displayed in the right pane. In the following figure, the red highlight in the right pane shows thecurrent level installed.



Figure 8.0

Make sure that your target server is in the shutdown mode, and if not, switch off the server.

Now, click the Upgrade Licensed Internal Code to a new release link at the bottom of the pageas shown in the following figure.

Figure 8.1

After clicking the link, you will be directed to the web page which will show information about thereadiness check. If there is no errors found, you can click OK and proceed further, as shown in thefollowing figure.

Figure 8.2

After clicking OK, you will be directed to the Specify LIC Repository page. Here, you need toselect the location of the code. The options shown in the following figure are available.



Figure 8.3

If you are setting a new server configuration, the best practice at this prompt is always to select theIBM service web site option and you need not worry about the need to power off and power onthe managed systems in this method.

After selecting the IBM Service web site option, you will have a new web page opened, whichwill show you the available LIC level details. Here, the best practice is to select the latest availablecode (that is, the latest available version). Most of the fixes are added by IBM and your PowerSystems server will be upgraded to the latest level. Then, select the best as per your requirement,or the latest supported.

Be patient here and follow the prompts to complete the upgrade. The firmware upgrade activitywill need time depending on your Internet bandwidth speed. Do not forget to switch on the server,so that the latest firmware gets activated and reflected in the navigation pane, as shown in thefollowing figure.

Figure 8.4

Now you are done with the upgrade. Remember if you select multiple systems, you can upgradethem as well.



Resources

• Microcode and firmware update presentation• Updating POWER5 system firmware• HMC and firmware management for POWER5/POWER6/POWER7• Virtualization best practice• Power Systems - firmware• Virtual I/O and virtualization

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/download/attachments/53871900/2007-4-26-presentation.pdf?version=1

https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home/wiki/Power%20Systems/page/Updating%20POWER5%20system%20firmware?lang=en

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/download/attachments/53871900/HMC+and+Firmware+AIX+VUG_Feb+2011.pdf

https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home/wiki/Not%20AIX/page/Virtualization%20Best%20Practice?lang=en

https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home/wiki/Power%20Systems/page/Firmware?lang=en

https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home/wiki/Power%20Systems/page/Virtual%20IO%20and%20virtualization?lang=en



About the authors

Nitin Thorve

Nitin Thorve is a Senior Associate IT Specialist, with more than three years ofexperience in IBM India. He has experience in IBM, NetApp Storage administration,IBM AIX including IBM Power hardware and IBM cluster technologies, such asIBM General Parallel File System (IBM GPFS™) and IBM HACMP. Till date, hehas published three international papers and journals. Nitin is an SNIA certifiedStorage professional and holds other certifications from Brocade and IBM in relatedtechnologies.

Priyanka Jade

Priyanka Jade is a Staff Software Engineer, having more than five years of experiencewith IBM India. She has experience in IBM pSeries®-based system testing, IBMAIX administration, virtualization technologies, hardware administration tools , andSmart Cloud Entry. Priyanka is currently involved in Power Systems customer test,which includes Power Systems firmware testing, HMC testing, and Systems DirectorManagement Console (SDMC) testing.

Thirukumaran Vasantha Thananjayan

Thirukumaran is a Senior Staff Software Engineer, having more than seven yearsof experience with IBM India. He has experience in AIX, IBM pSeries-based systemtesting, IBM AIX administration, virtualization technologies, hardware administrationtools, and Smart Cloud Entry. He is currently involved in IBM Power Systemshardware system test for the new platforms.

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