How to update firmware on a BLADECENTER

[june54]

FOLKS


How do you update the firmware on a bladecenter ..

Thanks

 

[MoreFeo]

I suppose you want to update the firmware on a JS21 or JS20.

I found some time ago a redbook called IBM BladeCenter JS21 - The POWER of Blade Innovation, but I don't remember where I got it (take a look at the redbooks webpage).

This is what it says, about updating firmware using AIX:

1. Download the firmware update package from the IBM support Web site. See
6.6.1, “Getting the latest firmware, tools, and support” on page 95. The
firmware image itself is delivered using an IMG file.

Note: Even if the IMG file size is approximately 24 MB, it is meant to be
used as a flash image for the 4 MB flash memory. Typically, the IMG file
contains more than the firmware data of a BladeCenter JS21.

2. To use the update_flash utility, the operating system running on the
BladeCenter JS21 must have access to the IMG file. If the name of the
firmware IMG file is mb-240.470.013_ppc64 and the file is in the actual
directory, enter the following command to verify an IMG file:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/update_flash -v -f
ibm_fw_bios_mb-240.470.013_anyos_ppc64.img

3. Use the following command to update the firmware:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/update_flash -f
ibm_fw_bios_mb-240.470.013_anyos_ppc64.img

4. The update_flash utility asks for a confirmation as shown in Figure 6-19.
After confirmation, the update of the temporary system firmware starts. To
avoid the confirmation dialog, additionally use the parameter -q.

# /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/update_flash -f mb-240.470.013_anyos_ppc64.img
The image is valid and would update the temporary image to MB240_470_013.
The new firmware level for the permanent image would be MB240_470_012.
The current permanent system firmware image is MB240_470_012.
The current temporary system firmware image is MB240_470_012.
***** WARNING: Continuing will reboot the system! *****
Do you wish to continue?
Enter 1=Yes or 2=No

5. If there are problems with the new firmware it is possible to use the firmware
image stored on the permanent side of the flash memory to reject the new
version. Enter the following command to copy the firmware level of the
permanent system firmware image to the temporary side:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/update_flash -r

Note: The firmware stored on the temporary side of the flash memory is
the default firmware used during a BladeCenter JS21 startup. It is possible
to boot the firmware stored on the permanent side of the flash memory by
using the SMS interface. See 6.8, “System Management Services
interface” on page 133.

Alternatively, if the new firmware works fine, you can commit the firmware
update and copy the image from the temporary side to the permanent side.
To do this, use the following command:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/update_flash -c

If you don't have AIX installed, you can boot from the stand-alone diagnostics CD, and use diag to do this. If you need some help with this step I'll post the here.