4.3 Firmware for a Cluster

Firmware on the AlphaServer and the StorageWorks storage subsystem components is the first software that is executed when the hardware powers up and usually the last software to execute as the hardware is powered down. It is also the software that directly controls the hardware and as such is platform dependent.

Although firmware is platform dependent, it is operating system independent. There have been many modifications to the operating system that are designed to interoperate with newer firmware features. For this reason, you should always install the latest firmware available from HP for the AlphaServers and for the StorageWorks storage subsystem of your cluster. All too frequently, operating system problems encountered by users can be traced to not having the appropriate firmware and operating system combination. As one colleague once said, "the PAL code makes the difference."^[10]

4.3.1 Alpha Firmware

Alpha Firmware updates usually come on new Alpha Firmware Release CDs that accompany the release of a new version of Tru64 UNIX. Alpha Firmware updates can also be found on the Web at:

 //ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/

Before updating the Alpha Firmware for any AlphaServer, always review the Firmware's Release Notes for new features, caveats, and known anomalies. Be certain to review the Firmware Release Notes that correspond to the AlphaServer to be updated for the exact procedure for updating the firmware on your AlphaServer.

IMPORTANT

While performing any upgrade of the Alpha Firmware, do not abort the update. Furthermore, you should avoid any situation that can lead to the loss of power to the AlphaServer during the upgrade (i.e., don't upgrade your firmware during a thunderstorm unless the AlphaServer is connected to a UPS). Should either event happen, please contact your local HP Field Engineer to check the system.

The following example provides a brief procedure on how to update the firmware for a specific AlphaServer^[11].

Insert the firmware CD into the CDROM and determine which device is the CDROM.

 P00>>> show dev dga1.1001.0.7.1               $1$DGA1           HSG80   V86F dkc0.0.0.7.0                    DKC0           RZ2DD-LS 0306 dqa0.0.0.105.0                  DQA0            CD-224E 9.5B dva0.0.0.0.0                    DVA0 ...

Re-initialize the server.
```
 P00>>> init 
```

Boot from the Alpha Firmware CD.

 P00>>> boot DQA0 ... [Release notes are displayed.]

When prompted, enter the boot file or press enter to accept the default boot file that you will use on the Firmware CD.

 ... The default bootfile for this platform is          [DS20]DS20_V6_1.EXE Hit <RETURN> at the prompt to use the default bootfile.

 Bootfile: ... ***** Loadable Firmware Update Utility ***** ------------------------------------------------------------------ Function Description ------------------------------------------------------------------ Display Displays the system's configuration table. Exit Done exit LFU (reset). List Lists the device, revision, firmware name,update rev Update Replaces current firmware with loadable data image. Verify Compares loadable and hardware images. ? or Help Scrolls this function table. ------------------------------------------------------------------ UPD>

Update the firmware.

 UPD> update Confirm update on: fsb nt pga0 srm [Y/(N)] y

 WARNING: updates may take several minutes to complete for each device.                    DO NOT ABORT! fsb       Updating to 3.2...        Verifying 3.2... PASSED. nt        Updating to 5.71...       Verifying 5.71... PASSED. pga0      Updating to DS3.81A4...   Verifying DS3.81A4... PASSED. srm       Updating to 6.1-2...      Verifying 6.1-2... PASSED. UPD> exit

That's really all there is to it.

4.3.2 ECU Firmware

For some older AlphaServers that have the Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) should be run if you have added devices or if the system is a dual-boot system (with OpenVMS). This utility updates the EISA NVRAM.

The following outlines how to update the ECU firmware:

Insert the ECU diskette into the floppy disk drive.
Boot the system from the floppy disk drive.
Follow the instructions on the screen to display the Main Menu.
Select the following menu items from the Main Menu:
- CMOS setup
- Advanced CMOS setup
- Console Selection: Digital UNIX Console (SRM)
Press the F10 key to save your selections.
Power off and then power on the system.

4.3.3 Host Bus Adapter Firmware

As of Alpha Firmware update version 6.1, the host bus adapter firmware and the Alpha Firmware are updated at the same time. Included on the list of devices to update is the KGPSA host bus adapter – this is the pga0 device. Just make sure that the firmware is updated for this device.

4.3.4 HSZ/HSG RAID Array Controller Firmware

Updating the HSZ/HSG RAID Array Controller firmware should be left to the HP Field Service Engineers. Only those customers who really know what they are doing should attempt this update and only after performing a full backup of any data that may be on the storage subsystem.

The minimum HSZ/HSG firmware revisions to support TruCluster Server are represented in Table 4-3.

To determine the firmware level of your HSZ/HSG controller, use the following command:

 HSG> show this Controller:         HSG80 ZG14100634 Software V86F-8, Hardware E16 ...

In this example, the HSG80 controller is at the ACS firmware revision V86F-8. The "-8" usually signifies the patch level of the firmware. The same conventions and caveats that apply to the HSG ACS firmware can also be applied to the HSOF firmware of the HSZ family of controllers.

4.3.5 Fibre Channel Switch Firmware

Again, as with the HSZ/HSG Raid Array Controller firmware, only HP Field Service Engineers should perform updates to the Fibre Channel Switch Firmware.

^[10]PAL code or Privileged Architecture Library (PAL-code) is made up of non-interruptible functions required to support the lowest level of activities on an AlphaServer system such as context switching, system call initiation, and interrupt/exception dispatching.

^[11]According to the AlphaServer DS20 V6.2 Console Firmware Release Notes.