DIGITAL AXPpci33 Firmware Update Procedures

This document, "DIGITAL AXPpci33 Firmware Update Procedures," provides instructions for updating the system firmware on DIGITAL AXPpci33 series computers. These systems utilize two flash ROMs that can be programmed with either ARC console firmware (for Windows NT operating systems) or SRM console firmware (for DIGITAL UNIX operating systems), with compatibility details for various OS versions provided.

The primary method of updating firmware involves using a Firmware Update Utility Compact Disc. Detailed, step-by-step procedures are provided for:

1. Updating a DIGITAL UNIX System: This involves booting the system, identifying the CD-ROM drive, loading the update CD, temporarily setting the auto_action environment variable to HALT, booting from the utility disk, executing the update srm command, verifying the checksum, and power cycling the system.
2. Updating a Windows NT System: This procedure requires shutting down Windows NT, power cycling the system, selecting "Supplementary menu" then "Install New Firmware," and performing the update using update arc and verification. The document also highlights specific problems encountered during Windows NT updates, such as issues with CD search paths (requiring floppy use for older firmware versions), display device configuration affecting output, and potential hangs with bridged PCI cards (which may need temporary removal).

The document also outlines procedures for Network and InfoServer Upgrades, which are supported primarily for DIGITAL UNIX systems running SRM firmware:

• MOP Network Upgrade: Requires setting up a host system (VMS, ULTRIX, or DIGITAL UNIX) to copy the update file from the CD and configuring the network, then booting the target system from the network.
• BOOTP Network Upgrade: Involves mounting the CD, modifying /etc/bootptab and /etc/tftptab files on a host system, invoking bootpd and tftpd daemons, and then booting the target from the network.
• InfoServer Upgrade: Similar to network upgrades, it requires the CD in an InfoServer's CD-ROM, a minimum InfoServer kernel revision, and MOP enabled, followed by a network boot command on the target system.

Finally, the guide details DIGITAL AXPpci33 Series Firmware Information, noting that the current release primarily offers bug fixes without new functionality. It also lists several SRM Firmware Limitations, including potential IRQ resource conflicts, requirements for quoting boot file pathnames, issues with ISACFG command modifications (which require device removal and re-addition to correct), CD-ROM boot timeout errors, specific generic BOOTP setup commands, and a console bug during DIGITAL UNIX installations that obscures commands needed for setup, requiring manual intervention.