ds10 v72 fw relnote

This document, "AlphaServer DS10 V7.2 Console Firmware Release Notes" (June 2006), provides critical information for users updating console and I/O option firmware on AlphaServer DS10 systems. It covers significant changes in the V7.2 release, compatibility requirements, known anomalies, and detailed firmware update procedures.

Key highlights include:

• Changes in V7.2: Specific I/O option firmware revisions for DS-KGPSA cards, new module naming for DE602-FA and DEGXA-SB/TB, and a WWIDMGR code change to avoid attempting UDID retrieval on Fibre Channel SAN for certain SCSI devices.
• New Console Commands: Introduction of show bios (to list controllers with BIOS expansion ROMs) and run bios (to invoke BIOS expansion ROM utilities, which involves a bus reset).
• Compatibility: This firmware release (V7.2) is compatible with OpenVMS V7.1-2 (with required patches) and Tru64 Unix V4.0F. The specified console firmware versions are SRM V7.2 and AlphaBIOS V5.71.
• Critical Pre-requisite: AlphaBIOS V5.70 (and implicitly V5.71) requires HAL Revision G to be installed before updating the AlphaBIOS firmware; otherwise, the system will hang at boot time.

• Known Anomalies and Restrictions:

  • The run bios command is not supported from the graphics console when connected via a KVM switch; users should use the serial console.
  • Halting VMS with a 3D Labs Oxygen VX1 graphics card in graphics mode may prevent the monitor from resetting, appearing hung, but keyboard input remains active.
  • Reconfiguring fibre channel switches requires console re-initialization.
  • Informational "retry" messages from KGPSA devices are not error indications.

• Firmware Update Procedure: The document outlines how to use the Loadable Firmware Utility (LFU) from both the SRM Console and AlphaBIOS Console. Key "golden rules" emphasize updating console firmware before the operating system and re-initializing the system before running the update utility. Users are warned against loading older firmware. The process involves booting from a firmware CD and using LFU commands like update and exit.

• Firmware Change History: The document also details changes and bug fixes from previous versions (V7.1, V7.0, V6.9), including enhancements to SCSI/KGPSA drivers, new SRM environment variables, and fixes for issues like WWIDMGR hangs in fibre-channel support.

The document is intended for system administrators and provides links for accessing firmware and drivers online.