dec7000 v18 fw relnote

This document outlines the procedures for updating the firmware on DEC 7000 AXP and DEC 10000 AXP Systems to Version V5.4 using the Loadable Firmware Update (LFU) utility (release AXP7000_V18). It also details known console and diagnostic bugs, restrictions, and fixes for this firmware version.

Key Update Procedures:

1. Preparation:

   • Record all customized system parameters, as they will be reset to default during the upgrade.
   • Critical Warning: Verify DEC7700 CPU module type by examining the DC_STAT register; do not upgrade if the low order three bits are 001 (pre-production module).
   • Ensure auto_action is set to halt before starting the LFU.

2. Firmware Update:

   • Boot the LFU program from either a local CD-ROM or an InfoServer.
   • Use the update * command to apply firmware updates to all detected devices.
   • Initialize the EEPROMs for both primary and secondary CPUs using build nvr and build eeprom.
   • Save the new configuration with set config.
   • Initialize Serial EEPROMs for specific modules (e.g., DWLAA, DWLMA, IOP, MS7AA, MS7BB) using build seeprom *, providing serial and part numbers from module labels.

3. Post-Update:

   • Restore any customized parameters (e.g., bootdef_dev, terminal baud rate) that were reset.
   • For DEC 10000 AXP systems, set the system variant using set system variant 1.
   • Initialize the system with the init command.

Important Cautions and Restrictions (V5.4 Firmware):

• Firmware Incompatibility: Do not mix DEC 7000 Models 6x0/7x0 AXP in the same system. Avoid downgrading DEMFA firmware after updating to V2.1. AXP7000V09 LFU is incompatible; AXP7000V0A is needed to downgrade to V3.2.
• OpenVMS AXP V1.5: Will not boot from a CI disk with V5.4 firmware if the AXPAPB01_015.A kit is not installed prior to the console upgrade. Full device names are required for CI booting.
• EEPROM Corruption: Avoid using update -e; instead, use build eeprom directly.
• Console Limitations: bootdef_dev is limited to four devices. Autoboot is not supported with HSC95s (a script workaround is provided). show device may fail to find all MSCP devices (retry if needed) and supports a maximum of 300 disks; it can also exhaust memory heap space on HSCXX CI controllers.
• Memory/Diagnostics: Bad memory spots will force memory interleave to NONE. test dk* commands for >2GB disks may show negative error values. test command has limited qualifiers and MOP loopback support is for DEMNA only.
• UNIX Swap/Dump: Console firmware does not recognize the UNIX swap/dump partition if it's not on the system disk (a script workaround is available).
• MOP Booting: MOP booting via DEFAA adapter is not supported. MOPV3_BOOT is defaulted to 1 due to a MOP V4.0 protocol issue.

Bugs Fixed:

• An issue with improper initialization of the PCBB IPR register, which affected VMS systems during upgrades (e.g., to V7.2), has been resolved.

New Functionality:

• There are no new console or diagnostic functionalities introduced in this release.