ds20l v66 fw relnote

This document provides Release Notes for the AlphaServer DS20L V6.6 Console Firmware, released in December 2003.

Purpose and Audience: The document details significant changes in this firmware release and describes the methods for updating console firmware and supported I/O options firmware. It is intended for individuals responsible for operating system installations, upgrades, and firmware updates.

Key Golden Rules for Updating Firmware:

• Always update console firmware before installing or updating an operating system.
• After an operating system shutdown, always re-initialize the system before running the update utility.
• Do not load firmware that is older than what is presently installed.

Console Changes in V6.6:

• KGPSA Enhancements & Fixes:

  • Serious KGPSA faults will now cause the system to crash, rather than hang.
  • Improved handling and reporting for fibre channel disk initialization (e.g., "waiting for poll to complete" messages are expected).
  • A two-minute timer has been added for link initialization to prevent system hangs.
  • KGPSA will report "open fibre" when not connected to a switch or arbitrated loop.
  • Error messages have been expanded to include device names, and some messages reporting normal behavior have been removed.

• New Firmware: Includes new firmware for FCA2384.

Operating System/Firmware Compatibility:

• This Console Firmware V6.6 (SRM Version V6.6) requires a minimum of Tru64 Unix V5.1A.

Known Anomalies:

• Reconfiguring Fibre Channel Switches: If a fibre cable is moved, the console must be re-initialized before devices can be accessed via the new switch.
• KGPSA Messages: Informational messages like "retry ct pga0.0.0.2.6" are expected and do not indicate an error.
• Console KGPSA Driver Start: The error message "pga0.0.0.2.4 - Nvram read failed" may appear; users should refer to the WWIDMGR USERS MANUAL for information on formatting NVRAM.

Firmware Update Procedure:

• Firmware is updated using the Loadable Firmware Utility (LFU) from the SRM console.
• The update can be performed by booting from a network device (using MOP protocol) or from an Alpha Firmware CD.
• General Steps: Re-initialize the system (init), boot the update utility (e.g., boot eia0 -fi v62_shupdate -proto mop for network or boot dqb0 for CD), then execute UPD> update srm.
• Typing UPD> exit from the LFU will initialize the system, activating the new firmware.
• Special Note for Linux Users: If the environment variable "sysvar" is set to 5, it must be changed to 12 and the system re-initialized before running the update. After the update, reset "sysvar" back to 5.
• LFU Commands: Key commands include update (to apply firmware) and list (to display memory-loaded images and supported flash ROMs).