gs1280 v72a fw relnote

This document, dated October 2006, provides the V7.2A Firmware Release Notes and Update Procedures for hp AlphaServer ES47, ES80, and GS1280 Systems. It explicitly states that V7.2A is an interim firmware release, not a firmware CD release.

Key aspects covered include:

1. Firmware Revisions: Details the current versions for various components such as SRM Console (V7.2-11), MBM/PBM FW (V2.7-5), CMM FW (V2.7-4), and CPLD Lattice Part (V0.5), along with VMS and UNIX PALcode and PCI I/O adapter firmware.
2. Firmware Enhancements (V7.2A): Primarily addresses a routing algorithm bug introduced in the V7.2 firmware release that prevented some valid partition configurations from powering on.
3. Critical Notice (V7.1 Firmware): Strongly advises against using V7.1 Firmware for GS1280 systems due to a bug that could cause machine check crashes, especially in non-rectangular partitions or those with CPU filler modules. Users on V7.1 are urged to upgrade to V7.2A or later immediately.
4. Update Procedures:
   • CD-based Update (LFU): The primary method using the Loadable Firmware Utility (LFU) from a firmware update CD, including steps to initialize the system, identify the CD-ROM drive, boot the LFU, list available updates, and perform the update.
   • MBM CLI "update" Command (Alternative): An alternative method for situations where the CD/LFU cannot be run. This involves setting up a PC-based TFTP server with a static IP (e.g., 10.253.0.254) and using specific update commands at the MBM CLI prompt to flash individual firmware components via TFTP.
5. Important Notices, Workarounds, and Restrictions:
   • CPLD Update Steps: Specific power-off and reset sequences are required for CPLD device programming to complete, varying based on whether the system was previously running V6.9 or V6.8 (or earlier) firmware. Partitioned systems have additional considerations.
   • Partitioned Systems: Special instructions for updating firmware and servicing I/O risers in partitioned environments, emphasizing careful power management and specific reset commands to ensure all firmware is updated correctly and other partitions remain operational.
   • Serial Number Mismatch: Requires issuing an MBM "set sys_serial_num" command after replacing FRU parts.
   • XSROM Consistency: Mismatched XSROM versions can prevent booting, requiring all CPU modules to be upgraded or downgraded to a consistent version.
   • KVM Console Limitations: "Run bios" command in graphics mode is not supported via KVM; serial console is recommended.
   • Server Management Firmware (MBM/PBM/CMM) Notes: Includes warnings about power cycling after FPGA updates, avoiding MBM commands during upgrades, and limitations on splitting DUOs into hard partitions.