ds10 v73 fw relnote

This document comprises the Release Notes for the AlphaServer DS10 V7.3 Console Firmware, dated April 2007. It outlines significant changes, firmware update procedures, console notes, known anomalies, and a change history for previous versions.

Key highlights include:

• V7.3 Console Changes:

  • A fix for the Kgpsa driver to improve login to fibre-channel fabric switches, advising the use of an SDID of zero when reconnecting.
  • An increase in the number of Wwidmgr environmental variables (Nx to 16, WWIDx to 8) to support more fibre-channel storage volumes for boot and crash dumps.
  • No changes to I/O Option Firmware in this release.

• Operating System Compatibility: The firmware supports OpenVMS V7.1-2+ (with required patches) and Tru64 Unix V4.0F. The specific console firmware revisions are SRM V7.3-1 and AlphaBIOS V5.71.

• Firmware Update Procedure: Detailed steps are provided for updating firmware from both SRM and AlphaBIOS consoles using the Loadable Firmware Utility (LFU). A "golden rule" advises updating console firmware before OS installation/update and re-initializing the system after OS shutdown.

• Known Anomalies and Restrictions:

  • Bootable DVDs are not supported on all Alpha systems due to memory limitations.
  • The run bios command from a graphics console via a KVM switch is not supported and should be done via a serial console.
  • Halting VMS with a 3D Labs Oxygen VX1 Graphics Card may not reset the monitor; users should type crash.
  • AlphaBIOS V5.70 requires HAL Revision G to be installed first to prevent boot-time hangs.

• Firmware Change History: Previous versions (V7.2, V7.1, V7.0, V6.9) introduced various console enhancements, I/O option firmware updates, SCSI driver improvements, and fixes for issues like long environment variables causing crashes or WWIDMGR hangs.

The document is intended for individuals responsible for operating system installations and upgrades, and for updating console and I/O options firmware.