es40 v73 fw relnote

This document, the "hp AlphaServer ES40, ES40cv, ES40lp and TS40,TS20 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes" (April 2007), provides information on significant changes and update procedures for the console firmware on these AlphaServer models. It is intended for individuals responsible for operating system installation/upgrades and firmware updates.

Key Highlights of V7.3 Firmware Release:

• Kgpsa Driver Fix: Resolves an issue where the console failed to log in to a fibre-channel fabric switch if the connection was moved, recommending an SDID of zero as a solution.
• Wwidmgr Enhancement: Increases the number of Nx and WWIDx console environmental variables, allowing for more definitions of world-wide-IDs and paths for boot and crash dump to fibre-channel storage.
• Current Firmware Versions: The release includes SRM V7.3-1, AlphaBIOS V5.71, RMC V2.8, SROM V2.22-G, and TIG 10. Corresponding PALcode versions for EV6, EV67, and EV68 CPUs are also specified.
• OS Compatibility: Supports OpenVMS V8.2 and Tru64 Unix V5.1B.

Firmware Update Procedure: Firmware updates are performed using the Loadable Firmware Utility (LFU) from an Alpha Systems Firmware CD or a floppy diskette. The general process involves booting from dqa0, entering update to apply changes, and exit to finalize. A manual update mode is available for RMC and TIG firmware. The document also outlines a "Fail-Safe Loader" method for recovering from firmware corruption.

Important Considerations and Known Issues:

• Golden Rules: Users are advised to update all console firmware (SRM, RMC, SROM, AlphaBIOS, TIG) to the latest revision for compatibility before OS installation or upgrade. Critically, do not load firmware older than what is currently installed.
• KVM Console Switch Limitations: The run bios command in graphics mode is not supported via KVM; a serial console connection is recommended as a workaround.
• RMC V2.8 PCI Temperature Sensing: System shutdown due to over-temperature in the PCI option area now requires two or more sensors to detect the condition, an increase from previous versions where one was sufficient.
• Known Anomalies: Bootable DVDs are not supported. Other documented issues include specific command sequence problems (Ctrl^P/Show Device/Continue), PCI slot restrictions, Fibre Channel behavior quirks (wwidmgr commands), and hot-swapping mice or keyboards.
• FFAUTO and FFNEXT Variables: These environment variables enable the console to force "not connected" devices to a "connected" state for booting, with FFAUTO being persistent and FFNEXT temporary.
• Memory DIMM Type: Instructions are provided to determine if MS610-DA/EA DIMMs are "stacked" or "monolithic" using the examine dpr command, highlighting that these types are not interchangeable and require matching within a memory array.

The document also contains a comprehensive "Firmware Change History" detailing updates from V5.5 (August 1999) through V7.2 (June 2006).