es45 v73 fw relnote

This document, the "hp AlphaServer & AlphaStation ES45 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes" (April 2007), outlines significant changes in this firmware release, describes methods for updating console firmware, and details known anomalies and restrictions.

Key Information:

1. Scope & Audience: It's intended for users responsible for operating system installations/upgrades and firmware updates.
2. Golden Rule: Always update all firmware (SRM, RMC, SROM, TIG) to the latest version; never load an older version than currently installed.
3. V7.3 Console Firmware Changes:
   • Kgpsa driver: Fixes an issue where the console failed to log into fibre-channel fabric switches after a connection moved.
   • Wwidmgr: Increases the number of console environmental variables (Nx and WWIDx) for boot and crash dump operations to fibre-channel storage.
   • RMC firmware: Addresses an issue where the RMC might incorrectly report a power supply as "bad" after replacement.
   • I/O Option Firmware: There were no I/O Adapter firmware changes specifically released with the V7.3 firmware CD.
   • Updated Firmware Revisions: SRM V7.3-2 and RMC V2.4 are updated in this release.
4. Firmware Update Methods:
   • The recommended method is updating from a bootable Alpha Systems Firmware CD.
   • Updating from bootable DVDs is not supported.
   • Other methods include updating from floppy disk, using the SRM console lfu command, and the Loadable Firmware Utility (LFU).
   • The LFU has a default mode (updates SRM, SROM, I/O option) and a manual mode (required for RMC and TIG updates).
   • A Fail-Safe Loader (FSL) on a floppy disk is available for recovery from firmware corruption.
5. Helpful Hints: Provides guidance on using show bios and run bios commands (only from a serial console, not graphics/KVM), user_def1 and user_def2 environment variables (SRM V7.0+), updating the FRU table for power supplies (buildfru -m), clearing error flags, and managing console environment variables like memory_test, cpu_enabled, and com1_mode.
6. Known Anomalies and Restrictions:
   • Bootable DVDs are not supported due to memory size limitations.
   • Specific PCI slot restrictions apply to DEGPA-SA/TA adapters; incorrect installation can cause system hangs or errors.
   • Halt button/crash command behavior can be problematic in graphics mode with certain cards and operating systems (Tru64Unix, OpenVMS); workarounds are provided.
   • Illegal configurations of Memory Channel 2 (requiring hardware revision D02 or higher) will be reported.
   • Firmware should be updated to the latest release before installing newer EV68 CPUs.
   • A serial number mismatch might occur after adding CPUs; a procedure to clear this is provided.
   • Do not hot-swap mice or keyboards to prevent electronic damage or loss of keyboard response.
   • Information regarding KGPSA Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter messages, NVRAM reformatting, and wwidmgr command usage is included.

The document also includes a detailed firmware change history for previous versions (V6.1 through V7.2).