gs320 v73 fw relnote

This document comprises the V7.3 Firmware Release Notes for the Hewlett-Packard AlphaServer GS80/160/320 systems, published in April 2007. It outlines firmware revisions, compatibility information, important workarounds and restrictions, and detailed procedures for updating the system firmware.

Key Points:

1. Purpose: To guide users on updating firmware using the Loadable Firmware Update Utility (LFU) and to provide critical information regarding system operation with V7.3 firmware.
2. Firmware Updates (V7.3): The primary change in this release is the SRM Console Firmware (V7.3-1). Other components like CSB Micro Firmware (SCM, PSM, PBM, HPM), VMS/UNIX PALcode, and various PCI I/O Adapter firmwares remain at V6.6 or prior V7.x versions.
3. Console Firmware Changes (V7.3 Specific):
   • Kgpsa driver: Fixes a fibre-channel fabric switch login issue when connections are moved; recommends using an SDID of zero.
   • Wwidmgr: Increased the number of Nx and WWIDx console environmental variables to support more boot and crash dump to fibre-channel storage volumes.
4. Important Workarounds and Restrictions:
   • Bootable DVDs are not supported on all Alpha systems due to memory architectural restrictions.
   • OpenVMS V7.3-1 with GALAXY Partitions and SRM V6.3: CPU migration functionality has issues and requires a remedial kit (VMS731_SYS-V0100 or later).
   • Memory DIMMs (Samsung): The build -dimm command may not work correctly due to write-protected EEPROM, leading to incorrect FRU data after power cycles.
   • Proper Power Off/Reset: For partitioned systems, use the power off or reset command from the SRM console (or OS application), not the SCM monitor, to prevent unpredictable behavior.
   • SRM Console Internal Heap: Increased from 1MB to 2MB; users may need to adjust the heap_expand variable for extremely large configurations.
   • Tru64UNIX "Bootstrap address collision": May occur after SRM console updates, requiring a generic kernel boot and regeneration of a custom kernel.
   • KVM Console Switch Limitations: run bios command in graphics mode is not supported (use serial console).
   • Serial Number/DIMM Programming: Specific procedures are provided for setting system serial numbers and programming non-Compaq memory DIMMs.
   • UART Communications Settings: Recommends 9600 baud with Xon/Xoff flow control to prevent serial character loss and corruption, especially when using terminal emulators.
   • SCM Monitor: All micros and XSROM should be at consistent firmware revisions before updates. Provides workarounds for EEPROM version mismatches and powering off failed CPUs.
   • PCI Drawer Power Supplies: Describes an issue with enabling redundant power supplies with certain PBM micro images and provides a CLI workaround.
   • Hot-Swap/Hot-Add: Restricts hot-swapping "slow" CPUs (B4125) into "fast" QBBs.
   • Fibre Channel Behavior: Addresses NVRAM formatting issues and "MBX not ready" errors with wwidmgr commands.
5. Firmware Update Procedures:
   • General Recommendation: It is strongly recommended to run the LFU from the serial line with the "console" environment variable set to "serial" mode, as graphics monitors may go blank during updates.
   • Prerequisites: Requires powering off, de-partitioning, and powering on the system before running the LFU from the firmware CD.
   • Detailed Steps: Provides step-by-step instructions for updating SRM Console, CSB Micro Firmware (SCM, PSM, PBM, HPM), and PCI I/O Adapter firmware using the LFU.
   • Version Checking: Explains how to use show firmware and show csb commands to verify firmware versions.
   • Recovery from Failed Updates: Crucially, it details the process for recovering a CSB node if an LFU update fails, which involves a serial update via the SCM, specific hardware connections (laptop to SCM), and precise COM1 port/terminal emulator settings (for Windows NT/2000/95, KEAterm, PowerTerm).
   • Impact of Updates: Notes that updates to most microprocessors cause an immediate reset, and recommends isolating the QBB-partition to minimize impact.