These release notes contain information about software and firmware that run on the Fibre Channel (FC) Host Adapters, FC Switches, and FC Bridges attached to an xSeries Model 430 or a NUMA-Q® system. Read these notes before installing any new software and downloading it to firmware. This information does not appear elsewhere in the system documentation.
The following software is distributed on the CD-ROM labeled "DYNIX/ptx V4.5.3 Operating System and Layered Products Software, Vol. 1, Sept 2001":
In the software package labeled "cfwdl-compatible Firmware Bundle, V1.3.2":
Vendor-supplied a2.2.1a software for IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000-family FC Switches
Vendor-supplied V1.6c3 software for SilkWorm 1000-family FC Switches
The presence of FC-ported IBM Magstar 3590 FC Tape Subsystems requires that the firmware versions for the LP7000 FC Host Adapters and the IBM 2109 or SilkWorm 2000 FC Switches in the system must be upgraded beyond the standard distribution for DYNIX/ptx V4.5.2. This requirement applies when installing a 3590 E1A or E11 Tape Subsystem with a new DYNIX/ptx V4.5.2 system or when adding the first 3590 to an existing system.
The following replacement software is distributed on the CD-ROM labeled "DYNIX/ptx V4.5.2 Software for FC IBM 3590 Tape Subsystems, June 2001." This CD-ROM is included in the standard accessory kit that accompanies the first subsystem to be installed. Subsequent subsystems do not require the standard accessory kit.
Vendor-supplied SF3.22a0 software for LP7000E FC Host Adapters in the software package labeled "cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle V1.3.2"
Vendor-supplied a2.2.1a software for IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000-family FC Switches in its own software package
The following software is distributed on the CD-ROM labeled "DYNIX/ptx V4.5.2 Operating System and Layered Products Software, Vol. 1, June 2001, and applies to systems that do not support IBM Magstar 3590 FC Tape Subsystems.
In the software package labeled "cfwdl-compatible Firmware Bundle, V1.3.2":
Vendor-supplied V2.1.7 software for IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000-family FC Switches
Vendor-supplied V1.6c3 software for SilkWorm 1000-family FC Switches
Fibre-Channel firmware recipes for all DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x releases are documented in Table 1-1.
Versions of firmware for the FC Host Adapter, FC Switch, and FC Bridge are normally released as a proofed set that has been tested with the newest version of the DYNIX/ptx operating system (OS). Occasionally, a release set must be upgraded with a change to a particular FC component or an operating-system component to correct a serious problem.
See Table 1-1 for the best firmware combinations that should be used with each DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x operating system release.
When a component of the release set is upgraded to fix a serious problem, the table listings are adjusted to show a later version number than the original release.
ATTENTION Do not mix firmware from different release sets. Unpredictable behavior may result.
For upgrading capability only, components of a release set are regression tested for compatibility with the last operating system that was deemed a mandatory upgrade.
If a replacement or expansion FC component has a different release-set version level than the other FC components with which it will be working, it must be changed to be compatible with that release set. If possible, the whole system should be upgraded to the latest release set to take advantage of new features and fixes for old problems.
ATTENTION FC Host Adapter Model LP6000 (OFC V2) is not supported on OS V4.5.x systems.
Release Date |
DYNIX/ptx Version |
FC-Host Adapter Firmware |
FC Switch Firmware |
FC Bridge Firmware |
SDG Router Firmware |
|
September 2001 |
V4.5.3 |
SF3.22a0a FF2.30b |
a2.2.1ac V2.1.7c V1.6c3d |
V1.5.5 |
V3.42.12 |
|
December 2000e |
V4.5.2 |
SF3.22a0a |
V2.1.7c V1.6c3d |
V1.5.5g |
-- |
|
August 2000h |
V4.5.1 |
SF2.23a |
V2.1.3c V1.6c3d |
V1.5.3 |
-- |
a. For LP7000E (V4) only.
b. For LP6000 Models (V3 non-OFC and OFC) when an older system is upgraded to the OS V4.5.x software stack.
c. For IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000-family FC Switch models only.
d. For SilkWorm 1000-family FC Switch models only.
e. New Best Recipe effective June, 2001, with qualification of SF3.22a0 for LP7000E FC Host Adapters only.
f. Upgrade only when IBM 3590 FC Tape Subsystems must be supported.
g. FC Bridge firmware V1.5.4 is not supported on DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x.
h. Redlight 465 mandatory upgrade to FC Host Adapter Firmware FF2.30.
When upgrading the whole system software stack to a new release level, the optimal order for the Fibre Channel subsystem components is different for single versus clustered NUMA-Q systems:
ATTENTION Always upgrade the operating system and layered-products software first to ensure that the latest FC Driver, FC software source files, and FC downloading utilities are in place before upgrading the firmware on any FC device.
ATTENTION A multi-fold, hard-copy, quick-reference guide for upgrading the software stack of a NUMA-Q system is available. This guide is called "DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x and Layered Products Installation Quick Reference." The sequence information and condensed instructions in this guide would be helpful to an experienced installer.
Upgrade system software and firmware in the following order:
DYNIX/ptx operating system and essential layered products, including ptx®/SPDrivers.
To allow the customer access to the system as long as possible, the OS upgrade is normally performed from the multi-user level, using an alternate-disk installation method. Detailed procedures for loading newly-distributed FC-software files and upgrading the operating system can be found in the Software Installation Release Notes for the new DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x OS and Layered Products.
VCS upgrade while the OS is shutdown. Detailed procedures for upgrading the VCS can be found in the NUMA-Q Console Software Release Notes.
Remaining layered products and online diagnostics from the single-user level.
FC Bridge firmware from the single-user level.
FC Switch firmware from the single-user level.
FC Host Adapter firmware from the single-user level.
OS installation clean-up and remirroring.
For a rolling upgrade of the system software stacks of clustered nodes and the firmware of the shared Fibre-Channel components, a special procedure is provided in the NUMA-Q Clusters Rolling Upgrade Release Notes.
For a non-rolling upgrade of clustered nodes, use single-node methods in the following sequence to upgrade system software and FC firmware:
From the multi-user level, upgrade the DYNIX/ptx operating system and layered products, including ptx®/SPDRIVERS, on each node, using an alternate-disk installation method. Detailed procedures for upgrading the operating system and loading newly-distributed FC-software files can be found in the latest DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x and Layered Products Software Installation Release Notes.
Bring all nodes to the shutdown level, but do not reboot them.
From the shutdown level of each node, install new VCS software and boot each node to the single-user level. Detailed procedures for upgrading the VCS can be found in the NUMA-Q Console Software Release Notes.
Install any remaining layered products, plus online diagnostics.
From the single-user level of the first node, upgrade the firmware on all shared FC Bridges and also all unshared FC Bridges that may be connected to the first node only.
From the single-user level of the first node, upgrade the firmware on all FC Switches in the dual fabrics.
From the single-user level of the first node, upgrade the firmware on all of its FC Host Adapters.
If there are any unshared FC Bridges on the next node, upgrade that firmware from the single-user level.
From the single-user level of the next node, upgrade the firmware on all of its FC Host Adapters.
Repeat the unshared FC Bridge and FC Host Adapter steps for all remaining nodes.
On each node, from the single-user level, perform OS-installation clean-up and remirroring
Reboot each node to multiuser and verify that the cluster is reformed.
The following related documentation is available on the online documentation CD or at http://webdocs.sequent.com/:
IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000 FC Switch Administration Guide
SilkWorm 1000 FC Switch Administration Guide
ATTENTION The above titles replace the discontinued Fibre Channel Switch Administration Guide.
In addition the following documents are applicable when installing FC-component software and downloading it to firmware on NUMA-Q systems:
DYNIX/ptx V4.5.2 and Layered Products Software Installation Release Notes, which explains how to copy system and layered software products, such as the FC Switch software, from distribution media to installation directories on the system disk.
Fibre Channel Subsystem Installation, which explains how to verify FC hardware installations. This document is available only to IBM Customer Support.
Online Help files of the VCS software on the console PC provide information about starting up and shutting down a NUMA-Q system.