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 IBM® eServer xSeriesTM 430 and IBM NUMA-Q® servers that are running DYNIX/ptx V4.6.x operating systems. 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 Fibre-Channel support software is distributed on the CD-ROM labeled "DYNIX/ptx V4.6.1 Operating System and Layered Products Software, Vol. 1, September 2001, Rev. B."
In the cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle V1.3.2 software package:
Vendor-supplied software V3.42.12 for the IBM 2108 R03 SAN Data Gateway Router (Chapter 8)
Vendor-supplied software V2.2.1a for IBM 2109 and SilkWorm® 2000 FC Switches (Chapter 5)
Vendor-supplied software V1.6c3 for SilkWorm 1000 FC Switches (Chapter 6)
The following Fibre-Channel support software is distributed on the CD-ROM labeled "DYNIX/ptx V4.6.1 Operating System and Layered Products Software, Vol. 1, 09/01, Rev B." Use this CD to upgrade LP7000E FC Host Adapters to the latest "Best Recipe" version level.
In the cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle V1.3.2 software package:
Vendor-supplied software V2.2.1a for IBM 2109 and SilkWorm® 2000 FC Switches (Chapter 5)
Vendor-supplied software V1.6c3 for SilkWorm 1000 FC Switches (Chapter 6)
The following Fibre-Channel support software is distributed on the CD-ROM labeled "DYNIX/ptx V4.6.1 Software for DLT7000E and DLT8000 Tape Drives, September 2001, Rev. B." Use this CD when adding a SAN Data Gateway Router to an existing OS V4.6.1 system in order to connect a DLT8000 or DLT7000E tape-drive susbsystem:
Vendor-supplied software V3.42.12 for the IBM 2108 R03 SAN Data Gateway Router (Chapter 8)
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 the DYNIX/ptx V4.6.x releases.
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.
Release Set |
DYNIX/ptx Version |
FC Host Adapter Firmware |
FC Switch Firmware |
FC Bridge Firmware |
SDG Router Firmware |
September 2001 |
V4.6.1 |
SF3.22a0a FF2.30b |
a2.2.1ac V1.6c3d |
V1.5.5 |
V3.42.12 |
June 2001 |
V4.6.1 |
SF3.22a0a FF2.30b |
a2.2.1ac V1.6c3d |
V1.5.5 |
V3.42.06 |
March 2001 |
V4.6.1 |
SF3.21a0a FF2.30b |
a2.2.1ac V1.6c3d |
V1.5.5 |
- - |
September 2000 |
V4.6.0 |
SF3.20a10a FF2.30b |
V2.1.7c V1.6c3d |
V1.5.4 |
- - |
a. For LP7000E (V4) only.
b. For LP6000 (V3) when an older system is upgraded to the OS V4.6.x software stack.
c. For IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000 only.
d. For SilkWorm 1000 only.
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 xSeries 430 or IBM 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 is shipped with DYNIX/ptx. This guide is called "DYNIX/ptx V4.6.1 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 upgrading the operating system and loading newly-distributed FC-software files can be found in the DYNIX/ptx V4.6.1 and Layered Products Software Installation Release Notes.
VCS upgrade while the OS is shutdown. Detailed procedures for upgrading the VCS can be found in the NUMA-Q Console V1.7.6 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.
To perform a rolling upgrade of a cluster, two major steps are recommended. First, upgrade the firmware of the Fibre-Channel components of the SAN, including the FC Host Adapters that are located in the quads of each server node, to the new recipe for the new OS using the special procedure provided in the Clusters SAN FC Firmware Rolling Upgrade Release Notes. Secondly, upgrade the DYNIX/ptx operating system, the console software, and the firmware for each quad in the system using the special procedure provided in the Clusters OS and Console Rolling Upgrade to V4.6.1 Release Notes. The second procedure does not have to be done immediately after the first. The new SAN firmware recipe has been qualified to run successfully on the previous OS release for a short period of time. The second procedure can be performed later at the customer's discretion.
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 DYNIX/ptx V4.6.1 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 V1.7.6 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 documentation is available on the online documentation CD or at http://webdocs.numaq.ibm.com/ :
IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000 FC Switch Administration
SilkWorm 1000 FC Switch Administration
ATTENTION Switch documentation is now available in two documents, each specific to only one generation of switches. The previously published Fibre Channel Switch Administration Guide has been discontinued.
In addition the following documents are applicable when installing FC-component software and downloading it to firmware on NUMA-Q systems:
DYNIX/ptx V4.6.1 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.
FC Subsystem Installation, which explains how to verify FC Bridge and FC Switch 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.