Chapter 7
FC Bridge

This document supports the newest release and the previous release of firmware qualified for use on IBM FC Bridges with the DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x operating systems.

New Release: V1.5.5, Section 7.1

Previous Release: V1.5.3, Section 7.2


ATTENTION

FC Bridge firmware V1.5.4 is not supported for use on DYNIX/ptx V4.5.x.


See Table 1-1 for the latest recipe for the best set of SAN FC firmware to run on a given operating system.


7.1 New Release V1.5.5

The December 2000 release of FC Bridge firmware is named V1.5.5.

This section contains the following:


7.1.1 V1.5.5 Compatibility Information

V1.5.5 of the FC Bridge firmware is compatible with:


7.1.2 Changes Since the Previous Release

V1.5.5 is a maintenance release and includes the same functionality as Version V1.5.3, with the addition of improved compatibility in interactions with IBM 2109 and SilkWorm 2000-family FC Switches.


7.1.3 V1.5.5 FC Bridge Problem Reports


7.1.3.1 Problems Fixed in V1.5.5

The following problems were fixed in V1.5.5:


7.1.3.2 Open Problem Reports

At this time, no problems have been reported specifically against the V1.5.5 FC Bridge firmware. See "FC I/O Subsystem-Level Problem Reports," Chapter 2 for possible I/O subsystem-level problems involving FC Bridges.


7.1.4 Install and Download FC Bridge V1.5.5

The FC Bridge V1.5.5 software is installed on the system when the cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle is installed on your host. The cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle contains firmware that is downloaded only with the common firmware downloader, cfwdl. For details on the other software installed by this bundle, refer to the cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle V1.2.x Release Notes.

The name of the firmware file for FC Bridge V1.5.5 is fcbr_155.sqfw.

Download firmware in any or all FC Bridges by using the procedures provided in the "Download Firmware with cfwdl," chapter of the DYNIX/ptx V4.5.2 and Layered Products Software Installation Release Notes.


7.2 Previous Release V1.5.3

The May 2000 release of FC Bridge firmware is named V1.5.3.

This section contains the following:


7.2.1 V1.5.3 Compatibility Information

V1.5.3 of the FC Bridge firmware is compatible with:


7.2.2 Changes Since the Previous Release

V1.5.3 is a maintenance release and includes the same functionality as Version V1.5.2, with the following improvements:


7.2.3 V1.5.3 FC Bridge Open Problem Reports

The following problems have been reported specifically against the V1.5.3 FC Bridge firmware. See "FC I/O Subsystem-Level Problem Reports," Chapter 2 for possible I/O subsystem-level problems involving FC Bridges.

Occasional FC Bridge Link Failure Following a SilkWorm 2000-Family FC Switch Power Cycle (251946)

Occasionally, during the initialization phase between a SilkWorm 2000-family FC Switch and an FC Bridge, the Bridge will fail to establish the low-level hardware FC link with the Switch and stop trying. This condition can occur during a building or lab power interruption (also called "lights out") or following an FC Switch OLR procedure. In the power interruption scenario, the Bridge normally completes its POST faster than the Switch. In the Switch replacement scenario, the FC Bridges are normally left powered up during the service activity, and then the replacement FC Switch is powered up. In both cases, the Bridge is then vulnerable to missing the initialization window of the Switch firmware. After a "lights out" event or after an FC Switch OLR operation, establish new telnet sessions with each switch in all fabrics and verify with the switchShow command that all existing FC Bridges have re-linked to the FC Switches.

Workaround: If a previously existing Bridge is missing from the listings, make sure that all I/Os are stopped through the fabric to which that Bridge is physically attached. Then do the following steps:

  1. Deconfigure the fabric to which that Bridge is physically cabled.

  2. Power down that Bridge.

  3. Power up the Bridge.

  4. Verify with the switchShow command that all Bridges have logged into their host switches.

  5. From the parent-level above the fabric, reconfigure the fabric.

  6. Verify with the dumpconf command that all devices are found.


7.2.4 Install and Download FC Bridge V1.5.3

The FC Bridge V1.5.3 software is installed on the system when the cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle is installed on your host. The cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle contains firmware that is downloaded only with the common firmware downloader, cfwdl. For details on the other software installed by this bundle, refer to the cfwdl-Compatible Firmware Bundle V1.0.x Release Notes.

The name of the firmware file for FC Bridge V1.5.3 is fcbr_153.sqfw.

Procedures for using the cfwdl utility to download firmware in any or all FC Bridges are provided in the "Downloading Firmware with cfwdl," chapter of the DYNIX/ptx V4.5.1 and Layered Products Software Installation Release Notes.