Updating System Firmware From The Service Processor Menus; Updating System Firmware From The Aix Service Aids - IBM pSeries 690 Service Manual

Retain and store the latest firmware diskettes each time the firmware gets updated in the event that the
firmware gets damaged and must be reloaded.
Download the detailed instructions, as well as the latest flash images, from CORE. Before doing a system
firmware update, check CORE for the latest code and images. Do not attempt a firmware update if you are
unsure of the image you have, or of the procedure required for the update.
The images are available on CORE in either DOS format or AIX (backup) format:
v If downloading to a PC, download the DOS image and follow the instructions. The diskettes that are
created will be in AIX (backup) format.
v If downloading to an Eserver machine, follow the instructions to create an image on disk drives or on
diskettes.

Updating System Firmware From the Service Processor Menus

This method is recommended for all managed systems. Updating the system firmware using the service
processor menus avoids the resource allocation issues that can arise if the the managed system is a
partitioned system. Using this method takes no longer than updating firmware using the AIX Service Aids
or the AIX command line.
The service processor menus are available while the system is powered off. As a privileged user, from the
service processor main menu, select Service Processor Setup, then select Reprogram Flash EPROM
Menu. The update process requests update diskettes as needed.
Refer to the detailed instructions that are provided with the latest image on CORE.

Updating System Firmware from the AIX Service Aids

Attention: This method is not recommended for partitioned systems, but if the device resources are
allocated properly, the firmware update can be done using the AIX service aid.
Attention: This service aid is supported only in online diagnostics.
If the firmware on a partitioned system is being updated:
v One partition running AIX must have service authority.
v All other partitions except the one with service authority must be shut down.
v The partition with service authority must own the device from which the firmware update image will be
read.
v It is also recommended that the partition with service authority have a hard disk.
If the required devices are not in the partition with service authority, the customer or system admistrator
must reassign the appropriate resources to it. This requires rebooting the partition with service authority. To
avoid the resource allocation issues, it is recommended that the service processor menus be used to
update the firmware.
If the firmware on a full system partition is being updated, no special steps are required to perform the
firmware update using the service aid.
Refer to the detailed instructions that are provided with the latest image on CORE.
Note: Because the system always reboots itself during this type of firmware update process, the update
process can take from twenty to sixty minutes.
822 Eserver pSeries 690 Service Guide