IBM Support

Server Firmware Update and Upgrade Documentation

Question & Answer


Question

What is needed for a Power System Server Firmware update / upgrade?

Cause

The need to Update / Upgrade Power System Firmware.

Answer

To determine what type of firmware update or upgrade is needed, some basic information is required:

Type “DSPFMWSTS” on the (CL) command line, press ENTER, capture the entire screen and add it to the case, this will assist with recommendations from IBM.

This information tells us:

  • *OPSYS or *HMC Managed
    • If the Firmware update policy equals *HMC
      • Please supply Type, Model and current software level of HMC
  • Temporary or Permanent side
    • Temporary side is required to complete a Firmware Update / Upgrade.
      • If on the Permanent side an IPL will be required to the Temporary side.
  • Type of the system
    • Please supply Type, Model, Serial Number, and current OS level of the Server.
      • I.E  9009-42G-78#####    7.5

        • "DSPSYSVAL" > > "F4" to prompt

          • Model number, QMODEL

          • Serial number, QSRLNBR

  • Update access key expiration date (UAK)

  • Current *Temp Fix pack and PTF ID if there is one.Current *Temp Fix pack and PTF ID if there is one.

      image-20231111145718-3
                               
image-20231111150755-3

​

​What is the recommended Firmware for your POWER system?

Please use : Power System Recommendations (FLRT) to find out!!!

Enter your current information and submit.

image-20231202111608-1

The tool will return recommended Update / Upgrades Recommendations for both the Power System and HMC.

Please open a case with the HMC team for assistance with HMC Software Updates.

Please open a case with the Internals team for assistance with Power System Firmware Updates / Upgrades.

Recommendation Results page

image-20231202171319-1
 

Will this Firmware Update / Upgrade be concurrent or disruptive update?

  • All Upgrades are Disruptive.
  • All *OPSYS managed system Updates / Upgrades are Disruptive.
  • If it is Disruptive Firmware Update it will be stated in the Report Summary notes under the the firmware recommendations.
  • System firmware file naming convention 01VLxxx_yyy_zzz
    • xxx is the release level
    • yyy is the service pack level
    • zzz is the last disruptive service pack level
      • Concurrent Firmware Update if:
        • The release level (xxx) is the same and
        • The service pack level (yyy) currently installed on the system is the same or higher than the last disruptive service pack level (zzz) of the service pack to be installed and
        • The last disruptive service pack level (zzz) is the same
          • I.E  VL910_040_040, new service pack is VL910_041_040
      • Disruptive Firmware Update / Upgrade if:
        • The release level (xxx) is higher than the last release level.
        • The last disruptive service pack level (zzz) is higher than last disruptive service pack level
          • I.E.  VL910_040_040, new service pack is VL910_041_055
 

***Please read the Description file by clicking on the Recommended Update or Upgrade Firmware link for your system.***

Scroll down and click on Description. 
image-20231202165736-1

Please review the Description file sections, they contain important information that may affect your system.

Specific Firmware level require a Specific HMC software level.

  • HMC must be updated first, if needed.

Firmware / HMC compatibility

image-20231202173436-1

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Document Information

Modified date:
02 December 2023

UID

nas8N1021446

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