Power Systems Firmware Management - What You Need to Know

Transcription

1 Power Systems Firmware Management - What You Need to Know Tracy Smith Executive IT Specialist (ATS) IBM Power Systems - Rochester, MN Tues. June 2, 2015 Technical University/Symposia materials may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written permission of IBM.

2 Overview - Server Firmware: Management and Strategies Server Firmware What is contained within it? Where does it reside? How is it named and the associated terminology? How is it managed? HMC Operating System Where to view levels, through the HMC or Operating System command line? How is it distributed? How to update or upgrade? Release schedule expectations? Resources for your Server Firmware Fix Strategy 1

3 Server Firmware Overview All IBM POWER8, POWER7, POWER6 and POWER5 systems utilize Server Firmware (PowerVM). There are two sides - Temporary (T) and Permanent (P). Server Firmware resides on the Flexible Service Processor (FSP), and it is system critical code and responsible for performing: Service processor functions Partitioning creation, usage, and how they are arranged on the Server (Enterprise systems and nodal knowledge) Dynamic Logical Partitioning (DLPAR) and resource allocation Virtualization functions processor core and memory usage, SR-IOV, etc Capacity Upgrade on Demand (CUoD) PowerVP view of processor and memory allocations Dynamic Platform Optimizer (DPO) POWER8 provides additional choices on Linux scale out models: PowerVM PowerKVM/Open Platform Abstraction Layer (OPAL) Bare Metal 2

4 The Three Pieces of POWER Systems Maintenance Partition Maintenance IBM i, AIX, Linux, VIOS, PowerVC Server Firmware Power Hypervisor (PHYP) Flexible Service Processor (FSP) Partition Firmware (PFW) Bulk Power Code (BPC) on High End Systems VIOS Server Firmware VIOS HMC Repair Manage Install Exchange Updates and Upgrades 3

5 POWER Server Firmware Components Service Processor - SP Closed OS Linux based Provides diagnostics, initialization, configuration, run-time error detection & correction VIOS AIX Linux IBM i I/O Power Hypervisor - PHYP Based on iseries (SLIC) hypervisor, enhanced for converged i/p design PFW PFW PFW LIC Provides VLAN, virtual I/O, sub-processor partitioning PHYP Partition Firmware - PFW Processor Subsystem Supports pseries RPA interface Rewritten to work with PHYP Service Processor Firmware SPCN HMC SFP Hardware Management Console - HMC / Serviceability Provides converged platform configuration, management, Server Power Hardware and service user interface BPC Firmware Bulk Power System Power Control Network - SPCN Interfaces with bulk power for power monitoring and Control no longer used on POWER7 and POWER8 Bulk Power Controller (BPC) Firmware Firmware Components Controls each bulk power assembly (BPA) in CEC and towers. Currently unique to the Power 595, 590 and P575, 795 systems 4

6 Server Firmware - Naming Conventions Identified by: 01SVXXX_YYY_ZZZ XXX = Release (Engineering Change, EC, Version) YYY = Service pack level ZZZ = Last disruptive service pack level POWER8 example: SV for ship Volume (SV810) SC for ship Consolidate (SC820) POWER7 example: AL for low-end (AL740_088_042) AM for mid-end (AM740_088_042) AH for high-end (AH730_078_035) / (AB730_077_032 - BPC) POWER6 example: EL for low-end (EL350_126_038) EM for mid-end (EM350_126_038) EH for high-end (EH350_126_038) / (EB350_124_034 - BPC) 5

7 Terminology Disruptive Upgrade A release upgrade whose installation requires that the server be in a powered off state. Release upgrades are always disruptive. Concurrent Update A service pack update whose installation can be performed with the server running. In most cases, all fixes included are activated concurrently. In rare cases, deferred fixes may be included which require a server IPL to activate. Deferred Fix The installation of a deferred fix is concurrent (nondisruptive) to customer operations. However, the fix will not become active until an IPL (system level) is performed. Note: All other non-deferred fixes will apply when installed. Service Pack A Service Pack contains a group of fixes within a specific release level. Service packs primarily contain only fixes however, minor function changes may be released within a service pack. These fixes will be for highly pervasive, critical, or security related issues. Glossary of firmware terms 6

8 Why change firmware or upgrade to new level? New systems ship with the latest level of supported System firmware HMC is a firmware component and must be at a compatible level New features and functions require new levels (routine maintenance) Example: Scale out servers need FW830 to add PCIe Gen3 I/O drawer Software and service support POWER8 latest supported level is 810 Scale out, 820 Enterprise (830 June 2015) POWER7 latest supported level is based on machine type model (see table later slide) POWER6 latest supported level is efw350 (EL350, EM350, EH350) HMC and Power Systems firmware IBM Fix Central Mix POWER8, POWER7, & POWER6 management under a single HMC HMC compatibility (HMC V8R8.1.0, V8R8.2.0, V8R8.3.0 required for POWER8) Minimum level POWER7 and/or POWER6 firmware required if also running HMC at Version 8 7

9 Firmware Release Levels for Enterprise Server POWER8 Power Server Power Server Machine Type Model GA1 Apr 2010 GA2 Sept 2010 GA3 Apr 2011 GA4 GA5 Oct 2011 May 2012 GA6 Oct 2012 GA7 Oct 2013 GA8 Nov 2013 Firmware Level FHB n/a GA S n/a S n/a S F2C n/a n/a GA n/a n/a n/a n/a Machine Type Model 9179-MHB 9117-MMB 9179-MHC 9117-MMC Added p7 IOC 9179-MHD 9117-MMD IOC added p7+ GA1 Apr 2014 GA2 Nov 2014 GA3* Jun 2015 Firmware Level E MHE n/a GA S E MME n/a GA S E E8E n/a n/a GA POWER7 GA S S n/a n/a n/a S /22/13 n/a n/a n/a GA n/a S /07/13 n/a n/a n/a n/a GA n/a S /25/ RMD n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a GA /15/13 * IBM Statement of Direction for Ann planned 2Q2015 GA 2Q2015 GA - General Availability - first release of that server model S Supported on this system n/a n/a 8 Power System code matrix HMC & Firmware combinations

10 POWER8 Release Levels for Scale out Server Power Server Machine Type Model GA1 Apr 2014 GA2 Nov 2014 GA3* Jun 2015 Firmware Level S A GA n/a S S A GA n/a S S A GA n/a S S824L L GA n/a S S822L L GA n/a S Power System code matrix S812L L GA n/a S * IBM Statement of Direction for Ann planned 2Q2015 GA 2Q2015 GA General Availability first release of that server model S Supported on this system 9 HMC & Firmware combinations

11 What s in the latest Version? The 830 GA3 code stream is the latest version and due to release on Friday Added support for model 8408-E8E, a new IBM Power System E850 Added support for PCIe Gen3 expansion drawers to new/existing on specified systems: PCIe Gen3 I/O Expansion Drawer on A, A, A, 8408-E8E (#EMX0) PCIe Gen3 I/O Expansion Drawer on L & L (#ELMX) Added support for new Processor Features on specified systems: 8-core 4.15 GHz POWER8 Processor Card on L (#ELPF) 8-core 4.15 GHz POWER8 Processor Card on A (#EPXL) Added support for new memory points on existing processor features to A, A, L Added support for new memory points on existing processor features to 9119-MME, 9119-MHE Increased System nodes on new/existing processor features to 9119-MHE Added support for #EJ12, a new PCIe3 FPGA Accelerator Adapter, on systems A, A, L Added support for #EJ13, a new PCIe3 FPGA Accelerator Adapter, on systems L, L, A 10

12 POWER7 Release Levels for Scale out Server Power Server MTMs GA1 Apr 2010 GA2 Sept 2010 GA3 Apr 2011 GA4 GA5 Oct 2011 GA6 May 2012 Oct 2012 GA7 Oct 2013 GA8 Nov / E2B n/a GA S n/a n/a n/a n/a 7R2 Linux 8246-L2B (ilisted RPQ - Never Announced) n/a n/a GA n/a n/a n/a n/a 710/ E1C; 8231-E2C n/a n/a n/a GA n/a n/a n/a 7R1/7R2 Linux 8246-L1C; 8246-L1S 8246-L2C; 8246-L2S n/a n/a n/a GA n/a n/a n/a 710/ E1D; 8231-E2D n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a GA /20/13 7R1/7R2 Linux 720/740 Analytics 720/740 Analytics 8246-L1D; 8246-L1T 8246-L2D; 8246-L2T 8202-E4B; 8205-E6B 8492-DW2; 8493-SV E4C; 8205-E6C 8492-DW3; 8493-SV3 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a GA /20/13 n/a GA S n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a GA n/a n/a n/a 720/ E4D; 8205-E6D n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a GA /20/13 750/755HPC 8233-E8B; 8236-E8C GA n/a S n/a n/a n/a n/a E8D n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a GA /15/13 7R4 Linux 8248-L4T n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a GA /07/13 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Power System code matrix HMC & Firmware combinations 11

13 How to determine your MTM Machine Type and Model 12

14 Why change firmware or upgrade to new level? Upgrades moving from POWER6 to POWER7 or POWER8 LPAR migration may require a minimum firmware level for switching New hardware or feature may require firmware to enable POWER7 - Example SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) Requires firmware AM780_056 or higher level on the Power 770-MMD or 780-MHD (also known as ) POWER8 - Requires firmware level 830 SR-IOV PCIe Gen3 I/O drawer on scale out systems E880 to add third or fourth system node E880 for more than two I/O drawers on a system node How will you know if new changes are required? Work with your Business Partner / IBM account team / Service Identify feature codes / MTM (Machine Type Model) for new hardware Review PreReq / CoReq database to identify minimum Firmware, OS, VIOS, PowerVC, and HMC requirements: 13

15 Power PreReq tool 14

16 Power PreReq tool 15

17 Server Firmware HMC managed 16

18 Server Firmware HMC managed HMC Managed POWER6 most systems (with an HMC attached). POWER7 all systems (with an HMC attached). POWER8 all systems (with an HMC attached). Benefit of Concurrent Firmware Maintenance (CFM) no System/frame IPL required to activate. To view current levels, install instructions, and get more information: Select Server Firmware: HMC Managed Systems from: 17

19 HMC Managed - rpm & xml files The.rpm file contains the server firmware code: AM780_071_040.rpm The.xml contains an index of the fixpack details: AM780_071_040.xml The.xml file viewed from a PC shows the contents of that Server Firmware level. Alternatively, the Server Firmware Readme can be reviewed via the web. 18

20 Recommended Fixes 19

21 Recommended Fixes 20

22 Recommended Fixes 21

23 Recommended Fixes 22

24 HMC Managed - Install options Where to load Server Firmware: IBM Service Website: Specifies the IBM service Internet site as the repository location. Removable Media: Specifies removable media on the HMC as the repository location. Examples of removable media include a USB flash memory device. FTP site: Specifies a remote file transfer protocol (FTP) server site as the repository location and allows you to type the remote FTP server site, user ID, and password. Client provided FTP site Hard Disk on the HMC Specifies the internal hard disk drive on the HMC as the repository location. 23

25 HMC Managed - View levels 24

26 HMC Managed - View levels For VIOS, AIX and Linux users. View IO levels 25

27 Update Access Key Expiration Management of POWER8 Update Access Keys POWER8 servers have a new hardware service entitlement component called update access keys. Similar to server software entitlement, which is used to verify access to newer versions of system software, IBM has introduced the concept of hardware entitlement for system firmware updates Update access keys include an expiration date, and system firmware updates will not be processed if the calendar date has passed the update access key s expiration date. POWER8 Update Access Keys Q&A Verifying access keys before you get the server firmware fixes 26

28 Server Firmware Levels 27

29 Server Firmware Levels 28

30 Firmware Levels by Server 29

31 Firmware Levels by Server 30

32 Firmware Levels by Server 31

33 Server Firmware and HMC Code Wizard 32

34 HMC Managed Update or Upgrade Update within Current Release (AM730_066_035 to AM730_087_035) Concurrent Firmware Maintenance (CFM) Code is applied and activated with partitions active. If there are deferred updates in the fixpack (see.xml or readme), a system IPL is required to activate those fixes, while the level will show as deferred in the mean time. OR Upgrade to a New Version (AM730_066_035 to AM780_035_028) Disruptive process. Requires a system (Entire frame) IPL to activate the level. Both temp and permanent sides get updated to new Version 33

35 HMC Managed Update the Current Release Select Change Licensed Internal Code for the current release 34

36 HMC Managed Update the Current Release Select Change Licensed Internal Code for the current release 35

37 HMC Managed Upgrade to a New Release Select Upgrade Licensed Internal Code to a new release 36

38 HMC Managed - Advanced Features Advanced Features Retrieve Allows you to copy updates from the selected repository location to either the hard drive on the HMC or to the DVD drive on the HMC. If the updates are copied to the hard drive, they are available to be installed. Install and activate (implied Retrieve) Installs and activates available LIC updates from the selected repository location. Remove and Activate Returns the system back to the update level on the permanent side. You can use this option to back off an update level. Note: This procedure is estimated to take 60 minutes to complete. When a remove and activate procedure is disruptive, it may take up to 2 1/2 hours because of the time necessary to power off and power on the system. This is only applicable while running on the T side. Accept - Copy Temporary to Permanent Copies the currently running level to the permanent side. This applies a fix permanently, which cannot be backed off the system. Reject Fix - Copy Permanent to Temporary Copies the currently running level to the temporary side. This can be used to reject a fix that has been applied. This is only applicable while running on the P side. Disruptive activate A system restart is performed. This completes the Concurrent install only, with deferred disruptive activate procedure. To ensure your system is ready for the disruption, first quiesce, or close, all applications that are running on the system. 37

39 Server Firmware update and upgrade strategies When to update or upgrade Server Firmware varies and is dependent upon the environment. Some considerations: Platform/Type/Model If an HMC is attached Features/Fixes included Exposures/Risk Downtime for upgrades or to apply any deferred fixes as relevant Business practices on staying current? How often do you upgrade your Operating Systems Code? AIX, IBM i, Linux, VIOS releases? How current is your system/lpars with cumulative PTF, fixes, Service packages? Use FLRT (Fix Level Recommendation Tool) Which releases and code combinations are needed Example: if I update firmware do I need to update HMC, OS or VIOS levels? 38

40 Release schedule expectations Server Firmware Service Packs: Planned to be released within the first three months of availability. All other Service Packs within release are planned for twice per year. Each release is supported for two years through planned service packs. This information is subject to change. 39

41 Operating System Managed Firmware 40

42 DSPFMWSTS 41

43 Summary All POWER5, POWER6, POWER7 and POWER8 HMC and non-hmc systems utilize Server Firmware, which consists primarily of FSP, PHYP, and PFW code. High-end systems (Power 795) utilize Bulk Power Code (BPC) as well. Server firmware consists of two sides: Temporary (T) Permanent (P) 42

44 Summary Server firmware may be managed through the HMC or OS: HMC managed For all POWER8 and POWER7 systems with HMC s attached. Benefit of Concurrent Firmware Maintenance (CFM) within most releases due to no IPL required. Release changes require a system IPL via disruptive upgrade. OS managed MHxxxxx PTFs. Disruptive and activated during IPL upon applying MHxxxxx PTFs. 43

45 Resources Fix Central: Recommended Fixes: IBM DeveloperWorks step by step guide to firmware updates: IBM Server Firmware and HMC Code Wizards Server Firmware: Update Policy Set to HMC Server Firmware: Update Policy Set to Operating System - POWER7 - IBM Systems Hardware Information Center: Fix Level Recommendation Tool: IBM Redbooks: 44

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47 Thank you 46