Getting server firmware fixes through IBM® i5/OS

Learn how to update or upgrade server firmware through i5/OS®.

If you have i5/OS, you can download server firmware fixes and operating system PTFs at the same time. If you have an HMC, you can either get the server firmware fixes through the HMC, or get the server firmware and PTFs through i5/OS at the same time (except for the model 575 or 59x server). However, if there is a concurrent server firmware update available through the HMC, you might choose to use the HMC.
Note: Installing the server firmware fixes through the operating system is a disruptive (nonconcurrent) process.
  1. Do you have a model 575 or 59x server?
  2. Is your i5/OS server or logical partition managed by an HMC?
Parent topic: Getting server firmware and power subsystem firmware fixes and upgrades

Getting server firmware fixes through i5/OS for a system not managed by an HMC

If you have i5/OS, you can download server firmware fixes and operating system PTFs at the same time.
  1. Is your i5/OS system or logical partition connected to the Internet?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: Continue with step 4.
  2. Use the i5/OS PTF installation functions on your service partition to install the server firmware fixes.
    • For details on using fixes, see the Use software fixes topic in the iSeries™ Information Center.
    • For instructions on how to install the server firmware fixes along with i5/OS fixes, see the Install fixes topic in the iSeries Information Center.
    Note: When you shut down the i5/OS service partition to install the server firmware fixes, system reference code D6xx430B or D6xx430A might be displayed for an extended period of time. The xx should increment periodically and is a normal part of processing when server firmware fixes are being installed. Allow the server to complete the processing; do not interrupt this process.
  3. To verify that the fix installed correctly, continue with Verify that the fix installed correctly.
  4. To learn how to order the server firmware fix on a CD, refer to the Order fixes topic.
    Note: When you shut down the i5/OS service partition to install the server firmware fixes, system reference code D6xx430B or D6xx430A might be displayed for an extended period of time. The xx should increment periodically and is a normal part of processing when server firmware fixes are being installed. Allow the server to complete the processing; do not interrupt this process.
  5. After the fix arrives, install it.
  6. Continue with Verify that the fix installed correctly.

Getting server firmware fixes through IBM i5/OS for a system managed by an HMC

Your server is set up, by default, to download and install the server firmware fixes using your HMC. Therefore, you need to change the default setting to enable your operating system to download and install the fixes. In addition, you need to ensure that one of your logical partitions is designated to be a service partition. If your hardware is not connected to the Internet, you will also need to obtain a CD that contains the server firmware fix.
  1. If you have more than one i5/OS logical partitions, designate one of your i5/OS logical partitions to be the service partition by following these steps:
    1. In the Navigation Area, open Server and Partition.
    2. Select Server Management.
    3. In the contents area, right-click the managed system and select Properties.
    4. In the Service partition field, select the logical partition that you want to designate to be the service partition.
    5. Click OK.
  2. Change the firmware update policy from the HMC to the i5/OS operating system by following these steps:
    1. Note the following information:

      Before changing your firmware update policy to the i5/OS operating system, you should be aware of the level of server firmware that is on your managed system and what server firmware is installed on your service partition. For instructions on how to check the level of server firmware on the managed system and service partition, see the Display level of fixes topic.

      When you set the firmware update policy to the operating system, the current level of the server firmware portion of the Licensed Internal Code on the service partition is used to update the server firmware that is running on the managed system the next time the service partition is shut down. Consequently, if the server firmware on the service partition is at a lower level than the server firmware running on the managed system, the installation process could install a lower level of server firmware on the managed system the next time the service partition is shut down.

      To avoid this situation, ensure that the correct server firmware PTFs are installed on your service partition before you change your firmware update policy to the operating system. The server firmware on the service partition should be at the same or a higher level than the server firmware running on the managed system before you change the firmware update policy to the operating system.

    2. Use one of the following methods to change the firmware update policy:
      • Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI): To use the ASMI to change the firmware update policy from the HMC to the operating system, see the Changing firmware update policy topic. You can access the ASMI through Service Focal Point in the HMC GUI, or point your browser to the ASMI. You will need the ASMI administrator login and password to access these menus.
      • HMC remote command line: To change the firmware update policy using the HMC remote command line, specify the UPDLIC command. To find out how to work with the HMC remote command line, see the Using the remote command line topic.
        Use the following examples to change the firmware update policy using the UPDLIC command:
        • To change the firmware update policy to Operating System, type: 
          updlic -m xxxx -o o
          where xxxx is either the machine type, model, and serial number or the name of the managed system.
        • To change the firmware update policy to HMC, type: 
          updlic -m xxxx -o h
          where xxxx is either the machine type, model, and serial number or the name of the managed system.
  3. Use the i5/OS PTF installation functions on your service partition to update the server firmware.
    • For details on using fixes, see the Use software fixes topic in the iSeries Information Center.
    • For instructions on how to order the server firmware fixes along with the i5/OS fixes, see the Order fixes topic in the iSeries Information Center.

    When you shut down the i5/OS service partition to install the server firmware fixes, system reference code D6xx430B or D6xx430A might be displayed for an extended period of time. The xx should increment periodically and is a normal part of processing when server firmware fixes are being installed. Allow the server to complete the processing; do not interrupt this process.

  4. Continue with Verify that the fix installed correctly.

Verify that the fix installed correctly

Follow these steps to verify that the fix installed correctly.
  1. Type STRSST at an i5/OS command line and press Enter. The Start Service Tools (SST) Sign On display is displayed.
  2. Type in your user ID and password and press Enter.
  3. Select Start a Service Tool.
  4. Select Display/Alter/Dump.
  5. Select Display/Alter storage.
  6. Select Licensed Internal Code (LIC) data.
  7. Scroll down and select Advanced analysis.
  8. Scroll down and select FLASHLEVELS.
  9. When the Specify Advanced Analysis Options screen is displayed, press Enter.
    Following is an example of what might be displayed: 
     DISPLAY/ALTER/DUMP                                
Running macro: FLASHLEVELS                             
                                                        
LS Flash Sync Enabled.                                 
                                                        
Side            Date/Time       MI Keyword   PTFs      
-------------   -------------   ----------   ----------
Memory          20040616/1703    SF210_028   MH00091   
                                                        
Flash P         20040607/1258    SF210_027   MH00086   
                                                        
Flash T         20040616/1703    SF210_028   MH00091   
                                                        
Load Source A   20040507/1345    SF210_022   MH00069   
                                                        
Load Source B   20040607/1258    SF210_027   MH00086

    The PTFs for server firmware fixes are displayed with the Licensed Internal Code product (5722999) and begin with the prefix MH. For example, MHnnnnn where nnnnn is the number associated to the specific server firmware fix.

    Note: During the normal shut down of the service partition, i5/OS verifies that the firmware level on the service processor is at the same level as the i5/OS firmware load source (PTF level). If they are different, then the firmware is updated. This process is known as LS Flash Synching (Firmware Load Source to Fsp Flash synchronization).
  10. If the level of server firmware displayed is not the level that you installed, see Failed verification that the fix installed successfully.
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