Updating the Virtual I/O Server's firmware and device microcode through the Integrated Virtualization Manager with an Internet connection

Learn how to use the Integrated Virtualization Manager to generate a microcode survey of the managed system and to download and upgrade microcode when you have an Internet connection from your system.

Perform Task 1 through 3 to update the Virtual I/O Server's firmware and device microcode through the Integrated Virtualization Manager when you have an Internet connection from the management partition.
Note: Updating server firmware is a disruptive process.
Parent topic: Updating the Virtual I/O Server's firmware and device microcode

Task 1. View the existing firmware level

  1. Under the Service Management menu, click Updates. The Updates page is displayed.
  2. Select the Microcode Updates tab.
  3. Click Generate New Survey. A list of devices is displayed.
  4. Record the current level of firmware that is displayed for Type: system.

Task 2. Apply firmware and device microcode using the Integrated Virtualization Manager

  1. Note the following:
    • If you update the server firmware for device sys0, you will need to shut down all client logical partitions before applying the firmware.
    • If you update some device's microcode, you might need to take the device offline using the rmdev command before applying the firmware.
  2. Under the Service Management menu, click Updates. The Updates page is displayed, which contains the Management Partition Updates tab and the Microcode Updates tab.
  3. Select the Microcode Updates tab.
  4. The Microcode download base path field should default to the correct address. Do not change it.
  5. Click Generate New Survey. A list of devices is displayed.
  6. From the Microcode Survey Results list, select one or more items to upgrade.
    Note: If you select to update the firmware for device sys0, the system will shut down and restart when you apply the firmware. If you select a device, you might need to take the device offline. You can view the Impact column to determine the action you need to take. You will want to perform the action before you issue the command to install the update in step 12.
  7. Click the Download link in the task area. Information about the selected devices, such as the available microcode level and the commands you need in order to install the microcode updates, is displayed.
  8. Record the commands, you will need them later in the procedure.
  9. Select the Accept license check box in the work area.
  10. Click OK to download the selected microcode and store it on the disk.
  11. Log into the Integrated Virtualization Manager using a terminal session.
  12. Issue the appropriate command to install the update that you recorded in step 8.

Task 3. Verify that the firmware updated correctly

If you prefer to use the command line, refer to Lsfware Command.

  1. Under the Service Management menu, click Updates. The Updates page is displayed, which contains the Management Partition Updates tab and the Microcode Updates tab.
  2. Select the Microcode Updates tab.
  3. Click Generate New Survey. A list of devices is displayed.
  4. Ensure that the current level of firmware that is displayed for Type: system matches the level you installed.
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