Updating the Virtual I/O Server's firmware and device microcode through the Integrated Virtualization Manager without an Internet connection

Learn how to use the Integrated Virtualization Manager to update the Virtual I/O Server's firmware and device microcode when you do not have an Internet connection from the managed system.

Perform Task 1 through 4 to update the Virtual I/O Server's firmware and device microcode through the Integrated Virtualization Manager when you do not have an Internet connection from the management partition.
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. View or download the firmware fix

Follow this procedure to view or download the firmware fix. You can download the fix directly to your server, or you can download it to a computer with an Internet connection and create a fix CD that you apply on the server. If necessary, contact service and support to order the fix on CD.

  1. From a computer or server with an Internet connection, go to the Fix Central Web site at http://www.ibm.com/eserver/support/fixes/.
  2. Select the appropriate family in the Product family list.
  3. Select Hardware microcode and firmware in the Product list.
  4. Click Continue.
  5. From the Microcode downloads Web site, perform the following steps:
    1. Select your machine type and model from the drop-down list. An information window is displayed.
    2. Click Continue. The available firmware levels are displayed.
    3. Click Desc. An HTML file is displayed.
    4. In the Description file, click the .ISO file. For example, SF2aa_bbb_BP2cc_ddd.iso.
      Note: If the ISO image is unavailable, you will need to order it. For details, contact service and support.
    5. Follow the on-screen prompts.
    6. Follow the instructions for your CD program to create a CD from the ISO image. Then go to Task 3. Apply firmware and device microcode using the Integrated Virtualization Manager.

Task 3. 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. Insert the CD into the CD drive for the managed system.
  3. Under the Service Management menu, click Updates. The Updates page is displayed, which contains the Management Partition Updates tab and the Microcode Updates tab.
  4. Select the Microcode Updates tab.
  5. In the Microcode download base path field, type optical_device_path/microcode/ (for example, /dev/cd0/microcode/).
    Note: Ensure you type /microcode/ after the optical device path, or the firmware will not be found.
  6. Click Generate New Survey. A list of devices is displayed.
  7. 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 install command in step 13.
  8. 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.
  9. Record the commands, you will need them later in the procedure.
  10. Select the Accept license check box in the work area.
  11. Click OK to download the selected microcode and store it on the disk.
  12. Log into the Integrated Virtualization Manager using a terminal session.
  13. Issue the appropriate install command that you recorded in step 9.

Task 4. 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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