Original Message:
Sent: Mon February 20, 2023 01:35 AM
From: Satid Singkorapoom
Subject: Firmware update for 578E fiber card attached directly to IBM i
Dear Mark
In the world of IBM i, we generally have no need to identify the firmware level of the adapter microcode. We normally use PTF ID instead.
When we have any problem with the adapter (or any HW or SW components under IBM i), we just need to know if there is any PTF that addresses the issue or not and if so, what PTF ID it is so we can obtain and apply it. A PTF (program temporary fix) is a catch-all word in IBM i for delivery of any fix/update or additional new codes (to deliver new features/functions - including microcodes for adapters).
When you want to search for a PTF, do a Google search with the word "ibm i apar" (APAR = IBM i jargon for bug report) and any relevant keyword(s). In your case, "578E". I did this (ibm i apar 578e) and found the following APAR indicating a PTF for IBM i 7.2 and 7.3 each: MA47283 - LIC-OTHER-SRCB6000103-UNPRED - 577F, 578F, 578E IOA ERROR RECOVERY PROTOCOL Please read to see if it is the issue you are facing or not. If so, next you check if you already have this PTF or not. You can identify whether you have a PTF in your system or not by using the command DSPPTF. Microcodes are always PTFs under IBM i product ID "57XX999" (XX varies depending on IBM i release).
Once you know a PTF ID you need and you do not have it in your IBM i yet, you do another Google search with "ibm i <ptf id>" to see the instruction for applying the PTF. If a PTF is specified as an "immediate" PTF, then it can be applied and take effect right away without a need to IPL, but you may need to restart some component instead and it will be indicated in the PTF cover letter. If a PTF delivers microcode, it is always a "delayed" PTF which means you need to IPL IBM i for it to take effect. At IPL, all microcodes are loaded to all adapters IBM i sees.
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Education is not the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think. -- Albert Einstein.
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Satid S.
Original Message:
Sent: Sun February 19, 2023 02:44 PM
From: Mark Waring
Subject: Firmware update for 578E fiber card attached directly to IBM i
Thanks Jim for the response and info! We have 578E fiber cards connected to a VIOS partition on another Power server and I know we can see the firmware version level of the fiber cards. Is there a way to be able to see the firmware level of the fiber cards on the IBM i? Is that via STRSST also?
Thanks,
Mark
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Mark Waring
Original Message:
Sent: Sun February 19, 2023 10:15 AM
From: James Sparkman
Subject: Firmware update for 578E fiber card attached directly to IBM i
Typically any adapter is updated via PTF. For it to take, either the card or the system has to be IPL'd or the adapter 'reset' in SST. I would think, but not sure, that the hardware group would have that update. Fix Central has the update but you would need to explore that to be sure.
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/adapters-doc-number6610-microcode-update-pcie3-4-port-16gb-fc-adapter
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Jim
Wannabe Curmudgeon...
Senior Systems Engineer
CAS Severn, Inc
Laurel, MD
Original Message:
Sent: Thu February 16, 2023 05:27 PM
From: Mark Waring
Subject: Firmware update for 578E fiber card attached directly to IBM i
How does the firmware of a 578E fiber card get updated if directly attached to an IBM i?
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Mark Waring
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