HMC

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  • 1.  EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Tue March 15, 2022 11:28 AM
      |   view attached
    Hello

    in the following config, HMC Console and sysplan, show wrong Description for EN0A.(Picture Attached)
    I see "PCIe2 ........." instead of "PCIe3 ........." for this adapter.
    I use from different compatible HMC Firmware. But the result did not change.
    --------- Config ----------------------------------------
    Server
    Power9 E980 Server
    Model: 9009-42A, 9080-M9S
    Firmware Ver: VH950_087
    HMC
    Model:7063-CR1
    Tested Firmware Ver:
    9.2.950, 
    9.2.951, 
    9.2.952. 
    10.1.1010
    10.1.1011
    Card
    FC:EN0A
    Firmware Ver: 00012000040025700030
    ---------------------------------------------

    Does anyone have an idea to solve this problem?
    Thanks

    ------------------------------
    Mehdi Seyed Khavari
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Wed March 16, 2022 11:29 AM
    Is possible. FRU depends. Check it.
    The adapter is from new order or migrated/brand new?
    The system has PCI3 & PCI4 slots. PCIe2 adapters are supported.

    PCIe2 16 Gb 2-port Fibre Channel Adapter (FC EN0A; CCIN 577F)
    PCIe3 16 Gb 2-port Fibre Channel Adapter (FC EN0A; CCIN 577F)

    Regards


    ------------------------------
    Humberto Sosa
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Thu March 17, 2022 10:49 AM
    Hi,

    I see the same on system plans for our 9009-42G systems.  
    Our HMCs are 7063-CR1 at v9.2.952 with MH01917, with server firmware a wee bit behind at FW950.10 (072).

    When looking at the hardware topology, it shows the speed of the adapter as Gen3.  
    IBM Documentation is also correct, describing the EN0A as 'PCIe3.... '.
    And the System Planning Tool also describes the EN0A as 'PCIe3...'.

    I don't know though where the HMC sysplan gets the information from that describes the EN0A as a 'PCIe2...' adapter, or if this can be updated on the fly by the customer.  
    I wonder if this is a hangover from POWER7 where IBM Docs describes the EN0A as 'PCIe2 16 Gb 2-port Fibre Channel Adapter is an x8, generation 2, PCIe adapter'.

    This may require a Support Case so that the description can be updated in a future iFix.

    ------------------------------
    Jozsef Torok
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Thu March 17, 2022 01:51 PM
    Mehdi
    I suggest checking the FRU of the adapter, on the LPAR1-AIX7.2 ( ie. - lscfg -vpl fcs0)

    PCIe2 - FRU adapter 74Y2221 or substitutes
    If it is this, then HMC has the reason.

    PCIe3 - FRU adapter 00E3496 or substitutes
    If it is this, maybe firmware adapter update task or open a Support Case must be the way.

    Regards


    ------------------------------
    Humberto Sosa
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Thu March 17, 2022 03:52 PM
    Hi,

    On our IBM i LPARs, via Hardware Service Manager >  Packaging hardware resources, drilling down into the hardware contained in one of the System Expansion Units (EMX0) containing the 577F-001 cards, the detail for a card shows it to have part number 0000000E3495  [read 00E3495]. So definitely PCIe3. 

    So whatever data the sysplan is using for the EN0A adapter to generate a system plan is incorrect. As Humberto says, I suggest a Support Case. 
     
    Regards,

    ------------------------------
    Jozsef Torok
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Mon March 21, 2022 10:45 AM

    Hello everyone,

    An interesting topic, might make for some good future trivia!  The EN0A/EN0B 2x16Gbps SAN adapter is indeed PCIe Gen3.  When it was originally announced and GA'd in 2013, the POWER7+ systems only supported PCIe2 (hint this is an old adapter that was one of the first Gen3 adapters we had).  That being said, when you look at the details within the VPD it will report as a PCIe2 device, it has always been that way (I'm pretty sure that's the output Humberto has shared with us).

    There is no need to open a support case.  I think the HMC is reading the VPD details to report what it is.  It may or may not be a simple process to alter the description but I will explore what is possible with the HMC team.  I'm not making any commitments to have the details replaced, just exploring what is possible given the adapter is withdrawn.

    Regards,

    Douglas

    Douglas Gibbs

    IO Product Manager, IBM Power Systems
    IBM Canada Ltd.
    905-413-5334



    ------------------------------
    Douglas Gibbs
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Sun April 03, 2022 03:02 AM
    Hello everyone,
    thanks for your replies

    I attached Humberto suggested output command. The oslevel -s command output is also provided.

    you can see the description is correct. but HMC show wrong description for EN0A adapter.


    Best Regards,
    Mehdi Seyed Khavari

    ------------------------------
    Mehdi Seyed Khavari
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: EN0A Wrong Description

    Posted Wed April 06, 2022 10:52 AM
    I noticed two things.
    1. The fix central page uses the description "PCIe2 2-Port 16Gb FC Adapter"
    https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/main/selectFixes?parent=Power%20IO%20Firmware&product=ibm~io~featurecode~EN0A&release=all&platform=all
    2. You are one level down on firmware. Should be 0030

    I don't see anything is history of firmware fixes that will change the adapter description. Was hoping that was the fix.
    How about powering on with "Hardware Discovery" the next boot?
    Doug

    ------------------------------
    Doug Hill
    ------------------------------