Notification
Risk classification
HIPER (High Impact and/or Pervasive)
Risk categories
Function Loss
Affected Domain
IBM i 7.4 and 7.5 support for Feature Code EN24 / EN26 CCIN EC2A adapters (PCIe4 x16 4-port 25/10/1 GbE RoCE SFP28 adapter)
Abstract
Design changes to the Feature Code EN24 / EN26 CCIN EC2A adapters (PCIe4 x16 4-port 25/10/1 GbE RoCE SFP28 adapter) are not supported by older adapter microcode. IBM i may apply older microcode to newer adapters, if the IBM i PTFs are backlevel.
Description
IBM i applies adapter microcode to adapters when the adapters are assigned, Dedicated, to partitions and the adapters are activated. If the IBM i partition has older adapter microcode PTFs applied, this can push older adapter microcode to the adapter. Under most circumstances this is not a problem. In this specific case, Revision A5 or later of the Feature Code EN24 / EN26 CCIN EC2A adapter (PCIe4 x16 4-port 25/10/1 GbE RoCE SFP28 adapter) does not support older adapter microcode. If IBM i pushes an older, unsupported, level to the adapter, configuration changes occur, the adapter will cease to function, and the adapter is not easily recoverable. Replacement of the adapter may be necessary.
Exposure Criteria:
- Communications Adapter Feature Code EN24 / EN26 CCIN EC2A adapter (PCIe4 x16 4-port 25/10/1 GbE RoCE SFP28 adapter) at Revision A5 or later.
- Clarification 2024/12/16 - This exposure only applies to Communications Adapter Feature Code EN24 / EN26 CCIN EC2A adapter in Dedicated adapter mode. SR-IOV Shared Mode is NOT exposed. SR-IOV Shared mode was not supported until FW1060.10, and FW1060.10+ contains the updated level of adapter microcode.
- IBM i 7.4:
- Exposed: Resave ibase_01 RS-740-N marker RE23272 through RS-740-P marker RE24074
- Exposed: Technology Refresh 7.4 TR9 through 7.4 TR11
- IBM i 7.5:
- Exposed: Resave ibase_01 RS-750-D marker RE23277 through RS-750-E marker RE24122
- Exposed: Technology Refresh 7.5 TR3 through 7.5 TR5
Problem Remediation:
Before installing new adapters, or loading IBM i onto a system with newer revisions of the adapter, updated adapter microcode must be present by Permanently applying the following PTFs:
- IBM i 7.4 MJ01706
- IBM i 7.5 MJ01707
The following IBM i resave levels contain the updated microcode, and can be safely used for installing Licensed Internal Code:
- IBM i 7.4 RS-740-Q marker RE24316
- IBM i 7.5 RS-750-F marker RE24318
The Known Issue for these fixes, DT395241, has been marked HIPER for the High Impact potential.
The Revision number is only displayed on a sticker applied to the adapter board.
Symptoms of having encountered the problem:
- The adapters will fail to initialize properly, yielding a server-level Serviceable event with Reference Code B7006977. Other reference codes, such as BA250010 and BA180020, may present as well.
- The adapter will show on the HMC as an Unknown resource.
Recommended Action
- Permanently apply the appropriate PTF as described above.
- If a System Save (SAVSYS) was created for the purpose of Disaster Recovery restoring or new partition installation, it is strongly recommended that the System Save be rebuilt from a source with the PTFs permanently applied.
If you suspect you have hit the issue or you have further questions on this topic, please contact IBM Hardware Support, opening a case against the adapter Feature Code, and reference this document.
Date first published
26 November 2024
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Document Information
Modified date:
16 December 2024
UID
ibm17177098