Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) code and installation utility v1.23C (Windows) - IBM System x3850 M2, System x3950 M2

Download Description

• New IBM xSeries firmware and device driver file naming convention

Severity: Suggested

Change history

FPGA revisions follow this guide line

IF the behavior / function of the FPGA changes the Build ID will increment the 6th and possibly the 5th character. For example A3UD22A and A3UD23A have different FPGA behavior / function. Our customers should update their FPGA when the behavior / function changes. The 7th character of the Build ID may change if the previous version is not "A".

IF the delivery tool(s) change and the FPGA behavior / function does NOT CHANGE, only the 7th character of the BUILD ID will change. Our customers do not need to flash their FPGAs when the delivery tools change.

April, 2009

FPGA version A3UD23A, A3UD23B & A3UD23C all have the same FPGA function. The DOS Update Utility Tools came out from 23A to 23B. The DOS Update Utility Tools are back 23B to 23C. No update to A3UD23C is necessary if the system has A3UD23A or A3UD23B installed.

Version 1.23C - Build ID: A3UD23C

• CPU: 001.013 (50 01 0D 02 hex; 80 01 13 02 decimal)
• PCI: 001.004 (43 01 04 00 hex; 67 01 04 00 decimal)

Problems Fixed:

• DOS Update Utility Tools are back
• XML / TML showed A3UD23A installed when flashing A3UD23B. The FPGA code is identical, just the tool has a cosmetic error.

Enhancements:

• silent install added to DOS Update Utility Tools see notes below

Dependencies:

• DOS Update Utility Tools are no longer generated from the X-flash utilities

Notes:

• A3UD23A or A3UD23B or A3UD23C must be installed for any future updates to the system that may contain CRTM updates.
• This Build ID A3UD23C supports the IBM System x3850M2 and x3950M2 Servers. Some Versions only support specific Servers. More Servers may be added to Versions, as IBM's test process progresses. Download the latest Change History from the Web to determine Version to Server support.
• The system MUST be DC Power Cycled before the new FPGA firmware will become functional. The installation tools provide for an automatic DC Power Cycle. However; if tools are not allowed to run to normal termination a manual DC Power Cycle will be required. If the BMC is disabled; an AC Power Cycle will be required, since the BMC controls the automatic DC Power Cycle FPGA reload function.
• FPGA programming tools which run under Linux or Windows require the OS to be shut down so the automatic DC Power Cycle FPGA reload can be run by the BMC.
  
  
• ibm_fw_fpga_a3ud23c_linux_i386.txt contains the instructions for Linux.
• ibm_fw_fpga_a3ud23c_windows_i386.txt contains the instructions for Windows.

Version 1.23B - Build ID: A3UD23B

Notes:

• This Build ID A3UD23B supports the IBM System x3850 M2 and x3950 M2 servers. Some versions only support specific servers. More servers may be added to versions, as the IBM test process progresses. Download the latest Change History from the Web to determine Version to Server support.
  
  
• Starting with A3UD23BUS, the ability to create DOS based diskette images has been removed from the online flash utilities.
  
  
• The system MUST be DC Power Cycled before the new FPGA firmware will become functional. The installation tools provide for an automatic DC Power Cycle. However; if tools are not allowed to run to normal termination a manual DC Power Cycle will be required. If the BMC is disabled; an AC Power Cycle will be required, since the BMC controls the automatic DC Power Cycle FPGA reload function.
  
  
• FPGA programming tools which run under Linux or Windows require the OS to be shut down so the automatic DC Power Cycle FPGA reload can be run by the BMC.
  
  
• ibm_fw_fpga_a3ud23b_linux_i386.txt contains the instructions for Linux.
• ibm_fw_fpga_a3ud23b_windows_i386.txt contains the instructions for Windows.
• CPU: 001.013 (50 01 0D 02 hex; 80 01 13 02 decimal)
• PCI: 001.004 (43 01 04 00 hex; 67 01 04 00 decimal)

Problems Fixed:

• Added a trap to block BIOS CRTM update to allow FPGA update to precede the CRTM update. This is a Mandatory upgrade. If BIOS update contains a CRTM update and the FPGA is flashed in the same reset cycle, the FPGA update can disrupt the CRTM update and cause the system to boot to backup BIOS. The X-flash tools associated with this version of the FPGA V-1.23B are also required. Only the CPU's FPGA payload changed.

Enhancements: none.
Dependencies: none.

Notes: Crit-Sit Fix / MANDATORY UPGRADE All DOS Based Tools removed from X-Flash utilities

Version 1.22C - Build ID: A3UD22C

• CPU: 001.012 (50 01 0C 02 hex; 80 01 12 02 decimal)
• PCI: 001.004 (43 01 04 00 hex; 67 01 04 00 decimal)

Problems Fixed: none.

Enhancements:

• VMWare (XML/TML) support added

Dependencies: none.

Notes: Hardware Refresh GA Level

Version 1.22C - Build ID: A3UD22C

• CPU: 001.012 (50 01 0C 02 hex; 80 01 12 02 decimal)
  
• PCI: 001.004 (43 01 04 00 hex; 67 01 04 00 decimal)

Problems Fixed: none.

Enhancements:

• VMWare (XML/TML) support added

Dependencies: none.

Notes:

• Hardware Refresh GA Level
• This Build ID A3UD22C supports the IBM System x3850M2 and x3950M2 Servers. Some Versions only support specific Servers. More Servers may be added to Versions, as IBM's test process progresses. Download the latest Change History from the Web to determine Version to Server support
• The system MUST be DC Power Cycled before the new FPGA firmware will become functional.The installation tools provide for an automatic DC Power Cycle. However; if tools are not allowed to run to normal termination a manual DC Power Cycle will be required. If the BMC is disabled; an AC Power Cycle will be required, since the BMC controls the automatic DC Power Cycle FPGA reload function
• FPGA programming tools which run under Linux or Windows require the OS to be shut down so the automatic DC Power Cycle FPGA reload can be run by the BMC
• ibm_fw_fpga_a3ud22c_linux_i386.txt contains contains the instructions for Linux.
• ibm_fw_fpga_a3ud22c_windows_i386.txt contains contains the instructions for Windows.

Version 1.22A - Build ID: A3UD22A

• CPU: 001.012 (50 01 0C 02 hex; 80 01 12 02 decimal)
  
• PCI: 001.004 (43 01 04 00 hex; 67 01 04 00 decimal)

Problems Fixed:

• Power off all nodes after a machine check
• Light path check point corrections after machine check
• Machine Check Errors and IERROR Reporting
• Power line disturbance recovery
• Scalability Message broadcast storms

Enhancements:

• Scalability Link Communications
• Supports single, dual, triple and quad nodes

Dependencies: none.

Notes: 3/4 Node GA Level

Version 1.18B - Build ID: A3UD18B

Note: This Build ID A3UDxxx supports the IBM System x3850M2 and x3950M2 Servers. Some Versions only support specific Servers. More Servers may be added to Versions, as IBM's test process progresses. Download the latest Change History from the Web to determine Version to Server support.

• CPU: 001.006 (50 01 06 02 hex; 80 01 06 02 decimal)
  
• PCI: 001.004 (43 01 04 00 hex; 67 01 04 00 decimal)
  

Problems Fixed: none.
Enhancements:

• Added support for Multi-node
• Improved Serial Port function
• SBI_ENABLE control
• corrections for XML & TML

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: After the update, the system must be DC power cycled. (power button)

Version 1.11A - Build ID: A3UD11A

• CPU: 001.000 (50 01 00 01 hex; 80 01 00 01 decimal)
  
• PCI: 001.000 (43 01 00 00 hex; 67 01 00 00 decimal)
  

Enhancements: none.
Limitations: none.
Dependencies: After the update, the system must be DC power cycled (power button)

• Initial release.