System does not POST after adding MAX5 or replacing the system board - IBM System x and BladeCenter

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H197572

Symptom

After configuring a System x3690 X5, System x3850 X5, System x3950 X5 or IBM BladeCenter HX5 server with a Memory Expansion Unit, e.g. IBM MAX5 for System x (Option 59Y6265), IBM MAX5 for BladeCenter (Option 46M6973), or after replacing a system board in the server, the following Power Permission Block symptoms are observed:

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• BladeCenter HX5, type 7872, any model
• System x3690 X5, type 7148, any model
• System x3690 X5, type 7149, any model
• System x3850 X5, type 7145, any model
• System x3850 X5, type 7146, any model
• System x3950 X5, type 7145, any model

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM Options:

• IBM MAX5 for BladeCenter, Option 46M6973, replacement part number 46M6974
• IBM MAX5 for System x, Option 59Y6265

This tip is not software specific.

Solution

To avoid the symptoms, update the system firmware before attaching the MAX5 option.

For System x3690 X5, update the system firmware to the GA2 levels or higher:

• Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) v1.10 MLUD20E
• IMM v1.20 YUOO75T
• Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) v1.21 MLE120B

Note: The MAX5 Option is shipped with System x3850 X5 / System x3950 X5 FPGA code loaded. MAX5 options that were previously used with a System x3850 X5/System x3950 X5 require the following update prior to use with a System x3690 X5.

1. Make sure the System x3690 X5 is flashed to the GA2 code levels or higher.
2. The System x3690 X5 must be re-flashed with FPGA v1.10 MLUD20E or higher for proper operation.
   Use the Recovery Method indicated in the workaround section of this document.

For System x3850 X5 / System x3950 X5, update the system firmware to the GA3 levels or higher:

• FPGA v1.02 G0UD43A
• IMM v1.19 YUOO75X
• UEFI v1.32 G0E131A

Note: MAX5 options that were previously used with a System x3690 require the following update prior to use with a System x3850 X5 / System x3950 X5:

1. Make sure the System x3850 X5 / System x3950 X5 is flashed to the GA3 code levels or higher.
2. The System x3850 X5 / System x3950 X5 must be re-flashed with FPGA v1.02 G0UD43A or higher for proper operation.
   Use the Recovery Method indicated in the workaround section of this document.

For BladeCenter HX5, update the system to GA2 levels or higher:

• FPGA v 1.01 HIUD22K
• IMM v1.21 YUOO75V
• UEFI v1.25 HIE121E

Workaround

Preconditions:

• The user must agree, and provide ethernet access, to allow an out-of-band flash via the IMM ethernet port (Advanced Management Module (AMM) ethernet port for BladeCenter HX5).
• The external IMM (AMM for HX5) Internet Protocol (IP) address, UserID, and Password need to be provided before proceeding.
• The Servicer must have knowledge of updating the FPGA, IMM and UEFI using the IMM external web interface (AMM for BladeCenter HX5), typically with a laptop. Refer to Chapter 5, "Updating Firmware," of the "User's Guide for Integrated Management Module - IBM BladeCenter and System x," available at the following URL:

• http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5079770

1. Update the host server to the latest FPGA using the external IMM web interface (AMM web interface for BladeCenter HX5). After this is done, the IMM no longer asserts the Power Permission Block because the FPGA modules are compatible.
2. Update the remaining code on the host server to the latest version using any update method.

Additional information

There are two (2) versions of the MAX5 FPGA module code, which are not interchangeable: one for when MAX5 is connected to an x3850 X5, and one for when MAX5 is connected to an x3690 X5. By default, the MAX5 Option ships with the x3850 X5 FPGA module code. For proper operation of the MAX5, the FPGA code must match the connected system.

Additional details by machine type can be found by contacting IBM support for service use only documents. Use the following information to obtain the information for each machine type:

• System x3690 X5, Types 7148 or 7149, any model:
  Refer to RETAIN tip H197682 (MIGR-5085950) Sign in required

• System x3850 X5, Types 7145 or 7146, any model,
• System x3950 X5, Type 7145 any model:
  Refer to RETAIN tip H197632 (MIGR-5085818) Sign in required