IBM Support

Server Firmware Update and Upgrade Documentation

Question & Answer


Question

What is needed for a Power System Server Firmware update / upgrade?

Cause

The need to Update / Upgrade Power System Firmware.

Answer

To determine what type of firmware update or upgrade is needed, some basic information is required:
 
Type “DSPFMWSTS” on the (CL) command line, press ENTER, capture the entire screen and add it to the case, this will assist with recommendations from IBM.
 
This information tells us:
    *OPSYS or *HMC Managed
        If the Firmware update policy equals *HMC
            Please supply Type, Model and current software level of HMC

    Temporary or Permanent side
        Temporary side is required to complete a Firmware Update / Upgrade.
            If on the Permanent side an IPL will be required to the Temporary side.
 
    Type of the system
        Please supply Type, Model, Serial Number, and current OS level of the Server.
            I.E  9009-42G-78#####    7.5
                "DSPSYSVAL" > > "F4" to prompt
                    Model number, QMODEL
                    Serial number, QSRLNBR

    Update access key expiration date (UAK)
        Update access key expiration date.
            Should be updated to have access to current firmware.
                If expired, you will only be able to download firmware released prior to the UAK expiration date.
                    *Note: Update of UAK requires an active hardware maintenance agreement.
                    A7004761 Expired Update Access Key (UAK) Order and Apply new UAK on Stand Alone IBM i or HMC Managed Power8, Power9 or Power10 servers.
 
    Current *Temp Fix pack and PTF ID if there is one.Current *Temp Fix pack and PTF ID if there is one.
          *PERM may differ from *ACTIVE and *TEMP
 
   image-20250910091237-1
                               image-20250910091307-2
​
​What is the recommended Firmware for your POWER system?
 
Please use : Power System Recommendations (FLRT) to find out!!!
 
Enter your current information and submit.
 image-20250910091641-1
 
The tool will return recommended Update / Upgrades Recommendations for both the Power System and HMC.
Please open a case with the HMC team for assistance with HMC Software Updates.
Please open a case with the Internals team for assistance with Power System Firmware Updates / Upgrades.
 
Recommendation Results page
image-20250910091738-2
 
Will this Firmware Update / Upgrade be concurrent or disruptive update?
 
    All Upgrades are Disruptive.

    All *OPSYS managed system Updates / Upgrades are Disruptive.

    If it is Disruptive Firmware Update it will be stated in the Report Summary notes under the the firmware recommendations.
    System firmware file naming convention 01VLxxx_yyy_zzz
        xxx is the release level
        yyy is the service pack level
        zzz is the last disruptive service pack level

            Concurrent Firmware Update if:
                The release level (xxx) is the same and
                The service pack level (yyy) currently installed on the system is the same or higher than the last disruptive service pack level (zzz) of the service pack to be installed and
                The last disruptive service pack level (zzz) is the same
                    I.E  VL910_040_040, new service pack is VL910_041_040

            Disruptive Firmware Update / Upgrade if:
                The release level (xxx) is higher than the last release level.
                The last disruptive service pack level (zzz) is higher than last disruptive service pack level
                    I.E.  VL910_040_040, new service pack is VL910_055_055
 
***Please read the Description file by clicking on the Recommended Update or Upgrade Firmware link for your system.***

Scroll down and click on Description. 
 
 image-20250910092105-3
 
 
Please review the Description file sections, they contain important information that may affect your system.
 
Specific Firmware level require a Specific HMC software level.
 
    HMC must be updated first, if needed.
 
 
image-20250910092234-4
 
 

Related Information

Fix Level Recommendation Tool

Power System Disruptive Firmware Update / Upgrade for *OPSYS

Power System Concurrent Firmware Update with Enhanced HMC(V8.8.1to V9 R2)

Power System Disruptive Firmware Update / Upgrade with Enhanced HMC(V8.8.1to V9…

Power System Concurrent Firmware Update HMC V10R1M1020 / V10R2M1030

Power System Disruptive Firmware Update or Upgrade using HMC V10R1M1020 / V10R2…

Power System Concurrent Firmware Update HMC V10R3M1050

Power System Disruptive Firmware Update or Upgrade using HMC V10R3M1050

Power System Firmware using Classic HMC

Server Firmware for stand-alone IBM i systems

Recommended Fixes - HMC Code Upgrades

A7004761 Expired Update Access Key (UAK) Order and Apply new UAK on Stand Alone…

Backing the *TEMP/*ACTIVE firmware to *PERM Power9 and earlier models

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Document Information

Modified date:
06 November 2025

UID

nas8N1021446

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