Sun Microsystems, Inc.  Sun System Handbook - ISO 3.4 June 2011 Internal/Partner Edition
   Home | Current Systems | Former STK Products | EOL Systems | Components | General Info | Search | Feedback

Asset ID: 1-71-1010903.1
Update Date:2011-05-19
Keywords:

Solution Type  Technical Instruction Sure

Solution  1010903.1 :   Sun Fire[TM] Servers: 12K/15K/E20K/E25K: How to Flash Update a System Board in conjunction with Dynamic Reconfiguration.  


Related Items
  • Sun Fire E25K Server
  •  
  • Sun Fire E20K Server
  •  
  • Sun Fire 12K Server
  •  
  • Sun Fire 15K Server
  •  
Related Categories
  • GCS>Sun Microsystems>Servers>High-End Servers
  •  

PreviouslyPublishedAs
215043


Applies to:

Sun Fire 12K Server
Sun Fire 15K Server
Sun Fire E20K Server
Sun Fire E25K Server
All Platforms

Goal

Using Dynamic Reconfiguration, this procedure will allow you to flashupdate a system board and activate the new firmware without domain downtime.

Solution

Sun Fire[TM] Servers: 12K/15K/E20K/E25K: How to Flash Update a System Board in conjunction with Dynamic Reconfiguration.

Before beginning this process, review your system configuration to see if using Dynamic Reconfiguration is possible.

Be aware of the new Kernel Cage policy implemented in Solaris 9 Kernel patch 118558-05 and platmod patch 117124-07 . To improve system performance, the Kernel memory may be split over two boards. See Document 1012349.1 for more information.


1) First flashupdate all of the system boards within a domain using the 'flashupdate' command. Using this command while your domain is running will not harm the operating system. The following is an example of the command for flashupdating domain A. You must have platform administrator or domain administrator privileges to run this command and it must be performed from the main System Controller.

starcatsc0:sms-svc:2> flashupdate -d A -f /opt/SUNWSMS/hostobjs/sgcpu.flash
Current System Board FPROM Information
========================================
CPU at SB0, FPROM 0:
POST   05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0 I/F 12
OBP    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0
Ver    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0
CPU at SB0, FPROM 1:
POST   05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0 I/F 12
OBP    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0
Ver    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0
CPU at SB15, FPROM 0:
POST   05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0 I/F 12
OBP    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0
Ver    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0
CPU at SB15, FPROM 1:
POST   05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0 I/F 12
OBP    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0
Ver    05/02/03 04:05:00 PM  Release 5.14.5  Build 2.0 
Flash Image Information
==========================
POST   05/10/04 02:56:00 PM  Release 5.17.1 Build 4.0 I/F 12
OBP    05/10/04 02:55:00 PM  Release 5.17.1 Build 4.0
Ver    05/10/04 02:59:00 PM  Release 5.17.1 Build 4.0 
     Do you wish to update the FPROM (yes/no)? y
Update CPU at SB0, FPROM 0:
Erasing...
Done.
Writing and verifying ...
Done.
Update CPU at SB0, FPROM 1:
Erasing...
Done.
Writing and verifying ...
Done.
Update CPU at SB15, FPROM 0:
Erasing...
Done.
Writing and verifying ...
Done.
Update CPU at SB15, FPROM 1:
Erasing...
Done.
Writing and verifying ...
Done.
starcatsc0:sms-svc:3

The command will ask you to confirm the upgrade and show you what versions of firmware is currently on the System Boards, and what version they will be upgraded to. After confirmation, this will take a couple minutes per board.


2) After the flashupdate is complete, the new firmware is installed but is not in use. To use the new firmware, the system boards need to be reset. To avoid downtime, Dynamic Reconfiguration can be used on the system board(s).

a) Logically remove the board using either deleteboard, or rcfgadm.

Examples:
rcfgadm -d  -v -c disconnect -o unassign SB9
or
deleteboard SB9

b) Logically bring the board back into the domain

Examples:
rcfgadm  -d  -v -c configure SB9
or
addboard -d  SB9

Note that the above examples are shown using System Board 9. Change this value to the System Board you are using.

The board is now in the domain with the newly installed firmware, and is running the Solaris Operating System.

Repeat step two for every system board within the domain.


If your platform's configuration will not allow you to use Dynamic Reconfiguration, you will have to setkeyswitch off and on your domain to ensure that all of the updates are in effect.

For more information see the flashupdate manpage on the System Controller and Document 1006214.1 "Sun Fire[TM] 12K/15K/E20K/E25K Servers: How to Replace a System Board Using Dynamic Reconfiguration".


Product
Sun Fire E25K Server
Sun Fire E20K Server
Sun Fire 15K Server
Sun Fire 12K Server

Internal Section

For more information see:
Document 1010587.1: Dynamic Reconfiguration Frequently Asked Questions
Document 1012349.1: Kernel Cage Splitting Overview

Keywords: starcat, flashupdate, lpost, sms, 12K, 15K, E25K, E20K, replace, sb, system board, firmware, update

Previously Published As 79891



Attachments
This solution has no attachment
  Copyright © 2011 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All rights reserved.
 Feedback