Document fins/I0731-1
FIN #: I0731-1
SYNOPSIS: Sun Fire 'flashupdate -u' command can create incompatible firmware
versions between system boards
DATE: Nov/06/01
KEYWORDS: Sun Fire 'flashupdate -u' command can create incompatible firmware
versions between system boards
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- Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
(For Authorized Distribution by SunService)
YNOPSIS: Sun Fire 'flashupdate -u' command can create incompatible
firmware versions between system boards.
Sun Alert: Yes
TOP FIN/FCO REPORT: Yes
PRODUCT_REFERENCE: Sun Fire 3800/4800/4810/6800 Products
PRODUCT CATEGORY: Server / SW Admin
PRODUCTS AFFECTED:
Systems Affected
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Mkt_ID Platform Model Description Serial Number
------ -------- ----- ----------- -------------
- S8 ALL Sun Fire 3800 -
- S12 ALL Sun Fire 4800 -
- S12i ALL Sun Fire 4810 -
- S24 ALL Sun Fire 6800 -
X-Options Affected
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Mkt_ID Platform Model Description Serial Number
------ -------- ----- ----------- -------------
- - - - -
PART NUMBERS AFFECTED:
Part Number Description Model
----------- ----------- -----
- - -
REFERENCES:
BugId: 4485618 - flashupdate can create incompatible firmware mismatches.
4493915 - warning message regarding "flashupdate -u" are not
correct.
PatchId: 
111346 Hardware/PROM: Sun Fire 3800/4800/4810/6800
Systems flashprom update.
Sun Alert: 41007
Manual: 805-7372-13 - Sun Fire 6800/4810/4800/3800 Systems Command
Reference Manual.
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
Under certain conditions, the 'flashupdate -u' command can create
incompatible firmware versions between boards on Sun Fire 3800, 4800,
4810 and 6800 systems. The system will be unusable until the problem
is corrected. CPU/Memory boards will not be recognized by the system
controller upon reboot. No system components are damaged and the
system can be restored to operation once all the system components are
updated with a common firmware version.
All boards in a Sun Fire system must have the same firmware version
installed. Sun Fire software allows flashupdates to be performed in
order to move to a higher version of firmware. A flashupdate may be
necessary when placing a new board into the system. There are controls
in place in the software to maintain compatibility of firmware between
the system controller and the various boards in the system (CPU, IO,
etc.).
A bug (4485618) has been discovered with the 'flashupdate -u' utility.
The '-u' option automatically updates all boards in the system from the
board with the highest revision. In this case, the bug may result in
the system controller board firmware not matching the other boards in
the system. This problem primarily occurs when a user attempts to
flashupdate a higher revision FRU into a down revision system (e.g.
5.12.5 CPU board into a system currently running 5.11.z). The problem
is seen when running version 5.11.7 or lower. The platform shell
command 'showsc' can be used to display the current version of firmware
on the system controller.
When a replacement board which has an incompatible firmware version
(x.y of x.y.z is not same) is installed, the board cannot be used in
the system and the resulting error message gives the wrong instructions
for upgrading the board.
Example error message seen when the board is powered on, the system
controller boots or when 'setkeyswitch on' is entered:
Post image version mismatch Expected: 5.11 Observed: 5.12 on
PROM 0 in SB0 On the platform shell Use 'flashupdate -u' to
update the boards to the same flash revision.
The problem is that 'flashupdate -u' will upgrade all of the boards
to the latest version without doing any compatibility checking to
see if the upgrade is compatible with the current firmware on the
system controller. This will result in more boards having incompatible
firmware. Boards with incompatible firmware cannot be used in a domain.
Firmware version 5.11.9 has a fix that will prevent flashupdate from
installing incompatible firmware. It is available in Patch 111346.
An alternate workaround for users flashupdating to 5.12.z from 5.11.4,
5.11.6, or 5.11.7 is to use either 'flashupdate -f' or 'flashupdate -c'.
Refer to the Sun Fire 6800/4810/4800/3800 Systems Command Reference
Manual, page 38, for more information.
IMPLEMENTATION:
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| | MANDATORY (Fully Pro-Active)
---
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| X | CONTROLLED PRO-ACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan)
---
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| | REACTIVE (As Required)
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CORRECTIVE ACTION:
The following recommendation is provided as a guideline for authorized
Enterprise Services Field Representatives who may encounter the above
mentioned problem.
Please read the information provided in the Sun Fire 6800/4810/4800/3800
Systems Command Reference Manual, pages 38-42, before attempting any
firmware changes.
1) Upgrade boards in Sun Fire systems to firmware level 5.11.9 using
Patch 111346, available from http://sunsolve.central . This
firmware will prevent the problem with 'flashupdate -u' described
above, which occurs with versions 5.11.4, 5.11.6, and 5.11.7.
Refer to the Install.info file provided with the patch for detailed
installation instructions. To determine the firmware version of Sun
Fire boards, see the example below.
OR
2) If it is not possible to install Patch 111346 at this time, use
'flashupdate -f' or 'flashupdate -c' (not 'flashupdate -u') to change
firmware versions when installing new boards into a Sun Fire system.
Example to determine firmware versions from the platform shell:
schostname:SC> showboards -p proms
PROMS
-----
/SSC0/javaosflash:
ScApp 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:45
Info 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:45
/IB6/bbcGroup0/sysbdflash:
iPOST 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
Info 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:41
/IB7/bbcGroup0/sysbdflash:
iPOST 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
Info 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:41
/SB1/bbcGroup0/sysbdflash:
POST 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
OBP 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
Info 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
/SB1/bbcGroup1/sysbdflash:
POST 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
OBP 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
Info 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
/SB3/bbcGroup0/sysbdflash:
POST 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
OBP 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
Info 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
/SB3/bbcGroup1/sysbdflash:
POST 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
OBP 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
Info 5.11.9 08/24/2001 10:39
COMMENTS:
None
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Implementation Footnote:
i) In case of MANDATORY FINs, Enterprise Services will attempt to
contact all affected customers to recommend implementation of
the FIN.
ii) For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services mission critical
support teams will recommend implementation of the FIN (to their
respective accounts), at the convenience of the customer.
iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services will implement the FIN as
the need arises.
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