Document fins/I0891-1
FIN #: I0891-1
SYNOPSIS: Sun Fire System Controllers with 5.11.x firmware could experience a
loss of network settings during a firmware upgrade
DATE: Oct/31/02
KEYWORDS: Sun Fire System Controllers with 5.11.x firmware could experience a
loss of network settings during a firmware upgrade
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- Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
(For Authorized Distribution by SunService)
SYNOPSIS: Sun Fire System Controllers with 5.11.x firmware could experience
a loss of network settings during a firmware upgrade.
SunAlert: Yes
TOP FIN/FCO REPORT: Yes
PRODUCT_REFERENCE: Sun Fire 3800/4800/4810/6800
PRODUCT CATEGORY: Server / SW Admin
PRODUCTS AFFECTED:
Systems Affected:
-----------------
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:
-------------------
Mkt_ID Platform Model Description Serial Number
------ -------- ----- ----------- -------------
- - - - -
PART NUMBERS AFFECTED:
Part Number Description Model
----------- ----------- -----
501-5563-12 (or lower) 3800 System Controller Board -
501-5407-13 (or lower) 4800/4810/6800 System Controller Board -
REFERENCES:
BugId: 4706916 - TOD nvram can be reset to defaults when 5.13
boots for the first time
PatchId: 
112494: Hardware/PROM: Sun Fire 6800/4810/4800/3800
Systems Firmware Update.
Sun Alert: 46346
URL: http://cpre-amer.west/esg/msg/techinfo/platform/sun_fire/firmware-matrix/
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
The System Controller (SC) on Sun Fire systems installed with firmware
5.11.x (5.11.4 through 5.11.9), may lose its network settings after an
upgrade to 5.13.0, 5.13.1, or 5.13.2. This may cause problems
communicating with the SC and prevent access to domain consoles.
This issue can occur in the following releases:
Sun Fire Servers (3800/4800/4810/6800) without firmware patch 112494.
NOTES:
A. The described issue will also occur if the firmware was previously
updated from 5.11.x (5.11.4 through 5.11.9) to 5.12.5 or 5.12.6 and
then subsequently upgraded to 5.13.0, 5.13.1, or 5.13.2.
B. System Controllers which shipped with 5.12.x firmware are not
susceptible to the described issue.
C. Use the "showsc" command to display the firmware version of the
SC.
D. The following lists the firmware patch numbers associated with the
firmware level:
Patch Firmware
---------------------
111346 == 5.11.4
111346 == 5.11.6
111346 == 5.11.7
111346 == 5.11.9 currently on SunSolve
112127 == 5.12.5
112127 == 5.12.6
112127 == 5.12.7 currently on SunSolve
112494 == 5.13.0
112494 == 5.13.1
112494 == 5.13.2
112494 == 5.13.3 currently on SunSolve
Also reference the Sun Fire Firmware Compatibility Matrix at:
http://cpre-amer.west/esg/msg/techinfo/platform/sun_fire/firmware-matrix/
After updating the firmware, the SC may not be accessible on the
network because all network settings may have been reset to the factory
defaults. The command 'showplatform -p net' will indicate Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is enabled and no other hostname or
network settings are shown.
Below are examples of booting an affected SC:
...
Flashupdate completed successfully.
The SC is being rebooted to use the new images.
Software Reset...
@(#) SYSTEM CONTROLLER(SC) POST 23 2002/03/22 18:03
PSR = 0x044010e5
PCR = 0x04004000
Basic sanity checks done.
Skipping POST ...
ERI Device Present
Getting MAC address for SSC0
MAC address is 8:0:20:e0:e5:3a
Using DHCP to configure network interface
Attached TCP/IP interface to eri unit 0
Attaching interface lo0...done
Initializing DHCP libraries
interrupt: 100 Mbps full duplex link up
Initiating DHCP negotiations for eri0
dhcpcBind() failed: errno = 0xd0003
Adding 2851 symbols for standalone.
interrupt: 100 Mbps full duplex link up
...
OR, after this point, you might see:
System Controller 'noname.example.com': <--notice the name is
"noname"
Type 0 for Platform Shell
Type 1 for domain A console
Type 2 for domain B console
Type 3 for domain C console
Type 4 for domain D console
Input: 0
Platform Shell
v4u-4800c-sc0:SC>
v4u-4800c-sc0:SC> showplatform -p network
The system controller is configured to be on a network.
Network settings: DHCP
Hostname:
IP Address:
Netmask:
Gateway:
DNS Domain:
Primary DNS Server:
Secondary DNS Server:
v4u-4800c-sc0:SC>
The cause for Bug 4706916 is that the NVRAM, where the network settings
are stored, was improperly initialized by SC Firmware versions 5.11.x.
While the fault in the initialization code was corrected in 5.12.x, the
existing initialization problem caused by 5.11.x is not detected until
an upgrade to 5.13.0, 5.13.1, or 5.13.2 is attempted. These versions
of firmware improperly treat the initialization error as NVRAM
corruption and reinitialize the NVRAM, causing a loss of all settings
contained in NVRAM.
This issue has been resolved with firmware patch 112494 which is
now available from SunSolve. It provides firmware version 5.13.3.
IMPLEMENTATION:
---
| | MANDATORY (Fully Proactive)
---
---
| X | CONTROLLED PROACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan)
---
---
| | REACTIVE (As Required)
---
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
The following recommendation is provided as a guideline for authorized
Sun Services Field Representatives who may encounter the above
mentioned problem.
1. Upgrade Sun Fire systems to version 5.13.3 using patch 112494
to avoid encountering Bug 4706916.
OR
2. If it is necessary to upgrade from 5.11.X firmmware to a version of
5.13.X less than 5.13.3, use the following workaround:
Gather the following output from the SC *BEFORE* proceeding with the
upgrade. This output will allow the user to restore any settings which
may be lost as a result of encountering Bug 4706916:
'showplatform -v'
'showboards'
'showplatform -d <a,b,c,d>' (for each domain)
OBP settings from each domain using the 'printenv' command
from the <ok> prompt and the 'devalias' command also
from the <ok> prompt
Further, flashupdate commands should be issued from the serial port
of the SC (not via a network connection) in order to watch the update
and reboot processes for errors, and to maintain control of the SC in
the event network settings are lost.
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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All released FINs and FCOs can be accessed using your favorite network
browser as follows:
SunWeb Access:
--------------
* Access the top level URL of http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/
* From there, select the appropriate link to query or browse the FIN and
FCO Homepage collections.
SunSolve Online Access:
-----------------------
* Access the SunSolve Online URL at http://sunsolve.Corp/
* From there, select the appropriate link to browse the FIN or FCO index.
Internet Access:
----------------
* Access the top level URL of https://infoserver.Sun.COM
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General:
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* Send questions or comments to finfco-manager@sdpsweb.EBay
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