IBM AIX5L IBM Sserver pSeries Customer-ManagedMicrocode, Installation preparation, Description

3.4 IBM Sserver pSeries Customer-Managed Microcode

The pSeries and RS/6000 Customer-Managed Microcode is a methodology that allows you to manage and install microcode updates on pSeries and RS/6000 systems, and associated I/O adapters.

The Microcode Update Application is the primary tool to use (for customers using AIX 5L Version 5.1 and Version 5.2). It is a different concept from the microcode distribution, and this application exists on systems that are considered standalone (no HMC attached) or HMC controlled. The Microcode Update Application executes a microcode survey process to determine if there is a microcode update for the system. The distribution methods used for microcode fixes have become more flexible. The traditional distribution method has been by the IBM Service Support Representative delivering a diskette. Customers for some pSeries and RS/6000 systems now have the option of downloading the microcode from the Web. With the Microcode Update Application, you will be able to survey, receive, distribute, and install microcode through the Internet or by CD-ROM. The Microcode Update Application tool for AIX 5L Version 5.1 and Version 5.2 or later will allow you to get the latest microcode available from three different repositories:

￿If you have access to the Internet, the tool will access the pSeries and RS/6000 Microcode Update Web site, which contains the latest level of microcode.

￿You can order the Microcode Update Files and Discovery Tool V1.1 on CD, which will have the latest level microcode. You can also use this tool to survey, report, and retrieve microcode directly from the CD without having to connect to the Internet.

￿You can FTP to and from another machine or site that you may have downloaded the latest level of microcode to for temporary storage or test purposes, for example.

For more detailed information visit the IBM Microcode Web Site:

http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/mdownload

3.5 Installation preparation

To avoid a break in the planning and installation phase, it is important to have all the necessary equipment checked and available. Figure 3-3provides a list of the required material to have on hand prior to an installation. It is in the form of a checklist.

Table 3-3 Required material

Description	OK
Latest microcode (see “Microcode” on page 13)
CDs labeled Microcode Update Files and discovery Toll V1.1, LCD4-1170
CDs labeled AIX 5L for POWER V 5.1 5765-E61 (Volume 1-5), LCD4-1061
CDs labeled AIX 5L for POWER V 5.1 Bonus Pack 5765-E61 (Volume 1-3), LCD4-1062
CDs labeled AIX 5L for POWER V 5.1 Expansion Pack 5765-E61, LCD4-1079
CDs labeled AIX 5L for POWER V 5.1 Documentation CD 5765-E61, LCD4-1064
CDs labeled AIX Toolbox for Linux Applications for POWER Systems, LCD4-1077
AIX Maintenance level CD set (APAR IY48486 AIX 5100-05 Recommended Maintenance
Package)
Individual PTF CD (if required)

14CATIA and Enova migration AIX 4.3 to AIX 5L Version 5.1