System Firmware UpdatesThis section provides information and instructions for updating the system firmware. You may need toperform these steps if you are installing an option or if your support representative has instructed you toupdate your firmware.Downloading the firmware update image and update instructions from the Web is preferred.Always check the pSeries and RS/6000 Support Web site for the latest firmware images and updateinstructions. The Web address is: http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/mdownload2If you cannot download from the Web, do the following:v If the system is running, but access to the Web is not available, see “System Firmware Update Using aLocally Available Image” on page 253.v If the system cannot be powered on, but the service processor menus are available, see “UpdatingSystem Firmware from the Service Processor Menus” on page 254.v If the service processor programming has been corrupted, the service processor will automatically enterrecovery mode when power is applied to the system. For more information about recovery mode, see“Recovery Mode” on page 254.To check the level of firmware that is currently on the system, see “Determining the Level of Firmware onthe System” on page 253.General Information on System Firmware UpdatesAll the system firmware types that can be reprogrammed are updated at the same time. They are:v System power control network programmingv Service processor programmingv IPL programmingv Run-time abstraction servicesIt is strongly recommended that you create a set of firmware update diskettes from the Web site as soonas possible after a system is installed. The diskette images can be downloaded to any personal computer,pSeries, or RS/6000 system with Internet access. This method and contacting your service representativeare the only two ways to acquire a set of firmware update diskettes; they cannot be created by using theservice processor menus or by using the operating system.Retain and store the latest firmware diskettes each time the firmware gets updated in the event that thefirmware becomes corrupted and must be reloaded.Download the detailed instructions, as well as the latest flash images, from the following Web address:http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/mdownload2. Before doing a system firmware update, check theWeb site for the latest code and images. Do not attempt a firmware update if you are unsure of the imageyou have, or of the procedure required for the update.The images are available on the Web site in either DOS format or AIX (backup) format:v If downloading to a PC, download the DOS image and follow the instructions. The diskettes that arecreated will be in AIX (backup) format.v If downloading to a pSeries or RS/6000 system, follow the instructions to create an image on a diskdrive or on diskettes.252 EserverpSeries 615 Service Guide
