Updating the Virtual I/O Server's firmware and device microcode without an Internet connection

Follow this procedure to obtain the hardware microcode and firmware CD. You can download the CD image to a computer with an Internet connection and create an update CD that you apply on the server. If necessary, contact service and support to order the update on CD.

1. From a computer or server with an Internet connection, go to the Fix Central website Fix Central.
2. From the Product Group list, select Power.
3. From the Product list, select your Machine Type-Model.
4. From the Select from Machine Type-Model list, select the required fix and click Continue.
5. In the Helpful links pane, select Quick link to the latest fixes on CD-ROM.
6. Follow the instructions to download the latest service pack.
7. Follow the instructions for your CD program to create a CD from the image.

1. Note the following items:
   • If you update the server firmware for device sys0, you need to shut down all client logical partitions before applying the firmware.
   • If you update a device's microcode, you might need to take the device offline using the rmdev command before applying the firmware.
2. Insert the appropriate CD (firmware or microcode) into the CD drive for the managed system.
3. Open a terminal window to the Virtual I/O Server partition and mount the CD image using the following command:

   mount -cd /dev/cd0 /mnt

   where cd0 is the appropriate device name.

4. In the IVM window, click Service Management > Updates.
5. On the Updates page, click the Microcode Updates tab.
6. In the Microcode download base path field, type optical_device_path/microcode/ (for example, /mnt/microcode/).
7. Click Generate New Survey. A list of devices is displayed.
8. From the Microcode Survey Results list, select one or more items to upgrade.
   Note: If you select to update the firmware for device sys0, the system will shut down and restart when you apply the firmware. If you select a device, you might need to take the device offline. You can view the Impact column to determine the action you need to take. Perform the action before you enter the installation command in step 15.
9. Click the Download link in the task area. Information about the selected devices, such as the available microcode level and the commands that you need to install the microcode updates, is displayed.
10. Record the commands for use later in the procedure.
    Tip: You might want to copy and paste the commands that you need to a text document.
11. Select the Accept license check box in the work area.
12. Click OK to download the selected microcode and store it on the disk.
13. Open a terminal window to the Virtual I/O Server.
14. Log in to the IVM.
15. Enter the appropriate installation command that you recorded in step 10.
    Note: If you copied the commands to a text document, you can use them now.

1. Under the Service Management menu, click Updates.
2. On the Updates page, select the Microcode Updates tab.
3. In the Microcode download base path field, type optical_device_path/microcode/ (for example, /mnt/microcode/).
4. Click Generate New Survey. A list of devices is displayed.
5. Ensure that the current level of firmware that is displayed for updated devices matches the level you installed.