File Name: xxnxxxx.TXT IBM BladeCenter (TM) 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware Update Readme.txt Version 1.00, Build ID: ibmrun.096 CONTENTS --------- 1.0 Overview 2.0 Change History 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions 4.0 Configuration Information 5.0 Unattended Mode 6.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 7.0 Trademarks and Notices 8.0 Disclaimer 1.0 Overview --------------- This readme file provides information about the firmware update for the IBM BladeCenter 4-port switch, the ESM (Ethernet Switch Module). 1.1 Code Overview This update file, ibmrun.096, is provided for the flash update of the 4-port Ethernet Switch firmware After the switch is updated with this file, the Switch Information Menu will show: Firmware Version 00.00.96. The Boot PROM Version listed on the line prior to the Firmware Version is unchanged. The Boot code function of the ESM remains unchanged. All versions of Boot PROM, Versions 1 - 6, work with version 00.00.96. The Boot PROM need only be programmed when the switch is manufactured. An update is not required. After the firmware update, the Management Module of BladeCenter will show the following I/O Module Firmware VPD (Vital Product Data). Bay Type Firmware Type Build ID Released Revision 1 Main Application 1 BRESMR4G 06/23/2005 96 Note: The update is reflected in the Release Date and the Revision. The IBM MIB file posted with this release was last updated on July 29, 2004. 1.2 Limitations If the switch to be updated is at version 1.04 (ibmrun.081) or later, then there are no limitations associated with this update, and the following caution does not apply. Caution: A one time exposure exists when updating a switch from version 1.03 (ibmrun.073), or older firmware level, to version 1.04 (ibmrun.081), or any newer firmware level. The problem is present because 1.04 introduced the Redundant Switch Failover option on the Link Aggregation Settings Menu without accounting for it in a checksum calculation. Settings for any defined Trunks on the ESM will be lost when the ESM is updated from a pre-Redundant Switch Failover Level to a Redundant Switch Failover Level firmware. If the ESM default Trunk and Link Aggregation setting are used, then no corrective action is required. However if Trunks are configured, then the following actions need to be included in the update process. 1. Record the desired Trunk and Link Aggregation settings. 2. Save a copy of the pre-Redundant Failover configuration file for reference. 3. Ports of the trunk(s) should be disabled before the update. This will avoid error conditions for other network devices. 4. Perform the firmware update to the ESM. 5. After rebooting with the new firmware, reconfigure the desired Trunk and Link Aggregation settings. 6. Make these changes non-volatile by saving changes to NVRAM. 7. Re-enable the ports of the trunk. 8. Save a copy of a post-Redundant Switch Failover configuration file for reference. Additional information on this limitation is available at: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/ under the tip "Ethernet Switch Module (ESM) firmware update causes Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) configuration to be lost - IBM eServer BladeCenter." Switch configuration settings are not affected by any firmware update applied to switches loaded with firmware levels of 1.04 ((ibmrun.081), or later. Pre- and post- Redundant Switch Firmware Level configuration files need to be used with like firmware. 1.3 Enhancements 1.4 Level of Recommendations for this Update - 1.08 is recommended, but not considered critial. - IBM considered release 1.06 (ibmrun.092) to be a Critical Update. - IBM strongly recommends customers to update beyond release 1.05. - 1.08 is the preferred level for IBM support. 1.5 Dependencies or Prerequisites: - There are no dependencies for flashing this code. - No prerequisites, other than the caution provided in section 1.2. 2.0 Change History --------------------- 2.1 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, 1.07 (ibmrun.095) to 1.08 (ibmrun.096) 1. The blade port link detection firmware of the ESM has been enhanced to prevent a link flapping condition on empty blade positions. This condition was infrequently observed in a limited number of system hardware configurations. 2. A condition that may occur when a switch is powered off with Redundant Switch Failover enabled and activated has been corrected. When re-powered, the blade ports sometimes would not be enabled even though the failover criteria of the external trunk up condition was satisfied. This firmware enables the ESM to always associate the link status with the failover criteria. 3. The ESM now disconnects all telnet connections immediately after a reboot command is issued. Previously there was a delay before the disconnect. 4. Queue management of the ESM was slightly adjusted in version 00.00.95 in an attempt to balance the packet drop associated with oversubscription of link bandwidth. The oversubscription queue management function of the ESM has been returned to the pre-95 settings. 5. The ESM has improved handling of large frame pings directed to the CPU. A fix for fragmented Linux ping frames is also included. 6. GVRP (GARP (Generic Attribute Registration Protocol) VLAN (Virtual LAN) Registration Protocol) has been adjusted to better conform to the IEEE Standard 802.1D, 1998 edition and the 802.1Q, 1998 edition. 7. The enabling and disabling of trunk ports has been improved. The GUI interface will enable and disable individual trunk ports as a group. Prior to this change, when disabling an external trunk group, the GUI shows all member ports as disabled, however only the master port is disabled. 8. Web up/down direction notation has been corrected. The Browser Download Configuration Menu opened to display Upload Configuration. 9. Missing VLAN status has been corrected. In the Telnet console, the VLAN 12 status entry column was sometimes missing. 2.2 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, 1.06 (ibmrun.092) to 1.07 (ibmrun.095) 1. Spanning Tree Protocol Port Cost now holds assigned fixed values. On previous releases the Cost assumed the default value for the speed of the link. Auto Port Costs are still available with v095. To select an Auto Port Cost enter a zero (0) value for the Port Cost. 2. The ESM response to pings with large byte counts (64K max) was improved. Large byte count pings to the ESM will not effect the response of the management console interface. 3. The capability to assign a static multicast router address to a port on a per VLAN basis has been added. 4. ARP table learning has been enhanced for Spanning Tree configuration changes. 5. ARP table learning has been enhanced for Failover configuration changes. 6. SNMP fix for Ext-4 and block/unblock control, SNMP PVID on Ext-4 to enable configuring the port to access mode, and SNMP External port 'up' or 'down' status fix. 2.3 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, 1.05 (ibmrun.091) to 1.06 (ibmrun.092) The IBM MIB file posted with this release was updated on July 29, 2004. NOTIFICATION OF NEW FEATURE AVAILABILITY - Crash Dump If the CPU of the ESM should crash, information will be saved to assist with debug. To recover the crash dump file containing the information perform the following: 1. Start a TFTP server 2. Restart the switch and begin a TELNET session to the ESM 3. Under Utilities Select Upload Configuration File to TFTP Server 4. Enter the TFTP server IP address 5. Under Filename specify: ibmesm_coredump.txt, and TFTP upload. 6. A text editor can be used to view the debug information. NOTIFICATION OF NEW FEATURE AVAILABILITY - Syslog Events entered into the history log table of the ESM can also be sent to a server. Access to syslog messages requires: 1. Start a syslog server (or syslog relay) 2. Configure the server with a UDP port, the default value is 514. 3. Syslog server IP address and UDP port are defined in the ESM web or telnet page of "Configuration->Syslog Configuration" 4. Enable the 'syslog status' to start the messages. FIXES ADDRESSED in v092 1. Fixed NESSUS telnet issue. 2. Fixed hang condition caused by multiple open TCP connections 3. Fixed hang condition caused by improper address entered during TFTP. 4. Updated Save Before Reboot message in Switch Interface. 5. Updated VPD information to be independent of default configuration. 6. SNMP updated with multiple fixes. 2.4 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, 1.05 to 1.05a (ibmrun.081 or ibmrun.091) NOTIFICATION OF NEW FEATURE AVAILABILITY - REDUNDANT SWITCH FAILOVER a) "Redundant Switch Failover" is available in firmware version 1.05, ibmrun.091, which can be installed on ALL IBM BladeCenter 4-Port Ethernet Switch part numbers, (FRU PN 59P6620, 13N0557, and 26K6482). b) As stated below, avoid use of "RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULT", if ibmrun.091 is installed on FRU PN 59P6620 and PN 13N0557. c) A new IBM BladeCenter 4-Port Ethernet Switch Module Installation and User's Guide is available as a web download. Refer to the Link Aggregation section. 1.05a (ibmrun.081 or ibmrun.091) 1. A change to the ESM assembly and FRU part number is the reason for the new firmware release, ibmrun.091. 2. ibmrun.081 and ibmrun.091 are functionally the same with the following exceptions: a) If "Reset to Factory Default" is executed, via the WEB Browser or Telnet interfaces, ibmrun.081 will write Asm P/N 13N0558 and FRU P/N 13N0557 to the VPD. b) If "Reset to Factory Default" is executed, via the WEB Browser or Telnet interfaces, ibmrun.091 will write Asm P/N 26K6483 and FRU P/N 26K6482 to the VPD. 3. The user should confirm the ESM FRU P/N via the MM WEB Browser Hardware VPD listing or inspection of the label on the ESM enclosure. a) If the FRU Part Number is 26K6482, use ibmrun.091 b) If the FRU part number is 13N0557, use ibmrun.081 c) If the FRU Part Number is 59P6620, use ibmrun.081 * Note: *For FRU PN 59P6620 do not use the "RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULT" option. Note: After file transfer and ESM Re-Boot is completed, via the MM Browser, initiate an ESM power cycle (off then on) to refresh the MM Hardware VPD data. An alternative is to remove and re-install the ESM. Verify, the expected ESM FRU and Assembly part numbers are displayed. 2.5 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, 1.03 (ibmrun.073) to 1.04 (ibmrun.081) 1. SNMP Fixes for VLAN egress. 2. Fix for web interface VLAN configuration with static trunking. 3. Fix for IGMP flooding problems. 4. Fixes link problem to Cisco 6500 Family switches. 2.6 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, 1.02 (ibmrun.086) to 1.03 (ibmrun.073) 1. IGMP Snooping Fix. 2.7 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, 1.01 (ibmrun.062) to 1.02 (ibmrun.068) 1. DHCP client fix: ESM will freeze after DHCP client release and request IP address again. 2. Fix proprietary MIB and clean up SNMPv2 unimplemented branches. 3. Drop packet from invalid Vlan. 4. Remove the restriction which limited IGMP snooping, works with IPMC sender with src IP subnet equal to ESM's IP subnet. 5. Fix a problem which causes the switch to completely hang up. 6. Fix POST failure while using ESM HW version B1 (This is the FPGA Grant line fail problem). 2.8 4-Port Ethernet Switch Firmware, Initial Release to 1.01 1. Fixed ping fail after VLAN configuration issue. 2. Fixed FW crash after PVID has been changed and switch rebooted. 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions ------------------------------------------ This code can be flashed using the either a web browser or a telnet connection to the switch. The management module supports either interface, and either interface supports downloading of firmware from a TFTP Server. IBMRUN.096 should be copied to a TFTP server that is accessible to the BladeCenter. Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) services enable the switch firmware code to be updated by downloading a new firmware code file from a TFTP server to the switch. TFTP server software must be running on a management station for the TFTP services listed here to work. 3.1 Telnet Interface Either use the MM interface or a command window to telnet to the IP address of the switch. Login with the USERID and password. Under Switch Utilities, select Upgrade firmware from TFTP Server. Enter the Server IP address, and the Path and file name. Select Start. This information can be Applied and Saved to NVRAM prior to selecting Start if desired. The switch will flash update in approximately a minute, and then reboot. Connection to the updated switch will be available immediately following the reboot. The switch should not be unplugged or reset during this process. 3.2 Browser Interface Either use the MM interface or a web browser to HTTP:// to the IP address of the switch. Under Maintenance, Using Browser permits browsing the local machine for the IBMRUN.096 file. To use this option, find the file, and select Open and Start. The switch will flash update in approximately a minute, and then reboot. Connection to the updated switch will be availabe immediately following the reboot. The switch should not be unplugged or reset during this process. Also under Maintenance is the option of Using TFTP Server. - Enter the IP address of the TFTP server in the "Server IP address" field and the complete path and filename of the firmware code for the switch. - Click Start to initiate the file transfer. This information can be applied and saved to NVRAM if desired. - Click Apply to enter the IP address into the switch RAM. - Select Save Changes if to enter the address into the switch NVRAM. Note: After file transfer and ESM Re-Boot is completed, via the MM Browser, initiate an ESM power cycle (off then on) to refresh the MM Hardware VPD data. An alternative is to remove and re-install the ESM. Verify, the expected ESM FRU and Assembly part numbers are displayed. 4.0 Configuration Information -------------------------------- 4.1 The Limitations Section contains a caution message regarding configuration. Except for the condition described in the caution message, a firmware update will not modify the configuration settings of the ESM. 5.0 Unattended Mode ---------------------- 5.1 This update package does not support unattended installation. 6.0 WEB Sites and Support Phone Number ---------------------------------------- 6.1 IBM Support Web Site: http://www.ibm.com/pc/support 6.2 IBM Marketing Netfinity Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/netfinity 6.3 If you have any questions about this update, or problems applying the update go to the following Help Center World Telephone Numbers URL: 1-800-IBM - SERV 1-800-426 - 7378 http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/YAST-3P2QYL.html. 7.0 Trademarks and Notices ----------------------------- 7.1 The following terms are trademarks of the IBM Corporation in the United States or other countries or both: * IBM * BladeCenter * Netfinity * Netfinity Manager * Advanced System Management 7.2 Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. 8.0 Disclaimer ----------------- 8.1 THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. IBM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT. BY FURNISHING THIS DOCUMENT, IBM GRANTS NO LICENSES TO ANY PATENTS OR COPYRIGHTS. 8.2 Note to Government Users Note to U.S. Government Users -- Documentation related to restricted rights -- Use, duplication or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corporation.