C H A P T E R 2 - Updating the Flash PROM Using Utility Version 2.0 or Later

C H A P T E R 2

Updating the Flash PROM Using Utility Version 2.0 or Later

This chapter explains how to update your system's firmware using Flash PROM Update Utility Version 2.0 or later. It also gives examples of what to do if an error occurs during the update process.

2.1 Updating the Flash PROM

This section explains how to update the flash PROM.

2.1.1 Before You Begin

If you are running a version of the Flash PROM Update utility earlier than version 2.0, do not use these instructions. Refer instead to the instructions in "Invalid Cross-Reference Format"." You'll find the version number of the Flash PROM Update utility displayed in the utility's banner.

Before you can update your system's flash PROM, you must ensure that the appropriate jumper (or front panel keyswitch) is set to allow the PROM to be written. The PROM cannot be updated if write-protection is enabled. Refer to Changing Flash PROM Jumpers.

2.1.2 What to Do

1. Power on the system.

The banner screen is displayed, and the system might attempt to
autoboot, depending on how the system's non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) configuration variables are set.

The banner screen identifies the system type, the amount of memory installed, the Host ID, and the Ethernet address. Note that the information displayed is different for every system.

2. Press Stop-A (or press the Break key if running from a terminal connected to a serial port) to abort the autoboot sequence.

Note - The Stop-A command function operates on USB keyboards and non-USB keyboards. The reaction time for the command functions on USB keyboards might appear slower.

3. Insert the flash PROM CD into the CD-ROM drive.

4. At the ok prompt, type boot cdrom to start the Flash PROM Update utility.

Type help for more information

ok boot cdrom

Rebooting with command:boot /sbus@1f,0/espdma@e,8400000/esp@e,8800000/sd@6,0:fflash/SUNW,XXX-XXXX-latest

Note - The boot path shown in the example above will vary depending on your system and its hardware configuration.

A hard drive or network are also possible sources of booting, depending on your system configuration. See Booting the Utility From the Server for more information.

The initial utility banner screen is then displayed.

Standalone Flash PROM Update Utility, Rev. 2.x

Ultra(tm) 1Ultra(tm) 2Ultra(tm) 5/10Ultra(tm) 30Ultra(tm) 60 / E220RUltra(tm) 80 / E420RUltra(tm) Enterprise(tm) 250Ultra(tm) Enterprise(tm) 450

Sun Blade(tm) 100

Sun Blade(tm) 1000

Sun Fire(tm) V210

Sun Fire(tm) V240

Sun Netra(tm) 240

Sun Fire(tm) 280R

Sun Netra(tm) T4

Sun Fire(tm) V440

Sun Fire(tm) V480

Sun Fire(tm) V490

Sun Fire(tm) V880

Sun Fire(tm) V890

This utility allows you to interactively update the firmwarerevisions in specific system Flash PROM components.

Type h for help, q to quit, Return or Enter to continue:

5. Type h to view the help screen or press Return to continue.

If you view the help screen, the following information is displayed.

If the update completes normally then most customized values contained in the NVRAM will be retained. The following parameters are the exceptions;

* If you are using the PROM-level security feature, you *MUST* re-enter the 'security-password' value after the update but before turning the security feature back on! (Use the PROM's 'password' command.)

* 'use-nvramrc?' will always be set to 'false' (which is the default value).

If for some reason the utility is unable to retain a customized value other than those mentioned above, then a detailed message will be printed during the update, indicating the parameter name and its post-update value. If the update process is interrupted then it is possible that one or more of the customized values may be lost. For this reason it is recommended that you make a paper copy of any customized NVRAM values. You may 'quit' out of the program now if you need to create the list. (Use the 'printenv' command at the PROM's ok prompt to list all parameters.)

WARNING: If the contents of the system's CPU Flash PROM(s) have been previously modified by methods other than the flash update utilities released by Sun, then running this utility may render the system useless!

Type h for help, q to quit, Return or Enter to continue:

6. If you viewed this help screen, press Return to continue.

Every precaution should be taken to prevent the loss of system power during the Flash PROM programming process!

Type h for help, q to quit, Return or Enter to continue:

7. Type h for further information or press Return to continue.

If you view the help screen, the following information is displayed.

WARNING: If power is interrupted when the Flash PROM is being reprogrammed, you MAY have to change a hardware jumper on the system board if the system does not boot. If this program is interrupted before it completes, you MUST reboot this program to allow it to complete its reprogramming of the Flash PROM - even if the system appears to function properly.

Type h for help, q to quit, Return or Enter to continue:

8. If you viewed this help screen, press Return to continue.

The firmware selection menu is displayed, as shown in the example below. The menu lists the OpenBoot trademark PROM and POST revisions currently existing in your system and the revisions available on the CD.

      Firmware Release(s)                Firmware Release(s)

Currently Existing in the System      Available for Installation  /  Install?

-------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

OBP 3.11.6 1997/12/08 10:42      OBP 3.17.1 1998/11/10 19:10           no

POST 2.2.8 1997/12/09 15:56      POST 2.3.1 1998/08/07 16:33           no

Type sa if you wish to select all available firmware releases forinstallation. Type h for help, quit to exit, or cont to continue:

9. Type h for further information before making a selection.

If you view the help screen, the following information is displayed.

Usage: < ActionCode DeviceCode(s) | ServiceCode >ActionCodes:  s = select; d = deselectDeviceCodes:  o = OpenBoot (OBP); p = POST; a = allServiceCodes: quit = Exit the program.              cont = Continue with the program after making selections.Type the letter h for help.Command:

10. Read dates and version numbers in the firmware selection menu, then take one of the actions described below:

If the revisions and date codes of OpenBoot PROM and/or POST shown in the Available for Installation column are later than those shown in the Currently Existing in the System column, you must update OpenBoot PROM and/or POST to the latest releases available. Go to Step 11.

If the revisions and date codes of OpenBoot PROM and/or POST shown in the Available for Installation column are the same or earlier than those shown in the Currently Existing in the System column, no firmware update is required. Type quit to exit the Flash PROM update utility, then go to Step 15.

11. Type the appropriate code for your update. Update OpenBoot PROM and POST, type sa (select all).

Note - Always update both OpenBoot PROM and POST to the latest recommended firmware releases.

The firmware selection menu is then displayed with YES in the Install? column for each item that you selected for updating. The example below shows the selection menu after both OpenBoot PROM and POST have been selected for update.

      Firmware Release(s)                Firmware Release(s)

Currently Existing in the System      Available for Installation  /  Install?

-------------------------------- --------------------------------------------

OBP 3.11.6 1997/12/08 10:42      OBP 3.17.1 1998/11/10 19:10           YES

POST 2.2.8 1997/12/09 15:56      POST 2.3.1 1998/08/07 16:33           YES

Type sa if you wish to select all available firmware releases forinstallation.  Type h for help, quit to exit, or cont to continue:

12. At the command prompt, type cont to continue the utility.

An information screen is displayed.

The Flash programming process is about to begin.

Type h for help, q to quit, Return or Enter to continue:

13. Type h for more information or press Return to continue.

If you view the help screen, the following information is displayed.

This program will issue a reset command after the Flash PROM has been successfully reprogrammed. If an error occurs during programming then an error message will be printed and the program will exit without issuing the reset command.WARNING: If power is interrupted when the Flash PROM is being reprogrammed, you MAY have to change a hardware jumper on the system board if the system does not boot. If this program is interrupted before it completes, you MUST reboot this program to allow it to complete its reprogramming of the Flash PROM - even if the system appears to function properly.Refer to the following document for a complete set of instructions; "Sun(tm) Flash PROM Guide for Workstations and Workgroup Servers - Standalone Version"The Flash programming process is about to begin.

Type h for help, q to quit, Return or Enter to continue:

14. If you viewed this help screen, press Return to continue.

As the utility updates the flash PROM firmware, progress information is displayed on the screen, as in the following example.

Erasing the top half of the Flash PROM.

Programming OBP into the top half of the Flash PROM.

Verifying OBP in the top half of the Flash PROM.

Erasing the bottom half of the Flash PROM.

Programming OBP into the bottom half of Flash PROM.

Verifying OBP in the bottom half of the Flash PROM.

Erasing the top half of the Flash PROM.

Programming POST into the top half of Flash PROM.

Verifying POST in the top half of the Flash PROM.

Programming was successful.

Resetting...

Note - The following example does not apply to Sun Blade 100, Sun Blade 1000, Sun Fire 280R, Sun Netra T4, Sun Fire V480, Sun Fire V880, or Sun Fire V890 systems.

Restoring previous NVRAM environment settings...

#power-cycles =       10

auto-boot? =          false

security-#badlogins =  0

keymap =              <custom keymap>

OK

Resetting...

Note - The text in the above example appears only if you are running the utility from a serial port A connection (for example, a TIP or telnet connection); the text does not appear if you are running the utility from a standard console interface.
The NVRAM variables listed in the Restoring previous NVRAM environment settings section above are examples. You may see a different set of variables listed, depending on what has been customized in your system.

If there were no errors during the update, the system resets. If there were errors (for example, if any of the PROM's security features were enabled), the system does not reset and an error message is displayed. See Error Messages.

Note - The NVRAM configuration variable, use-nvramrc?, might be modified to its default value (False) during the update process.

Note - If power to your site is interrupted during flash PROM updating, see Appendix for system recovery instructions.

15. After successful updating, return the flash PROM write-protect/write-enable jumper to the write-protect position to ensure system security (see Chapter 1).
If your system is a Sun Enterprise 250, Ultra Enterprise 450, Sun Fire V240, Sun Netra 240, Sun Fire 280R, Sun Fire V440, Sun Fire V480, Sun Fire V490, Sun Fire V880, or Sun Fire V890, do not change the jumper. Instead, return the front panel keyswitch to the Locked position ().

2.2 Error Messages

If the flash PROM is write-protected or if the NVRAM configuration variable security-mode is enabled and an attempt is made to update the flash PROM, one of the following error messages is displayed.

2.2.1 Example 1--Write-Protect/Write-Enable Jumper Message on System With No Front Panel Keyswitch

The following is an example of an error message received when the utility is loaded onto a system that has no front panel keyswitch, and when the motherboard write-protect/write-enable jumper is not set to write-enable.

Could not communicate with the Flash PROM on the system board.It is possible that the part is defective, or that the Flash PROM is write protected via the hardware `Write Protect/Enable' jumper. Check the setting of the CPU board jumper <Jxxxx>.Program terminatedok

Note - The jumper number shown in the above example (<Jxxxx>) will change, depending on your hardware platform. See Changing Flash PROM Jumpers for instructions on setting jumpers.

2.2.2 Example 2--Write-Protect/Write-Enable Jumper Message on System With Front Panel Keyswitch

The following is an example of an error message received when the utility is loaded onto a system with a front panel keyswitch (Sun Enterprise 250, Ultra Enterprise 450, Sun Fire V240, Sun Netra 240, Sun Fire 280R, Sun Fire V440, Sun Fire V480, Sun Fire V490, Sun Fire V880, or Sun Fire V890), and when the keyswitch is not set to write-enable.

Could not communicate with the Flash PROM on the system board.It is possible that the part is defective, or that the Flash PROM is write protected via the hardware `Write Protect/Enable' jumper. Verify that the front panel keyswitch is not in a secure position, and if necessary, check the setting of the CPU board jumper <Jxxxx>.Program terminatedok

Note - The jumper number shown in the above example (<Jxxxx>) will change, depending on your hardware platform. See Changing Flash PROM Jumpers for instructions on setting jumpers or keyswitches.

2.2.3 Example 3--NVRAM Configuration Variable

The following is an example of an error message received when the utility is loaded but system security is set via the security-mode NVRAM configuration variable.

**ERROR: System security is set:System firmware was not modified.

2.2.4 Example 4--Flash PROM Sectors Protected

The following is an example of an error message received when the utility is loaded onto a system for which flash PROM sectors were programmed as protected at the factory. For example, if one or more sectors are programmed as write-protected at a vendor site (prior to having the flash PROM soldered onto the system board), then the utility will not be able to update the flash PROM, even if the write-protect/write-enable jumper is set to write-enable.

The FLASH PROM device in this system cannot be reprogrammed.

You need to contact your service provider for information on updating the FLASH PROM device in this system.  For further details, please refer to the latest revision of "Sun(tm) Flash PROM Guide for Workstations and Workgroup Servers - Standalone Version".

Protected sectors: 0 1 6 7 10 11 12 13

Program terminated

Note - The sectors shown above are examples. The sectors displayed for your system may vary.

If you encounter this error, it is necessary to replace the system motherboard to upgrade the firmware. Contact Sun Service or your service provider for more information.