x64 Intel-based platforms transitioning from ELOM to ILOM.

Asset ID:	1-73-1019481.1
Update Date:	2011-02-23
Keywords:

Solution Type FAB (standard) Sure

Solution 1019481.1 : x64 Intel-based platforms transitioning from ELOM to ILOM.

Impact

Sun Field personnel, Partners & Customers should be aware that several Intel-based x64 servers & blades will soon be transitioning from ELOM to ILOM. ELOM vs ILOM feature sets and functionality differ considerably. For example, ILOM contains the following features, whereas ELOM does not:

   - More consistency with other x64 and SPARC servers
   - SNMP trap support with the SUN-HW-TRAP_MIB
   - User authentication via LDAP and RADIUS
   - Auditing of configuration changes

Consult the links in the 'Workaround' Section for documents that fully specify the features & benefits of ILOM and expand upon the differences between ELOM & ILOM.

Contributing Factors

Over the next couple months, listed systems will no longer ship from the factory pre-configured with ELOM SW/FW code. Instead, they will begin shipping configured with ILOM SW/FW code. Customers are encouraged to make the transition to ILOM as soon as possible. Customers that wish to run ELOM on their servers will need to downgrade to a previous code release that contains ELOM.

Important! Once ILOM is released on a given platform, ELOM code for that platform will freeze. No further development, enhancements or bug fixes for ELOM are planned. Customers choosing to remain on ELOM will need to accept 'as-is' ELOM features and functionality.

Symptoms

There are no error symptoms, only functionality changes in the Lights Out Management features and functions associated with the change from ELOM to ILOM. This FAB is intended to provide awareness of the ELOM to ILOM transition and provide pointers to ILOM transition information.

Root Cause

To achieve a more common system management interface across platforms, x64 Intel-based systems are migrating from ELOM to ILOM.

Corrective Action

Workaround:

Customers can either adopt ILOM as the new standard management interface for their platforms or they can remain on or downgrade to ELOM.

Important! To avoid loss of BIOS & LOM configuration data and to prevent corruption of the BIOS or LOM FW, specific procedures MUST be carefully followed when upgrading or downgrading between ELOM and ILOM. For example, preparation steps must be followed, and upgrading to ILOM involves TWO FW upgrades: first upgrading to a 'transitional' ELOM code, and then loading ILOM. To aid in the process, a "Transition Guide" will be made available. This guide will contain specific instructions to upgrade a system from ELOM to ILOM, or to downgrade a system from ILOM to ELOM. See the 'Workaround' section below for a link to the ILOM Transition Guide.

Release dates for the transition to ILOM will vary based on platform. The transition dates listed below are *estimates*. Release dates are subject to change.

   - X4150 Server: August 2008
   - X4450 Server: August 2008
   - X6250 Blade Server: September 2008
   - X6450 Blade Server: September 2008

The official release of SW bundles containing ILOM code on each platform will be posted at;

   - X4150 Server:         http://www.sun.com/servers/x64/x4150/downloads.jsp
   - X4450 Server:         http://www.sun.com/servers/x64/x4450/downloads.jsp
   - X6250 Blade Server:   http://www.sun.com/servers/blades/downloads.jsp
   - X6450 Blade Server:   http://www.sun.com/servers/blades/downloads.jsp

Previous SW bundles containing ELOM will still be available from the above links. Each SW bundle will specify if it contains ELOM or ILOM code. SW bundles version 2.x and greater will contain ILOM code.

ILOM Documentation and Information resources:

- ILOM Overview web page: http://www.sun.com/systemmanagement/ilom.jsp
(With links to other System Management resources)

- ILOM Overview white paper: http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/features/articles/ilom_overview.pdf

- ILOM Customer Presentation: http://sdpsweb.central/FIN_FCO/FAB/239848/SPE/ILOM_Customer_Preso.odp

- Sysman System Management blog: http://blogs.sun.com/sysman/

Related Product Documentation:

- x64 Server Documentation: http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E19045-01/
- x64 Blade Server Documentation: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/documentation/oracle-blade-sys-190001.html#legacyblade
Resolution:

No resolution is required. However, information resources are available to assist in understanding the transition from ELOM to ILOM, upgrading ELOM to ILOM and downgrading from ILOM to ELOM (See 'Workaround' section above).

Comments

Support for ILOM-related questions and issues is obtained through standard Sun Service and Support channels. Additional ILOM (Sun internal) information can be found at... https://onestop.sfbay.sun.com/technocrat/archive/html/jul2,2008.shtml#ilom

Note to Authorized Service Partners:

Sun Authorized Service Partners may contact Sun Services or their Sun Services Representative to receive FAB related information, including Customer details.

For information about FAB documents, its release processes, implementation strategies and billing information, go to the following URL:

http://tns.central/fab

For Sun Authorized Service Providers go to:

http://tns.central/SPE/fab/

In addition to the above you may email:

FAB-Manager@sun.com

Modification History
13-Aug-2008: Updated link to ILOM Transition Guide due to dash roll of document.

Internal Contributor/submitter
Daryl.Hinz@Sun.COM

Internal Eng Responsible Engineer
Tony.Kay@Sun.COM Responsible Manager: Pat.Judt@Sun.COM

Internal Services Knowledge Engineer
Joe.Davis@Sun.COM

Internal Sun Alert & FAB Admin Info
17-Jul-2008: Originally created as FAB 239848 and sent to Ext Rvw.
29-Jul-2008: Recreated due to IBIS issue not allowing updates or publishing. Sending to Publish.
01-Aug-2008: Fixed inaccurate link to Customer Letter.
06-Aug-2008: Added Note to Authorized Service Partners at end of asset.
13-Aug-2008: Updated link to ILOM Transition Guide.

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