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- Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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                            FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
                  (For Authorized Distribution by SunService)

FIN #: I0890-1

Create Date: Oct/31/02

Keywords: 

Sun Fire 3800/4800/4810/6800 domains can hang when System Controller firmware is downgraded from 5.13.0, 5.13.1, or 5.13.2 to 5.12.7 or lower

SunAlert: No

Top FIN/FCO Report: Yes

Products Reference: Sun Fire 3800/4800/4810/6800

Product Category: Server / SW Admin

Product Affected: 

Systems Affected:
-----------------  
Mkt_ID     Platform     Model      Description        Serial Number
------     --------     -----      -----------        -------------
  -          S8          ALL       Sun Fire 3800            -	
  -          S12         ALL       Sun Fire 4800            -     	
  -          S12i        ALL       Sun Fire 4810            -	
  -          S24         ALL       Sun Fire 6800            -


X-Options Affected:
-------------------
Mkt_ID     Platform     Model      Description        Serial Number
------     --------     -----      -----------        -------------
  -           -           -             -                   -

Parts Affected: 

Part Number                Description                               Model
-----------                -----------                               -----
501-5563-12 (or lower)     3800 System Controller Board                -
501-5407-13                4800/4810/6800 System Controller Board      -

References: 

BugId:      4721491 - Downgrade f/w to 5.11.9 from 5.13.2 cause domain 
                      bringup hangs in OBP.
            4719404 - Domain Hangs on Firmware Downgrade to 5.12.x or 
                      5.11.x.

PatchId:    112494-04: Hardware/PROM: Sun Fire 6800/4810/4800/3800 
                       Systems Firmware Update.
                       
URL: http://cpre-amer.west/esg/msg/techinfo/platform/sun_fire/firmware-matrix/

Issue Description: 

Sun Fire 3800/4800/4810/6800 platforms with System Controller (SC)
firmware version 5.13.0, 5.13.1, or 5.13.2 may experience domain hangs
after the firmware is downgraded to 5.12.7 or lower.  This will cause
loss of availability for affected domains.

This issue affects any Sun Fire 3800/4800/4810/6800 server whose SC was
initially installed with 5.13.0, 5.13.1, or 5.13.2 firmware and where a
firmware downgrade is attempted.  Also affected are systems with
replacement SCs containing the affected firmware versions, or any
system where 'setdefaults' has been run at an affected firmware
version.

After a firmware downgrade, a reboot of any domain will result in
messages like the following:

     sc0:A> setkey on
     .
     
     .
     .
     {/N0/SB4/P0} GLOBAL IO SRAM on board 7
     {/N0/SB4/P0} DCB_DECOMP_OBP command succeeded
     {/N0/SB4/P0} Decompress OBP done
     {/N0/SB4/P0} DCB_ENTER_OBP command succeeded
     {/N0/SB4/P1} DCB_ENTER_OBP command succeeded
     {/N0/SB4/P2} DCB_ENTER_OBP command succeeded
     {/N0/SB4/P3} DCB_ENTER_OBP command succeeded

     

In firmware versions prior to 5.13.0, the internal SC variable
"use-new-ioadd-map" is set to "false" for each domain.  In SC firmware
versions 5.13.0, 5.13.1, and 5.13.2, this value is set to "true" for
each domain.  This value is only set during the initial SC
initialization or during a 'setdefaults' command.

If an SC is downgraded from an affected version of firmware to 5.12.7
or lower, the lower versions of firmware are not be able to use the
value of "true" for "use-new-ioadd-map".  This causes domains to hang
entering OBP.

This issue is addressed in firmware patch 112494-04 (SC Firmware
5.13.3).  This version of firmware resolves the issue by not
initializing the "use-new-ioadd-map" variable to "true".

See the workaround provided below for versions 5.13.0, 5.13.1, and
5.13.2.

Implementation: 

---
          |   |   MANDATORY (Fully Proactive)
           ---


           ---
          | X |   CONTROLLED PROACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan)
           ---


           ---
          |   |   REACTIVE (As Required)
           ---

Corrective Action: 

The following recommendation is provided as a guideline for authorized
Sun Services Field Representatives who may encounter the above
mentioned problem.

1. Firmware downgrades from version 5.13.3 or later will not be affected
   by this issue.  Firmware 5.13.3 is available in patch 112494-04.

2. If a firmware downgrade from an affected version of firmware
   (5.13.0, 5.13.1, 5.13.2) is required, the 'setdefaults' command
   should be issued after the firmware downgrade.  The SC should then
   be rebooted.  Both steps should be performed before any attempt is
   made to power up any domains.

Note:  Sun Fire systems which are downgraded from an affected firmware
       version to 5.11.2 or lower are still susceptible to this problem 
       even if they are then subsequently upgraded to 5.13.3 or higher.  In
       this case, the procedure in 2) should be followed.

For the latest information about Sun Fire firmware, access the Sun Fire
Firmware Compatibility Matrix at

   http://cpre-amer.west/esg/msg/techinfo/platform/sun_fire/firmware-matrix/

Comments: 

None

============================================================================

Implementation Footnote: 

i)   In case of MANDATORY FINs, Enterprise Services will attempt to    
     contact all affected customers to recommend implementation of 
     the FIN. 
   
ii)  For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services mission critical    
     support teams will recommend implementation of the FIN  (to their  
     respective accounts), at the convenience of the customer. 

iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services will implement the FIN as the   
     need arises.
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