Firmware update control

From Linux on Power wiki

The Linux-based 'update_flash' firmware installer tool won't work unless either the HMC or the FSP is told to make the operating system responsible for firmware updates. This page describes how to do this. For HMC-attached sstems, this can be accomplished either via the HMC GUI, or through the HMC command line. For non-HMC attached systems, this may be done with the FSP web interfaces.

FSP-attached systems

Firmware update control may be enabled via the FSP web interfaces by logging into the FSP, then selecting the menu item System Configuration, and then selecting the item Firmware Update Policy.

HMC-attached systems

Only one partition in an HMC-attached system can have the authority to flash the firmware. This is the "service partition". The service partition can be declared with the HMC GUI, in the frame properties menu. Note that the partition to be declared as the service partition must be off when the change is made.

HMC Command line method

To make the OS responsible for the firmware updates (to allow the OS to update_flash):

updlic -m <name-of-fsp-machine> -o o

To make the HMC responsible for firmware updates:

updlic -m <name-of-fsp-machine> -o h