AlphaServer DS10 V7.3 Console Firmware

Summary

This document provides the release notes for the AlphaServer DS10 Version 7.3 console firmware, dated April 2007. It is intended for individuals responsible for operating system installations, upgrades, and firmware management.

Key highlights include:

• Console Changes: The release addresses specific issues with the KGPSA driver regarding fibre-channel switch logins and increases the number of available environmental variables (WWIDx and Nx) for better support of boot and crash dump configurations on fibre-channel storage.
• Update Procedures: The guide details how to perform firmware updates using the Loadable Firmware Utility (LFU) via either the SRM or AlphaBIOS consoles. It emphasizes the importance of re-initializing the system before updating and warns against loading firmware older than the currently installed version.
• Operational Notes: It includes specific commands for BIOS management (show bios, run bios) and provides troubleshooting guidance for known issues, such as limitations with KVM console switches, bootable DVD support, and graphical display behavior with certain graphics cards.
• History: The document includes a comprehensive history of changes and bug fixes implemented in previous versions (V6.9 through V7.2), documenting improvements to drivers, environment variables, and compatibility with various storage arrays and I/O devices.