flashmmsc(1M)

NAME
     flashmmsc - reprogram the MMSC on Origin2000 systems

SYNOPSIS
     flashmmsc [-a] [-r rack] [-f imagefile]
     flashmmsc -m [-f imagefile]
     flashmmsc -d [-l serial-device] [-f imagefile]
     flashmmsc -V [-f imagefile]


DESCRIPTION
     flashmmsc allows a user to manage the firmware installed on the multi-
     module system controller ("MMSC") of Origin2000 rack systems.
     Ordinarily, an MMSC is shipped with firmware pre-installed.  The
     flashmmsc command is only needed by a customer for upgrades or emergency
     repairs of the MMSC firmware.

     There are several ways to use the flashmmsc command.  In the first form,
     the flashmmsc command is assumed to be issued from a terminal that has
     access to one of the MMSC's associated with the system.  Such a terminal
     can access the MMSC itself by first typing the MMSC-escape character,
     typically CONTROL-T.  In this arrangement, the flashmmsc command will
     transfer the new firmware image over the terminal's serial line.

     If the -a switch is specified, the flashmmsc command will automatically
     initiate the transfer to the MMSC specified by rack, or to the MMSC
     directly attached to the terminal's serial line if rack is not specified.

     However, older MMSC's may not be capable of handling automatic transfer
     initiation.  In these cases, it is necessary to invoke flashmmsc with the
     -m switch.  Next, the MMSC flash command is issued to the desired MMSC by
     first typing the MMSC-escape character then the appropriate flash
     command.  For example, to flash a new firmware image onto rack 2 of a
     system that uses CONTROL-T for its MMSC-escape character, the sequence of
     events may look like this:

         % flashmmsc -m

         Ready to transfer new image to full-feature system
         controller. To begin the transfer, type your MMSC
         escape character (normally CTRL-T) followed by the
         command:

             rack <rackid> flash

         where <rackid> is the identifier for the system
         controller you wish to upgrade.

     [User types CONTROL-T]

          MMSC> rack 2 flash
         Waiting for MMSC to initiate transfer...
     The third form of the flashmmsc command is used for disaster recovery if
     an MMSC has no firmware loaded at all (this may happen if a previous
     flashmmsc command was interrupted by a power failure or unexpected
     reset).  In this case, it is necessary to attach a null-modem cable from
     a serial port on the machine that will be issuing the flashmmsc command
     to the "ALTERNATE CONSOLE" port of the MMSC itself.  The flashmmsc
     command is then issued with the -d switch, to indicate a direct download,
     and the -l switch, to specify the serial port that is being used.


     The final form of the flashmmsc command is used to check what version of
     the firmware is actually contained in the binary file.  It has no other
     effect besides reporting the firmware's version number.

OPTIONS
     The following switches can be used to alter flashmmsc's behavior:

     -a        Indicates that an automatically initiated image transfer is to
               be performed.  This is the default behavior.

     -d        Indicates that the image is to be transferred directly to the
               MMSC's ALTERNATE CONSOLE port over the serial port specified by
               the -l option.

     -f        Specifies the file name of the firmware image to be programmed
               into the MMSC.  The default is /usr/cpu/firmware/mmscfw.bin.

     -l        Specifies the file name of the serial device to be used for a
               direct (-d) image transfer.  The default is /dev/ttyd2.  The
               serial device must be set up for a 19200 baud transfer rate.

     -m        Indicates that a manually initiated image transfer (that is,
               one in which the MMSC is manually told to accept a new firmware
               image) is to be performed.

     -r        Specifies the rack ID of the MMSC whose firmware is to be
               loaded.  If not specified, then the MMSC directly attached to
               the system console will be selected.  This option is ignored
               with the -m and d options.

     -V        Indicates that version number of the firmware contained in the
               image file should be reported.  When this option is used no
               MMSC flashing occurs.

FILES
     /usr/cpu/firmware/mmscfw.bin    contains the binary image of the firmware
                                     currently installed

WARNINGS
     The flashmmsc command is not intended for casual use.  If used
     incorrectly, it can render a system unbootable.  Silicon Graphics
     strongly recommends that this command only be used under the supervision
     of a support representative.

     The flashmmsc command can take as long as 20 minutes to complete,
     depending on the speed of the connection between the system and the MMSC.
     It is important to avoid resetting the system until the flashmmsc command
     has completed.  If the system loses power before a flashmmsc command
     completes, the MMSC itself may be rendered unusable.  In this case it
     will be necessary to perform the disaster recovery download (-d option)
     mentioned above.