============================================================================= Intel(R) Server Compute Blade SBXD132 BIOS RELEASE NOTES ============================================================================= INTEL Enterprise Platform & Services Marketing Intel Corporation 2111 N.E. 25th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124 USA ============================================================================= DATE: October,22 2007 TO: Intel(R) Server Compute Blade SBXD132 customers SUBJECT: BIOS Release Notes: SBXD132_B21A (Build ID BCEN21AUS) ============================================================================= Information in this document is provided in connection with Intel products. No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any intellectual property rights is granted by this document. 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Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. *Other names and brands are the property of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2007 Intel Corporation. ============================================================================= ABOUT THIS RELEASE ============================================================================= Release :SBXD132_B21A Build ID :BCEN21AUS Version :1.06 Build Date :2 August 2007 ============================================================================= Overview ============================================================================= This release Notes file contains the latest information about installing the POST/BIOS for the SBXD132. *** This BIOS flash image update contains an Intel errata patch to correct a possible processor marginality, resulting in unpredictable system behavior, such as machine check, system hang, blue screen, or kernel panic in Linux. The problem is industry-wide, the exposure is believed to be limited, but Intel strongly recommends that customers install this update as soon as possible to eliminate any exposures. Intel also recommends that you update your backup BIOS for the same reasons. 1. Enhancements: -Added support for processor ID 6fb. -Added setup option for processor C1E enable/disable {Advanced:CPU}. -Enabled DMA device in chipset to aid high speed bandwidth for network devices. Device drivers must make use of the chipset features. -PXE ROM update (V3.0.6) -Small footprint video ROM (yj23986a). -Power Exec support. -PCI Expansion Unit performance changes. 2. Problem(s) Fixed: -BIOS fixes for memory diagnostics support. -UUID stored incorrectly when updated via the Windows/Linux (Wflash/Lflash) update utilities. -System sometimes hangs, but should reboot after a double bit memory error. -Systems using quad core processors with processors in both CPU sockets, will hang when the processor in the first CPU socket is disabled due to errors. The system should boot with the first processor socket disabled, using the CPUs in the second processor socket. This only affects quad core processor configurations with both sockets filled. 3. Dependencies: -Starting with BIOS version 1.04 and future BIOS versions, the backup BIOS will need to be updated one time only. * See Dependencies under V1.04 release. ============================================================================= Change History ============================================================================= Version 1.06 - August 2, 2007 - BUILDID:BCEN21AUS ---------------------------------------- Enhancements: -Added support for processor ID 6fb. -Added setup option for processor C1E enable/disable {Advanced:CPU}. -Enabled DMA device in chipset to aid high speed bandwidth for network devices. Device drivers must make use of the chipset features. -PXE ROM update (V3.0.6) -Small footprint video ROM (yj23986a). -Power Exec support. -PCI Expansion Unit performance changes. Problem(s) Fixed: -BIOS fixes for memory diagnostics support. -UUID stored incorrectly when updated via the Windows/Linux (Wflash/Lflash) update utilities. -System sometimes hangs, but should reboot after a double bit memory error. -Systems using quad core processors with processors in both CPU sockets, will hang when the processor in the first CPU socket is disabled due to errors. The system should boot with the first processor socket disabled, using the CPUs in the second processor socket. This only affects quad core processor configurations with both sockets filled. Version 1.05 - April 5, 2007 - BUILDID:BCEN16BUS ---------------------------------------- Enhancements: -Fuel Guage Inventory support for low power quad core processors. * CPU ID 6F7. -Support for graphics adapters in PCI Expansion Units. * supported as non-boot device only. Problem(s) Fixed: -Video BIOS V8.5.030 (yj23329j.bin) * Remote video shifted in some video modes when local video appears fine. -Alternate Boot sequence not being used for Wake On Lan. * This is a solid fail with some processor / memory speed combinations. -Virtual Technology setting in Quad Core processors * With Virtual Technology enabled in setup, quad core processors may not have MSRs set correctly in all cores. Dual core processors are not affected. -Fixed support for PCI Expansion Units. * This worked in V1.00, and broke in V1.01 with support for other High Speed Cards sharing that same connection to the blade. Its symptoms are improper interrupt assignments under the OS. -Updated processor patch files (*** see above notice). Dependencies: -Starting with BIOS version 1.04 and future BIOS versions, the backup BIOS will need to be updated one time only. * See Dependencies under V1.04 release. Version 1.04 - December 22, 2006 - BUILDID:BCEN15EUS ---------------------------------------- Enhancements: -Support for quad core processors. -Memory Code v1.2. -PXE v2.8.5 (*note dependencies). -New CMOS Def file support. -New Processor Throttle file format (*note dependencies). Problem(s) Fixed: -Lightpath fault isolation in 2 DIMM configuration (LEDs were not turned on previously). -LFlash write incorrect UUID to VPD. -Rom space required for iSCSI ROM during POST (1801 Errors). -Post 3 boot failure detection. -No video during remote OS install Dependencies: -Starting with BIOS version 1.04 and future BIOS versions, the backup BIOS will need to be updated one time only. Use of the newer BIOS versions (1.04 and later) with older BIOS in the backup (version 1.03 or previous) is not a supported configuration. When running in such an unsupported configuration and booting from backup BIOS, the system will not have PXE support and may have invalid processor power values for Fuel Guage Inventory. Version 1.03 - Not Released - BUILDID:BCEN12DUS ---------------------------------------- Enhancements: -Adjustments to Blade Power Values for Fuel Guage Inventory. - no iSCSI suport. - MRC v 1.2 (based from BIOS v1.01 - BCEN12BUS) Version 1.02 - Not Released - BUILDID:BCEN12DUS ---------------------------------------- Enhancements: -Adjustments to Blade Power Values for Fuel Guage Inventory. -iSCSI suport. Version 1.01 - October 10, 2006 - BUILDID:BCEN12BUS ---------------------------------------- Problem(s) Fixed: -New Video BIOS to correct screen shift in POST and BIOS F1 setup (yj21162a.bin). -Fixed issue with ACPI structures that confused Windows to not route interrupts correctly for some future High Speed Daughter Cards. Enhancements: -Support for additional CPUs. -Improved error logging to capture more relevant information for some PCI error cases. -Improvements to code to isolate errors due to Advanced Memory Buffers devices in Fully Buffered Dimms. Version 1.00 - August 8, 2006 - BUILDID:BCEN11AUS ---------------------------------------- - Initial release ============================================================================= IMPORTANT INSTALLATION NOTES/Procedures ============================================================================= Follow the procedure below to update the SBXD132 BIOS: 1. Extract all bios files to a floppy diskette. Depending upon the version, you may be required to accept the licensing agreement in order to extract the files. 2. Insert the "SBXD132 BIOS Flash Disk" into drive A. 3. Start up or restart the SBXD132 Blade Server that is to be updated. 4. The system will boot off of the disk and present a window which allows you the option to flash various options. Choose "1 - Update POST/BIOS". 5. You will be asked if you would like to move the current POST/BIOS image to the backup ROM location. If you select 'Y', the current code will be flashed in to the backup bank immediately. 6. If the current system POST/BIOS supports the Asset Tag feature, you will be asked if you would like to change it. If you select 'Y', you will be able to enter a new number. 7. You will then be asked if you would like to save the current code to a disk. If you select 'Y', you need to have a formatted disk already available, or specify a fully qualified path and file name. 8. At this point, the image will be loaded from the disk, and you will be asked to choose which language you wish to use during POST and in Setup. If you select a choice other than English, the selected language will be merged into the image. There is also an option to Quit the flash update on this menu. 9. After this completes the system will update the flash ROM with the new code. When this is complete you will be prompted to remove the disk and hit return to reboot the system. ============================================================================= BIOS RECOVERY NOTES ============================================================================= Refer to the Intel(R) Server Compute Blade SBXD132 Installation and User's Guide for information on BIOS recovery procedures. ============================================================================= KNOWN ISSUES/WORKAROUNDS ============================================================================= Refer to the Intel(R) "Server Compute Blade SBXD132, Product Specification" and/or "SB-HE Bi-Weekly Technical Update" for detailed information on known issues and workarounds ============================================================================= Unattended Mode ============================================================================= Steps for unattended mode. 1. Modify CONFIG.SYS on the Flash Diskette to read: "SHELL=FLASH2.EXE /u /r" Or use FLASH2.EXE /u /r from your script. /u is for unattended mode /r is to specify reboot after flash is done ** reboot is recommended after flash. 2. Reboot the system with the Flash Diskette in Drive A: ** Note: An optional parameter of "/a:" can be added to allow for storing a system asset tag number where "" is replaced with up to a 32 digit string. ============================================================================= Support Web Site ============================================================================= http://www.intel.com ============================================================================= REFERENCE MATERIAL ============================================================================= Intel(R) Server Compute Blade SBXD132 Installation and User's Guide Intel(R) Server Compute Blade SBXD132 Hardware Maintenance and Troubleshooting Guide These guides may be found on the support resource CDs, the Intel Business Link support site, or may be obtained from your Intel support representative. [END OF RELEASE NOTES]