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Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

Title:DEChub/HUBwatch/PROBEwatch CONFERENCE
Notice:Firmware -2, Doc -3, Power -4, HW kits -5, firm load -6&7
Moderator:NETCAD::COLELLADT
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4455
Total number of notes:16761

749.0. "DB90 fails after upgrade via NDU" by HGOVC::GUPTA () Tue Feb 22 1994 00:57

    Hi,
    
    Where can I find a copy of the Release notes for V3.1 software for
    DECbridge 90 (ethernet) ?
    
    Regards,
    Gupta
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
749.1pointerQUIVER::SLAWRENCETue Feb 22 1994 12:332
    
    NAC::MANAGEMENT:BRIDGE31_RELEASE_NOTES.PS
749.2Strange results with V3.1 of DB90 softwareSUOIS3::SUPPORT_GSWed Mar 23 1994 16:0527
    Hi,
    
    I also would be glad if someone could tell me where to get the Release
    Notes for V3.1 of the DECbridge 90 software.
    
    Nevertheless I've already tried to upgrade a DB90 with this software
    and got strange results:
    
     1. After the upgrade the 'System OK Indicator' hasn't turned on again
    
     2. I'm still able to connect to the bridge (via NCP Connect ...), but
        the bridge doesn't understand the usual DECbridge 90 commands as 
        described in DECbridge 90 Owner's Manual, chapter 4.
        Obviously EEPROM, FLASH, RESET, TEST and XDATA are the only
        commands the bridge accepts via the console carrier.
    
     3. Trying to manage the bridge with HUBwatch results in an error
        message: 'Response timed out'.
    
     4. Despite this problems the bridge does forward packets. (I could load
        a DECserver across this bridge and connect to it via NCP connect
    
    Can anybody explain these results to me ??
    
    
    Gerhard Stahl 
    
749.3most such info is at NAC::MANAGEMENT: thanks to Bill SeaverNAC::FORRESTWed Mar 23 1994 21:333
	Bridge V3.1 Release Notes
	NAC::LENAC_USER:[NETWORKS.MANAGE]BRIDGE31_RELEASE_NOTES.PS;1
749.4Wrong documentROGER::GAUDETBecause the Earth is 2/3 waterThu Mar 24 1994 13:337
RE: .3

FYI, this is the "Updating the DECbridge 90 Microcode Using DECndu (OpenVMS
VAX)" document, not the release notes.

...Roger...

749.5Problem when upgrading with NDU+BIKINI::KRAUSEEuropean NewProductEngineer for MCCMon Mar 28 1994 07:2713
I had the same problem when I tried to upgrade a few DB90s with NDU+.
(one difference: in my case the bridge stopped forwarding). It looks
like the FLASH is erased but no new image loaded. I tried DB90 and
DB90FL - both types show the same symptoms.

A downline load via the usual NCP LOAD mechanism worked fine! So this 
should be a workaround to get your bridges going again.

Since NCP LOAD works I would suspect a problem in DECnduplus. Could
someone in engineering have a look at this problem or should I formally
escalate it? 

*Robert
749.6The notesfile is an unofficial reporting channelROGER::GAUDETBecause the Earth is 2/3 waterMon Mar 28 1994 13:5717
The notesfile is never the right place to "formally escalate" a problem.  The
CLD/SPR/QAR system is.  If you suspect a problem, dropping a note in this file
is OK, but it is not the official problem reporting mechanism.

I'm not a DECndu Plus devo, but I'll forward your note in case the right person
has not been made aware of this problem.

FWIW, I saw a problem with DECndu Plus for DOS while attempting to load a
bridge.  It seems that from a DECpc 466 things just wouldn't work right. 
Attempting the load from a DECstation 425 worked fine.  The following day, I
successfully loaded from the 466!  Very strange.  Anyway, you didn't mention
what platform you were doing the load from (although I assume it's either
OpenVMS or ULTRIX since you mentioned NCP), so I'm not sure if this applies to
you or not.

...Roger...
DECagent 90 development
749.7BIKINI::KRAUSEEuropean NewProductEngineer for MCCTue Mar 29 1994 06:5718
>The notesfile is never the right place to "formally escalate" a problem.  The

I didn't mean that. I just wanted to ask here if it's a known problem.

>I'm not a DECndu Plus devo, but I'll forward your note in case the right person

Thanks. Could you tell me the name?

>successfully loaded from the 466!  Very strange.  Anyway, you didn't mention
>what platform you were doing the load from (although I assume it's either
>OpenVMS or ULTRIX since you mentioned NCP), so I'm not sure if this applies to
>you or not.

I did the NDU+ load from VMS V5.5-2 on a VS4000-90 and a VS4000-60 
(different Ethernet controllers) on different LANs with identical 
results: NDU+ killed the bridge while NCP load reanimated it.

*Robert
749.8The devo has been notifiedROGER::GAUDETBecause the Earth is 2/3 waterTue Mar 29 1994 16:3912
Robert,

I observed exactly what you described, only while attempting the load from a PC.
I, too, was able to load the bridge using NCP from a VMS host once the bridge
had its flash image corrupted.  The only twist for me was that the NDU load from
the PC worked fine the next day. Obviously there is a problem, and the
information you have provided is further support for what I observed.

The DECndu Plus developer is Paul (QUIVER::) Djerbaka.  I forwarded your note
(749.5) to him yesterday.  I'll make sure he gets 749.7 also.

...Roger...
749.9BIKINI::KRAUSEEuropean NewProductEngineer for MCCWed Mar 30 1994 07:247
Thanks Roger.

BTW: Could the author of .0 or a moderator please change the title of 
this note to reflect the subject? Something like "DB90 fails after 
upgrade via NDU".

*Robert
749.10Ref .9: Two topics got mixed-up..HGOVC::GUPTAMon Apr 11 1994 02:2517
    Ref .9:
    
    Two topics got mixed up along the way.
    
    When I put the base note, I was looking for Release notes for V3.1
    software (DB90) and the title was "Release notes for V3.1 DB90 ?"
    
    Well the pointers were given in .1, .3 but did not have the information
    I was looking for as was pointed out in .4.
    
    Now that two topics got mixed-up, I do not know what the title should
    be.
    
    BTW, IS THERE ANY POINTER TO RELEASE NOTES FOR V3.1 DB90 SOFTWARE ?
    
    Regards,
    Gupta
749.11I can't find themROGER::GAUDETBecause the Earth is 2/3 waterMon Apr 11 1994 19:599
Gupta,

I have scanned all known directories for ANYTHING resembling release notes for
the DECbridge 90 firmware and have come up empty.  If they exist, they are a
well-kept secret.

If anyone knows if they even exist, just jump right in here.

...Roger...
749.12Finally found the DECbridge 90 V3.1 release notesROGER::GAUDETBecause the Earth is 2/3 waterThu Apr 28 1994 14:127
Since the search for the online version of the DECbridge 90 release notes has
been futile, I decided to do the next best thing ... order an official SSB kit. 
Sure enough, there's a document supplied with the kit called "DECbridge 90,
DECbridge 90FL Product Information and Release Notes - Firmware Version 3.1." 
Part number AA-PYS0A-TE.

...Roger...
749.13online version?BIKINI::KRAUSECSC Network Management/HubsFri Apr 29 1994 12:229
>Sure enough, there's a document supplied with the kit called "DECbridge 90,
>DECbridge 90FL Product Information and Release Notes - Firmware Version 3.1." 
>Part number AA-PYS0A-TE.

Did the kit saveset contain the release notes as a file? If not:
This surely was not produced on a typewriter, so there has to be an
online version. Could one find out where this doc was written?

*Robert
749.14as extracted from teh SSB kitNPSS::JOHNSONFri Apr 29 1994 16:22232
Product Information and Release Notes - Firmware Version 3.1 


Part Number AA-PYSQA-TE						May 1993

_____________________________________________________________________________ 





This document describes the new and changed functions of the DECbridge 90 
(DEWGB) and the DECbridge 90FL (DEWGF) firmware Version 3.1. The DECbridge 90 
firmware Version 3.1 applies to all hardware revisions of the DECbridge 90 
and the DECbridge 90FL Ethernet bridges. This firmware provides remote network
management support of the DECbridge 90 and DECrepeater 90's in the DEChub 90.
The network management is done through the DECagent 90 using HUBwatch software.
You upgrade the DECbridge 90 firmware using the DECndu utility software. Refer
to the operating system specific DECndu installation manual and the associated
DECbridge 90 update manual. 



			Product Information
			____________________




The DECbridge 90 is a specialized LAN (local area network) device that 
connects two Ethernet or IEEE 802.3 LANs to form a single extended LAN. 
One LAN, referred to as the backbone, can consist of an unrestricted number 
of stations. The other LAN, referred to as the work group, is usually the 
smaller of the two LANs. The work group LAN is normally restricted to 200 
stations. 

There are two models of the DECbridge 90. Both models connect to the work 
group with a ThinWire (10Base2) connection, and have the option to connect 
to the backbone using an integral transceiver or through a 15-pin AUI 
connection. The DECbridge 90 includes an integral transceiver for a 
ThinWire (10Base2) backbone connection. The DECbridge 90FL contains an 
integral transceiver for a fiber optic (10BaseFL) connection. 

The DECbridge 90 firmware contains two components: the flash component, and 
the base component. The Flash component (also called FPROM) contains the 
console command language, remote network management, hub management, and the 
spanning tree algorithms. This upgrade replaces only the Flash component.  
Before performing this upgrade, your DECbridge 90 should contain the 
FPROM 1.5, FPROM 1.6, or the FPROM 3.0.  After the upgrade, it will be 
FPROM 3.1.  This version number is displayed when you connect to the 
DECbridge 90 management console.

The base component contains the diagnostics, algorithms for loading the Flash 
ROM, and the software assist to the bridging algorithms. The base component 
is not changed by the upgrade. Your base component ROM version (for example, 
1.14 or 2.1) will remain the same. The base component firmware version is 
linked to the hardware revision.  DECbridge units with base component firmware 
Version 1.14 contain Version 1 hardware. DECbridge units with base component 
firmware Version 2.1 contain Version 2 hardware.  

                                                                        2

                                                                           
								AA-PYSQA-TE

The Version 2 hardware used in the DECbridge 90FL supports a new "flood mode" 
feature which can be manually enabled or disabled and is automatically enabled 
when the work group exceeds 200 stations. This allows full connectivity with 
more than 200 stations by eliminating the automatic traffic isolation between 
the the work group and the backbone LANs. The flood mode features are available 
only in the Version 2 hardware. This upgrade will not add flood mode to a 
DECbridge 90 that does not have the necessary hardware support. All 
DECbridge 90FL units are Version 2 or later. Most of the non-fiber DECbridge 
units are Version 1.



			Release Note Information
			________________________


				CAUTION!
				_______


The base component of the DECbridge 90 firmware cannot be upgraded over the 
network or by replacing program ROMs inside the unit. Do not disassemble the 
unit or otherwise attempt to upgrade the base firmware!  The DECbridge 90 will 
not operate properly if the base firmware and the hardware revision do not 
match.

Both Ethernet ports should be operational and properly terminated when the 
upgrade is performed. Leaving one port disconnected will interfere with the 
upgrade process.



Firmware Upgrade Failure
________________________

If the Version 3.1 firmware upgrade fails after downline loading, the Flash 
ROM will be left unprogrammed or partially programmed.  In this state, the 
bridge will be partially but not fully operational and the following may occur:

0 The system OK lamp (marked with split ring icon) will not light.


0 If there are no bridges on the work group side that participate in the 
  spanning tree algorithm, the DECbridge 90 will bridge.  However, any 
  spanning tree messages received on the work group port will cause the 
  bridge to stop forwarding packets. It is not recommended that you operate 
  the bridge in this state.


0 If you use the MOP protocol to connect to the bridge console, the prompt is 
  ">>".  There is a small set of undocumented diagnostic commands available. 
  Type "?" or press return to list them.

If this occurs, ensure both network ports are properly terminated and that 
they passed the port self-test (green light on each port).  Repeat the upgrade 
procedure.

                                                                        3

                                                                           
								AA-PYSQA-TE



New Features and Changes:
_________________________

The following new features and changes in this DECbridge 90 firmware release 
are:

 
0 In previous versions, the SET PROTOCOL command would swap the second and 
  third bytes of the protocol type when the 5-byte IEEE SNAP SAP PID protocol 
  was specified. This command now works correctly for 5-byte protocol filters.
  (Version 1.6)
 
0 Management is now supported for the DECrepeater 90FA and other new hub 
  devices. (Version 2.9)

0 Support of the Remote Bridge Management Protocol (RBMS) for remote management 
  of certain bridge and hub repeater parameters has been added. This protocol 
  is supported for use by the DECagent 90. (Version 2.9)

0 Additional port counters for Received Block Check Error, Received Framing 
  Error, and Unsent, Remote Failure to Defer are provided when the hardware 
  supports them. (Requires Version 2 hardware and base component firmware 
  Version 2.1) (Version 2.9)

0 Added command support for management of the flood mode features. (Available 
  only when used with Version 2 hardware)

0 Changed the byte order in some error counters and port enable/disable actions 
  in the Remote Bridge Management protocol.  (Version 3.0)

0 Changed the LAN bridge 100 compatible bridge spanning tree algorithm. The 
  bridge will not go off line for 30 seconds when the root bridge changes, or 
  when entering or leaving the LAN bridge 100 compatible mode (AKA Epoch 1).

0 The Workgroup Size Exceed lamp lights when the workgroup size is exceeded 
  (201 or more stations versus 200 or more stations in previous versions) for 
   approximately ten minutes after the workgroup size falls below 201 stations.

0 Updated informational and error messages.


                                                                        4


                                                                AA-PYSQA-TE


                                                                               

The following tables include current DECbridge 90 and DECbridge 90FL update 
file device names and locations after installation for each operating system.
                                                                    

Update Files for ULTRIX RISC Systems
___________________________________________________________________________
Filename			Description and Location
__________________________________________________________________________
WGBMC310		        Device kit name and version number.This 
				is the filename that you use to perform the
				DECbridge 90 and DECbridge 90FL microcode 
				installation and update.
 
dewgb310.release_notes		DECbridge 90 and DECbridge 90FL firmware
				Version 3.1 release notes found in the
				/usr/kits/WGB310 directory.

dewgb310.sys			DECbridge 90 and DECbridge 90FL firmware
				image file found in the /usr/kits/WGB310
				directory.
__________________________________________________________________________


Update Files for OpenVMS VAX Systems
__________________________________________________________________________
Filename                        Description and Location
__________________________________________________________________________
DEWGB031			Device kit name and version number. This
				is the filename that you use to perform the
                                DECbridge 90 and DECbridge 90FL microcode
                                installation and update.

DEWGB_031.sys			DECbridge 90 and DECbridge 90FL firmware
				image file found in the MOM$SYSTEM 
                                directory.

DEWGB$IVP.com			Installation verification procedure found
				in the SYS$TEST directory.

DEWGB_031.release_notes		DECbridge 90 and DECbridge 90FL firmware
				Version 3.1 release notes found in the
				SYS$HELP directory.
_________________________________________________________________________




DECbridge is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.
DECndu is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.
DECrepeater is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.
HUBwatch is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.
ThinWire is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.
ULTRIX is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.