Supported platforms

This release supports the following platforms:

• BIG-IP 1500 (C36)
• BIG-IP 3400 (C62)
• BIG-IP 3410 (C100)
• BIG-IP 4100 (D46)
• BIG-IP 6400 (D63)
• BIG-IP 6800 (D68)
• BIG-IP 8400 (D84)
• BIG-IP 8800 (D88)
• EM 500

If you are unsure which platform you have, look at the sticker on the back of the chassis to find the platform number.

Installing the software

For information about obtaining and installing the switch card control processor (SCCP) on the BIG-IP 1500 (C36), BIG-IP 3400 (C62) BIG-IP 4100 (D46), BIG-IP 6400 (D63), BIG-IP 6800 (D68), BIG-IP 8400 (D84), BIG-IP 8800 (D88), or EM 500 platforms, please refer to Downloading the SCCP IM file from F5 Networks.

Warning: You must reboot the SCCP after you install the firmware update.

Downloading the SCCP IM file from F5 Networks

The SCCP update is provided as an IM installation package. On supported systems, you can copy the IM package to the system and update the SCCP.

The IM file is named sccp-firmware-12.0.8.4.0.im, and the corresponding MD5 file is sccp-firmware-12.0.8.4.0.im.md5. To install the SCCP IM package on a system, see Installing the SCCP from an IM installation package.

Download the IM installation package and the corresponding MD5 file from http://downloads.f5.com/.

For additional details about downloading files from F5 Networks, see SOL167: Downloading software from F5 Networks.

Installing the SCCP from an IM installation package

This section describes how to update the SCCP from an IM installation package.

1. Copy the IM file to a temporary directory on the Host side of the BIG-IP (for example, /var/tmp) and use MD5 to check the integrity of the IM file.
2. Type the following command to install the new SCCP firmware, where <file_name>.im is the name of the file you downloaded:
   im <file_name>.im
3. Reboot the SCCP so the firmware upgrade takes effect:
   1. Halt the Host by running halt from the command line.
   2. If you are connected using a serial console, type the following command to bring up the Command Menu:
      ESC+(
   3. Select the following option:
      8 --- Reboot SCCP subsystem (issues hardware reset--USE WITH CARE!)
   4. If you are connected using SSH, power cycle the machine.
4. Use SSH to connect to the SCCP. If you are logged into the BIG-IP system, type the following command: ssh sccp

Verifying the SCCP installation

After you use the IM package to install the software, you can verify the installation. To verify the SCCP installation, follow these steps:

1. Use SSH to connect to the SCCP. If you are logged into the BIG-IP system, type the following command: ssh sccp
2. After you are logged into the SCCP, type the following command: flashver

   The correct version information displays in the following lines of output:

   kernel: SCCP Linux build 12.0.8.4.0 Fri Sep 25 08:53:10 2009
   initrd: SCCP Linux build 12.0.8.4.0 Fri Sep 25 08:53:44 2009

New features and fixes in this release

This release includes the following fixes and enhancements.

High volume of network traffic on management network and SCCP watchdog timeout (CR107626, CR110551)
This release corrects the reboot response to the Switch Card Control Processor (SCCP) watchdog timeout event that occurred in response to a high volume of network traffic on the management network.

Allow updates on systems that use logical volumes for disk management (CR126045)
This release allows for SCCP firmware updates on LVM systems.

Features and fixes introduced in prior releases

The current release includes the features and fixes that were distributed in prior releases, as listed below. (Prior releases are listed with the most recent first.)

Features introduced in version 12.0.6

This release includes the following fixes and enhancements.

LCD unresponsive when loading (CR89303)
This release corrects a timing issue that in rare instances caused the LCD to become unresponsive.

Default LCD backlight idle time (CR90083)
The default LCD backlight idle time was 60 seconds. With this release, the default backlight idle time is 15 minutes.

Remove brightness on and brightness off settings from the LCD menu (CR90338)
With this release, the brightness on and brightness off settings have been removed from the LCD menu.

Remove backlight check box from LCD options menu (CR90338)
The LCD backlight check box has been removed from the LCD options menu.

Features introduced in version 12.0.5

D88psmon: Power requirements for the 8800 platform (CR80250)
In this release, D88psmon has been disabled in order to provide the 8800 with the capability to run on a single PSU. Previous versions of the 8800 required both 460W power supplies to be operational. In the event of a PSU failure, D88psmon would force a unit failover. New 475W power supplies provide the ability to power the 8800 with a single power supply, eliminating the need for D88psmon. The new 475W power supply has a black faceplate to differentiate it from the 460W PSU. Do not mix 460W and 475W power supplies in the same 8800 platform.

Manually toggling the LCD keypad backlight (CR83142)
We have corrected a problem that caused the LCD keypad backlight to turn off until the platform went through a power cycle when manually toggled off. You can now manually toggle the backlight on again.

Features introduced in version 12.0.4

1500 platform: software boot and system initialization (CR63196)
We have corrected a system initialization problem that required a hard reset after a software boot to correctly initialize the system.

SCCP and any character on the serial console (CR72210)
Previously, any character received from the serial console could stop the SCCP from booting correctly. Now, to stop the boot up process you must type Ctrl-C.

8800 platform: syslog log level for power supplies (CR72556)
The following type of syslog message is now logged for power supply issues in the 8800 platform at syslog level 2:

Dec 4 11:30:30 sccp D88psmon[62]: WARNING: Power supply #2 (right) is bad, missing or turned off
Dec 4 11:30:30 sccp D88psmon[62]: WARNING: Shutting down in 120 sec

LCD backlight settings (CR75943)
This version of the SCCP fixes the LED backlight so that it dims automatically after 60 seconds. The previous default was NEVER.

Support the BIG-IP 3410 platform (CR76382)
This version of the SCCP supports the 3410 platform.

Logging: Watchdog Reset warning (CR77180, 76185)
The SCCP now logs Watchdog Reset warnings.

SCCP silent reboot (CR80252)
This version of the SCCP corrects a problem where extra clock output was causing systems to reboot silently.

Logging: ECC errors on the SCCP (CR80253)
The SCCP now logs ECC memory errors.

Contacting F5 Networks

For additional information, please visit http://www.f5.com

Copyright © 2007-2010, F5 Networks, Inc., Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved.
F5, F5 Networks, the F5 logo, BIG-IP, 3-DNS, iControl, Internet Control Architecture, IP Application Switch, iRules, OneConnect, Packet Velocity, SYN Check, Control Your World, ZoneRunner, uRoam, FirePass, TrafficShield, Swan, WANJet, WebAccelerator, and TMOS are registered trademarks or trademarks, and AskF5 is a service mark, of F5 Networks, Inc., in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. F5 Networks' trademarks may not be used in connection with any product or service except as permitted in writing by F5.

This product protected by U.S. Patents 6,374,300; 6,473,802; 6,970,933. Other patents pending.