PRODUCT_TAPE parameter in image.data file

I found this out the hard way and haven't found it yet in the official documentation.

In a file generated by mkszfile(1), the value of PRODUCT_TAPE is set to "no". If you want to create a NIM image_data resource from this file and use it to install BOS, the value needs to be changed to "yes". Otherwise the BOS installation will bomb out in the initial stages (when copying CuDv to disk after creating logical volumes and filesystems).

To find this out I had to set BOSINST_DEBUG to "yes" in the bosinst.data file and examine the saved console output.

More p5-590 firmware woes

In reference to my previous post about the long-awaited new p5-590 firmware, here's the latest IBM masterpiece from their website:

This package provides new firmware for i5, OpenPower, p5 Servers and IntelliStation 285, EXCEPT for the following systems: 9119-590 and 9119-595 and 9406-595.
Although 9119-590, 9119-595 and 9406-595 systems are being shipped from the factory with this level of code installed, field upgrades of these models to release level SF235_180 are not supported at this time. This restriction is limited to the 59x models. If you have questions regarding this, please contact your next level of support.

If I had purchasing power, I would have a serious talk with IBM sales people about this >:-(