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Computer processors may contain design defects or errors, known as ``errata'', which can cause the processor to deviate from published specifications. Some ``errata'' can be corrected by updating the processor's microcode. The SCO OpenServer p6update utility can correct ``errata'' in the following models of Intel processors: Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium II Xeon, Pentium III, Pentium III Xeon, Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, and Intel Celeron® processors.
The p6update utility updates a processor based on the the /etc/p6updata file, which contains processor microcode updates provided by Intel. By default, p6update is configured in /etc/inittab to run during system initialization.
An Intel Pentium III family processor has a Processor Serial Number (PSN), which can be accessed by software using the ``cpuid 3'' instruction. However, some administrators prefer that their systems not be identifiable in this way. p6update can also be used to disable the Processor Serial Number, both immediately and whenever the system reboots.
p6update accepts the following options:
If the command is successful, output similar to the following is displayed:
CPU VENDORSTRING VERSION FEATURES PFLAGS CURREV NEWREV STATUS PSN 0000-0672-0000-CA22-F06B-E786 0 GenuineIntel 672 387fbff 4 38 38 up-to-date PSN 0000-0672-0003-544F-F79B-E469 1 GenuineIntel 672 387fbff 4 38 38 up-to-date
Note that the p6update utility uses zero-based numbers to identify processors, both in messages and in command syntax. For example, a two-CPU system is represented as having CPU 0 and CPU 1. In contrast, other SCO OpenServer CPU-related commands use a one-based numbering system, so in the above example system, the two CPUs in the system would be displayed as CPU 1 and CPU 2.