IBM periodically makes UEFI code, service processor (IMM)
firmware, diagnostic firmware updates, and device driver updates available
for the blade server. Several methods are available to update the
firmware for the blade server.
If
you are updating the firmware for the blade servers in a scalable
blade complex operating in single partition mode, you only must update
the firmware for the primary blade server. When you update the firmware
for the primary blade server, the firmware for the secondary blade
server is updated as well. Device drivers are updated through the
operating system.
You can update the firmware and
device drivers for the blade server by using one of the following
methods.
- Using UpdateXpress System Packs. UpdateXpress System Packs (UXSP)
contain an integration-tested bundle of online, updatable firmware
and device drivers for your servers. For more information about UpdateXpress
System Packs, see the http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?l ndocid=SERV-XPRESS&brandind=5000008
- Using the IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator. You can use
IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator to create bootable media that
is suitable for applying firmware updates, running preboot diagnostics,
and deploying Windows operating systems on supported systems. Using
IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator, you can create a single bootable
image on supported media (such as CD, DVD, ISO image, USB flash drive,
or set of PXE files) that bundles multiple IBMBladeCenter tools and
updates from UpdateXpress System Packs, which contain Windows and
Linux® firmware and device-driver updates. You can also create an IBM ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD for deploying Windows
operating systems and updates on supported systems. For more information
about the Bootable Media Creator, see the http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/
supportsite.wss/docdisplay? lndocid=TOOL-BOMC&brandind=5000008.
- Downloading the firmware and device drivers from the http://www.ibm.com/support/
fixcentral/systemx/groupView? query.productGroup=ibm%2FBladeCenter. Follow the instructions
that come with the firmware and device drivers to install them.
You must make sure that you update the firmware for each blade server
in the scalable blade complex to the same levels before resetting
the scalable blade complex. Refer to the following table to select
the correct procedure to follow based on your configuration and preferred
update method:
For more information about updating firmware and the preferred
methods, see the http://www-947.ibm.com/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5082923&brandind=5000020.
For additional instructions about updating the firmware
before attaching a IBM MAX5 expansion blade, see http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5085756