Updating and configuring the blade server BIOS

Note: If you update the blade server BIOS using UpdateXpress, the blade server will maintain any BIOS settings that might have been set previously using the Configuration/Setup Utility program; the blade server will not revert to the BIOS default settings when you use UpdateXpress.

Complete the following steps to update and configure the blade server BIOS to enable SOL. Some blade servers have special BIOS update and configuration requirements that are in Special component requirements.

Complete the following steps to update the blade server BIOS:
1. Download the latest version of BIOS for your blade server type from http://www.ibm.com/support/.
2. Update the blade server BIOS, following the instructions that come with the update file that you downloaded.
Complete the following steps to configure the blade server BIOS settings:
1. Restart the blade server and press F1 when prompted to start the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
2. Select Devices and I/O Ports; then, make sure that the values are set as follows:
  - Serial Port A: Auto-configure
  - Serial Port B: Auto-configure
3. Select Remote Console Redirection; then, make sure that the values are set as follows:
  - Remote Console Active: Enabled
  - Remote Console COM Port: COM 2
  - Remote Console Baud Rate: 19200
  - Remote Console Data Bits: 8
  - Remote Console Parity: None
  - Remote Console Stop Bits: 1
  - Remote Console Text Emulation: ANSI
  - Remote Console Keyboard Emulation: ANSI
  - Remote Console Active After Boot: Enabled
  - Remote Console Flow Control: Hardware
4. Press Esc twice to exit the Remote Console Redirection and Devices and I/O Ports sections of the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
  Note: For older blade servers, do not use Planar Ethernet 1 for PXE/DHCP or BOOTP booting or installation. See Hardware and firmware requirements for information.
5. If your blade server does not support PXE/BOOTP booting or installation and SOL on Planar Ethernet 1 at the same time, select Start Options; then, set the following values:
  - Planar Ethernet PXE/DHCP to Planar Ethernet 2
  - Run PXE only on selected Planar NIC to Enabled
6. Press Esc to exit the Start Options section of the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
7. Select Save Settings; then, press Enter.
8. Press Enter to confirm.
9. Select Exit Setup; then, press Enter.
10. Make sure that Yes, exit the Setup Utility is selected; then, press Enter.