Updating firmware and device drivers
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.
- 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:
Table 1. Procedures to update firmware for blade servers in a scalable blade complex Scalable blade complex mode Inband updates Out-of-band updates Single partition Updating firmware for blade servers operating as a single partition Updating firmware for each blade server independently Independent partitions Updating firmware for each blade server independently Updating firmware for each blade server independently
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