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Updating compute node firmware

You can use the CMM web interface to update compute node firmware to the latest version.

Several tools are available to help you update the firmware and device drivers for the X-Architecture compute nodes in your chassis. You can use the CMM web interface to update the IMM (also referred to as IMM II or IMM2) firmware, however the following tools are typically used to apply firmware updates to X-Architecture compute nodes:

  • Lenovo XClarity Administrator

    Lenovo XClarity Administrator (if installed) downloads, installs, and manages firmware updates for your compute nodes. You can assign compliance policies to the managed endpoints to ensure that firmware on those endpoints remains compliant.

    Note
    Firmware updates can be applied to the hardware only. You cannot update device drivers using the Lenovo XClarity Administrator.

    For more information about the Lenovo XClarity Administrator application, see Lenovo XClarity Administrator information page.

  • Flex System Manager Update Manager

    Flex System Manager Update Manager (if installed) acquires, installs, and manages firmware and device driver updates and monitors your compute nodes to ensure they remain current. For more information about updating the Flex System Manager Update Manager see Flex System Manager management node.

  • UpdateXpress System Packs

    UpdateXpress System Packs (UXSP) contain an integration-tested bundle of online, updateable firmware and device drivers for your compute node. The Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator uses UpdateXpress System Packs to update the firmware and device drivers.

    Typically, use UpdateXpress System Packs to update firmware and device drivers for a compute node that has been provisioned. For more information about UpdateXpress System Packs, see Lenovo XClarity Essentials UpdateXpress website.

  • Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator

    You can use Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator to create bootable media for applying firmware updates and running preboot diagnostics. Using Lenovo 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 Flex system tools and updates from UpdateXpress System Packs, which contain Windows and Linux® firmware updates.

    Typically, Lenovo ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator is used for the initial setup of a compute node. For more information about the Bootable Media Creator, see ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator(BoMC) for Lenovo x86 servers website.

  • Integrated management module II (IMM2)

    You can use the IMM2 to update some types of compute node firmware. For more information about the IMM2, see Integrated Management Module II User’s Guide (you might need to register to access this content).

Another way to update firmware and device drivers is through the CMM web interface. You can use the CMM web interface to launch a remote IMM web session and update the IMM firmware for each X-Architecture compute node in your Flex System chassis. You must update the IMM firmware for each X-Architecture compute node individually.
Note
Remote compute node IMM sessions from the CMM are not supported by all compute nodes types, including all Power Systems compute nodes. See the documentation for your compute node for information.

If no user accounts have been manually set up for the IMM of the compute node you are trying to access, the connection to that IMM must be completed using the CMM user ID and password. For an IMM to communicate with the compute node Advanced Settings Utility (ASU) and UpdateXpress System Pack Installer (UXSPI) programs, a local user account must be set up for the compute node IMM. This local account is not included in an IMM configuration backup. For information about using the compute node IMM interface, see the compute node or IMM documentation.

Attention
Installing the wrong firmware or device-driver update might cause the compute node to malfunction. Before you install a firmware or device-driver update, read any readme and change history files provided with the update. These files contain important information about the update and the procedure for installing the update, including any special procedures for updating from an early firmware or device-driver version to the latest version.
Note
Follow the instructions in the readme file that comes with the firmware update. For additional information about updating firmware for the Lenovo Flex System, see the Flex System Firmware Update Guides (you might need to register to access this content).
Note
You can access the compute node IMM CLI using a CMM SOL session (see Starting an SOL session).
Use the following instructions to update the IMM firmware through the CMM web interface.
  1. From the CMM web interface, click Chassis Management > Compute Nodes.
  2. Select the compute node to be updated, then click Actions > Launch Compute Node Console.

  3. From the Launch Compute Node Console select the Interface IP address and Context, then click Launch.

  4. When the IMM web interface opens, click Server Management > Server Firmware.
  5. On the Server Firmware page click Update Firmware.
  6. Click Select File and enter the file path or browse to the file, then click Open.
    Note
    Read the notice before continuing with the next step.


  7. Click Next to begin uploading the file.
  8. On the Upload and Verify page, make sure the file selected to upload is the correct file, then click Next.
  9. Make sure Action1 is checked and Update the primary bank (default action) is selected on the Additional Options page. To update the backup firmware bank, check Action2, select Update the backup bank, then click Next and the primary bank and backup bank are updated at the same time.
  10. Progress of the firmware update is displayed on the Perform Firmware Flash page.
  11. When the firmware update completes successfully click Finish.
    Note
    If you updated the IMM primary bank, you must restart the IMM for the update to take effect.
    .
Important
To avoid problems and to maintain system performance, make sure the UEFI code, IMM2 firmware, and diagnostic firmware levels are consistent for all compute nodes in the chassis.
For additional information about updating firmware and device drivers, see UEFI Compliant Firmware on System x® and BladeCenter® Servers, the Flex System Quick start guides, and Flex System Firmware Update Guides (you might need to register to access this content).