Sun Fire X2200 M2 Server
 
Oracle Server X7-2
 
Sun Server X4-2L
 

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In this Document

Goal

Solution

General Steps

I. Determine if you need to upgrade firmware

II. Locate and Download the latest update for your system

Upgrading Firmware

Using the ELOM/ILOM WebGUI/WebBUI (Browser Graphical Interface)

Using the ILOM CLI (Command Line Interface)

COMMON STEPS AFTER UPGRADE IS COMPLETE (Optional, but recommended)

RECOVERING FROM A FAILED FIRMWARE FLASH

References

Applies to:

Goal

This document will guide you on how to locate and install Firmware upgrades on Sun/Oracle X86 systems.

Note that some of the information contained herein may apply to other Sun/Oracle systems (Such as ILOM based SPARC systems, and certain Sun/Oracle Storage products), but is written explicitly to apply to X86 systems Only.

If you require assistance with upgrading firmware on other Sun/Oracle devices and systems, please open a support SR for the appropriate Support Group and they will be happy to assist you further.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING ORACLE ENGINEERED SYSTEMS - Firmware for Oracle Engineered Systems (Exadata, Exalogic, Exalytics, Supercluster, Oracle Database Appliance (ODA), Oracle Virtual Compute Appliance (OVCA), Big Data Appliance(BDA) ) is controlled and tested by Product Development. Provided firmware versions are specific to any given image version. Never attempt to update firmware manually on Oracle Engineered Systems except under the direction of an Oracle Technical Services Engineer (TSE).

Solution

General Steps

I. Determine if you need to upgrade firmware

There are a few ways to check your currently installed firmware version:

A)SP/ELOM/ILOM WebGUI/WebBUI (Web Browser Graphical Interface)

SP - Under "Menu Options" on the left side -> "Help" -> "About" -> "Application Information" Table, "Version:" Field.
ELOM - "System Information" -> "Version" -> "SP Board Information" -> "SP Board Information" Table, "Firmware Revision" Field
ILOM 1.x&2.x - "System Information" -> "Versions" -> "Version Information" Table, "SP Firmware Version" Field
ILOM 3.1.x&3.2.x - "General Information", "System Firmware Version" Field

 B)SP/ELOM/ILOM CLI (Command Line Interface)

SP - Version is reported upon login to the CLI
ELOM&ILOM - At the CLI prompt (->) type "version"

II. Locate and Download the latest update for your system

A) Firmware Index Page - http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/systems/patches/firmware/index.html
Locate your System Model in the list, choose the update you are interested in. This will redirect you to the "Patch Search" The most recent update will be at the top of each section in RED TEXT.
This will redirect you into MOS. Login, then download your selection.

B) MOS (My Oracle Support)Login to MOS (https://support.oracle.com)
Go to the "Patches&Updates" Tab
Click The "Product or Family (Advanced)" (Under the "Search" Tab in the "Patch Search" box on the Upper Right section.)
"Product" Box - Type in or select the system model from the drop down (EX. Netra X4270)
"Release" Box - Select the release version you are interested in (typicially the latest for the newest firmware)

Upgrading Firmware

V60x/V65x - Refer to the "Sun Fire™ V60x and V65x BIOS and Firmware Update ReadMe" for instructions on how to upgrade the firmware on these systems.
*These systems were first released in 2003, and do not contain a Service Processor.

V20Z/V40Z - Refer to the "Sun N1 System Manager 1.1 Administration Guide" for instructions on how to upgrade firmware on these systems

ELOM to ILOM Transition
Certain model systems (X4150,X4450, Blade X6250 and X6450) originally used ELOM (Enchanced Lights Out Manager) which were later upgraded to ILOM (Integrated Lights Out Manager). When upgrading systems with ELOM installed, you must first do an "ELOM to ILOM transition" upgrade first before installing the latest firmware. The steps are generally same, but you may need to install an "ELOM to ILOM" Transition version first before upgrading to the latest. The "transition" version is usually the very first ILOM version (usually ILOM 1.0.x or 1.1.x) for those systems and firmware versions this applies to, the first ILOM version package will often contain a folder and other files specifically relating to the transition. For more information see the "ELOM-to-ILOM Migration User’s Guide"

If you are NOT sure how to proceed you can always open a Support Request (SR) and the appropriate support teams will assist you as necessary.

Using the ELOM/ILOM WebGUI/WebBUI (Browser Graphical Interface)

ILOM 3.0 Maintenance and Diagnostics Guide     - See Page 8 "Updating Firmware Using Oracle ILOM (Web)
ILOM 3.1 Configuration and Maintenance Guide  - See Page 190 "Performing Firmware Updates"

1) Login to the WebGui as root.
2) Shutdown the Host OS, and reset the ILOM at least once before proceeding. (Maintenance Tab -> Reset SP Subtab -> Reset SP Button. Wait a few minutes for the ILOM to reboot then login again)
3) ILOM 3.0.x - "Maintenance" Tab -> Firmware Upgrade" Tab" -> "Enter Upgrade Mode" Button
ILOM 3.1.x - From The "Summary" screen, select the "Firmware Upgrade" Button
OR, Click "ILOM Administration" -> "Maintenance" -> "Firmware Upgrade" tab -> "Enter Upgrade Mode" Button
(Note - the ILOM will say it is rebooting to enter maintenance mode. this is not a full reboot, so don't skip the reset SP step above, which ensures that the ILOM has the most resources free for performing the upgrade.)
4) Select the BIOS/Firmware image file (usually has a .ima or .pkg extension)
5) Make sure "Preserve Configuration" is checked (should be by default. Unchecking this option will cause ILOM settings, including network configuration, to be lost). You may also see the option to delay BIOS upgrade until next reboot. We recommend that this option not be used and the upgrade allowed to complete and reboot the system immediately.
6) Click the Upload button and follow the prompts.
7) Allow the upgrade to complete. the ILOM will reboot automatically once the upgrade is completed. Reconnect to the WebGUI. confirm that the ILOM version has updated correctly.

Using the ILOM CLI (Command Line Interface)

ILOM 3.0 Maintenance and Diagnostics Guide     - See Page 11 "Updating Firmware Using Oracle ILOM (CLI)"
ILOM 3.1 Configuration and Maintenance Guide  - See Page 190 "Performing Firmware Updates"

1) Setup a TFTP server to host the SP Image file. (see your OS Vendor's documentation for instructions on how to setup a TFTP server.)
2) Copy the firmware image to the /tftpboot directory of your TFTP server
3) Shutdown the Host OS
4) Login to the ILOM CLI as root or a user with admin priviledges
5) Type the command "->load -source[tftp://tftpserverip/firmwareimage.name]
(optionally can also use http, https, ftp, sftp and scp)
6) Follow the prompts, make sure you preserve the ILOM configuration settings, otherwise all ILOM settings, including network configuration, will be lost.

NOTE: You have the option to not upgrade the BIOS after the ILOM is upgraded. We STRONGLY recommend you upgrade the BIOS image NOW. Running mismatched BIOS and ILOM is not recommended or supported and may lead to unpredictable system behaviour. If you cannot afford time for a reboot for BIOS upgrade we suggest either rebooting as soon as possible after upgrade, or hold off on upgrade until you can afford time for a reboot.

NOTE2: If your system also has any SCSI/SAS Raid HBA's, or infiniband HCA's installed, we strongly recommend you also upgrade them to the latest versions available at this time. Certain systems may fail to boot if their SCSI/SAS HBA's are not also upgraded. Certain Infiniband HCA's may also exhibit odd behaviour if they are not upgraded.

COMMON STEPS AFTER UPGRADE IS COMPLETE (Optional, but recommended)

1) CHECK THAT NO FAULTS ARE LOGGED -
(view FRU list in WebGUI, or use ->show faulty (or ->show /SP/faultmgmt)
clear any faults logged, then reset the /SP. Should a fault persist, or if you have any questions about anything else, run and upload an ILOM snapshot and contact your Oracle Support Engineer (Or open a new SR if you need one.)
2) View the VGA console - Either connect a VGA monitor, or start the Remote Console via ILOM's WEBGUI
To start the ILOM Remote Console:
ILOM 3.0.x - "Remote Control" Tab -> "Redirection" Tab -> "Launch Remote Console" Button
(Note - older ILOM's may give the option to view redirection in 8-bit or 16-bit. Choose whichever.
ILOM 3.1.x - From "Summary", look in the "Actions" Box, then click the Remote Console "Launch" Button
OR, click "Remote Control" -> "Redirection" -> "Launch Remote Console" Button
3) OPTIMIZE BIOS CONFIGURATION -
(NOTE-Specific BIOS details may vary from system to system. UEFI based systems will not contain certain options)
A) Press F2 (or whatever key is specified) to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
B) "Exit" Tab -> click "load optimal" defaults.
C) Go to the PCIpnp tab, disable any option ROM scanning that are not needed (does not exist in UEFI)
D) On the boot menu, modify the boot list as necessary (usually cdrom, then HDD, first network port if network booting is needed, otherwise disable everything else)

RECOVERING FROM A FAILED FIRMWARE FLASH

(Note - details vary depending on system model. Please see the Service Documentation for your System Model for specific instructions, or contact your Oracle Support Engineer for assistance.

1) Obtain and burn to CD (or mount in a virtual drive) the latest Tools&Drivers CD/DVD for your system (see the firmware download instructions above)
2) Boot the system from the T&D CD/DVD, when the menu appears, choose the option to Exit to DOS
3) Use the commands "cd firmware/BIOS", then "run flash.bat. Choose option 1 to Flash the BIOS clearing CMOS and load defaults.

USB Flash Drive
1) Create a bootable MS-DOS USB Flash Drive (use any method you prefer. Try the freeware "bootFlashDOS" utility. Search for it online.)
2) In any working system - Obtain, burn (or mount in a virtual drive) and insert the T&D CD/DVD into the drive, and the bootable USB stick into any available USB Flashdrive. Copy the contents of the /firmware/USBFlash/SPREcovery/* directory from the T&D CD/DVD to the USB Flash Drive
3) Insert the USB Flash drive into any available USB port (we suggest using the rear ports. Front ports go through a bridge that may cause the boot to fail)
4) Power on, enter BIOS, change the boot order to boot from USB first if it is not already set to do so, then reboot.
5) Boot from the USB Flash drive, navigate to the directory on the flash drive that contains the contents of the SPrecovery folder we copied earlier, then run "recovery.bat" 

References

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