Users Guide

You can perform firmware updates using the following methods:

• Using a firmware image file on a local system or on a network share.

• Connecting to the FTP, TFTP, or HTTP site or a network repository that contains a catalog of available

updates. You can create custom repositories using the Dell Repository Manager. For more

information, see Dell Repository Manager Data Center User's Guide. iDRAC automatically provides a

difference between the BIOS and the firmware that is installed on the server and the repository

location or FTP site. All applicable updates contained in the repository are applied to the system. This

feature is available with iDRAC Enterprise license.

• Scheduling recurring automated firmware updates using the catalog file in the FTP site or the network

repository location.

The following table provides information on whether a system restart is required or not when firmware is

updated for a particular component.

NOTE: When multiple firmware updates are applied through out-of-band methods, the updates are

ordered in the most efficient possible manner to reduce unnecessary system restart.

Table 7. Firmware update — supported components

Component Name Firmware Rollback

Supported? (Yes or

No)

Out-of-band —

System Restart

Required?

In-band — System

Restart Required?

Lifecycle

Controller GUI

— Restart

Required?

Diagnostics No No No No

OS Driver Pack No No No No

Lifecycle Controller No No No Yes

BIOS Yes Yes Yes Yes

RAID Controller Yes Yes Yes Yes

Backplanes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Enclosures Yes Yes No Yes

NIC Yes Yes Yes Yes

iDRAC Yes **No *No *No

Power Supply Unit Yes Yes Yes Yes

CPLD No Yes Yes Yes

FC Cards Yes Yes Yes Yes

PCIe SSD Yes Yes Yes Yes

* Indicates that though a system restart is not required, iDRAC must be restarted to apply the updates.

iDRAC communication and monitoring may temporarily be interrupted.

** When iDRAC is updated from version 1.30.30 or later, a system restart is not necessary. However,

firmware versions of iDRAC earlier than 1.30.30 require a system restart when applied using the out-of-

band interfaces.