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Introduction
Lifecycle Controller allows an IT administrator to perform firmware updates and roll backs, and view
existing firmware versions even if the operating system is not installed or running. Using Lifecycle
Controller, the system can be updated using the repositories accessible through FTP or located on a
locally attached USB flash drive, DVD or network share.
After selecting the update repository, Lifecycle Controller automatically detects the applicable
update. Similarly, Lifecycle Controller can also roll back the component firmware to the previous
firmware version.
The Platform Update feature provides the following benefits:
 A simplified system management experience and greater standardization. The update
process operates from a single point in the pre‐OS UEFI environment that works on all
supported servers.
 A secure process, the system and data are protected through multiple layers of security
validation.
 Reduced downtime - The number of reboots is minimized during the update process.
Further, since the update process runs in the UEFI environment, the boot time on the
system is reduced, eliminating the need to load a running operating system.
Supported Components
The following table lists the components that are supported through the Platform Update feature.
Table 1. Platform Update – Supported Components
Component Name
Update (Yes/No)
Rollback (Yes/No)
Reboot (Yes/No)
Lifecycle Controller
Yes
No
Yes
OS Driver Pack
Yes
No
No
Diagnostics
Yes
No
No
BIOS
Yes
Yes
Yes
RAID Controller
Yes
Yes
Yes
NIC
Yes
Yes
Yes
iDRAC
Yes
Yes
Yes
Power Supply
Yes
Yes
Yes