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Introduction
Lifecycle Controller allows an IT administrator to perform platform/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 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/Firmware Update feature provides the following benefits:
A simplified system management experience and greater standardization. The
update process operates from a single point in the preOS 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/Firmware Update feature.
Platform/Firmware Update – Supported Components
Table 1.
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
Backplane
Yes
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Yes
Yes
Yes
NIC
Yes
Yes
Yes
iDRAC
Yes
Yes
Yes
Power Supply Yes Yes Yes
CPLD Yes No Yes