Sean Wallbridge
You can update firmware on Dell servers that are NOT running Windows using either the Dell Server Build disk along with the latest copy of the Dell Server Update Utility disk (monster download, so be prepared to wait for it) OR using the UEFI BIOS (System Services) and the Dell Server Update Utility disk. The following is the “how-to”.
Using Server Build/Server Update Disks
Boot into the server build disk and select the first option, the one used to build/update the server. And remember it takes its time to load up.
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You will need to have the Server Update Utility on its own DVD on a second DVD drive (USB) plugged into the machine in order for the rest of this to work.
Select Configure the System Firmware Updates on the following screen:
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On the next screen ensure you have selected CD/DVD ROM then click Continue
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The utility should go out and inventory everything
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You should then see a screen similar to the following which will show various devices and current/available firmware levels:
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In the above screen the Blue up arrows indicate firmware that can be upgraded and the Select checkboxes indicate firmware you want to update. NOTE: Various posts indicate it is best to update iDRAC firmware independently of other firmware so I will uncheck it for the next step. Once you are happy with your selections click the Systems Build and Update Utility Home button.
On next screen click Apply/Export Configuration
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On next screen just click on the Apply button:
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And now it does its thing. Be aware it can stay at this point for quite some time (@ 20 mins) and seem like nothing is happening. But stuff IS happening, be patient.
The server will reboot and it will go right back to this screen which will then update to completed or indicate if a particular update failed to apply.
Using UEFI/System Servvics
Boot into UEFI using F10 at the boot prompt screen (assuming you are already set up for UEFI boot. If you are not this process will not work):
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Now select Platform Update
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Select View Current Versions, you’ll get something like the following:
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Select the BACK option and then select the Launch Platform Update
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Use the local DVD drive option:
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Select the proper location for the packages as above then click Next:
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Next screen is similar to what you see off the Disk based updates:
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I am going to apply all selected firmware by clicking the Apply button:
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Nice! More info than the disk based setup ….
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45 mins to update NIC’s? WTF!!!
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Intriguing, screen goes black. Hope it is actually doing something!
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Ah ha! It IS (or did) doing something, system is rebooting.
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BIOS definitely updated and we are heading back to UEFI. I bet now it updates disk firmware …
Actually, I was wrong, everything is now updated:
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I’m so happeeee!
Now you can exit out and reboot as normal.