Update Firmware

The Update Firmware task allows you to update system firmware (BIOS and Oracle ILOM SP) and hardware device firmware in the system. It is the second of a two-step process for updating the server—the first step is to perform the Get Updates task.

The Update Firmware task compares the firmware versions in the most recent platform software release download to the currently installed server system and device firmware. The task allows you to preview the changes, compare version numbers, manually select which components to update, or choose to update all firmware components. The best practice is to update all firmware components to the latest versions.

The time it takes to perform an Oracle ILOM/SP update depends on the Local Host Interconnect setting in Oracle ILOM. The quickest method is the internal Host-to-ILOM interconnect that is used by Oracle System Assistant when the Local Host Interconnect setting in Oracle ILOM is configured as host managed (true), which is the default. If the Oracle ILOM Local Host Interconnect setting is not configured as host managed, a slower method is used by Oracle System Assistant for the update.

Use this procedure to update server firmware using Oracle System Assistant.

Before You Begin

Use the Get Updates task to download the most recent platform software release from Oracle before you update firmware.

1. Click Update Firmware.

   The Update Firmware screen appears.

   
   
2. To view the hardware components that can be updated, click the Check for Firmware Updates button.

   The Firmware Update Check progress box appears as the task polls the components and performs the firmware update check.

   
   
3. (Optional) Click the Preview Changes button.

   The Firmware Update Install Changes dialog appears.

4. View a list of firmware components that need updates and compare current and available version numbers.

   You can also review the Component Name, Device Name, Firmware/BIOS Installed, and Firmware/BIOS Available.

5. To proceed, select one of the following:
   • To perform a selective firmware update: Select the firmware updates that you want to install, and then click the Install Updates button.

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     Note - Components that are up-to-date cannot be selected.

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   • To install all the firmware updates, click the Install All Updates button.
6. If you are prompted to log in to Oracle ILOM to perform the update, you must log in using an account with full administrator or root privileges, such as:

   • The Oracle ILOM root account.

   • A user account assigned the Administrator role (which includes the aurco roles).

   • A user account customized with the aurco roles.

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   Note - A user account with only the admin (a) role will not provide enough privileges to perform the update from Oracle System Assistant.

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   Note - If the update process proceeds without prompting you to log in to Oracle ILOM, a different update method is used which can take longer to complete (up to 40 minutes).

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7. Wait while the system updates the firmware.

   The update firmware progress bar appears.

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   Caution - Data Corruption and loss of functionality. Do not interrupt the firmware update process. A server reboot might be required for the firmware updates to take effect; if so, the system reboots automatically.

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Related Information

• Organization of Oracle System Assistant