Update Sun 20-Port GbE NEM Firmware

The firmware version on your Sun 20-Port Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Network Express Module (NEM) should be ready to use and should not require any updating. If you need to update the firmware on your GbE NEM for any reason, you will need to use vendor-specific and (generally) OS-specific firmware updating tools.

Note

For recent information about GbE NEM firmware updates, consult the Sun Blade 8000 Series Product Notes.

Upgrading Firmware

For additional information about Intel 82571 GbE firmware and firmware upgrading tools, see the following site:

http://developer.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/server_adapters.htm?iid=connect_nav1+svradap&

Intel provides a DOS firmware management tool called eeupdate.exe. To get the version of the firmware currently installed on your NEM, enter the following command at the DOS prompt:

eeupdate /all /eepromver

Note

Utilities to update firmware are also available on the Sun Blade 8000 Series Resource CD under \support\tools.

Updating the GbE NEM Firmware

The PXE BIOS for the GbE NEM is a BIOS plug-in called an Option ROM that is programmed into each of the 10 Intel Ethernet controllers on the GbE NEM. It provides the capability for the module to be used in network boot and installation. The version installed on each Ethernet controller is reported by the Intel PXE BIOS during the device enumeration step.

To upgrade the Intel firmware on your GbE NEM, you must boot DOS from a CD, locally attached floppy disk, or virtual floppy disk via KVMS and run the Intel firmware updating tool.

  1. Connect a bootable CD, floppy drive, or remote floppy drive (via KVMS) to the Sun Blade Server Module (blade) attached to the NEM data ports that you want to update.

  2. Reset the server blade.

    See Resetting a Blade.

  3. Specify the local CD device, local floppy device, or remote floppy device (USB:AMI Virtual Floppy) as the boot device for the blade.

    The blade boots and displays the following output:

    Microsoft®) Windows Millenium,

    (C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1981-1999

    A:\>

  4. To update the Intel firmware on all EMs and NEM NICs associated with the blade hosting the update, enter the following commands:

    A:\> cd INTEL

    A:\INTEL> ibautil -all -up -quiet

    Note

    To upgrade the NICs associated with other blades attached to that NEM, you must repeat this process for each blade.