Firmware and software, such as hardware drivers and tools for the server, are updated periodically. These are made available as a software release. The software release is a set of downloads (patches) that includes all available firmware, hardware drivers, and utilities for the server. All these have been tested together. The ReadMe document that is included with the download explains what has changed and what has not changed from the prior software release.
You should update your server firmware and software as soon as possible after the software release becomes available. Software releases often include bug fixes, and updating ensures that your server software is compatible with the latest server firmware and other component firmware and software. These updates will increase your system performance, security, and stability.
The server product notes list the current server software release and firmware version that are available. To determine which firmware version is installed on your server, you can use either the Oracle ILOM web interface or the command-line interface (CLI).
From the web interface, click System Information → Summary, then view the property value for System Firmware Version in the General Information table.
From the CLI, at the commnad prompt, type: show /System
The ReadMe file in the download package contains information about the updated files in the download package, as well as bugs that are fixed with the current release. The product notes also provide information about which server software versions are supported.