8.8 Updating InfiniBand Network Fabric Switch Firmware

This topic describes procedures to upgrade and downgrade the firmware on the InfiniBand Network Fabric switches.

Note the following when updating the InfiniBand Network Fabric switch firmware:

• The upgrade of the InfiniBand Network Fabric switches is performed using patchmgr.

• The minimum switch firmware release that can use the update utility is release 1.3.3-2. Switch firmware is always updated in a rolling manner.

• Download the appropriate patch ZIP file to any machine with access to the InfiniBand Network Fabric switches. Refer to My Oracle Support note 888828.1 for the patch information.

• Switch firmware is always upgraded in a rolling manner.

Note:

Before Oracle Exadata System Software release 19.3.0, the storage server and RDMA Network Fabric switch updates use the version of patchmgr bundled with the Oracle Exadata System Software release. Starting with Oracle Exadata System Software release 19.3.0, there is a separate patchmgr download for the RDMA Network Fabric switches and the storage servers.

Perform storage server updates separately from RDMA Network Fabric switch updates. Do not update storage servers and RDMA Network Fabric switches concurrently. RDMA Network Fabric network connections must be stable during some critical stages of storage server updates. The RDMA Network Fabric switch firmware upgrade requires a switch reboot, which disrupts some connections on the RDMA Network Fabric.

• Preparing for InfiniBand Network Fabric Switch Firmware Updates
  You must follow a specific order when updating the InfiniBand Network Fabric switches.
• Updating InfiniBand Network Fabric Switch Firmware Software
  Update the InfiniBand Network Fabric switches using the patchmgr command.
• Downgrading InfiniBand Network Fabric Switch Firmware
  Downgrading firmware means reapplying the older firmware update, which is shipped with the Oracle Exadata System Software update.