11 Software and Critical Patch Updates

This section includes important operating information and requirements for Oracle Server X7-2L.

• Update Your System to the Latest Software Release
  
• Server Security, Software Releases, and Critical Patch Updates
  
• Important – Install Latest OS Updates, Patches, and Firmware
  

Update Your System to the Latest Software Release

It is highly recommended that you update your system to the latest Software Release before you use the system. Software Releases often include bug fixes, and updating your system ensures that your server software is compatible with the latest server firmware and other component firmware and software.

You can download the latest Software Release, which includes firmware and software updates, from My Oracle Support at https://support.oracle.com . For information about downloading firmware and software from My Oracle Support, see Getting Firmware and Software Updates.

Server Security, Software Releases, and Critical Patch Updates

To ensure continued security of your system, Oracle strongly recommends that you apply the latest Software Releases. Server Software Releases include Oracle ILOM, BIOS, and other firmware updates, often referred to as “patches.” Oracle publishes these patches regularly on the My Oracle Support site. Applying these patches will help ensure optimal system performance, security, and stability. You can identify the latest Software Release for your system at https://www.oracle.com/servers/technologies/firmware/release-history-jsp.html .

To download a Software Release, go to My Oracle Support at https://support.oracle.com .

Oracle notifies customers about security vulnerability fixes for all its products four times a year through the Critical Patch Update (CPU) program. Customers should review the CPU advisories to ensure that the latest Software Release updates are applied to their Oracle products. Note that updates for Engineered Systems will be specifically published for a specific Engineered Systems product (that is, you need not look at specific updates for individual software components included in your Engineered System). For more information about the Oracle CPU program, go to https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/ .

Oracle also recommends that you update to the latest operating system release when it becomes available. Although a minimum operating system release is supported, updating to the latest OS release will ensure that you have the most up-to-date software and security patches. To confirm that you have the latest OS release, refer to the Oracle Hardware Compatibility Lists or third-party operating system certification information. See Supported Operating Systems.

For details about how to download the latest system software update, see Getting Firmware and Software Updates.

Important – Install Latest OS Updates, Patches, and Firmware

Some product features are enabled only when the latest versions of operating system, patches, and firmware are installed. To retain optimal system performance, security, and stability, you must install the latest available operating system, patches, and firmware.

To verify the Oracle ILOM firmware version:

1. Use Oracle ILOM to verify the system firmware version.

   • From the web interface, click System Information → Summary, then view the property information for the System Firmware Version in the General Information table.

   • From the command-line interface, at the command prompt (->), type: show /System/Firmware

   For more details, refer to information about viewing system information and inventory in your server Administration Guide, which is available at https://www.oracle.com/goto/x86admindiag/docs .

2. Ensure that the firmware version is at the minimum required version, noted above, or a subsequent release, if available.
3. If the required firmware version (or newer) is not installed:
   1. Download the latest Software Release from My Oracle Support at https://support.oracle.com.

      For more information, see Getting Firmware and Software Updates.

   2. Install the downloaded firmware.

      See Update System Firmware Using Oracle ILOM.

      Refer to the information about performing firmware updates in the Oracle ILOM Administrators Guide for Configuration and Maintenance, which is available at https://www.oracle.com/goto/ilom/docs . Ensure that you perform the preparatory steps described in that document before updating the firmware.

   Note:

   Occasionally after installing the firmware, the Oracle ILOM web interface cannot display the power state correctly on the power control page. To correct this problem, clear your browser cache before logging in to the Oracle ILOM web interface.