Firmware and software for your server are updated periodically. These updates are made available as software releases. The software releases are a set of downloadable files (patches) that include all available firmware, software, hardware drivers, tools, and utilities for the server. All of these files have been tested together and verified to work with your server.
You must update your server firmware and software as soon as possible after a new software release becomes available. Software releases often include bug fixes, and updating your server ensures that your server has the latest firmware and software. These updates will increase your system performance, security, and stability.
The server Product Notes list the curent 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 CLI.
For the web interface, click System Information → Summary, and in the General Information table, for System Firmware Version, view the property value.
For the CLI, at the command prompt, type: show /System
The ReadMe file that is included with each patch in a software release, includes what changed or remained the same, and bugs that are fixed with the current release.