About firmware updates
The following table lists the number of firmware update jobs that you can run simultaneously in various deployment modes, although you can schedule any number of firmware update jobs:
Small deployment mode | Medium deployment mode | Large deployment mode |
5 | 10 | 15 |
The following are the two methods by which you can perform firmware update:
Single DUP—performs firmware update for iDRAC, BIOS, or LC by pointing directly to the DUP location (either CIFS or NFS share). The single DUP method can be used only at the host level.•
Repository—performs BIOS and all supported firmware updates. The method can be used at both the host level and cluster level. The following are the two locations of repository:
- Dell Online—the location
uses the firmware update repository of Dell (Ftp.dell.com). The OpenManage
Integration for VMware vCenter downloads selected firmware updates
from the Dell repository and updates the managed hosts.NOTE: Based on the network settings, enable proxy settings, if the network needs proxy.
- Shared Network Folder—you
can have a local repository of the firmware in a CIFS-based or NFS-based
network share. This repository can either be a dump of Server Update
Utility (SUU) that Dell releases periodically or a custom repository
created using DRM. This network share should be accessible by OMIVV.NOTE: If you are using CIFS share, the repository passwords cannot exceed 31 characters. Do not use the following characters in a password, such as @, &,%, ', ", ,(comma), <, >.NOTE: Ensure that you use the latest DRM version (3.x) and later.
- Dell Online—the location
uses the firmware update repository of Dell (Ftp.dell.com). The OpenManage
Integration for VMware vCenter downloads selected firmware updates
from the Dell repository and updates the managed hosts.
For information about setting up firmware update repository, see Setting up firmware update repository.
The Firmware Update Wizard always checks for the minimum firmware levels for iDRAC, BIOS, and Lifecycle Controller, and attempts to update them to the required minimum versions. See OpenManage Integration for VMware vCenter Compatibility Matrix for more information about the minimum firmware levels for iDRAC, BIOS, and Lifecycle Controller. Once iDRAC, Lifecycle Controller, and BIOS firmware versions meet the minimum requirements, the firmware update process allows updates for all firmware versions including: iDRAC, Lifecycle Controller, RAID, NIC/LOM, Power Supply, BIOS, and so on.