Dell OpenManage Integration for VMware vCenter

Running the Update Firmware Wizard for a Cluster

This functionality is only available for 11th, 12th, and 13th generation Dell servers that have either an iDRAC Express or Enterprise card. If your firmware was installed on or after October 14th, 2010, you can automatically update your firmware versions using the Firmware Update Wizard. This wizard only updates hosts that are part of a connection profile and compliant in terms of firmware, CSIOR status, hypervisor, and OMSA status (11th generation servers only). Select a cluster that is listed in the Clusters view and use the Firmware Update Wizard. It typically takes from 30 to 60 minutes to update firmware components for each cluster. Enable DRS on a cluster so that virtual machines can be migrated when a host enters/exits maintenance mode during the firmware update process. You can only schedule or run one firmware update task at a time.

If you want to export from the wizard, use the Export to CSV button. Search is available for locating a specific cluster, datacenter, host, or any topic item from the datagrid except for Date Applied.

NOTE: Always update firmware together as part of the repository bundle: BIOS, iDRAC, and Lifecycle Controller.

NOTE: For information on changing the default timeout setting, see the Troubleshooting section of the User’s Guide.

You can view the status and manage Firmware update jobs from the Job Queue page. See, Viewing Firmware Details for Datacenters and Clusters.

  1. Click on OpenManage Integration icon, click on Clusters hat is displayed in the left pane. The list of clusters are displayed.

  2. Click on a cluster from the displayed list. The main menu is displayed with different options.

  3. Click on Monitor -->Dell Cluster Information -->Firmware. The Run Firmware Wizard screen is displayed.

  4. Click on Run Firmware Wizard link. The Welcome Page is dislayed.

  5. Click Next. The Select Update Source screen is displayed where you can select the bundles. The Repository location is also displayed.

  6. Select host from the displayed list in the Select Bundles area. You should select at least one bundle for firmware update. Each host has a drop-down list next to the host name from which you can select the required bundle.

  7. Click Next. The Select Components screen is displayed. This screen displays the details of components such as model name, host name, service tag, component and so on for the selected host.

  8. Select at least one component from the list, and click Next to proceed. You can filter the content of the component data grid using the Filter field or, drag and drop columns within the component data grid. If you select the Allow Firmware downgrade check box, the existing firmware version will roll back to the previous available version.

  9. Click Next, the Schedule Firmware Update screen is displayed.

    1. Enter the firmware update job name in the Firmware Update Job Name field. This value is mandatory.

    2. Enter the firmware update description in the Firmware Update Description field. This value is optional.

  10. Select an option from the following.

    1. Update Now, select this radio button to run the firmware update job now and click on Next.

    2. Schedule Update button, select this radio button to run the firmware update job later and click on Next. You can schedule the firmware update job after 30 minutes from the current time.

    3. In the Calendar box, select the month and day.

    4. In the Time text box, type the time in HH:MM, and then click Next. The time is the local timezone where your client is physically located. Invalid time values result in a blocked update.

  11. The Summary screen is displayed with all the firmware update details.

  12. Click Finish and a message The firmware update job has been created for successful firmware update is displayed.