Users Guide

Updates that do not require a reboot are applied immediately. Updates that require a system reboot are staged and committed
to run on the next system reboot. Only one system reboot is required to perform all updates.
After the firmware is updated, the System Inventory page displays the updated firmware version and logs are recorded.
The supported firmware image file types are:
● .exe — Windows-based Dell Update Package (DUP)
● .d7 — Contains both iDRAC and Lifecycle Controller firmware
For files with .exe extension, you must have the System Control privilege. The Remote Firmware Update licensed feature and
Lifecycle Controller must be enabled.
For files with .d7 extension, you must have the Configure privilege.
NOTE: After upgrading the iDRAC firmware, you may notice a difference in the time stamp displayed in the Lifecycle
Controller log until the iDRAC time is reset using NTP. The Lifecycle log displays the BIOS time until the iDRAC time is reset.
You can perform firmware updates by using the following methods:
● Uploading a supported image type, one at a time, from a local system or network share.
● Connecting to an FTP, TFTP, or HTTP site or a network repository that contains Windows DUPs and a corresponding
catalog file.
You can create custom repositories by using the Dell Repository Manager. For more information, see Dell Repository
Manager Data Center User's Guide. iDRAC can provide a difference report between the BIOS and firmware installed on the
system and the updates available in the repository. All applicable updates contained in the repository are applied to the
system. This feature is available with iDRAC Enterprise license.
● Scheduling recurring automated firmware updates by using the catalog file and custom repository.
There are multiple tools and interfaces that can be used to update the iDRAC firmware. The following table is applicable only to
iDRAC firmware. The table lists the supported interfaces, image-file types, and whether Lifecycle Controller must be in enabled
state for the firmware to be updated.
Table 9. Image file types and dependencies
.D7 Image iDRAC DUP
Interface Supported Requires LC enabled Supported Requires LC enabled
BMCFW64.exe utility Yes No No N/A
Racadm FWUpdate
(old)
Yes No No N/A
Racadm Update
(new)
Yes Yes Yes Yes
iDRAC UI Yes Yes Yes Yes
WSMAN Yes Yes Yes Yes
In-band OS DUP No N/A Yes No
The following table provides information on whether a system restart is required when firmware is updated for a particular
component:
NOTE:
When multiple firmware updates are applied through out-of-band methods, the updates are ordered in the most
efficient possible manner to reduce unnecessary system restart.
Table 10. Firmware update
Component Name Firmware Rollback
Supported? (Yes or
No)
Out-of-band —
System Restart
Required?
In-band — System
Restart Required?
Lifecycle
Controller GUI —
Restart Required?
Diagnostics No No No No
OS Driver Pack No No No No
iDRAC with Lifecycle
Controller
Yes No **No* Yes
BIOS Yes Yes Yes Yes
Setting up managed system and management station 63